South Africa has long been considered one of the primary destinations of the African continent, offering visitors a wealth of experiences including game reserves, charming cities, and spectacular landmarks. Despite its wealth of opportunities, some have considered South Africa’s rise in popularity to a tourist destination to have also led to it becoming an expensive option for holiday-makers.
Namibia offers a much less expensive way to see the beauty of Africa, while also providing a much more cost-effective option. TravelQuest can offer a range of tours to this spectacular nation including the 14-night Namibian Adventurer Tour. This week, we take a look at some of the highlights you can expect to see in this dazzling country.
Sossusvlei is located in the southern region of Namibia within the Namib Desert – considered to be the oldest and driest desert on earth. Here, you will discover breath-taking scenery and jagged rock formations that are unparalleled to anything else you will see on earth. If you look around, you would be forgiven for thinking you were on the moon, with landscapes that are reminiscent of a lunar setting. You will also have the opportunity to climb some of the highest sand dunes in the world, which will provide an excellent vantage point from which to spot ostriches and gemsbok.
Situated on the nation’s west coast, Walvis Bay is home to Namibia’s only commercial port. Here, you will find a range of wetlands that provide an ideal habitat for migratory birds and vibrant pink flocks of flamingos.
From the pink flamingos of Walvis Bay to the desert elephants of the Ugab River, Brandberg, in Damaraland, is Namibia’s highest mountain and provides an excellent vantage point. This granite massif was formed by volcanic activity over 130 million years ago and covers an area of 760 square kilometres.
Officially known as IUi-IIAis, Twyfelfontein is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to a collection of ancient sandstone rock engravings which are thought to date back as far as 6,000 years ago. It is home to one of the largest concentrations of engravings in Africa, with a reported 5,000 official recorded figures including ostrich, giraffe, and human and animal footprints. Nearby to Twfelfontein, you will also be able to visit a petrified forest, which dates back 260 million years and showcases many examples of wood turning to stone.
The Etosha National Park is a huge expanse that requires more than one whole day to fully appreciate the area. A huge game reserve filled with forest and grasslands surrounds a large saltpan and provides a home to a range of animals including wildebeest, zebra, impala, springbok, kudu, elephant, giraffe and lion. Due to the number of waterholes present in the area, visitors are fortunate enough to be able to see a range of wildlife congregate at these areas. In addition to the animals mentioned, visitors will also be able to see a range of birdlife including weaverbirds and hornbills within the trees.
If any of these landmarks have inspired you to embark on a tour of Namibia, or other surrounding nations including South Africa and Botswana, you will be glad to know that TravelQuest offers a wide range of insightful tours to each of these nations. To find out more, contact us via the freephone number above or complete the online enquiry form.
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