Vast landscapes of towering sand dunes, ancient desert and peculiar geological formations conjure up visions of other planets. A remarkable abundance of plant and wildlife has adapted to this harsh environment. Green is a rare color here, instead you will find dazzling shades of deep orange, red and purple. One of the least populated countries in the world, Namibia offers the rare opportunity to be alone in extraordinary surroundings.
Places of Interest
 Kaokoveld
The Kaokoveld is one of Africa's last wildernesses and is Namibia's least inhabited area. It stretches from the coastal desert plain and rises slowly into a wild and rugged landscape. Here slow-growing trees cling to rocky mountains, whilst wild grass seeds wait dormant on the dust plains for showers of rain. Because of the low population in the northern parts of the Kaokoveld there are thriving populations of game here, living beyond the boundaries of any national park. This is one of the last refuges for the black rhino, which still survive (and thrive) here by ranging wide, and knowing where the seasonal plants grow. It is also home to the famous desert elephants. Some naturalists have cited their apparently long legs, and proven ability to withstand drought, as evidence that they are actually a subspecies of the African elephant. Though this is not now thought to be the case, these remarkable animals are certainly adept at surviving in the driest of areas, using their amazing knowledge of the few water sources that do exist.
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Sesriem & Sossusvlei
When people speak of visiting the Namib Desert, this is often where they mean. The classic desert scenery around Sesriem and Sossusvlei is the stuff that postcards are made of - enormous apricot dunes with gracefully curving ridges, invariably pictured in the sharp light of dawn with a photogenic gemsbok or feathery acacia adjacent. Sesriem and Sossusvlei lie on the Tsauchab River, one of two large rivers (the other being the Tsondab, further north) which flow westward into the great dune-field of the central Namib, but never reach the ocean. Both end by forming flat white pans dotted with green trees, surrounded by spectacular dunes - islands of life within a sea of sand.
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Swakopmund
Considered by most Namibians to be the country's only real holiday resort, this old German town spreads from the mouth of the Swakop River out into the surrounding desert plain. Climatically more temperate than the interior, the palm-lined streets, immaculate old buildings and well-kept gardens give Swakop (as the locals call it) a unique atmosphere, and make it a pleasant oasis in which to spend a few days.
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Lûderitz
Trapped between the desiccating sands of the Namib and the freezing waters of the South Atlantic's Benguela current, Lûderitz is a fascinating old German town, full of character. It is usually sleepy and laid-back, with relaxed locals who often have time to talk. (Witness the number of public phones, which seem to be everywhere.) Around the centre of town, houses are painted in improbable pastel shades, which makes Lûderitz feel like a delightful toy-town at times.
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Etosha National Park
The defining feature of the National Park is the huge Etosha Pan, which appears to be the remnant of a large inland lake that was fed by rivers from the north and east. Etosha is so special because of the concentration of water-holes which occur around the southern edges of the pan. As the dry season progresses, these increasingly draw the game. In fact, the best way to watch animals in Etosha is often just to sit in your vehicle by a water-hole and wait.
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Skeleton Coast
Driving north from Swakopmund, it's easy to see how this coast earned its names of the Coast of Skulls or the Skeleton Coast. Treacherous fogs and strong currents forced many ships on to the uncharted sandbanks that shift underwater like the desert's sands. Even if the sailors survived the shipwreck, their problems had only just begun. I trip inland exposes the myriad fascinating flaura and fauna that have adapted to survive these harsh conditions while the coastline is home to seal colonies and countless shipwrecks.
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