APPLICABLE BETWEEN MARCH 12TH AND JUNE 30TH – TO BE REVIEWED THEREAFTER
Given the current circumstances surrounding the global outbreak of COVID-19, FALCON SAFARIS has implemented following changes to its booking, payment and cancellation policies as a means to assist our clients during this trying time. As an organization we will work with all clients to ensure that we are as flexible and accommodating as possible during this difficult period. If you need assistance please contact contact us on (info@falconsafaris.com.) and we will be pleased to assist you in any way we can.
NEW PAYMENT POLICY
1. If a booking is made within seven days to arrival, full payment will be expected immediately after making the reservation.
2. If a booking is made at least one month prior to arrival, at least 30% deposit will be required within 7 days and the balance paid in full at least 7 days to arrival date
NEW CANCELLATION POLICY
1. If a booking is cancelled 60 – 30 days to arrival, 20% of the total booking value will be charged. However, we will also offer guests the opportunity to postpone their booking to a later date at no penalty. Given the unpredictable nature of the COVID outbreak, we will offer clients the opportunity to further postpone their bookings in the event that the outbreak continues to disrupt global travel significantly after the first postponement.
2. If a booking is cancelled 30 – 7 days to arrival, 30% of the total booking value will be charged. However, we will also offer guests the opportunity to postpone their booking to a later date at no penalty. Given the unpredictable nature of the COVID outbreak, we will offer clients the opportunity to further postpone their bookings in the event that the outbreak continues to disrupt global travel significantly after the first postponement.
3.If a booking is cancelled within 7 days to arrival, 100% of the total booking value will be charged. However, we will also offer guests the opportunity to postpone their booking to a later date at no penalty. Given the unpredictable nature of the COVID outbreak, we will offer clients the opportunity to further postpone their bookings in the event that the outbreak continues to disrupt global travel significantly after the first postponement.
For further information please feel free to contact Hamilton Mandizvidza , Managing Director on hamilton@falconsafaris.com.
The Zambia Flag Zambia Population: 17.09 Million (Population Growth 3%) – 2017 Zambia Capital: Lusaka Zambia GDP: US$25.8 Billion (2017) Zambia Currency: Kwacha (US$1 = ZMW15.28 (As at 08.03.20) (USD Preferred) Zambia Time Zone: CAT (GMT+2) Zambia Driving Side: Left Zambia Calling Code: +260 – Language: English
Zambia, with a mostly mild subtropical climate, is regarded as one of the pearls of Africa. Its a country with a natural friendliness that always welcomes tourists.
Zambia is located on a high plateau, with the lowest point above sea level being the Zambezi River to the south, at 329 meters. The highest point is the sandstone Mafinga Hills in the Northeastern part of the country at 2,339 meters. In between are a myriad of tourist attractions.
A SHORT-COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TRAVEL ZAMBIA
Where is Zambia?
Zambia is a landlocked country in the middle of Central and Southern Africa. Zambia shares borders with no less than eight countries: Mozambique (East), Malawi and Tanzania (North and East), the DRC (North-West), Angola, and Namibia (Westwards) and Zimbabwe and Botswana to the South. Zambia’s capital city is Lusaka, with a bustling international airport.
5 Interesting Facts of Zambia
Zambia has unique borders with eight countries. That is the second most in Africa. Only the DRC has more with nine.
When you think of Zambia, the Victoria Falls springs to mind, but the country has another 17 spectacular waterfalls.
Zambians, with the help of international pressure, negotiated a bloodless independence gained on 24 October 1964, a unique occurrence in Africa in the sixties.
Zambia is home to the ‘Inzwa,’ the flying termites which provide spectacular displays during rainfalls. Other termite species built enormous mounds, some of the biggest in Africa.
Zambia has abundant copper reserves (70% of Africa’s reserves), which is their main export product. Zambian copper exports equal to US $6.8 million of Zambia’s income and form some 75% of the country’s export.
Validity: Visitors who hold ordinary, valid passports and originate from any of the below-listed countries can enter Zambia without a visa. Your passport will need to have at least two blank pages.
Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Botswana Cayman Islands Channel Islands Cyprus Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Falkland Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji French Guiana Gibraltar Grenada Guadeloupe Ireland Isle of man Jamaica Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritius Mayotte
Montenegro Montserrat Mozambique Namibia Nauru Niue Norfolk Island Palau Pitcairn Islands Reunion Romania Ross Dependency Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and Grenadines Samoa Seychelles Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Suriname Swaziland Tanzania Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Island Tuvalu Uganda Vanuatu Virgin Islands Zimbabwe
Visa for Zambia – Validity & Cost
Validity:
Single visas are valid for 90 Days.
