http://www.okapuka-lodge-namibia.com/
domingo, 26 de outubro de 2008
It's rainning in Namibia!
Rain in Windhoek, it has a strange effect on people want to have a look what it caused.... lol
sexta-feira, 24 de outubro de 2008
Introduction to Namibia
Geography: Namibia lies in Southwestern Africa, it covers 824 269 km2 nearly four times the size of Britain. It's bounded in the west by the atlantic ocean, and in the east by Botswana and south Africa. Its northern boundary its shared by Angola and Zambia, while the northeastern corner lies at the junction of its bounderies with Zambia , Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Climate: Namibia is the most arid Country in sub -Saharan Africa.
It has an average rainfall of 270mm a year, and rainfall is extremely erratic, with a high potential evaporation rate. More than 70% of the rain is recorded from december to march. It usually falls in the afternoons as short, but heavy thunderstorms accompagnied by lightning.
May to september is generally the best time to visit the interior. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, but evenings and early mornings can be chilly, with frost in midwinter.
Although snow falls ocasionally in the south of the country, it's a rare phenomenon in Windhoek.
The summers are hot and temperatures of over 35.C aren't incommon, especially in the far south, the southeast and from Rundu eastwards. Humidity is relatively low.
Coastal temperatures are more moderate than those of the interior and in summer the coast offers welcome relief from the scorching temperatures further inland.
A little of our history: There is a high density of pre-modern peoples in Namibia. The most famous, Bushmen (also called San) are generally assumed to have been the earliest inhabitants of the region comprising today's Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The bushmen were hunters and gatherers with a nomadic lifestyle. The most important part of their diet consisted of fruits, nuts and roots, but they also hunted different kinds of antelopes. Over time, many different ethnic groups of immigrants settled in Namibia.
Bantu speaking people began settling in the north of the country in about the ninth century.The herero reached northwestern Namibia in the mid 1500 living there for about two centuries before settling in the central and eastern parts.
Other groups notably the Oorlam Nama and the basters, came into Namibia from the South during the nineteenth century.
Climate: Namibia is the most arid Country in sub -Saharan Africa.
It has an average rainfall of 270mm a year, and rainfall is extremely erratic, with a high potential evaporation rate. More than 70% of the rain is recorded from december to march. It usually falls in the afternoons as short, but heavy thunderstorms accompagnied by lightning.
May to september is generally the best time to visit the interior. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, but evenings and early mornings can be chilly, with frost in midwinter.
Although snow falls ocasionally in the south of the country, it's a rare phenomenon in Windhoek.
The summers are hot and temperatures of over 35.C aren't incommon, especially in the far south, the southeast and from Rundu eastwards. Humidity is relatively low.
Coastal temperatures are more moderate than those of the interior and in summer the coast offers welcome relief from the scorching temperatures further inland.
A little of our history: There is a high density of pre-modern peoples in Namibia. The most famous, Bushmen (also called San) are generally assumed to have been the earliest inhabitants of the region comprising today's Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The bushmen were hunters and gatherers with a nomadic lifestyle. The most important part of their diet consisted of fruits, nuts and roots, but they also hunted different kinds of antelopes. Over time, many different ethnic groups of immigrants settled in Namibia.
Bantu speaking people began settling in the north of the country in about the ninth century.The herero reached northwestern Namibia in the mid 1500 living there for about two centuries before settling in the central and eastern parts.
Other groups notably the Oorlam Nama and the basters, came into Namibia from the South during the nineteenth century.
Welcome to Windhoek...
Windhoek is a cosmopolitan African capital city characterised by its Africans and European charm, strategically located in the centre of Namibia and is the administrative, legislative and judicial seat of government.
The city is one of the cleanest and most secure capitals of the African continent, and heartily welcomes both international and domestic visitors.
Windhoek facts
Geographical
-Strategically situated in the centre of Namibia.
-latitude 22 35" and longitude 17 05"
- Between 1 600m and 1 750m above sea level
Climate
- Semi desert
- Rainfall occurs in the summer months
- Average temperature is between 15C & 25C
quinta-feira, 23 de outubro de 2008
The Himba
Despite the developments that have taken place in the Kunene region during the past 50 years, the Himba have largely retained their traditional way of life.
The ancestors of these Otjiherero-speking people are believed to have crossed the Kunene river in the mid 1500s.
The majority moved to central Namibia in the mid 1700s but those how chose to remain became know as the Himba.
