Throughout the country, in the resorts of Namibia, there are excellent hotels with a high level of service. So, let's look at the main places where tourists go for holidays in Namibia.
This city is unofficially considered the best resorts Namibia: both tourists and locals themselves rest here. Founded by German colonists in 1892 and having been largest port country, gradually developed into a beautiful seaside resort.
Swakopmund is located on the coast Atlantic Ocean just 360 km from the capital of Namibia -. It is called an oasis of German culture: the colonial architecture of that time has been completely preserved in the resort.
The climate on the coast is very mild and comfortable, it rarely rains. The air temperature on average fluctuates around +20…+25°С, and the water warms up to +25°С. So observation deck offers great views of the ocean or the desert. In the city you can visit museums, bars and casinos, modern shops, trendy restaurants, stay in a chic hotel (the building of the former station in 1901). It is in Swakopmund that the summer residence of the President of Namibia is located.
The Atlantic coast beckons with its beaches and sea fishing, boat trips, where you can see dolphins and even whales. For vacationers arrange safaris, flights to balloons and paragliders, as well as offering breathtaking descent from high sand dunes skiing and snowboarding.
The capital of Namibia is Windhoek.
The capital is considered the most progressive, modern and developed city in all of Africa. The main historical, cultural and educational centers of the country are concentrated in it. If you want to relax in Namibia and learn as much as possible about this country, then this is the place for you.
Relaxing comfortably in Windhoek, you can take part in any tourist route Namibia due to the convenient location of the city. The neat and clean city attracts travelers who are unaccustomed to camping and solo tours. In addition, it is unusually green here compared to other cities of the “black continent”.
A tourist feature is the menu of local restaurants: you can try many dishes from zebra, ostrich, crocodile, antelope and other exotic animals, as well as mussels, squid and seafood. The choice of accommodation is mainly small hotels and guest houses.
Sossusvlei
Orange landscapes of high dunes among the Namib desert - this is the hallmark of Namibia. The bright palette of ocher turns into yellow in a day, then into red, and at the end of the day - into purple. People come here in search of peace and tranquility. The combination of an unreal blue sky and solid salty ground under your feet, dried to black trees - this is an absolutely unearthly and unusual landscape even for an experienced traveler.
In Sossusvlei, time slows down or stops altogether. A visit to the oldest desert, the world's largest National Park Namib-Naukluft and the deepest canyon in Africa will forever change your picture of the world. Here is the most striking variety of landscapes, which can be observed both from the height of a balloon and from the window of a jeep.
Etosha and Northern Namibia
The national parks of Namibia are considered eco-resorts, where you can enjoy the stunning scenery of wildlife and relax in lodges - small houses that are made exclusively from natural materials. is the most affordable and popular natural resort Namibia.
Northern Namibia, where the resort of Etosha is located, is literally teeming with wild and predatory animals. Giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, lions, cheetahs, crocodiles and other local inhabitants are found almost everywhere. People come here for the sake of the unique, to take exclusive shots at the watering hole or watch the meteor shower, lying under the diamond dome of the sky.
The curtain of a resort habitual for Europeans can be found only in Swakopmund and Windhoek. Five-star hotels, efficient bilingual waiters, a 24-hour maid and similar signs of civilization in other resorts in Namibia can not be found. People come here for the contrast of life and emotions, and luxury remains somewhere there, before boarding a flight.
Namibia is considered almost the most exotic and picturesque country African continent, located in its southern part and washed in the west by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which is at the same time its state border. This is the meeting place of two elements - the ocean and the desert - the same wild Africa, however ... with first-class hotels.
The tribes of hunters and pastoralists who inhabited the present territory of Namibia in ancient times can be judged by the tribes preserved here from the 4th millennium BC. numerous rock paintings. The descendants of the Bushmen, Herero and Himba are still found in remote villages, where special tourist excursions. Their life is extremely simple, and to this day many of them rub their skin with a mixture of oil and ocher, which makes it red.
An indelible impression on travelers, according to their own reviews, is made by the Himba tribe. Its representatives have no idea about their age, they do not have any passports, but they get married several times. The ruler of the tribe has a dozen wives and almost five dozen children. For example, tourists were allowed on one of the excursions only when the elder wife allowed it. And then the locals even took the aliens with them to hunt.