Double and multiple visit visas are also valid for 90 days. (The exception is for USA citizens who will enjoy validity of 3 years.)
Cost:
Single and transit visas: US $50 (Transit visas are only applicable to land transits.)
Double and multiple visas: US $80
Day Trippers: US $20 (For Victoria Falls visitors, residing in Zimbabwe, etc.)
Tourists from the following countries will require a visa PRIOR to arrival:
Afghanistan Albania Algeria Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Benin Bulgaria Burkina Faso Cameroon Central African Republic Chad China Côte d’Ivoire Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Guinea Guinea-Bissau India Indonesia Iran Iraq Jordan Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon Liberia Libya Mali Mauritania Morocco Nepal Niger Nigeria North Korea Oman Pakistan Papua New Guinea Philippines Qatar Saudi Arabia Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia South Sudan Sri Lanka Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Timor-Leste Togo Tunisia Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Yemen
Countries to apply for vis
Zambia Entry Points
The main entry points into Zambia are:
Lusaka, with its large international airport, is the main entry point for inland tourists.
Tourists that intent to visit the Victoria Falls only, are advised to take a direct flight toLivingstone 470 km to the south, to avoid daily Lusaka traffic congestion.
Victoria Falls Bridge – Applicable to day-trippers that want see both sides of the Victoria Falls.
Visa for Zambia – African Passport Holders
The government of Zambia is said to soon introduce a ‘Visa on Arrival’ to all African passport holders. African passports will be issued to citizens of most of the 55 African countries on the African continent. The need for Africans to obtain a visa will be phased out. This initiative is similar to the European Union and was first launched on 17 July 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Visa for Zambia – The New KAZA UNIVISA
Launched on 28 November 2014, the KAZA UNIVISA is a tourist visa that allows tourists to visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe with one visa, multiple-entry. The cost of the KAZA UNIVISA costs $50 and covers entry for the famous Okavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) that covers 5 African countries, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Apply for your KAZA UNIVISA online.
Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia. The capital city is located in the center of the southern part of Zambia. Lusaka is regarded as a modern, fast-growing city. It is alive with ever-increasing modern shopping malls of South African and European origin and ongoing building projects.
Crime is minimal, but petty theft does occur. The city’s growth attracts people from all over the country. But rest assured, most of them are friendly and are trying to make an honest living by selling their wares on the streets and public markets. The lousy thing probably is that there is no influx control and that the roads and municipal facilities are hardly adequate for a large number of inhabitants. There are no official bus services, but a range of minibus taxis, wrecks, and good dial-up taxis are available from the airport. To avoid getting lost, obtain a city map at the airport before attempting sightseeing with a guide, or travel with your tour guide!
Zambia Population
Zambia has a population estimated at 18.3 million (2020) based on earlier census’s and is ranked at number 65 on the World Population Bank Rankings.
A Short History of Zambia
The first westerner to set foot in what is now called Zambia was the well-known explorer David Livingstone in 1851. He was the first man to see the ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or the later named Victoria Falls and had the town of Livingstone named after him. Cecil Rhodes obtained mining concessions as far back as in 1888, but it only became a British protectorate in 1924.
Lusaka became the capital city in 1935. In 1953 the Central African Federation was formed consisting of Northern and Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) along with Nyasaland (Botswana). Negotiations for independence was completed in 1963. The Republic of Zambia was formed on 24 October 1964 with Kenneth Kaunda as the first President. Today Zambia is a stable country that welcomes tourists from all over the world.
The Best Time to Travel Zambia
The best time to travel Zambia is during the dry months from June to November when it is the best time for game watching. March is a great time for birdwatching, and May probably the best time to visit the Victoria Falls.
How to Travel to Zambia
Tourists can fly directly to the Kenneth Kaunda Airport in Lusaka, Zambia. Lusaka is linked to all major African continental entry points such as Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Nairobi in Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Most of the world’s major airlines have flights or link-ups to these airports regularly. Most African airways have flights directly to Livingstone for those tourists who are only on their way to the Victoria Falls.
Is Zambia Safe to Travel?
Zambia, in general, is a safe place to travel, but like any other tourist destination, being a tourist makes you a target for opportunists.
How To Stay Safe While You Travel In Zambia:
Travel with a tour guide or a recommended guide. Safety is in numbers.