The Himba are constantly on the move with their herds of cattle in serach of grazing, and live in semi-permanent settlements scattered throughout the area.
The long slender bodies of the men are somewhat reminiscent of the Maasai of east Africa and they are seldom seen without walking staff.
The women generally still wear traditional calfskin skirts and anoint themselves with red ochre mixed with butterfat and herbs.
Married women can be identified by their leather headdresses or erembe.
The homesteads of the himba and the herero are completely different.
The Himba live in beehive-shaped homesteads plastered with a mixture of mud and cow dung, while Herero live in square homesteads.
THE NAMIBIAN RIVIERA By Sharri Whiting De Masi
It's Hard to believe that more than five centuries ago Portuguese sailors caught sight of the empty sands of Namibia's coast and sailed away, never to return.
Today visiting Europeans, who can't find a single metre of beach at home that is not occupied by an oiled compatriot baking under a beach umbrella, will think they are either time travelling, already in heaven...or holidaying on Namibia's Atlantic Coast.
From Luderlitz in the far South all the way north to the skeleton coast, Namibia's Riviera is lined with endless sandy beaches, ponctuated by fascinating towns and settlements. Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, the largest of these, offer dozens of activities to visitors all year round. For a tempting respite after travelling in the Namib, the temperature on Namibia's Riviera is much cooler than in the desert.
Namibia's Coast offers sunbathers, anglers, walkers and horse riders remote stretches of sand as well as beaches with sevices nearby.
Swakopmund, the public beaches are close to restaurants, swimming pools, hotels, and shops, while the more isolated beach at Landstand Holiday Resort, owned by the city of Walvis Bay, offers tidal pools and wide beaches with facilities on site.
North of Swakopmund dozens of kilometres of undisturbed beaches attract campers and anglers.
Hotels on the rapidly developing north side of Swakopmund, and in the little town of Henties Bay and Cape Cross, are ideal for those wanting to take long walks or go fishing in remote areas. Camping areas are situated between Walvis Bay and the Skeleton Coast Park allow travellers to enjoy their own private stretch of beach.
The Namibian Coast is paradise for ecotourism.
Luderitz, an isolated and Mysterious coastal town in the south, is home to a variety of aquatic birds, seals, dolphins and some of the best seafood in Namibia.
While is windy beaches and ocean are usually too cold for anyone other than the most intrepid of Swimmers, they are unspoiled, with ever-changing colours and light patterns.
Sandwich Harbour, about 50 km south of Walvis Bay, an Unusual fresh water lagoon, is a bird sanctuary overlooked by massive dunes.
Legend has it that before silt cut off acces to the Sea, a trasure ship ran aground and lies buried somewhere in the mountains of sand.
Nature lovers outnumber fortune hunters as the primary visitors to Sandwich harbour.
Acces is only by four-wheel drive vehicle and a permit is requiered.
Boat tours out of the port of Walvis Bay take visitors into Walvis Bay Lagoon, the most important wetland for coastal birds in Southers Africa.
Often departing in dense morning fog, the boats cruise to view flamingos, dolphins, seals, and also the wonderful and eccentric bird Island, a man-made guano attol. Before returning to port, most boats put to anchor to offer fresh Namibian oysters and sparkling wine to sailors in glittering sunlight.
The Cape Cross Seal Reserve , 130km north of Swakopmund, is unparalleded on the coast of Southern Africa-up to 250 000 seals congregate on the rocky outcrop, diving in and out of the water to hunt for fish.
Hundreds of birds fly overhead, while jackals on the hunt can be seen slipping in amongst the teeming mass.
Visitors are able to get close-up look at and a whiff of the aroma of-this incredibly crowded animal colony as the seals fish, mate, give birth and sun themselves on the rocks.
The crown of Namibia's shoreline is the Skeleton Coast Park a 16 400 square kilometre national park with controlled entry, known for its 500 km of protected coastline, where visitors may see ship-wrecks and soaring sand dunes, along with extraordinary animals and wildlife.
Swakopmund, founded more than a century ago by German settlers, is quaint and thriving. From Swakopmund it's possible to sign up for a camel or horse-back ride into the desert, take a beach buggy excursion to the beach, or set off on a safari.
Quad biking in the extraordinary dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay is not only great fun, but offers a memorable viw of Namibia's 1 100-km coastline.
No matter where on Namibia's Riviera you travel there is something extraordinary to experience.
DON'T MISSE IT!
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