Namibia, 4th The Bradt Travel Guide

by McIntyre, Chris

• ISBN13: 9781841623351
• ISBN10: 1841623350
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-04-12
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

This thoroughly updated fourth edition includes all the developments in Namibia's accommodation, from guest farms and lodges to bush-camps, plus details on areas of natural interest such as the new Sperrgebiet National Park. Author Chris McIntyre tempts adrenaline junkies with exciting opportunities for dune-boarding, ballooning and quad-biking in the desert, while the guide details Namibia's unique and fascinating wildlife, how to visit bushman villages and guidelines on eco-travel. From the desolate Skeleton Coast to the lush Kavango and Caprivi Strip, or the picturesque capital, Windhoek, Bradt has it covered.Chris McIntyre's first trip to Africa was in 1987. He's now Managing Director of specialist tour operator Expert Africa and the author of Bradt's Botswana, Zambia and Zanzibar guides.

Author Biography

Chris McIntyre’s first trip to Africa was in 1987. He taught in Zimbabwe and is now managing director of specialist tour operator Expert Africa and the author of Bradt’s Botswana, Zambia and Zanzibar.

Table of Contents

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1 Chapter 1 History and Economy 3 History 3, Government and administration, Economy Chapter 2 People and Culture People (to be expanded), Language, Education, Religion, Arts, crafts and culture, Sport Chapter 3 The Natural Environment Physical environment, Flora and fauna, Conservation Chapter 4 Planning and Preparation When to go, How to travel, Organizing your trip 52, Getting there, Red tape 57, Money and banking 58, What to take 60, Photography and optics 63, Accommodation 64, Food and drink 65, Shopping for crafts 66, Communications and media 66, Giving something back Chapter 5 Health and Safety Before you go, In Namibia, Diseases and when to see a doctor, Returning home, Safety Chapter 6 Getting around Namibia Driving, By air, By rail, By bus, Local transport, Hitchhiking Chapter 7 Camping and Walking in the Bush Camping, Walking, Canoeing, Minimum impact PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 8 Windhoek History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information and tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Sports facilities, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Excursions beyond Windhoek Chapter 9 The Central Corridor West from Windhoek: to the coast, East from Windhoek, South from Windhoek Chapter 10 The Southern Kalahari and Fish River Canyon Mariental, Hardap Dam Recreational Resort, East of Mariental and the B1: the Kalahari, The road from Mariental to Keetmanshoop, Keetmanshoop, The Deep South, Fish River Canyon Chapter 11 Lüderitz and the Southwest The roads to Lüderitz, Lüderitz, Excursions from Lüderitz, Sperrgebiet National Park, North of the B4, Maltahöhe Chapter 12 The Namib-Naukluft National Park History, Flora and fauna, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Naukluft Mountains, Sesriem area and Sossusvlei, Solitaire area, The park’s northern section Chapter 13 Swakopmund and Walvis Bay Area History, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Around the towns Chapter 14 The Skeleton Coast Flora and fauna, National West Coast Recreational Area, Skeleton Coast Park (to be expanded) Chapter 15 Damaraland and Kaokoland Southern Damaraland, Northern Damaraland, Kaokoland (to be expanded) Chapter 16 Etosha National Park Background information, Practical information (to be expanded) Chapter 17 North-Central Namibia Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Waterberg Plateau Park, Outjo, Kamanjab Chapter 18 The Triangle and Bushmanland Otavi, Tsumeb, Grootfontein, Bushmanland, Khaudum National Park Chapter 19 Owamboland Ondangwa, Oshakati, Ruacana (to be expanded) Chapter 20 Rundu and the Caprivi Strip Kavango Region, Caprivi Region (possible addition of Mangetti Game Reserve) Appendix 1 Wildlife Guide Appendix 2 Language Appendix 3 Further Information Index

Excerpts

Black rhino

The Kaokoveld has one of the world’s best populations of black rhino – a real success story for Namibian conservation. However, if you are lucky enough to find one, and then unlucky enough to be charged by it, use the same tactics as you would for a buffalo: tree-climbing or dodging at the last second. (It is amazing how fast even the least athletic walker will scale the nearest tree when faced with a charging rhino.) If there are no trees in the vicinity, you have a problem. Your best line of defence is probably to crouch very low, so you don’t break the skyline, and remain motionless.

When tracking black rhino in Namibia, you’ll almost always be in the company of two or three professional guides/trackers, usually staff of Save the Rhino Trust. I’ve often been out with them; and the experience can be amazing. On one occasion, we were joined by visitors sporting bright outdoor clothing, who proved disastrously poor at listening to instructions. Having been told to remain dead still because a rhino with a calf was close, one of the group ignored this, stood up and clicked a camera. The rhino charged – it was so fast; this was a very dangerous situation.

Seconds later, as it approached, the trackers all jumped up in unison, shouting and clapping. The rhino changed direction almost instantly, and carried on running into the distance with its calf for miles. It was a tense situation and we were lucky. The one most harmed was the rhino – running for its life, followed by its calf, in 35º heat. We’d put the calf’s life in danger, because one visitor couldn’t listen to his guide.