Like most of Southern Africa, load shedding is a part of life. Most tourist destinations have back-up generators. Sill, avoid walking alone in the dark at night; don’t become a mugger’s target.
It probably safe to rather avoid the Zambian and DRC border areas around Lake Mweru. There’s always a chance that the internal conflict in the DRC may spill over the border into Zambia.
Malaria and Tsetse Flies are an ongoing problem and a nuisance in certain areas, including the Victoria Falls. Take the necessary anti-malaria medication and have insect repellants at hand.
Always be on the alert for con artists and never leave your traveling gear unattended.
Map of Zambia
A map of Zambia. Note the location of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, with an estimated population of 2.7 million people in 2020.
The Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Zambia
10 – Choma Town And District
Choma is the hometown of the Tonga tribe in the southern part of Zambia. The town is the commercial hub in the south of Zambia and offers a sizeable market-related industry with a cultural museum. The town and districts provide hiking and biking trails, and farm visits as well as game viewing.
9 – Lusaka
The capital city of Zambia, Lusaka, has a lot to offer tourists such as the National Museum, shopping malls, markets and a visit to the Kalimba Reptile Park, the Lusaka National Park, and the Munda Wanga Environmental Park.
8 – Kasama City & District Tour
Kasama is the capital city of Northern Zambia and home to the Bemba people. Amongst hiking and biking, tourists can visit the Chishimba waterfalls where quarreling is forbidden, the Mwela Rock Paintings, and the Chambeshi Monument.
7 – Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi National Park is located on the banks of the Zambezi River in the remote eastern part of Zambia. Wildlife viewing and boat and canoe trips are among the favorite activities available to tourists. The park is known for its large elephant herds and some 400-bird species.
6 – Liuwa Plain National Park
The Liuwa Plain National Park differs from other parks in Zambia due to its unique location in the beautiful, grassy plains in the northwest. It has a hot tropical climate and is the place to be if you want to see and experience the migration of thousands of Wildebeest.
5 – Blue Lagoon National Park
This unspoiled gem of a park was a defense force preserve and only recently opened to the public. Located some 120 km west of Lusaka, the Blue Lagoon National Park, with its vast floodplains, is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Other inhabitants include river pythons that hunt the largest concentration of Lechwe water-loving antelopes.
4 – The Kafue National Park
The Kafue National Park is Zambia’s oldest and largest game reserve. Activities include game and bird watching, boat and hiking safaris, as well as hot air balloon flights.
3 – Lake Tanganyika
The longest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika, is on the northeastern border of Zambia and offers boat trips, fishing, island explorations and game viewing (including crocodiles).
2 – Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba is the largest human-made lake in Africa and offers a wide range of activities such as houseboat trips, big game viewing, fishing, and watersport.
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage – The Chimpanzee sanctuary is located on the Kafue River some 60 km west of Chingola. The orphanage needs the support of tourists for its ongoing existence.
TanZam Railway Tour – This the rail link between Zambia and Dar-Es-Salaam. It’s important to note that the TanZam Railway Tour is not a comfortable or luxurious tourist attraction. Still, you’ll be sure to experience some breathtaking scenery through the Mikumi National Park and Selous Game Reserve.
Solwezi – Should you have an interest in archeology, Solwezi is the place to visit. Solwezi is known for its Stone Age rock carvings in the adjacent canyons and caves.
Lake Bangweulu and Samfya Beach – Not your ordinary coastal beach, but a beautiful place to visit never the less. The adjoining extensive wetlands offer game viewing and excellent bird watching opportunities. The water is so pure you can drink it.
Sindabezi Island and the Tongabezi Resort – Close enough to the Victoria Falls, the small resort offers a discerning experience of nature and the accompanying river wildlife. Romantic dinner trips on a ‘sampan’ (flat bottom wooden boat) will appeal to visitors with love in the heart.
Lake Kashiba (‘Small Lake’) – Lake Kashiba in Zambia is located in the Ndola copper belt. Although it’s known as a scuba divers nightmare (because no one has ever reached the bottom), it is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park – Located along the upper Zambezi River, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park game reserve is a UNESCO world heritage site. It offers excellent opportunities to those armed with a camera only.
Kitwe – Is the capital of the copper belt Provence, and Zambia’s third-biggest city with a buzzing one million-plus mostly Bemba inhabitants. Kitwe is the main access point to the Mindolo Dam, the Chembe Bird Sanctuary, and the Mwekwera Falls.
