Namibia

The Wild Coast of Africa is a worthy of its name. It is full of shipwrecks, wild animals, and desolate beaches that are hauntingly beautiful. Many brave travellers have sought to better understand this immaculate and often challenging landscape, but there is far more to the country of Namibia (which claims ownership of most of the Wild Coast) than originally meets the eye, and if you are brave enough, you might just find that the perfect holiday awaits in the deceptively quiet country of Namibia.

Namibia was occupied by Germany for many years, when it was known as South West Africa. The country is quite new as a democracy, having only gained its independence fairly recently, and as a result they are dedicated to providing the most amazing holiday opportunities that they can so that they can boost their fledgling economy. The result is phenomenal package deals which are relatively cheap when compared with global standards. All that you have to do is to choose the kind of holiday that you want and go. Namibia is easily accessible by flights from South Africa (Johannesburg or Cape Town), but to truly get in touch with the almost lunar landscape, a road trip is best.

The two main towns in Namibia are Swakopmund and Windhoek, although Walvis Baai (literally Whale Bay) is arguably the best place to start your holiday. These coastal desert towns are all quaint and striking – multi-coloured, small building dot the coast that is often overcast despite the tremendous heat. Staying in the towns will give you a chance to understand the local fishing culture, and to take a chance to reflect on the stark contrasts of living at the sea in the middle of a desert. There is a good chance that you will encounter some of the whales that regularly visit these waters. However, if you really want to get out and enjoy Namibia, you need to be a little bit more adventurous.

The deserts of Namibia have been developed as a giant playground for the young at heart. For the petrol heads, quad bike tours and 4×4’ing are the order of the day as you race around the soft sand dunes, testing your vehicle and your driving skills to the absolute limit. Make sure that you get a permit for this kind of activity as you cannot just tackle any dune that you like. Namibia is home to Dune 7, the world’s 7^th highest fixed sand dune. While this may not sound like something worth writing home about, the gruelling climb to the top and the awesome rapid descent (by foot, sliding on cardboard, or on your bottom) are a highlight of any trip.

Of course, there are several other adventure activities on offer. Sandboarding is all the rage at the moment, and the soft sands of the Namib Desert offer a gentle learning curve for beginners, and a challenge for experts alike. The border offers white water rafting if you seek your thrills elsewhere. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you give Namibia a chance – it will not disappoint.

This guest post was written by Victoria. She is a freelance writer who is currently exploring Canada Banks.