From the 18th century tribes were subjected to European expansion. Germany was especially active in this regard, declaring in 1884. protectorate over these lands. And at present, many Namibian cities resemble German settlements of the beginning of the last century. For example, the small port of Luderitz, built during the rapid development of diamond mines here by the Germans. Now the city is a major center for catching marine life, especially oysters and lobsters.
After the defeat of Germany in the First World War, Namibia was transferred to the Union of South Africa, controlled by England. And since 1945. was under the auspices of the UN, despite the discontent of South Africa, which aspired to rule the country.
In 1990 Namibia became an independent republic. All military and political passions subsided. Now it is a calm, stable country, actively developing tourism, so many travelers come here with pleasure.
Namibia on the map
sights
Skeleton Coast
The infamous Skeleton Coast was one of the results of European exploration of the African continent. The desert ocean coast of Namibia is almost always shrouded in fog, which led to great problems with navigation. In ancient times, many European ships were wrecked here, their skeletons are still found today.
Today this territory is a nature reserve, visits are organized. But most of it can only be seen from the height of a sightseeing plane.
Namib Desert
The desert stretches along the coast and is a kind of calling card Namibia. Scientists believe that its age is estimated at 60-80 million years. The local landscapes are amazing - red sand dunes constantly moving from the wind, brown rocks polished by time, beds of dried up rivers and life-giving oases, to which all local living creatures reach.
Etosha National Park
He settled around salt lake with the same name. Very large, on its territory there are many reservoirs - Klein Namutoni, Chudob, Okaukuejo and others. Giraffes and rhinos, lions, elephants and antelopes come to their watering place.
City tourist sites
There are also a lot of them.
The capital city of Windhoek (“windy corner”) is not only the most Big City in the country, but also the greenest, located between two mountains - Eros and Awas and hosting the largest number precipitation.
There are many worthy places to visit in Windhoek: National Museum Namibia, Crafts Center and Art Gallery, Penduka Folklore Center. The colorful "German" mansions - Heinzburg, Tintenpalas Palace, as well as Lutheran and neo-Gothic churches will also attract attention.
An interesting excursion to the city of Hrutfoinen, on the territory of which a huge meteorite called Hoba fell more than 80 thousand years ago. Thousands of travelers rush here to see this stone space miracle weighing five dozen tons.
It is worth coming to Ochiwarongo (translated as “beautiful”), a city in the north of Namibia. Tourists usually visit it on their way to the only crocodile farm in the country with Nile alligators or to the Cheetah Conservation Center, to the shepherd dog kennel - to national parks. Local residents always welcome guests, treat them with national dishes and introduce them to traditional culture.
The cities of Ondangwa and Oshakati, which are not only the largest shopping malls, but also the center of the culture of the Ovambo people.
beach holiday
Swakopmund - just what lovers need sea beaches. A resort with proper infrastructure - a variety of hotels and nightclubs, cafes and restaurants for every taste and income. The city will appeal to lovers of the exotic, as the neighborhood of colonial-style buildings and the desert make it just that. The beach is suitable for families with children.
Beach holidays in Namibia are possible all year round. And yet more often tourists come here in November-April, when it is summer here. Many of them, in pursuit of extreme sports, embark on multi-day trips to remote places, where there is an opportunity to hunt antelopes and even elephants, and participate in shark fishing.
In Namibia, other "non-traditional" types of recreation are also possible - flying over the desert on hot-air balloon(five-hour for two people will cost $414), snowboarding from steep sand dunes or camel trekking (fifteen-minute for two will cost $19), a trip in search of dolphins (three-hour for two - $96) ...
Namibian cuisine
She, as, indeed, almost everything in Namibia, is original. Considering even the fact that for centuries there was a severe shortage of water and food. Colonizers brought variety to the local menu.
The basis of local cuisine is meat dishes, the assortment of which is truly large.
V Lately along with European dishes, Namibian restaurants more often began to offer guests national dishes - from the meat of zebras, ostriches or antelopes ... And the No. 1 food here is corn porridge - maize. And, of course, shish kebab from young crocodiles and all kinds of seafood.
