Immense, lunar, old as the world, Namibia impresses by its large virgin and wild spaces crossed by multiple animal species. A unique and plural country that offers a life-size spectacle. Namibia is a southern African country with 1570 km of coastline on the Atlantic coast of the black continent. Two thirds of its territory is covered by two deserts, the Kalahari in the East and the Namib in the West, one of the oldest in the world and whose red dunes are the most famous representation of the country. These are the dunes of Sossuvlei, the highest in the world, reaching almost 350 metres in height and resembling mountains of red sand. Nearby is Deadvlei, planted with skeletons of trees, burned by the sun, and which stand quite miraculously in the middle of the dunes. The northwest coast of the country, an arid and desolate coastal strip, is also known as the skeleton coast. And for good reason, it has long played the role of a sanctuary for ships in perdition. Much less inhospitable, Fish River Canyon is popular for hiking. The Fish River has carved the gorges of this canyon for thousands of years giving it a phenomenal size today: 160 km long and 27 km wide. The second largest canyon in the world, Fish River is a unique place in Africa offering incredible panoramas. Around an immense saline and numerous water points, the Etosha animal park is made for lovers of the African bush and wildlife. This park is one of the largest animal reserves in the world with its 114 species of mammals (including elephants, giraffes, lions, spotted hyenas, antelopes, zebras, oryx, blue wildebeests...) and more than 340 species of birds. Damaraland looks like the end of the world. The tabular mountains open on deep valleys, vast grassy plains where meanders the beds of rivers bordered with acacia, ochre rocky massifs evoke a western decoration... The plateaus which dominate the plain are full of caves lined with rock paintings which would date back more than 5.000 years. Damaraland is also a region where it is possible to observe the very rare black rhinoceros or desert elephants. Kaokoland is the territory of the Himbas, called red people because of the ochre oil with which they coat their bodies to protect themselves from the sun. A semi-nomadic pastoral people, the Himbas live today as they did over 200 years ago. It is sunny almost all the time in Namibia. In southern winter, from June to September, during the dry season, more conducive to animal discovery, the days are beautiful but the nights can be cold. Namibia's attraction lies in the vastness and splendour of its wild territories, sparsely populated by humans, and the exceptional abundance of its wildlife. Hikes and safaris are unforgettable and the whole discovery of the country is embalmed with the scent of adventure. Meeting with local populations is quite rare but not impossible. On the road, Namibians are very curious and welcoming. We're taking a flight to Namibia for its changing landscapes: the dunes of Namib which according to the wind and the daylight are never the same twice, the grandiose fresco of Damaraland, coloured with all the palette of reds and oranges. Namibia is above all a desert, the Namib desert, known in particular for its dunes the highest in the world. Namibia is also a triumph of wildlife, wide open spaces and a variety of impressive landscapes. A stay in Namibia often gives the impression of being alone in the world or immersed in another time thanks in particular to an encounter with his people Himba.

It is difficult to get around: few buses, few trains. Rent a Car in Namibia remains the best solution. The roads and tracks are in good condition, well signposted, and the network serves almost the whole country. But it's better to rent a 4x4 vehicle to use the trails.

Art and culture in Namibia
Each Namibian ethnic group has its own artistic activities. Most of these are linked to their religious beliefs: dances, songs, sculpture, etc. The tradition of storytelling, transmitted orally, is perpetuated within each tribe of the country and the cult of ancestors occupies a great place, especially for the Himbas. The German presence has also left its mark. In particular in architectural terms: on the west coast, for example, the towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay resemble 19th century Germany.

What to visit in Namibia
Climbing and then descending the Crazy dune which rises to nearly 300 meters in the Namib desert, a must when booking a hotel in Namibia