Ndola – The city is also located in the copper belt is the mercantile center of Provence. Places to visit include the Slave Tree with its termite damage, and Lake Chilengwa with its unique absence of a feeding source.
Sioma Ngwezi National Park – Although heavily depleted by ruthless poaching, the Sioma Ngwezi National Park is on an upward curve. Facilities are being upgraded, and the park offers game drives, game walks, and bird watching.
The Top 3 Tours in Zambia
Falcon Safari is one of the leading and most trusted tour operators in Africa. Have a look at any of the Falcon Safari tour packages operated by Falcon Safari to Zambia listed below:
The Namibia Flag Namibia Population: 2,606,971 (2017) Namibia Capital City: Windhoek Namibia GDP: $27.505 billion Namibia Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD) and South African Rand (ZAR) Namibia Time Zone: UTC +2 (CAST) Namibia Driving Side: Left Namibia Calling Code: +264
A trip to Namibia, the country where mysteriously stranded boats line the Skeleton Coast, and the red sand dunes of the Namib desert stands gracefully tall against the blue sky, is the experience of a lifetime.
If you’ve ever thought of visiting Namibia, there is no time such as the present to do so. Many a visitor find Namibia to be a country with a raw and rare beauty that is so breathtaking, it leaves the mind in awe and the heart forever changed.
The Republic of Namibia is a Southern African country, which borders South Africa on the east and south, Zambia and Angola to the north, and Botswana to the east.
5 Interesting Facts of Namibia
Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa and does not receive more than xxx rainfall per year.
Namibia was first inhabited by the San people, Damara and Nama, but in the 14th century, Bantu speaking people immigrated to the area and is today the majority.
Tourism contributes majorly to the Namibian economy. Up to 14.5% of the GDP is derived from tourism.
Namibia is known as a prime ecotourism destination, with the Namib desert known as a must-see.
Extreme sports such as skydiving, 4 x 4 trips through the Namib desert, and sandboarding are top tourist attractions in Namibia.
Visa for Namibia
Getting a visa for Namibia is pretty straight forward. Tourist, business, and other short- and long-term visas are available to tourists, diplomats, and business people who have a valid passport with a minimum of 6-month validity.
Visa for Namibia – Exempt Countries
Validity: 3-Months within 1-Year
Visitors who hold ordinary passports and originate from any of the below-listed countries can enter Namibia without a visa.
Angola
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belgium
Botswana
Brazil
Canada
Cuba
Denmark
Eswatini
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Luxemborough
Macao
Malaysia
Malawi
Mauritius
Moldova
Mozambique
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
Russia
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Visa for Namibia – Visa On Arrival
Validity: 3-Months
Cost: N$1,000 (USD $28 – 30)
The main entry points into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport or Walvis Bay Airport where visitors can obtain a 3-month Visa on Arrival for Namibia. Countries that qualify for a Namibia Visa on Arrival:
Benin
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cape Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Chili
Comoros
Cote d’Ivoire
Czech Republic
Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Gabon
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Hungary
Liberia
Madagascar
Mexico
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Poland
Romania
Rwanda
Sao Tome & Principe
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
South Korea
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Venezuela
Vietnam
Visa for Namibia – African Passport Holders
The government of Namibia is said to soon introduce Visa on Arrival for all African passport holders. African passports will be issued to citizens of most of the African countries on the African continent to out phase the need for Africans to obtain a visa for the 55-states in Africa. This initiative is similar to the European Union and was first launched on 17 July 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Capital of Namibia
Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia and is situated right in the middle of the country in the Khomas Highland plateau area. It is also the largest and most densely populated city in Namibia, with 325,858 people calling it home.
The capital city of Namibia was first settled by indigenous pastoral communities since the area was known for its permanent hot springs. In 1840, a Captain of the Orlam by the name of Jonker Afrikaner settled here and built a stone church. Since then, Windhoek has grown into what it is in modern times today.
Namibia Population
After Mongolia, the Namibia population is known to have the second-lowest population density in the world. According to a 2017 survey, there are on average 3.08 people per km2. In total, the Namibia population is only 2,6 million (2017).
A Short History of Namibia
German South-West Africa, (as Namibia was known in the 18th century), was annexed by German Chancellor Bismarck in 1884, and declared a German Colony. That was done on the advice of Adolf Lüderitz, the founder of the small, coastal town of Namibia, Lüderizbucht.
