MZANZI TRAVEL - ISSUE 2

DAMARALAND
The home of desert-adapted elephant, rhino and lions as well as
oryx, springbok and hundreds of bird species, Damaraland is at
once beautiful, unique and fascinating with rocky mountains, grasscovered
plains and every conceivable range of brown from dark
russet to bleached blonde. Except the sky which is a deep vivid blue.
NAMIB-NAUKLUFT PARK
Covering 50,000sq km, the Namib-Naukluft Park begins on the
plateau of central Namibia and drops to the vast basin of the Namib
Desert - the 20-million year-old remains of an ancient sea.
Wide open spaces framed by purply-blue mountains and impossible
sunsets make the Namib-Naukluft a place of singular beauty and
peace. The only sound you’ll hear is the gentle breeze.
KALAHARI
Red sand dunes, swaying bleached-blonde grass and endless blue
skies: the Kalahari is for escapists.
Home of the San Hunter-Gatherers, the Kalahari is not without its
share of wildlife including lions, oryx and those adorable meerkats
bopping their heads and chirruping at each other all day, the Kalahari
is a place of beauty, contemplation and giant venison steaks.
FISH RIVER CANYON
The Fish River Canyon is Africa’s largest canyon, thought to have
formed about 500 million years ago. The canyon is located in
southern Namibia, on the border with South Africa. The Fish River
has carved out over 160 km’s of rock (100 miles), and some of the
canyon walls are over half a kilometer high. You can hike the canyon
but only during the cooler months between May and September.
The hike takes 5 days (it’s 85 km’s) and there are no hotels or places
to get food or water along the way. Accommodation is in tents or
in the open air. The hike offers spectacular views and common
sightings of baboons, klipspringers and hyraxes.
KAOKOLAND
Enormous, virtually impassable mountain ranges, all the desertadapted
wildlife of Damaraland to the south and mile upon square
mile of uninhabited, scenic splendor. Kaokoland is where the
fascinating Himba people live - off the land in harmony with nature.
Best suited to adventurous self-drive 4x4 camping adventures with
more than one vehicle.
THE CAPRIVI STRIP
The Caprivi strip is quite different from the rest of Namibia, it’s green
and populated. The Caprivi strip is a narrow finger of land in northern
Namibia, that juts eastward and borders Angola as well as Zambia,
Zimbabwe and Botswana (Africa’s four corners). This area is filled
with wildlife and ideal for a water based safari since several major
rivers flow in this region, this area is home to the Zambezi, Okavango,
Chobe and Linyanti rivers. It’s also a big birding destination, with
over four hundred species flying around. With several national parks
to enjoy, lovely lodges and even houseboats to choose from, it’s a
destination not to be missed.
SWAKOPMUND
Swakopmund is Namibia’s premier seaside town. The main street
is lined with palm trees and German style colonial buildings.
Swakopmund is a very popular spot for local tourists who visit
to escape the heat, especially during the hot Namibian summer
(November - February). Swakopmund has lots of hotels, restaurants
and even a casino to enjoy. The water temperatures are usually too
chilly to really enjoy swimming here, but shore based fishing, dolphin,
seal and whale watching, as well as birding will fill your time nicely.
For more information on planning your Namibian adventure visit
the Namibian Tourism website on www.namibiatourism.com.na
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