Namibia is a land of wonderful contrasts - the icy Benguela current sweeps up its western shore, home to an abundance of fish life. Ghostly fog floats from the shore to lie suspended over the brooding Namib Desert, providing much needed moisture to desert-adapted flora and fauna. The haunting Skeleton Coast hides shipwrecks in its misty waters and crumbling bones in its sandy shores, while the well-adapted desert elephants and rhinos roam the rocky hills of Damaraland and Kaokoveld further to the north. Revel in the game-rich Etosha Park or follow the meandering Zambezi and Chobe Rivers through the Caprivi Strip, home to glorious sunsets, vast elephant populations and honking hippos. Further south, the ochre dunes of Sossusvlei- highest dunes in the world, cast a fiery glow at sunset against a cobalt sky.

The Fish River Canyon, second in size only to the Grand Canyon, bears among its crevaces and strata secrets to bygone millennia. Windhoek, the capital is an attractive and bustling city, framed by the towering Auas and Eros Mountains. English is the official language. Cultures include European (English, Afrikaans, German), Herero, Himba, Kavango, Ovambo, Nama and Damara. The local currency is the Namibian Dollar. Please consult your local embassy with regard to visa requirements. Namibia is two hours ahead of GMT.

Season: Wildlife viewing is good throughout the year. Temperatures are pleasant between Apr-Nov, a good time for game viewing. It is best to avoid the Namib-Naukluft and Etosha national parks in the extreme heat (40 + Degrees Celsius) from Dec-Mar. The high season runs from Jul-Oct so it is advisable to book accommodation and tours well in advance.

Precautions: Compulsory vaccine: Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio Malaria prophylaxis: Indicated for travel to the Etosha National Park and all areas North of it throughout the year. Medical information supplied by Medi-Travel International.