Zhivko KONSTANTINOV
Namibia — “The Diamond of Africa” — the country of endless deserts, astonishing nature and rich culture! This amazing destination is a true paradise for adventurers and nature lovers. A true treasure trove that offers unique experience. From the vast Namib Desert and rich wildlife reserves like Etosha, to the mountainous regions and arid river valleys.
The Namib Desert is one of the oldest and at the same time one of the largest deserts in the world. Located in southern Africa, it spreads across the entire length of the western tip of Namibia, from which derives its name. It covers over 80,900 sq. km and is home to the highest sand dunes in the world. The Namib offers some of the most dramatic, surreal and photogenic panoramic views on the planet. It took millennia for the wind to carry sand from the interior of the continent to the Atlantic Ocean to form the remarkable reddish giants.
The most famous of these is Dune 45, which is extremely popular with tourists, especially during sunrise and sunset. It is about 170 metres high. It is impressive how the sand changes from light brown to golden red as the sun moves across the sky and the play of light changes the colours. Its name derives from the fact that it is located exactly 45 km from the town of Sesriem. It attracts tourists from all over the world who wish to stand on its peak and enjoy the impressive panoramic views.
Deadvlei (the Death Plateau) is one of the most iconic and at the same time most unusual landscapes in Namibia. This unique place is popular with tourists and photographers for its distinctive features and exceptional beauty. In the distant past, a river reached Deadvlei, providing water for plants and trees. Over time, about 900 years ago, the river dried up. The composition of the salty soil and the dry climate prevented the trees (acacias) from decomposing, so they remained intact and almost unchanged over the centuries, creating a unique and mystical appearance. The white salt plates of the soil and the high sand dunes are extremely attractive for taking photos. Every moment of the day creates different light conditions that contribute to superb shots.
The area of Twyfelfontein, whose name translates as “Fountain of Doubt”, is home to the richest and most interesting rock art in Africa. This is a world-famous site known for its murals and stone engravings, which are the largest and most significant prehistoric art on the continent. 2 500 rock paintings from the Stone Age, whose authors are local hunter-gatherers who inhabited these lands thousands of years ago.
The village of Omapaha Himba, near Etosha National Park, is home to the indigenous Himba tribe, believed to be Namibia’s last semi-nomadic people. The tribe’s religion is based on beliefs in natural forces and ancestral spirits. The Himba are known for their traditional hairstyles and coloured skin — red for women, black for men. They are also easily identified by their clothes, made of calfskin covered for protection with a paste, a mixture of grease and red ochre. Women have extremely distinctive braids, smeared with red clay, and ending with (extensions) — an attached tail of wild animals, such as oryx or zebra.
Hoba is the largest meteorite found on Earth. It weighs 60 tonnes. It fell on our planet about 80,000 years ago. It was discovered accidentally by a local farmer while ploughing a field. It is made up of 84% iron, 16% nickel and some cobalt. Many people have tried to cut some of it off, but most attempts have been unsuccessful. An interesting fact is that the local government allows tourists to climb on it. When you’re on top and start talking, you hear metallic echoes, and it feels like you’re trapped in an all-metal room.
Etosha National Park (22 270 sq. km) is one of the largest national parks in Africa. Etosha is home to 4 of the “Big 5” (elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion), the only exception being the buffalo. Giraffes, jaguars, zebras, oryxes, dwarf dik-dik antelopes, wildebeest and many more are found here. Etosha has several artificial waterholes that attract large numbers of wildlife, especially during the dry months. These provide wonderful opportunities for observing the animals up close and creating unforgettable memories.
Namibia, the country of some of the most fascinating and unknown natural wonders, whose ascetic harmony strikes the imagination, offers some of the strongest sensations for travellers in Africa. There are so many more places I would like to talk about, but the pages of an entire magazine would not be enough. For those who wish to experience the unearthly beauty of the African country, I highly recommend the boutique trip to Namibia with “Nikona Travel” Agency. They turned the trip into a magical fairytale that I will remember for a long time.
