The Traveller's Magazine
Namibia is the first country in the world to declare its entire coastline a national park. 26.6 million acres in size (that’s bigger than Portugal!), Namib-Skeleton National Park stretches all the way from the Kunene River to the Orange River. What does this newly named national park have to offer?
The park stretches itself along 1,570km of the coast, touching both the South African border and that of Angola. By combining several pre-existing national parks into one, Namibia has become the only country in the world to protect its entire coastline, now that’s impressive!
What does Namibia hope to gain?
Of course a boost in tourism, now with wildlife on the rise (even prides of lions are appearing along some parts of the coast for the first time since the 1980s) Namibia may just be the next adventure destination in Africa. Press from celebrity visits don’t hurt either. Last year Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt took the kids on a holiday to Namibia’s wildlife sanctuaries and are fervent financial supporters of the project.
It’s not quite the destination you’d choose for a grand “safari tour” yet but Namibia does host a variety of things you won’t find anywhere else on the continent including millennia-old plants, black-haunched jackals and golden moles.
Country Profile:
- Full name: Namibia
- Population: 1.8 million
- Capital: Windhoek
- Life expectancy: men, 52 years / women, 51 years
- Currency: Namibian dollar (N$)
- Language: English, Afrikaans, German
- Telephone code: +264
How to get there?
Flights to Windhoek are serviced by dozens of airlines from London, even Manchester. Generally flights need to make at least one stop, some two, taking upwards of 20 hours for the entire journey.
Is it worth it? Definitely.
