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Namibia, a country that many people don’t know at first. I still remember the first time I flew there, the check-in lady at Hongqiao Airport asked me:
"where you go?"
"Namibia"
The lady asked with a question mark face: "Where are you going?"
"Namibia"
The lady's question mark face +1: "Where is this?"
“Namibia, a country above South Africa”
Miss Question Mark Face +2: "Oh, there is such a place"
I believe many people's first impression is that this is a very remote, backward country, a barren and barren land. It is not!!!
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in southwestern Africa. It gained independence in 1990 and was the last country on the African continent to achieve national independence. Its capital is Windhoek. Formerly known as "Southwest Africa," it covers an area of 824,269 square kilometers and has a population of 2 million, 90% of whom are Black. There are 10 major tribes, with the Ovambo making up 51.2% and the Kavango 9.3%. There are also white and colored people. English, Afrikaans, and Dutch are the common languages, and each tribe has its own native language. Whites and most blacks are Christians, while the rest adhere to indigenous religions.
Namibia, a remote and mysterious country, is both breathtaking and wild. It's been a Lonely Planet recommended travel destination for two years. The Korean variety show "Youth Over Flowers" was filmed here, and Chen Bolin, who exiled himself there with his car and dog, appeared on the third season of the Chinese variety show "Flowers and Boys." This once-obscure African country has become a viral sensation, attracting countless young women. So, what exactly is Namibia like? Let's pique your curiosity with these pictures.
Photos from tourists@Xiaoye/Qingyun/Haodong
(Reprinting is prohibited without permission)
Etosha National Park, one of the oldest wildlife parks in Africa, is a place where animals are the big brothers. Look at this leisurely strolling deer.
There are many small pools of water, large and small, and the way to watch the animals here is very simple. Just follow the pools. If you look carefully, you will find that each animal has a different posture and schedule for drinking water.
Cross Point Sea Lion Beach - there are 100,000 sea lions here. The scale is so grand that the editor who visited the scene was stunned!
This is also a bird paradise, Whale Bay, facing the Atlantic Ocean, with flamingos, pelicans and more.
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Namibia: Creatures/Dunes/Stars/Oceans | Wild Africa
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Whale Bay - the sand sea is connected, and the sand flows into the sea. The vast sea and the sand dunes are born incompatible with each other, but in Namibia, they are integrated into a unique place in the world.
There is also a beautiful pink salt lake here.
Dine at the stunning Atlantic Ocean restaurant.
The oldest desert in the world is not the Sahara, which was formed 2.5 million years ago, but the Namib Red Desert, which is 60 million years old.
Besides the sand dunes, this red desert scenic area also boasts another wonder: Death Valley. Sand encircles the valley, clouds bring rain, rain forms rivers, and water nurtures trees. However, sand blocks the rivers, and the trees wither and die, creating Death Valley.
Namibia boasts several internationally recognized dark sky reserves, with minimal light pollution and a dry climate, making it one of the world's most ideal locations for stargazing and photography. The most famous of these is the Quiver Tree Estate, where British photographer Matthew McConaughey captured his work "Quervain Tree Under the Stars." This plant, a species unique to Namibia, is found here.
The starry sky and the truck are a perfect match, but in addition to the dark starry sky, the Quiver Tree Manor under the sunset is also very beautiful!
The most important places to visit in Namibia are:
capital
Windhoek is a transit point for all tourists. Most tourists who fly in from China will rest here for one night and depart the next day.
North-Etosha
The most important reason to come here is to go to Etosha National Park and see animals~
Midwest - Swakopmund
Namibia's important port, arguably the second largest city, is very much like a European town. It is a paradise for extreme lovers, with skydiving, sandboarding, and four-wheel drive vehicles all available here.
Midwest-Whale Bay
It's about an hour's drive from Swakopmund, where you can see flamingos, pelicans and more birds. There are also very fun activities here, such as seal kayaking, Sandwich Bay sandboarding, etc.
Southwest - Namib Desert
This is the famous Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. If you want to see Dune 45 and Death Valley, this is the place.
South - Quiver Tree Manor
The Quiver Tree Manor is about a 7-hour drive south of the Namib Desert. It's far, but worth it. Why? Because it has a large number of unique quiver trees, a must-see for stargazers.