Of the drinks, local beer is in special demand - ginger beer, often home-made High Quality. The wines of the local vineyards - "Cabernet" and "Colambre", as well as mataka - the original watermelon wine. There is also a strong grappa - "Crystal-Kellerai".
Alcohol is sold exclusively in specialized markets, and to persons under 18 years of age.
Holiday prices in Namibia
It all depends on requests. Individual tours are much more expensive than group tours. On average, without a flight, a tour to this country from will cost $ 5-6 thousand.
For example, a group (about six people) five-day tour "Safari to the Skeleton Coast" will cost about 232 thousand rubles, a camping tour in Namibia (26 days) - 113 thousand rubles, and an eleven-day car tour "Visiting the Bushmen" - almost 209 thousand rubles.
For a dinner in the middle of the desert for four, you will have to pay about $ 65.
How to get there
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Russia to Namibia. The preferred option is to fly via Germany. When buying a ticket to Windhoek with transit through Frankfurt am Main from or St. Petersburg, you will not need to apply for a visa. The price of such a flight will be approximately 43 thousand rubles. It is also possible through South Africa, on a Moscow-Johannesburg flight at a cost of 17.6 thousand rubles.
Namibia is considered the safest of all African countries. And for those who prefer unusual holiday with a lot of vivid impressions, of course, it is worth visiting this amazing country.
More atmosphere of Namibia - in the video:
I only wanted to go to Namibia to see the dunes of Sossusvlei. I didn’t know anything more about this country and didn’t expect anything from it. Before the trip, I prepared for quite spartan conditions. And least of all I expected to see an educated and civilized society, clean streets in cities, as well as excellent hotels with good service and delicious cuisine along the entire route. Now I recommend Namibia to anyone who may be interested in wild and at the same time civilized Africa. And yet, before the trip, it is always better to know about some features so that not a single unpleasant little thing is taken by surprise.
Seasons in Namibia
During the day in Namibia it is equally hot all year round. The so-called rainy season, which lasts from February to April, brings variety to the life of the country. The rainy season does not mean that it rains 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It just might rain. Unlike other months of the year, when there can be no rain at all. And immediately after the rainy season, winter begins, when the nights can be quite frosty. Occasional rain is also possible in Namibia between September and November.
Before the climate began to change, a rainy day went something like this: sunny in the morning, after 10 in the morning clouds begin to gather, which gradually form dense clouds. Then it all collapses in a 15-minute rain. And 10 minutes later the sun is shining again.
Now the climate is changing. The locals say they can't call it global warming, but definitely global climate change. Everyone notes that the seasons have become more extreme. The hot and dry season has become even more sultry, without any hope of even a drop of rain. But the rainy season has become less predictable, the rains have become more abundant, in some areas they can go almost all day and provoke floods. Moreover, snow has been recorded in Namibia for the past three years: three years ago there was one case, two years ago - two, this year - already three.
I was in Namibia in March 2012. The first four days of the trip we saw intermittent rain every day. Then we arrived in the Namib Desert, where it actually never rains, and the whole day the inhabitants of the city of Swakopmund were pleased with clouds and clouds, which periodically gave birth to heavy rain. The next day we crossed the desert: it was densely cloudy all day, and it rained with varying intensity for about half a day. In desert! The locals said that this had never happened before.
There was no rain at all the next day in the desert. Which, however, did not prevent half of the dunes in the Soussusvlei valley from being cut off from tourists by turbulent rivers, which usually either do not exist at all, or any car can pass them without problems.
By and large, the seasonality of Namibia is important only in terms of observing animals in national parks. During a drought, all animals gather at the watering place. It is enough to know where the water sources are located in a particular park and get to it - and here are all the animals of the park before your eyes. In the rainy season, there is enough moisture for animals, and they disperse throughout the territory - that is, it is more difficult to see animals, but they are in more natural and pleasant conditions for themselves.
Leisure clothing and footwear in Namibia
There is no ritual-religious dress code in Namibia. If you want to bare your arms and legs, the locals are sympathetic to this. I have not tried to expose my stomach and back, so I can’t say anything. Another thing is that if you stay in the sun for a long time, it is better to cover up.
