Namibia

Namibia is a vast and empty country straddling the Tropic of Capricorn, bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean with South Africa to the south, Botswana to the east and Angola to the north. The central spine of the country is a 2,000m high plateau with the best farmland. To the east the land drops gently to the Kalahari Desert. To the west the dramatic escarpment of the Naukluft mountain range drops to the Namib Desert, stretching 1,600 km along the Atlantic Coast. This is one of the world's oldest deserts and the Namib-Naukluft National Park is one of the largest in Africa. In the north is the Etosha national park which provides some of the best game-viewing in Africa.

Namibia has a sub-tropical desert climate. December to March is the hot, rainy season, although the Kalahari and the coastal Namib deserts may receive no rainfall for several years. April to November is the dry season but May to September are the best months for walking with daytime temperatures about 25°; the nights are much colder and can, occasionally, drop to freezing in the mountains.

NAUKLUFT TRAIL

This trail is 120 km in length and is usually completed in 8 days, starting and ending at the Naukluft national park office where there is a Hiker's Haven bunkhouse. The trail is marked with painted footprints, which are not always easy to find! Each daily stage is up to 17 km long and there is a shelter at each night halt with a water supply and toilet. The daily stages may seem short but the trails are steep and rough, temperatures may be high and heavy loads must be carried. You must carry all provisions and cooking equipment but tents are not required. Special permits must be obtained: groups of 3 - 12 people are allowed to start the trail every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for the first three weeks of each month from 1 March to the third Friday in October.

A 15 day trip, London – London can include the Naukluft Trail, plus a visit to those famous sand dunes at Sossuvlei. By extending the trip to 22 days, it is possible to include: Swakopmund – a resort on the Atlantic coast Cape Cross – seal colony Brandberg – the highest mountain range in Namibia Spitzkoppe – a climber’s paradise Twyfelfontein – famous for its bushman rock art Etosha national park – perhaps the best game viewing in Africa Waterberg – a nature reserve north of the capital Windhoek