Richard Dunwoody
Richard Dunwoody was 12 when he started riding racehorses and rode in his first race as an amateur in 1982. He turned professional two years later and won... Read More
Namibia Travel Guide
Central Highlands
Running down Namibia's spine the Central Highlands separate the Kalahari from the dunes of the Namib. Here the mountains jut into the sky in earthly magicience begging exploration. The rolling hills are the home to many of Namibia’s huge farms and ranches, many of which offer wonderful ‘guest farm’ experience where you stay and experience first hand what it is like to farm in such a vast terrain. To the east lies the Waterberg Plateau National Park, a flat-topped sandstone plateau rising 150 metres above the surrounding plains. The park is home to a number of endangered species including eland, sable and roan antelope and both white and black rhino and offers some fabulous hiking in pristine surroundings.
Damaraland
Damaraland is a barren wilderness in north western Namibia, where ancient valleys are filled with rocky deserts, petrified forests and the towering Brandberg mountains. Caves here still contain original Bushman paintings and desert elephants roam, having adapted to the dry environment over centuries of evolution. One of the main attractions of Damaraland is the concentration of Black Rhino. This is the only place on earth where these rare animals survive without support, making it an unlikely arena for extraordinary wildlife, differing to the rest of the country.
Windhoek
The main observation most visitors to Namibia’s capital city make is that it feels surprisingly European. Colonised by Germany in 1890, it has remained heavily influenced by German style, food and architecture since, despite gaining independence in 1990. Set right in the centre of the country, Windhoek is surrounded by mountains, and it contains a mixture of modern and colonial architecture and wide, sun-drenched streets. The city centre is just 45 kms from Windhoek International Airport and 5 kms from Eros airport, making it easily accessible, too.
Etosha National Park
Dominated by a giant salt-encrusted pan, Etosha is Namibia’s largest national park and a prime game viewing location. Visitors are more than likely to see many different buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lion at the edge of the natural and man-made watering holes, and further afield, elusive leopard and cheetah stalk the plains and woodlands. When the salt pans flood temporarily during the rains, pelicans and flamingos fill the shallow waters before they quickly seep away.
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Dating back 55 million years, the Namib is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. Sitting in western Namibia and reaching over the border into Angola, it is home to towering dunes, rocky desert, dramatic canyons, and valleys containing salt and diamond mines. Undoubtedly the most iconic area of the Namib Desert is the Sossusvlei: a region of huge red and orange dunes which are whipped into razor-sharp peaks by the strong cross winds, surrounding a salt and clay pan. Constantly in transition, these dunes are also inhabited by antelopes, gazelles and desert elephants.
Swakopmund
Where the desert dunes sweep down to the ocean on Namibia's western flank, lies the coastal town of Swakopmund. Namibia’s second largest town lies 280 Km west of Windhoek and is typical of the German culture found in all major settlements in Nambia, with colonial architecture, atmospheric streets and delicious seafood.
Fish River Canyon
Plunging gorges, raging torrents, and sheer cliffs edges which drop 550 metres vertically: the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and no less dramatic than its big brother, America’s Grand Canyon. This gigantic ravine follows the Fish River, which winds its way past the sulphurous Ai Ais hot springs in the south, known locally as ‘burning water’.
Skeleton Coast
Stretching from the northern Kunene River to the Ugab River in the south, the Skeleton Coast national park is best known for its shipwrecks. A ghostly atmosphere fills the foggy shoreline, where dried-out bones of whales and seals, left over from the whaling industry, line the sands. The constantly crashing waves are so powerful, it’s almost impossible for ships to launch off this coast into the Atlantic Ocean, but in the past vessels have been marooned here by the offshore rocks hidden by the treacherous seas.
Caprivi Strip
A narrow arm of land jutting out east from Namibia’s north east corner, the Caprivi Strip stretches out between Botswana to the south and Angola to the north. A cultural pick n mix of Namibian tribes, it has been the sight of recent civil wars, and remains a unique example of tribal politics and controversy over boundaries. An essential area for the preservation of the endangered Wild African Dog, it consists of forest, grassy plains and wetlands which have been divided into four national parks.
Luderitz
A small harbour town on the southern stretch of Namibia’s Atlantic coastline, Luderitz is said to be positioned in one of the least inhabitable positions in Africa. The resident seals, flamingos, ostriches, African penguins and dolphins don’t seem to agree, as they inhabit the coastline all year round. It’s sister town, Kolmanskop, was once a successful diamond-mining village, but has now become a ghost town filled with eerie buildings constantly battered by the swirling coastal winds.
Namibia Travel Information
Visa Information:
UK Passport holders do not require a visa to visit Namibia.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip and it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Namibia, but you must have a yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. You should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend protection against Malaria and Yellow Fever. You are strongly advised to seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
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