Namibia

Namibia is home to the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world from which the country gets its name. Translating into ‘vast place’, Namibia is one of the least crowded countries in the world. With its vast open spaces and breath-taking scenery, the history of this land can be found carved into rock paintings dating back to more than 25,000 years ago. These hunter-gatherers including San Bushmen, Bantu herdsmen, Himba, Herero and Nama tribes have made Namibia home for thousands of years.

• Four different landscapes make up Namibia: the most definitive is the Namib coastal desert that runs the length of the country; the central plateau, home most of Namibia towns and villages divided between rugged mountain ranges and sand-filled valleys; the vast Kalahari Desert with its ancient red sand and sparse vegetation; and Kavango and Caprivi, blessed with generous amounts of rain with tropical forests, perennial rivers and woodland savannahs.
• English is the official language of Namibia with German, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, Rukwangari, Silozi, Otjiherero, Damara, Nama, Khisan and Setswana recognised as national languages. Approximately 50% of the population speaks Oshiwambo.
• With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Namibia is a year-round destination. Summer (November to April) temperatures can be very hot in the desert interior but nights are usually cool. Winter (May to October) days are warm but can be very cold at night