The Germans feared British colonialization following the annexation of the main harbor town Walvisbay in 1878. Namibia’s local tribes, the Herero’s and Namaqua’s, fought a gallant war against the Germans but were no match for their superior weaponry.
During World War I, South Africa invaded the territory in 1915 and occupied Namibia on behalf of the British Commonwealth. The occupation lasted some 75 years.
The first 50 years were relatively peaceful, but during the final years before Namibia claimed independence, it became an all-out struggle between South Africa and SWAPO, the countries biggest liberation movement.
Namibia gained independence on 21 March 1990 under the leadership of Sam Nujoma, who also became the countries’ first president.
In 1994, the ‘lost’ territories of Walvisbay and the adjacent twelve small islands were handed back as well.
The Best Time to Travel Namibia
The best time to travel Namibia is during the winter and spring months, which is from June to October. Since Namibia can get quite hot, traveling between June to October is advised, since the temperatures are then around 18 – 26 degrees Celsius, depending on where you’re traveling.
Day time in Namibia is extremely pleasant during winter and spring, but night times can be cold, as is prone in desert type climates. It’s best to pack both short-sleeve and warmer clothes.
Is Namibia Safe to Travel?
Yes, Namibia is safe to travel. Comparted to other war-torn or dangerous countries in Africa, Namibia is one of the few countries on the continent with a politically stable government and where it’s safe for tourists to travel.
That said, there are the usual safety concerns and precautions everyone should take when traveling in Namibia, as would apply in any country in the world.
How To Stay Safe While You Travel In Namibia:
Join an organized tour with a known tour operator.
Do not drive around at night by yourself.
Avoid dark alleys or unknown, unsafe looking areas in towns/cities.
Stay in a group rather than traveling alone.
Map of Namibia
A map of Namibia. Note the location of Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia with a population of 325,858 people. Windhoek is situated at the very center of the country.
The Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Namibia
10 – Epupa Falls
The Epupa Falls (also known as Monte Negro Falls in Angola) are created by the Kunene River on the border of Angola and Namibia, in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region. The river is 0.5 km wide and drops in a series of waterfalls spread over 1.5 km, with the greatest single drop being 37 m. The name “Epupa” is a Herero word for “foam”, in reference to the foam created by the falling water.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epupa_Falls
At the border between Angola and Namibia is the Cunene River. It’s here that the beautiful Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region of Namibia is situated, and where the 0.5 km wide Cunene River gives birth to the Epupa Falls spreading to over 1.5 km. The highest drop point is 37 meters.
Popular Activities: Guided tours to the Epupa Falls and Himba Villages, whitewater rafting, bird watching, crocodile watching excursions, sightseeing the famous Baobab, and Mopane trees.
9 – Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs in Africa, and is a protected UNESCO site. Even if you’re not into rock art, you’ll find the Twyfelfontein rock art site situated in what was formerly known as Damaraland (today Kunene), absolutely breathtaking. The rock art is located in a valley that is flanked by a stunning sandstone mountain, with an aquifer that runs underground where a spring originates. It’s this spring from which Twyfelfontein (translated Doubt Spring) then also got its name. Twyvel in the Afrikaans language means ‘doubt,’ and fontein refers to ‘spring.’ Many thus speculate that the spring got its name due to the area receiving minimal annual rainfall (<150 mm per year).
A trip to Namibia is incomplete without visiting the world-famous Skeleton Coast. The Skeleton Coast is also a national park and includes the 500 km coastal strip on the western part of Namibia. It is a barren, desolate desert coastal area with unique beauty. During autumn (May to June), the area covered in rolling fog, which may give a visitor a spooky chill along the spine. Autumn tends to be windy and is not ideal for wildlife viewing.
Close to river mouths and surrounding areas, wildlife is found at regular intervals. Amongst the wild, you will find Kudu, Springbok, and even Oryx. The brown hyena forms the clean-up crew. Amongst the birdlife, you can expect to see Ostridge and white pelicans as the most common amongst others. Marine life consists of large colonies of Cape Fur Seals and the occasional dolphins.
The Caprivi Strip (Caprivizipfel in German or Okavango Strip during colonial times), a salient (elongated protrusion not surrounded by water) of Namibia, starts in the north-east and protrudes east for close to 450 km (280 miles). On its southern flank, you’ll find Botswana, and north, Angola and Zambia. Zimbabwe borders its eastern tip for only about 100m. The Caprivi Strip is a spectacularly beautiful natural area, with various wildlife living there, including the critically endangered Wild African Dog.
