NAMIBIA'S NATIONAL PARKS & MAIN CITIES

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Etosha is Namibia's foremost attraction and one of Africa's greatest parks, covering 8,600 square miles in the northern part of the country. The park is mainly mixed scrub, mopane savannah and dry woodland surrounding the huge Etosha Pan. The pan is a silvery-white shallow depression, which is dry except during the rainy season. Along the edge of the pan are springs that attract wildlife during the dry winter season.

Etosha is famous for its huge elephant population which is most visible August and September in the center of the park. When the rain begins in October, the elephants migrate north to Angola and west to Kaokoland and begin returning in March. Large populations of zebra, blue wildebeest, springbok and oryx also make this area their home. The park is totally fenced although this does not always stop the elephants from going where they want to. Lion are commonly seen, and zebra are often sighted way out on the barren pan where lions have no cover from which to launch an attack. Black faced impala and Damara dik-dik are two distinctive species of this area. Rhino prefer the western regions. Birdlife is prolific with over 325 species recorded, particularly on the Etosha Pan during the summer rainy season from mid-January to March. However, a diverse range of bird species can be seen year round. Kites, pelicans, greater and lesser flamingos, and marabou storks migrate seasonally.

SKELETON COAST NATIONAL PARK
An unexplored paradise of breathtaking beauty, wide open spaces, distant horizons, unspoilt beaches, rugged mountains, deep canyons, smoothly contoured sand-dunes, and unexpected water holes. The area is a wealth of fascinating rock formations, colorful pebbles and sparkling semi-precious gems; a kaleidoscope of colors, contrasts, impressions and surprises. Skeletons of shipwrecks dot the treacherous coast of this park which stretches along the seashore and covers 2,000 square miles of wind-shaped dunes, canyons and jagged peaks of the Namib.

The park is divided into southern and northern sections. The southern section is more accessible and lies between the Ugab and Hoanib Rivers. The northern area of the park has been designated as a wilderness area and can only be visited via private aircraft. Large game is not as evident as in Etosha National Park. Many small but fascinating creatures have uniquely adapted to this environment and help make this the most interesting desert in the world. Larger wildlife includes black rhino, desert elephant, lion, leopard, and baboon. Brown hyena are plentiful but not often seen. Black-backed jackals, springbok and gemsbok are often sighted. Another attraction of this incredibly fascinating area of Namibia is the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home of over 200,000 seals.

FISH RIVER CANYON
In the southern part of Namibia is the Fish River Canyon, second in size only to the Grand Canyon. The Canyon is 100 miles in length, up to 17 miles in width, and up to 800 feet deep. The Fish River cuts its way through the canyon to the Orange River which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The vegetation and wildlife are very interesting. Many red aloes make the area appear like one might imagine the planet Mars. Baboons, mountain zebra, rock rabbits, ground squirrels and klipspringer are often seen, while kudu and leopard remain elusive.

There is a well-marked path into the canyon. For those going down for the day, allow 45-60 minutes down and one to two hours back up. The main hiking trail is 53 miles in length and is open May -August. The going is tough since much of the walking is on the sandy, rock-strewn floor. No facilities exist en route, so this hike is not for the tenderfoot!

SWAKOPMUND
The resort town of Swakopmund stands by the mouth of the usually dry Swakop River, and spreads out from the shore onto the flat desert plain that surrounds it. Climatically more temperate than the interior, the palm-lined streets, immaculate old buildings and well kept gardens give it a feel of it's own, making a pleasant oasis.