Namibia
The Land of Sea and Desert – Namibia
Often Namibia is an introduction to foreign travellers wanting to explore Africa. While it lacks lush forests – it is one fascinating landscape.
Music in Namibia is diverse to represent ethnic people as well as the history of the country. In the north, music is a way of life and represents different aspects of life and is played through various drums. Central Namibia music is influenced by Afrikaans and colonisation. Arguably the biggest festival in Namibia is the Mbapira/Enjando Street Festival held in Windhoek annually. It’s a celebration of music and dance. Brightly clad performers take to the streets to dance and sing their hearts out. It is a colourful festival you should consider planning your trip. Listening to live music and watching dancers move to the beats, is a magnificent sight.
http://afrotourism.com/event/enjando-street-festival/ – Image 01 (Dancers at the Mbapira/Enjando Festival)
A trip to Namibia without visiting the Skeleton Coast would be incomplete. Located in the North West of Namibia, is a lonely stretch of African coastline that is untouched, raw and surreal. Restricted numbers are allowed into Skeleton Coast National Park. So much so, that vehicles cannot drive through most of it. Book a helicopter ride with a tour agency in the area and marvel at the sights below. You will see sea lions dotting the shoreline, shipwrecks in the treacherous waters and gemsbok overcoming the dunes. There is a beauty in its loneliness and possibly one of the last untouched areas on earth.
https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/destination/namibia/what-to-do/skeleton-coast/visit-the-shipwrecks-along-the-skeleton-coast-namibia – Image 02 (Skeleton Coast National Park)
Bordering between South African and Namibia is the ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. It’s a diverse landscape of geological wonders, one being the Fish River Canyon. It is the largest canyon in Africa and second largest in the world. Hiking through it is a strenuous affair, but provides insight into the geology of Namibia. There are few lodges and guesthouses offering accommodation, so spread your visit over a few days. Be sure to check out the Cañon Roadhouse and sip on a cold drink as you plan your hike through this geological marvel.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/namibia/southern-namibia/fish-river-canyon-national-park/travel-tips-and-articles/77063 – Image 03 (Fish River Canyon)
Heavily influenced by the German colonisation, dress in Namibia reflects that. The Herero tribe, like in Botswana, still wear Victorian-style attire. Indigenous Herero women wear bulky dresses and the traditional headdress that represents cow horns – this indicates that the Herero people are cattle farmers first and foremost. Men too, wear hats like those of army men. The Himba in the north, smear their bodies in extracts of iron ore. Himba women wear their hair in long braids, leather skirts and are usually topless. Himba men wear wraps around their waist but also wear intricate jewellery and beaded collars around their necks, like the women.
http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=5765 – Image 04 (Herero Women)
Similar to other Southern African countries, maize is a staple food in Namibia. Even though Namibia exports large amounts of fish, not much is included in Namibian traditional dishes. Game meat, beef and mutton are popular and appear in many dishes, such as a potjiekos (hearty stew/casserole cooked outside) and even dried to make biltong. Eat at Restaurant Gathemann in Windhoek, offering authentic meals such as impressive cuts of game meat in a colonial styled building. For something unique in Southern Africa, try La Marmite in Windhoek as well. Offering West African delicacies – think Senegalese and Ivorian stews to the Nigerian Jollof rice.
https://www.goway.com/travel-information/africa-middle-east/namibia/food-and-drink/ – Image 05 (Namibian food)
Namibia is a land where sea and desert meet to create a unique natural landscape. With seals, sea lions and frightening waves on the ghostly coastline to the dancing lizards that hop on the hot sand of the desert. Namibia is a country waiting to be explored.
