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Namibia Tourist Information

Geographic Location

The Republic of Namibia is a vast, sparsely populated country situated along the south Atlantic coast of Africa between 17 and 29 degrees south of the Equator. With its surface area of 824 268 square kilometres, Namibia is the 31st largest country in the world. It stretches for about 1 300 km from south to north and varies from 480 to 930 km in width from west to east.

Namibia, previously known as South West Africa, is bordered by South Africa in the south, Angola and Zambia in the north and Botswana and Zimbabwe in the east. The oldest desert in the world, the Namib Desert stretches along the whole west coast of the country, while the Kalahari Desert runs along its southeastern border with Botswana.

The country is demarcated into 13 regions, namely the Caprivi, Kavango, Kunene, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto regions in the north, the Omaheke. Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Khomas Regions in the central areas and the Hardap and Karas regions in the south.

Click for Windhoek, Namibia Forecast

Namibia's Unique Landscape:

Perennial rivers are found only on the country's borders, being the Orange River on the southern border and the Kunene, Okavango, Kwando and Zambesi Rivers on the northern border.

The Namibian landscape varied from vast expanses of desert and sand dunes to rock formations in the south, contrasting starkly to the savannah and woodlands of the central regions and the lush and forested scenery of the northeast. The Brandberg with a height of 2 579 meters in the southern Kunene region is Namibia's highest mountain. Other mountains are the Auas Mountain with its 2 479 m Von Moltkeblick peak, the Gamsberg (2 347 m), the Erongo Mountain (2 319 m), the Karas Mountain (2 202 m), the 1 900m Eros Mountain and Brukkaros (1 603 m), a well known sight between the southern towns of Keetmanshoop and Mariental. In the south the Fish River Canyon is one of the wonders of Africa. The 161 km long, 27 km wide ravine with a maximum depth of 550m is surrounded by high, forbidding cliffs, and is gashed into the plateau with startling abruptness. The awesome grandeur of the canyon is surpassed only by the Grand Canyon in the United States of America.

SELF DRIVE IN NAMIBIA

Driving around a country is often the best way of exploring a new destination. It allows for new discoveries as well as interaction with locals. Namibia is traversed by a network of some 4830 kms of tarred roads and 24140 kms of gravel roads. Both of these are kept in very good condition and connect all the major destinations will no trouble. Driving is on the left hand side of the road and it is recommended for all visitors (except South African) to obtain an international driver's licence prior to arriving in Namibia.

Although the roads are very good and safe for all vehicle types, driving at night should be avoided. A number of animals frequent the roadside and are often found on the roads at night and this can cause a major safety risk if encountered. The road network in Namibia is fairly straightforward and very well sign posted. All car rentals include a road map that is easy to read and follow with no problem. Petrol and diesel are freely available on all major routes but if travelling on minor routes it is a good idea to find out where petrol stations are located before departing. It is also a good idea to keep your tank above half at all times just in case you take a wrong turn. It is also a good idea to carry extra water with you as the road can be very long and hot at times.

Car hire includes:

  • Unlimited mileage
  • Super Collision Damage Waiver
  • Super Theft Loss Waiver
  • Person Accident Insurance
  • Airport Surcharge
  • VAT
  • Stamp Duty

Car hire excludes:

  • Non waivable excess
  • Collection & Deliver charge where applicable
  • Contact fee (N$ 10)
  • Fuel

Namibia lends itself perfectly for Self-drives and as such there are many possiblilitys. Find the most common itineraries - however, we can tailor make a self drive to suit your requirements, for any duration required.

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