Namibia tourist visas are normally issued within 5-7 working days; expedited visas take 3 working days. For stays of up to one month, the following documents must be mailed from China to Beijing:
1.
Two 2.2-inch passport-sized photos with a white background
; 3. A copy of your ID card with contact information and travel dates written on the back
; 4. An original English-language certificate of employment (this should include the expected dates of stay in Namibia, company/organization address, contact number, position, and a note indicating that embassy staff can contact the company/organization with any questions). Print the certificate on company/organization letterhead, stamp it, and have the supervisor sign it.
5. Round-trip airfare (within one month).
Yes, just like some African countries, the visas here are all "handwritten"
Currently, the main airlines and transfer options available for flights departing from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, are:
Ethiopian Airlines (highly recommended)
Since Ethiopian Airlines launched direct flights to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, at the end of 2016, with convenient transfers and low fares, this route is relatively popular.
Route: Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou/Hong Kong - Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - Windhoek
Qatar Airways
(Qatar Airways launched direct flights from Doha to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, in 2016. Prices are slightly higher than those of Egypt Air. If your connection time is long, consider staying at a hotel near Doha Airport for a night's rest.)
Route: Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou/Chengdu/Hong Kong - Doha (Qatar) - Windhoek.
South African Airways/Cathay Pacific
: Beijing/Shanghai/Chengdu/Wuhan and other cities - Hong Kong - Johannesburg (South Africa) - Windhoek.
Air China:
Beijing - Johannesburg (Johannesburg) - Windhoek.
Tips:
Things to note for transfers: When checking in from your city of departure, be sure to ask the airport check-in staff to check your checked luggage directly to your destination (Windhoek) to avoid wasting time going through customs to collect your luggage during the transfer. This is especially true for transfers through South Africa, as the South African transit visa has been cancelled. Normal transfers in Johannesburg can be made through the transfer channel without a visa. However, if you want to collect your checked luggage once, you will need a South African tourist visa to go through customs to collect it and then re-check it in to Namibia. The large number of people going through customs will greatly delay your time and easily cause delays to subsequent flights.
Namibia is a country ideal for year-round travel, with each season offering its own unique attractions. The rainy season brings the land to life, with its ever-changing clouds, sunsets, and rainbows, captivating visitors. The dry season is a prime time for wildlife tracking. Due to drought and water shortages, spectacular gatherings of animals are common near water sources in Etosha National Park and other game reserves. However, with the exception of Etosha National Park, most Namibian attractions are relatively unaffected by the rainy or dry seasons.
Namibia's peak tourist season runs from May to November, the dry season. Hotel and car rental prices also rise significantly from July to November, and rooms in well-located scenic areas are extremely limited and difficult to book. Therefore, avoiding peak season is a good option. For travel around the Spring Festival or National Day holiday, many popular areas require reservations over a year in advance.
If you're traveling alone to Namibia, you'll generally want to plan a trip of at least ten days due to the long international flight times and the vast distances between the country's most scenic spots. A
five- to seven-day itinerary allows you to explore two or three of Namibia's most distinctive attractions, such as the Red Desert, the Sea of Sand, and Etosha National Park.
Eight to ten days allows you to explore Namibia in depth.
Key attractions include the Red Desert, the Red Clay Figures (Kamanjibo), the Sand Sea, Etosha National Park, the Big Cat Sanctuary, Khanas, Decadent Fontaine, Cape Cross Seal Beach, the Walvis Bay Flamingos, and Swakopmund.
Tours lasting 11 to 15 days are ideal for a comprehensive and in-depth exploration.
Scenic spots may include: Red Desert, Etosha, Red Mud People (Opuwo), or the southern route covering Quiver Tree Manor, Fish River Canyon, and Lüderitz Ghost Town.
Namibia boasts excellent sanitation and is free of infectious diseases like malaria and yellow fever. No vaccinations or a Yellow Book are required for entry into Namibia. This is also not necessary if you're only transiting through Ethiopia. However, if you're entering other African countries, you'll need to obtain vaccinations and a Yellow Book according to the regulations of those countries.
Namibia is the latest African country to gain independence. It currently enjoys political stability and social order. However, you should still remain vigilant and cautious during your travels, and always carry your valuables and personal belongings with you.
