The Republic of Namibia is located in the southwest of the African continent. Over an area of 824,292 square kilometres, around 2.1 million people live in the country, of whom approximately 243,000 reside in Windhoek, the capital.
Namibia’s population speaks five different languages: Nama, Afrikaans, Otjiherero, Oshivambo, Damara and German. In addition, English is the country’s official language. Around 87 percent of Namibia’s population are Christian. Traditional African nature religions are also widespread.
Namibia’s attractions
Namibia’s diverse nature can be discovered by visitors in its ten different national parks. Among the most famous is Etosha National Park. In this park, which features a large salt pan, wildlife such as zebras, lions, giraffes, springbok and even elephants are native.
But it is not only the country’s rich wildlife that draws visitors to this African nation; Namibia’s varied landscapes also attract tourists. These include, for example, the Namib Desert with its towering sand dunes, the Skeleton Coast Park in the north of the country, the Petrified Forest near Twyfelfontein and the Brandberg Massif, whose peaks reach up to 2,573 metres.
In addition to its natural beauty, Namibia also boasts many cultural attractions. Many of these can be discovered in the capital, Windhoek. These include, for example, St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1908, the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace), which houses the parliament, and the castles of Sanderburg, Schwerinsburg and Heinitzburg.
Location and climate of Namibia
Namibia is located in southwest Africa, bordering South Africa, Zambia, Angola, Botswana and the Atlantic Ocean. The country’s western region is covered by two deserts: the Namib and the Kalahari. These two deserts are separated by the central highlands, which feature mountains rising up to 2,600 metres. The coastal region along the Atlantic Ocean lies to the west.
Namibia has a predominantly subtropical and continental climate. The weather is hot and dry, with temperatures around 25 degrees even in winter in the Namib Desert region. The warmest months of summer are December and January, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. However, temperatures can occasionally drop below zero from July to August. Along the Atlantic coast, temperatures are significantly more pleasant. Due to the cool wind from the Atlantic, the water temperature of the ocean only reaches a maximum of 15 degrees.
Arrival and entry
Namibia’s international airport is located more than 40 kilometres from the city centre of Windhoek. Travellers can reach the city by bus or taxi. Namibia also has a deep-sea port in Walvis Bay. The country can be reached by car or bus via border crossings from South Africa, Zambia, Botswana or Angola.
German tourists require a passport to enter Namibia. This must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. No visa is required for tourists, and all travellers receive an entry stamp upon arrival. However, a visa must be applied for in advance for business travel to Namibia. If entry is directly from Germany, no yellow fever vaccination is required. Only travellers who have previously stayed in yellow fever risk areas need to provide proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination.
Namibia travel
The highlights of Namibia are best experienced on a Namibia round trip. The following tips are recommended for your trip:
