Namibia

Desolate and beautiful, Namibia was one of the last African countries to become independent.  Its two great heritages are the Namib Desert and Etosha National Park.

The Namib Desert, one of the oldest in the world, arid since time immemorial, stretches along the thousand-mile length of the country in a wide belt.  It is an ocean of quartz sand.  Inland are oases and rocky valleys, the Namib rising to the mountainous central plateau that descends in the east to the Kalahari.  For 30 miles inland the effect of the cold Benguela current creates a mist that condenses water on plants, such as the extraordinary Welwitschia, which lives for 2,000 or more.

The dunes at Sossuvlei, coloured iron ore red-orange, rise over 1,00 ft. like giant waves, shifting north imperceptibly as the south wind prevails.  They are a remarkable sight, especially at sunrise, and can be climbed.  The Namib supports a wide variety of life from elephant to toktokkie beetle, that has adapted to its harsh extremes.   From Swakopmund a tour can incorporate both Soussusvlei and the rock gorge of Sesriem Canyon.