Quite often, South Africa is associated with unconquered nature, wild traditions, the danger of malaria and the lack of civilization.
In fact, the cities of Namibia are saturated southern aristocracy and colonial atmosphere, the indigenous people are considered to be perhaps the most cheerful and peaceful people in the world, and numerous national parks, high sand dunes and exotic dishes can amaze even the most sophisticated travelers.
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How to get there
You will have to fly with a transfer: for example, through Ethiopia or the United Arab Emirates, since there are currently no direct flights from Russia.
What documents are needed
Up to 90 days – You don't need a visa, but you still need:
- 1. Passport with a validity of more than six months and a blank page.
- 2. Return ticket.
- 3. Confirmation of financial solvency and accommodation reservation.
- 4. Migration card filled out in English (usually issued at passport control or on the plane).
- 5. Negative PCR test made no earlier than 72 hours before departure. Keep in mind that a foreign tourist must pass another test on the fifth day of their stay in Namibia, and on the seventh – get the results.
When is the best time to fly
The average summer temperature (December-April) ranges from +28 to +38 °C. In winter it reaches + 15-20 °C (at night the temperature can drop to zero, especially in the desert). The so-called “rainy season” lasts from November to March-April – precipitation in Namibia is extremely scarce, usually falling from 10 to 50 mm per year.
So the best time to fly is between May and October when it's winter in Namibia.
Things to do in Namibia
1. Go on a safari
There are 26 national parks in Namibia, the best of them – Etosha, located around the salt lake of the same name in the northern part of the country, 130 km from the border with Angola. There you can see as the African Big Five:
- elephant;
- rhinoceros (including the endangered black rhinoceros);
- buffalo;
- lion;
- leopard.
So are the rare black-faced impala and black rhinoceros.
The best time to visit – winter (from May to October): grass and bushes fade and do not block the view, water bodies are reduced – thanks to this, many animals gather in one place and are easy to see. Going on a safari, don't forget good binoculars and optics!
2. Communicate with the indigenous people
The indigenous Himba people live in the northwestern region of Namibia, Kunene and southern Angola. These are very good-natured and smiling people, they live the way their ancestors lived, and practically do not use the benefits of civilization: they are engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture, believe in local gods, honor traditions.
Women raise children, build huts &ndash ; they are called “kraal”, weave jewelry from leather, copper and iron, men herd cattle. It is best to go to the Himba village with a local guide – he will negotiate with the leader about the stay of travelers in the territory of the tribe.
Photo: youtube.com
3. Climb the dunes in the Namib Desert
The white plateau of Sossusvlei, surrounded by red sand dunes 300 m high, dead trees rooted in clay – the view that opens before the eyes of travelers in the Namib Desert is considered one of the most stunning in the world .
It is never static: fierce winds change the shape of the dunes every minute, and sunrises and sunsets play with their color. Meet the dawn on the crest of a sand dune – you will remember this experience for a lifetime.
4. Try local delicacies
In Namibia, you can order exotic dishes such as crocodile, ostrich or giraffe steak. Dishes from different types of antelopes (kudu, oryx, impala, etc.) are very popular.
Try biltong – spicy cured meat, most often kudu, but you can also find unusual biltong from other meats. Be sure to sample oysters in coastal oyster farm towns such as:
- Luderitz;
- Swakopmund;
- Walvis Bay.
Photo: simpleslim.ru
5. Visit ghost towns
If you want to feel like a hero of an apocalyptic story, head to Kolmanskop, a ghost town in the Namib Desert. It was founded by German colonists in 1908, when diamond mines were discovered in these places.
In 1954, having exhausted diamond reserves, the inhabitants left Kolmanskop, leaving the city at the mercy of the desert. Sci-fi lovers will love old dilapidated houses built according to German architecture and swept up by the sands.
Photo: adventuretime.pro
If you want to learn more about the traditions of indigenous African tribes, try ostrich or elephant meat, meet the sunrise in the red dunes, or fall asleep to the whisper of white stars – go to Namibia.
