NAMIBIA

Namibia: Land of contrasts

More than 800 000 square kilometers in size, Namibia is immense even by African standards. But what occupies this seemingly endless amount space are landscapes of every kind - wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room - to create an otherworldly environment in which an amazing wealth of wildlife thrives. It's the perfect place for nature lovers, adventure or solace seekers, and for people looking to be inspired long after their departure.

The ruggedness of the Namibian landscape has done nothing to deter both plant and animal life from adapting and thriving in this harsh terrain. Namibia has some of the world's biggest national parks - from large game such as lion, elephant, giraffe, cheetah and rhino to a wealth of smaller animals, and even endemic species like the black-faced impala and the plants like the ancient Welwitschia mirabilis, there is no shortage of ecological splendour in this country.

Part of the allure of Namibia is that it boasts four completely different regions, each with varying landscapes, characteristics and attractions. The most definitive is the Namib, a long coastal desert that runs the length of the country with migrating dune belts, dry riverbeds and canyons. The central plateau is home to the majority of Namibian towns and villages, and is divided between rugged mountain ranges and sand-filled valleys. The vast Kalahari Desert with its ancient red sand and sparse vegetation, is the third region. Finally, there are Kavango and Caprivi, blessed with generous amounts of rain and typified by tropical forests, perennial rivers and woodland savannahs.

Namibia is truly unique, influenced by various cultures during colonisation, and now reborn from the shadows of Apartheid in 1990. What has emerged is a true sense of unity in diversity - the coming together of 11 major ethnic groups, each celebrating their past while working together towards a prosperous future. Within the language, art, dress, music, sport, food and religion there exists a wonderful collage which truly reflects the massive cultural diversity that exists within the country.

The history of this land can be found etched into the land in the form of rock paintings found in the south and at sites such as Twyfelfontein, some dating back to 26 000 B.C. A long lineage of various groups including San Bushmen, Bantu herdsmen, Himba, Herero and Nama tribes have been calling this rugged land their home for thousands of years.

Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that make you question whether something so visually orgasmic could actually exist. Time and space are less defined here. Landscapes collide. Experiences pile up. Watch a lion stalking its prey on a never-ending plain in Etosha. Fly down a giant dune on a sandboard. Spend a night alone in the desert under a sky so thick with stars you can't differentiate between constellations. Namibia is here. And it's yours to explore.

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