Namibia

Situated in the heart of the Namib Naukluft Park, they are the symbol of Namibia and are amongst the highest in the world. The dunes of many shape, by walking on them you leave your footprints in one of the world’s oldest deserts. The magic of the desert is like no other, the blue sky creates a stark, breathtaking contrast with the color of the dunes: this is one of the reasons why Namibia is considered a photographer’s paradise. One of Sossusvlei most spectacular locations is Deadvlei, which takes its name from the old, skeleton-like dead acacia trees. To arrive in Sossusvlei we drive through a corridor/valley formed by the Tsauchab river (almost always dry). This river never makes it to the Ocean due to the dunes that have formed along its path. You can expect to see Oryx, Springbok, jackals, ostrich, insects and birds. More difficult to see, the brown hyena, Cape foxes and wild cats. A plant that is typical of this area is the Nara (Acanthosycios Horridus) which is endemic and evergreen, and its fruit a source of nutrients and water for the wildlife. The park can be visited all year round.

The Atlantic Ocean touches the coast of Namibia in all its length, the waters – which are cold due to the Benguela current coming from the South Pole – are deep and rich in fish. A while back, the coast was dispersed with ship wrecks but also whale carcasses, and the skeletons of dead cape fur seals and sometimes men, as well: this is why the coast of Namibia is also called the Skeleton Coast. There are various types of coasts: vast sandy beaches, rocky beaches and finally the more suggestive ones, with dunes that disappear amidst the waves of the Ocean. Fog is a common event on the coast: covering everything with a thin layer of micro drops, it is a source of life for many animals and endemic vegetation and creates and amazing living desert.

Cape Cross is the second largest colony of Cape fur seals in Namibia (Arctocephalus pusillus). The colony can be visited year round.

Swakopmund is the main city, with its Bavarian style buildings.

Walvis Bay is the main port of Namibia and has a vast lagoon, rich with sea birds and in its waters you may find the Benguela dolphins (endemic), cape fur seals, and humpback whales (during certain times of the year).

Sandwich Harbour offers an amazing landscape, with the golden dunes that meet the cold Atlantic Ocean; it is situated 40 km south of Walvis Bay, in the Namib Naukluft Park.

Ludreiz is a small, almost surreal, windy town situated in southern Namibia. The local attractions are a visit to  “ghost town “ Kolmanshop, the Diaz Point peninsula and its small island (weather permitting).

Its landscape is unique. With a surface of 22.912 square km. There are 114 mammal species in the Park and 340 bird species year round. You have the opportunity to visit the park, which is scattered with natural (Artesian springs) and artificial water holes, giving us one more chance to watch the animals drink. Elephants, giraffes, oryx, sprinboks, kudu and many other animals. In the park, you can see the predators, such as the powerful lion, the hyenas and – more rarely – the shy leopard, the cheetah. Etosha Park is a vast plain, with savannahs alternating with mopane forests or acacias, an antique dried out white salt pan of 4.590 km; in the local language known “the great white dried-out place” The park can be visited year round.

Kaokoland is situated in the north-west part of Namibia, in the Kunene region. It is one of the most uncontaminated areas of Southern African. Kaokoland is enclosed by the Hoanib river at south and by the perennial Kunene river up north, which also constitutes a natural border between Namibia and Angola. The landscape is mostly mountainous and the climate is dry: nonetheless Kaokoland has many water flows, that are dry on the surface for the most part, but with a rich aquifer. Kaokoland is inhabited by the Himba people, and has a very rich fauna which has adapted to this dry territory, such as lions and “desert elephants”. These elephants exhibit some unique behavior and are able to find sustenance even in area that offers very little resources. Other animals in the area are oryx, kudu, springboks, ostrich, giraffes, mountain zebras and lions who have only recently repopulated these remote areas.

Opuwo is an hectic town, where different tribes reside (Hereo, Himba, Ovambo, zemba…) and live in full respect of their diversity, they sell, buy or trade cattle.

Epupa Falls is a group of waterfalls originating from the Kunene rivers, and are situated 160 kms north of Opuwo. This is a very suggestive place, thanks to its amazing landscape of water, palm trees and local culture.

The Himba people are proud and friendly: they originate from the great African lakes area, meaning they are Bantù. Himba have maintained most of their traditional life style such as milking cows, grinding wheat etc….their pace is dictated by nature itself, such as their cattle’s migration which is dictated by the quality of grassing. The villages are circular shape and the cattle’s enclosure in the centre. The huts have a conical shape, the entrances always point to the cattle’s enclosure, and are made of Mopane branches and manually plastered with a mixture of mud and cow dung. The women wear a simple ochre coloured goat skin skirt, the most interesting part is the ornaments they wear to represent their life status. Each object has a specific meaning: married, one or more children, looking for a husband, mourning, puberty, bride-to-be….These women are also known for covering their entire bodies with a paste of butter, fat and red ochre cream.

Visitors will have the possibility to have a friendly meeting while observing the aspects of the tribe’s daily routine while freely taking pictures or filming.

It is situated south of Kaokoland, in the Kunene region and inhabited by the Damara people. The habitat is dry and dominated by flat mountains with bizarre and suggestive shapes. The colours are very stark: rusty red stones against the intense green of Damarana Euphorbia and BOSCHIA . The area is rich with animals that have adapted to this dry environment; this area is also very important, and is protected by many environmental associations such as “ Save the rhino Trust” and “Desert Lion”. Damaranand offers a variety of tourists attractions.

The Petrified Forest originated 280 million years ago, when an huge flooding destroyed a vast forest. The tree trunks that rolled downhill covered in mud and with a high silica content, became fossils. This site has been declared a national monument.

The Burnt Mountain originated 160 million years ago through a strong volcanic activity in the area. Organ Pipes is a small valley where you can see the hexagonal Dorolite stones which look like organ pipes.

These are located in the Damaraland area, and pretty much sum up the history of art in Namibia. Here you will be able to see engravings dating back to 4000 years ago, although the dating is uncertain. These engravings represent animals life, footprints. For the most part, the engraving are done on sandstone using bones or flintstones.

Twyfelfontein has been declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage for its great variety of engravings.

Brandberg is the highest mountain in Namibia: 2573 mts  and of volcanic origin. Here you can admire the “White Lady” painting, the symbol of Namibian rock paintings.

It is located in the southernmost part Of Namibia, at the border with South Africa. It is the world’s second largest canyon (in width): 550 meters deep, a 27 km width and about 160 km long. It originated from a tectonic event called “Graben” which began about 350 million years ago and caused engulfment. The Fish river meander through this canyon continues the erosion process that we can admire from above.