The coastal town of Swakopmund is situated about 200 km from the Skeleton Coast but is a worthwhile destination. Swakopmund is well-known for the Namibian national flower, the Welwitschia, and its so-called moon landscape areas.
5 – Cape Cross
On the west coast of Namibia, you’ll find Cape Cross, a small headland in the South Atlantic, Skeleton Coast. One of the worlds’ largest colonies of Cape fur seals calls Cape Cross home, which is today a protected area and reserve. Visitors will be amazed at the thousands of seals. Wow!
Known as the largest canyon in Africa, the Fish River Canyon of Namibia is a definite must-visit, and can stall among the giants of the world, including the famous Grand Canyon of North America. Situated in the south of Namibia, a mammoth ravine of 160 km (100 miles) runs deep through the dry, stone plateau. The canyon is 27 km wide and at it’s deepest points, 550 m deep. The longest river in Namibia, the Fish River (650 km), floods in the summer months and flows intermittently until it joins the Orange River of South Africa, 100 km from the Atlantic Ocean.
3 – Etosha National Park
One of the largest salt pans on earth (so big it can be seen from space), is located in the Etosha National Park of Namibia. Situated in the northwest of Namibia, the park covers an area of 22,270 km2, while the Etosha pan area is 4,760 km2, about 130km long, and 50 km wide. Do to hypersaline conditions, few species can survive or live there, but it’s worthwhile to note the discovery of extremophile micro-organisms that live comfortably in the pan’s salty ecosystem. During the summer season that brings rain, the salt pan fills briefly with water but is most often dry. A vast number of wildlife, including endangered animals, can be found at the Etosha National Park. Overall, an amazing experience of peace and tranquility for tourists.
2 – Circles of Namibia
Within the Marienfluss valley of Namibia, the strangest circles can be found that have amazed and puzzled scientists for years. Dubbed the Fairy circles of Namibia, you’ll notice that circular forms line the monospecific grassy landscape in the Marienfluss valley, and is from 2 to 15 meters in diameter. Fairy circles only occur in two places in the world, namely Namibia and Pilbara, Western Australia.
The word Namib is of Khoekhoegowab origin and means ‘vast place’, and rightly so. The Namib desert is a phenomenon and absolute must-see when visiting Namibia. The desert is an astronomical coastal desert that is 2,000 km in length, situated alongside the Atlantic ocean. It stretches over three countries, Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. It’s always been arid in this area, for almost 55 to 80 million years at estimate, and scientists think it might be the oldest desert in the world.
If you want to truly immerse yourself in a trip to Namibia’s famous Namib desert, ensure to set aside between 5 – 10 days since there is a treasure-trove of areas to see. These include visiting Sossusvlei, Spitzkoppe, and Kolmanskop.
Sossusvlei, often referred to as ‘dead-end,’ is located in Southern Namibia. The area has flat clay pans and is surrounded by some of the highest dunes in the world. The dunes have a unique color ranging from pink to orange and a deep red. The famous Dune 7 is 400 meters in height and a challenge for man and machine. If you are reasonably fit, you can try and walk to the top.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Spitzkoppe, a group of bald granite peaks, (otherwise known as inselbergs), are more than 120 million years old. The highest peak (kop) rises 1,728 meters above sea level and is located between Swakopmund and Usakos in the Namib desert.
Eerily alone, hauntingly beautiful is Kolmanskop, a ghost town situated between the desert dunes of the Namib desert. Back in the day, it was a prospering mining town, but due to the decline of the diamond field and after World War II, more and more people left. Today, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Namibia while on a safari through the Namib desert.
Other Noteworthy Tourist Attractions in Namibia
Quiver Tree Forest
Bwabwata National Park
Naukluft Mountains
Christ Church in Windhoek
Nkasa Rupara National Park
Namib-Naukluft Nationalpark
Deadvlei
Waterberg Plateau Park
Brandberg Mountain
NamibRand Nature Reserve
Muduma National Park
Sperrgebiet
Khaudum National Park
The Top Tours in Namibia
Falcon Safari is one of the leading and most trusted tour operators in Africa. Have a look at any of the Falcon Safari tour packages operated by Falcon Safari to Namibia listed below:
12 Day of Exploring Namibia.Knowing the Bushman LifeEnjoy the POPA falls, game viewing and the best of Bwabwata National Park
Canyonys and Desert tour.Classic cultural diversity tourNamibai Safari in 11 DaysThe Beauty of Africa
Falcon Safaris Blog 