Due to its subtropical desert climate, Namibia has high daytime temperatures, is hot and dry, cools down quickly at night, and has a large temperature difference between morning and evening. During the day, you can usually wear a short-sleeved T-shirt or shirt, but it is best to wear a jacket at night. In coastal areas, due to the influence of the Benguela cold current, the temperature is generally around 10-20℃, and there are many strong winds, so you should prepare a thick jacket and even a scarf or hat.
Winter: May to early September
Short-sleeved and long-sleeved T-shirts, shirts, sweaters, and trousers . At least one thin or thick coat (such as a thin cotton jacket, down jacket, or fleece sweater). Scarf
and hat. Summer: Mid-to-late September to April. Short-sleeved and long-sleeved T-shirts, shirts, dresses, skirts , shorts , and trousers. At least one thin or thick coat (such as a thick hoodie, jacket, or fleece sweater). Scarf and hat.
Recommended by tourists: Master Ono's complete photography equipment set:
Camera Body: NIKON D850; NIKON D750
Telephoto Lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
Wide-Angle Lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR; Laowa 12mm f/2.8 (Nikon F-mount)
Prime Lens: Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Nikon F-mount)
Tripod: SIRUI T1205X; Ma Xiaolu MT-01
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro DJI Hasselblad (no flying allowed throughout the entire trip, basically useless)
Shutter Release Cable: Stander RST7204 Timer Shutter Release
Filters: Haida CPL Polarizer + ND16 + ND1000 + GND Soft 3-stop + GND Hard 3-stop
Camera Bag: Lowepro King Kong Pro 450AW (The carrying system is good and the capacity is large, which can easily carry 2 cameras, 4 lenses and various auxiliary equipment)
Since aerial photography is allowed on this trip (Namibia is one of the few countries in Africa where aerial photography is allowed), please note that aerial photography is not allowed in the national park. In addition, it is recommended to use a telephoto lens with a focal length of 100-400 for photographing wildlife, which will also give a better feeling when photographing sand dunes, etc.
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The internet in Namibia isn't particularly good, and the speed is generally very slow, so communication is generally poor. However, making calls is generally possible.
We recommend using MTC, a mobile operator. Service points are available at airports and various urban areas, though lines at airport counters are often long. You can buy a card at a supermarket or gas station for 20 Namibian dollars, then top up your plan. A 7-day data plan costs 40 Namibian dollars and includes 1GB of data and some local call minutes. You can renew your plan after it expires. 3G service is only available near a few larger cities like Windhoek and Walvis Bay; most of the time, it's 2G or no service, so don't worry about running out of data. Don't throw away the card holder; if you remove the card and restart your phone, you'll need to enter a code to use it.
Prices in Namibia are medium to high, with prices in restaurants, supermarkets, craft shops, and shopping malls similar to those in first-tier cities in China. UnionPay cards are not accepted for cash withdrawals in Namibia, and exchanging US dollars at banks incurs high fees. It is recommended to bring a VISA debit card for ATM withdrawals. Exchanges are available at Windhoek Airport, downtown shopping malls, and Independence Avenue, where US dollars can be exchanged for Namibian dollars. The exchange rate is approximately 14:1. The South African rand is also accepted in Namibia. Regarding credit card payments, I've personally tested them in restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and supermarkets, virtually anywhere with mobile internet access. Credit card usage is much higher than one might imagine.
Dining options in Namibia's cities and scenic areas are primarily Western restaurants and buffets. Staple dishes typically include pizza, pasta, hamburgers, steaks, game steaks, sandwiches, and seafood platters. Chinese meals are only available in the capital, Windhoek, and the coastal cities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. If you have a Chinese stomach that isn't accustomed to Western cuisine, bring some pickled vegetables and instant noodles.
My way of traveling is to take a large off-road truck. There is a chef who cooks for us in the camp. When we gather, we go to the supermarket to buy ingredients and start cooking after arriving at the camp.
Pick and Pay at a local supermarket chain
Finally, here is a Chinese and English version of the Namibian entry form for you. You need to fill it out when leaving and entering the country.
In Namibia, you can sleep under the starry sky every night, the primitive life of the red clay people is astounding, and the wild animals on the grasslands are nostalgic. In short, coming to Namibia is absolutely the right choice, and the memories it brings you will be unforgettable.
