Like most African countries, Namibia has a long and fascinating history. Don’t miss the chance to indulge your penchant for all that is ancient during your southern African safari to this scenic country.
The Sands of Time
The Namib Desert is the oldest desert in the world and is believed to have been around for 50 to 80 million years. It’s also the only coastal desert in the world which is nourished by fog from the ocean, which means it is home to several desert-adapted species that occur nowhere else.
To make the most of your trips around the Namib, it is best to take a guided tour to see these creatures large and small and take in some of the historical sites along the way.
The Sossusvlei is packed with ancient attractions like Sesriem Canyon where the original settlers are remembered, the Deadvlei is dotted with fossilized trees, and there are welwitschia plants in the north that are several centuries old.
The shores of the skeleton coast are littered with shipwrecks, each with their own tale to tell, and Africa’s first explorers left their mark in the form of a stone cross at Cape Cross. Inland you’ll find ghost towns that hint at the glory days of diamond rushes gone by.
Indigenous History
The San Bushmen were the first inhabitants of most of Africa and have left their mark at rock art sites scattered around Namibia. The Fish River Canyon, Twyfelfontein and the Brandberg are filled with examples of this aged graffiti.
German Colonialism
Wherever you travel in Namibia, you’ll come across reminders of its German heritage which is particularly evident in the architecture around Namibia. These gorgeous old buildings can be admired on historical walks in Swakopmund as well as the capital city. Don’t miss the chance to toast this part of the country’s history with eisbein and beer in cities and towns wherever you go.
Struggles and Independence
Colonialism in Namibia was coupled with conflict and you’ll find reminders of these struggles at the Independence Memorial Museum and Heroes Acre in Windhoek. You can also visit monuments and tombstones, dedicated to the Herero people who lost their lives during this tempestuous time, in protected spots at several sites across the country.
Find Out More
As you travel through these vast landscapes during your Southern African safari, take some time to gain insight into its history. The locals that you meet during your travels will be only too willing to point out interesting historical sites and share stories of Namibia’s interesting past.
Get in touch today and start planning a Namibian adventure that features a little of everything that the country has to offer.
