Namibia

In spite or perhaps because of the aridity of most parts of the country, there are many species of plants and animals which occur nowhere in the world.
There are more than 600 endemic plants (out of a total of 4,000 plant species recorded in Namibia), 14 birds (out of 658), 66 reptiles )out of 258), and 15 mammals (out of 217).

Namibia is most famous for its desert elephants, Oryx antelope and Cheetah. Of course, Namibia is also the home to many animals of the African bush, including the “Big Five” elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo.

At the coast, near Luderitz and Walvis Bay, you can watch the flamingos, seals and dolphins. More recently, even whales have occasionally been spotted.

Celebrities of the plant kingdom are the Boab Tree in the north, the Quiver Tree (a member of the aloe family) in the south and the ancient Welwitsch mirabilis in the west and north-west.

Nature conservation is spelled in capital letter in Namibia. About 15 percent of the country are conserved, which includes the Etosha National Park and the Namib Naukluft Park.

Diversity of People

About 500 years ago Namibia was very sparsely populated by Bushman (San) and Damara. Then Herero,Ovambo and Kavango groups moved from the north of Africa, followed by Nama groups from the south.

Explorers, hunters, missionaries and traders of European origin started to arrive 200 years ago. In 1884 Namibia experience the beginning of colonisation by Imperial Germany. In 1915 South Africa took over the rule and in 1920 was given the mandate by the League of Nations to administer the country. Namibia was only declared as an independent state on the 21st March 1990.

With History as eventful as this its is hardly surprising that the population of 1.825 Million consists of many peoples. The largest group are the Ovambo speaking living in the north of the Etosha Pan in the Cuvelai Basin.

Extensive depressions (Oshanas) run through this area which is suitable for agriculture. The Ovahimba, a subgroup of the Herero, live in the more arid northwest: The Herero live mainly in the central parts. The many groups of Nama people are scattered across the south, whereas the Bushmen can be found in the east and northeast.

You will encounter members of almost all the population groups in the capital Windhoek, If, however you want to experience them and their culture in their original settings, you will have to travel to all the wind directions.