I always put on protective creams. But when I didn’t anoint myself and stayed under the sun for only 30 minutes, I fried quite noticeably. The sun is harsh there, and this is worth remembering. And it's not only about creams, but also about glasses - they must not be forgotten at home in any case. Many people still advise walking in hats, but I went without - and that's okay.
Separately, it is important to say about shoes. The lands of Namibia are replete with all sorts of different reptiles, the bites of which are either incredibly painful or even deadly. The only possible advice is to walk through forests, fields and deserts in closed hard shoes so that neither snakes nor scorpions can bite through the shoe with their sting.
What to see in Namibia
Namibia has several interesting places, all of them are scattered throughout the country and quite distant from each other. At the same time, if you are not a fan of something specific, then it makes little sense to linger in any of the places for a long time. Therefore, tourists usually come to Namibia for 10-15 days and, traveling around the country, look for almost everything that is worth seeing during the trip.
You can watch animals in national parks. The largest of them - Etosha, is located in the north of the country. There are also small private parks. In addition, some activists arrange something like protected areas on the territories of their possessions, where they nurse those animals that need to be saved. In these places, animals can be seen as closely as in a zoo, but only their living conditions are as close to natural as possible.
The beauty of the desert lands is best admired in the Namib and Kalahari deserts. I have not been to the Kalahari, but Sossusflay and Deadflay - the dunes of the Namib Desert - are something completely unforgettable!
It is possible to have a pleasant rest at the sea in the resort of Swakopmund. You can’t count on the warm ocean, but otherwise it is a pleasant resort place with a wide sandy beach, a pretty promenade and a large number of hotels and restaurants. If you find yourself in Swakopmund, be sure to order oysters at the restaurant - even if you have never tried them and are not sure what you want. Or if you tried it and you didn't like it, order it too!
In addition, an ocean trip from Walvis Bay will be absolutely unforgettable, during which you will see pelicans and other sea birds, most likely touch fur seals, you can see flamingos and generally have a great time on a boat.
To the north of Swakopmund is the Skeleton Coast - a completely bewitching place, for my taste.
Finally, you can spend about half a day in the capital of the country - the city of Windhoek. You will not see any amazing sights and museums, but with a good guide you can see the places where the history of Namibia was created, which will help you understand this country a little better. Finally, in Windhoek you can arrange profitable diamond shopping.
How to get around Namibia
Public transport in Namibia is not developed at all, so you can move around the country either by rented car, or by car or bus with a driver-guide.
There are a few things to keep in mind when renting a car. Firstly, in Namibia - right-hand traffic, that is, not the same as ours. And cars, respectively, with the steering wheel on the wrong side, where we are used to. Secondly, Namibia is so flat and deserted that usually the roads are laid completely straight - from point A to point B, there is a chance to get bored of the variety and fall asleep out of habit.
We went with a driver guide and everything was perfect. Our guide was good, told a lot of interesting things. Without his stories and explanations, our impressions of Namibia would not be so complete.
Where to sleep in Namibia
Hotels turned out to be one of the most significant shocks. I never expected to meet such a high level of service in the deserts of Africa. Near any tourist attraction in the cities of Windhoek and Swakopmund, as well as literally in-the-middle-of-no-where, you can easily find hotels and lodges that meet fairly high standards. Light, warm water and the Internet - simple pleasures, but so important when you travel around Africa. Interiors everywhere were done with taste and love. And the food was beyond praise - tasty, fresh and varied.
During our trip, we stayed in several hotels and lodges, and all of them I can safely recommend to anyone. Looking around Etosha, we stayed at the Etosha Village lodge, nearby we can also recommend the Etosha Sagari Lodge hotel and more budget accommodation at Etosha Safari Camp. I would also advise animal lovers to pay attention to the Naankuse Foundation (N / a "an ku sê), where wild animals are rescued and prepared for life in the wild, you can see them at arm's length, and you can spend the night here in chic conditions at reasonable prices .
In the resort of Swakopmund, we lived in a pleasant and bright Swakopmund Boutique hotel, but the city literally abounds with interesting, nice and high-quality hotels. For example, the excellent Swakopmund Hotel is open on the site of a former railway station.
In the Namib Desert, we lived in a lodge conveniently located at the entrance to the national park with the dunes of Sossusvlei: Sossusvlei Lodge. there is a campsite nearby where you can stand with a car or a tent. A little further away from the park, but also in sight is Desert Camp, where each house has not only a bedroom, but also a kitchen. The Namib Desert is literally replete with lodges and campsites for every taste and budget. For example, near the oasis of Sessrim (Sesriem) in the desert, we stopped for lunch at the Namib Naukluft Lodge, where the views from the lodges, tents in the campsite and even from the outdoor pool are simply mesmerizing!
In Windhoek, we rejoiced at the beautiful views of the city from the windows of the Kalahari Sands high-rise hotel, located in the very center of the capital.
How to get to Namibia
As usual, there are many options for the road. Especially if, together with Namibia, you are going to see neighboring African countries. But if you are flying from Russia to Namibia and want to do it as quickly and conveniently as possible, then there is only one way: flight Frankfurt - Windhoek of Air Namibia. And getting to Frankfurt from Russia is not a problem. Moreover, if you buy a ticket Moscow - Frankfurt - Windhoek from Aeroflot or St. Petersburg - Frankfurt - Windhoek from Rossiya, then you can do without a Schengen visa. Russian citizens do not need a visa to Namibia.
What to pack for Namibia
As I wrote above, be sure to do everything that will help you more easily endure the scorching sun. Protective cream and goggles are required. Sunburns are probably unavoidable anyway - someone will definitely forget to anoint something, so after-sun cream will also come in handy. Headwear is optional.
I also wrote about the right shoes above. In open flip flops, you can only walk around the ennobled areas of hotels and cities - and only during daylight hours.
In expensive lodges, the rooms usually have repellents and fumigators. But I would advise you to play it safe and take them with you from home or buy on the spot. Malaria mosquitoes live only in the northeastern part of Namibia, on the Caprivi Strip. There has not yet been a single case of malaria infection in Etosha and further south, but the possibility that malarial mosquitoes migrate somewhere cannot be completely ruled out.
It is absolutely necessary to take a flashlight with you. Again - in good lodges there are flashlights in the room for the use of guests. But they are not always good. Or suddenly it has dead batteries. The fact is that the territory of the lodges is usually not separately covered. That is, there is light in the restaurant, in your room-house - too, but between them there may be a 5-minute walk along confusing paths. And you definitely do not want to be in the Namibian forest or in the desert - and many lodges are located in the forest or the desert - at night and in complete darkness.
A laptop or smartphone, if you cannot live without the Internet, you can safely take it with you. Wi-Fi is available in almost all lodges and good hotels.
And most importantly - do not forget to take a camera with enough flash drives. It is guaranteed that from Namibia you will bring many gigabytes of mind-blowing photos to the envy of friends and relatives.
Africa, Namibia is a vacation away from the bustle of the city, away from the noisy, tourist-filled resorts. Where, if not here, you can feel complete solitude and enjoy the solitude. Namibia is a country with amazingly beautiful landscapes, wild deserts, endless skies and rugged mountains. love extreme vacation? Namibia will definitely not disappoint you. It has everything for adventurers. For example, in recent years, antelope hunting in Namibia and, of course, Namibia safari has been gaining popularity.
Namibia is a stunning place that combines the natural beauty of mountains, deserts, picturesque landscapes, interesting story and traditions. Here you can spend a complete secluded vacation, as well as enjoy extreme sports. WITH travel company"Ultra-Travel Suite" visiting Namibia will be for you unforgettable vacation overflowing with positive emotions.
Geographic data and climatic features of Namibia
Namibia is a state that is located in South Africa and that got its name from the Namib desert and means "a huge endless space." The territory of the country borders on South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Angola and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The official languages in the country are: German, English, Afrikaans and unofficial - Bantu.
The climate in Namibia is very dry, it is characterized by: nebula, relatively low temperatures: on the coast from +12 to + 18 ° С, in the Namib deserts - + 18 ° С and in the Kalahari - + 27 ° С. One of the warmest months January is considered, from cold - July.
Territorial features of Namibia
Namibia consists of the following areas:
- Central, which is located on the territory of the Kalahari and Namib deserts. There are national parks, large farms, mineral deposits.
- Namib, which is located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you can enjoy the magnificent flora and fauna.
- Northern and Caprivi, where local agriculture is successfully developing. It is also home to the Etosha National Park.
- South, which is rich in natural attractions: the "Finger of God", picturesque dams, thermal springs.
Travel programs from "Ultra-Travel Lux"
Travel company "Ultra-Travel Lux" provides a variety of group, individual tours to Namibia, where you can plunge into a festive New Year's safari in the Namib desert, as well as just have a good time. "Ultra-Travel Lux" specially prepared for you a visit to the famous cities of Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay with interesting programs which include:
- Visiting picturesque natural places: Etosha National Park, Namib Naukluft, Ongawa Wildlife Sanctuary, Namib Rand, Erindi, Sand Dunes, Kalahari Desert, Namib, the famous "Dead Valley" and "Fish River Canyon".
- Acquaintance with local residents and their traditions (Bushmen, Himba).
- Excellent active recreation, which is represented by: trekking, mountaineering, hunting for wild animals, safari, diving, spearfishing, skydiving, horseback riding, quad biking.
- Amazing passive vacation on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, visiting Walvis Bay and visiting local mineral springs as well as fishing.
With "Ultra-Travel Lux" you can order combined excursion tours to Namibia with visits to other countries and famous places.
Demanded tourism in Namibia
Lovers of such extreme species sports like sandboarding, skydiving can easily find many places for this kind of entertainment. Eco-tourists will enjoy sport hunting. Namibia Tourism offers many options for recreation, but the main emphasis is on natural diversity.
Resorts of Namibia
National parks are located eco- resorts in Namibia, where you can enjoy stunning landscapes of wild nature, as well as relax in houses made from exclusively environmentally friendly materials. Coastal resorts and campsites are evenly scattered throughout the country, allowing the visitor to enjoy all the charm of this magnificent country. Numerous will not let you get bored AttractionNamibia.
Ski resorts Namibia
Even in southern Africa you can do winter sports. Ski resorts in Namibia include Ski Namibia ("Ski Namibia") - the place with the highest slope of 140 meters.
Medical resorts in Namibia
Washed by the waters of the Atlantic, Swakopmund is a city located on the western coast of the African continent, just 350 kilometers from the capital Windhoek. Like others medical resorts Namibia, there is a whole range of wellness and spa services.
Tours of Namibia
Popular places to visit are the capital Windhoek, Caprivi, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, the skeleton banks of Sesrim Park, Etosha Pan and the coastal cities of Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Luderitz. For every taste and budget, you can choose a variety of Namibia tours.
Holidays in Namibia
Other African countries may offer greater game densities or more hospitable shores, but luxurious holidays in Namibia with her luxury resorts will excite the imagination of those who have a true taste for adventure. What is worth alone national park Etosha, where big cats, elephants, black rhinos and antelope are found in abundance. Namibia is one of the best places South Africa to watch over wildlife at least in the north of the country.
Beaches in Namibia
Sunny weather dominates here almost all year round, and magnificent sandy beaches of Namibia attract fans of water recreation here. A wide choice of hotels, freshwater and ocean fishing, sport hunting, flying in a balloon or helicopter over herds of antelopes and much more make this African country very attractive. tourist destination. Despite the fact that flights to this destination are not at all cheap, tourism is developing very rapidly.
Namibia Hotels
This southern country is the place where two opposite elements live in harmony - the desert and the ocean. Despite the fact that this is wild pristine Africa, this does not prevent it from having upscale hotels and Namibia hotels, where luxury holidays are provided.
Transport of Namibia
Despite the vast distances transport namibia predominantly terrestrial. If you rent a car, it is better to have a lot of money on hand to fill the tank with gasoline. Gas stations usually only accept cash. Namibia boasts of the quality of its roads, they are very good, especially for the main paved route, but also secondary routes are laid out of well-sorted gravel. Driving at night is a very dangerous undertaking, as there can be many wild animals on the roads at this time of day. Movement is left-handed.
