NAMIBIA

Introduction

Namibia, known for its dramatic landscapes ranging from the vast Namib Desert
to the Atlantic coastline, is a country with a rich cultural tapestry and a compelling
history. Situated in Southern Africa, it’s a land of stark contrasts, where ancient
traditions blend with modern life. The history of Namibia is a tale of resilience and
adaptation. Inhabited since ancient times, its diverse ethnic groups have long thrived in
the country’s challenging environments. The San people, among the oldest inhabitants,
have left a rich legacy of rock art and cultural traditions that continue to fascinate. The
arrival of Bantu-speaking groups brought new cultural dynamics and the establishment
of various tribal kingdoms. Namibia’s more recent history is marked by European
colonization. The German and later South African rule left indelible marks on the
country’s social, political, and cultural landscape. The struggle for independence, which
Namibia achieved in 1990, was a defining period, shaping the nation’s identity and
future course. Today, Namibia is celebrated for its diverse cultures, commitment to
conservation, and growing economy, making it a unique and intriguing African nation.

Capital Windhoek

Currency Namibian Dollar (NAD)

Language English

Religions Christian, Animism, Lutheranism, and

other religions

Carrier Air Namibia Airlines (SW)

International Airport Hosea Kutako International Airport

(WDH)

Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB)

Namibia, country located on the southwestern coast of Africa. It is bordered by

Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the
southeast and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It ranges from arid in the north
to desert on the coast and in the east. The landscape is spectacular, but the desert,
mountains, canyons, and savannas are perhaps better to see than to occupy.
Attraction

Historical, Natural Attraction Built Attraction

Cultural, and
Heritage
Attraction

Fish River Canyon Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon

The Fish River

Canyon is found in
the southern part of
Namibia’s longest
river. This
incredible
geological
landscape is the
second-largest
canyon in the world
(after the Grand
Canyon in Arizona)
and Africa’s largest
canyon.

Namib-Naukluft Namib-Naukluft
Park Park

Namib-Naukluft
 Park

The Namib-
Naukluft Park is
one of the world’s
largest
conservation areas,
stretching from the
plateau of central
Namibia to the vast
basin of the Namib
Desert. Wide-open
spaces framed by
purply blue
mountains and
impossible sunsets
make the Namib-
Naukluft a place of
singular beauty and
peace. The only
sound you’ll hear is
the gentle breeze,
and time seems to
stand still as though
the clock stopped
(indeed, there are
preserved dinosaur
footprints dotted
around the
country).

Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay,
Namibia’s main
seaport, offer an
oasis’s where the
sea meets the
 desert. The towns
offer adrenaline-
rush activities and
are considered
Namibia’s
“adventures hub”.
The list of activities
for any tourist alike
are endless,
ranging from quad
biking, boat cruise,
camel riding, dune
surfing, skydiving,
fishing, camel
riding, desert tours
and many more.
Spitzkoppe Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe

The Spitzkoppe lies

west of Usakos,
and it is one of
Namibia’s most
photographed and
painted outcrops of
granite. These
granite rocks are
intrusive and were
formed by the slow
cooling of molten
masses below the
earth’s surface.

Festivals and Events

Bank Windhoek Arts Festival

The Bank Windhoek Arts Festival is a dynamic celebration of creativity and

cultural expression. It features a wide range of artistic disciplines including visual arts,
performing arts, literature, and culinary arts. The festival provides a platform for local
and international artists to showcase their work through exhibitions, performances,
workshops, and interactive sessions. From traditional to contemporary art forms,
attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse array of cultural experiences that reflect
Namibia's rich artistic heritage and its place in the global arts scene. The festival
primarily takes place in Windhoek, Namibia's capital city, with events held in various
venues across the city. The festival is held annually, typically spanning several days in
November.

Enjando Street Festival

The Enjando Street Festival is a dynamic celebration of urban culture and

creativity. It transforms Windhoek's streets into a bustling hub of artistic expression,
featuring street art installations, live music performances, dance showcases, food stalls
offering a variety of local and international cuisine, and interactive activities. The festival
aims to celebrate diversity, foster community engagement, and showcase the talents of
Namibia's urban artists and performers. Various streets and public spaces in Windhoek,
with the festival spreading across different neighborhoods. The festival occurs
periodically throughout the year, with larger editions coinciding with holidays or special
occasions.

Windhoek Karneval (Windhoek Carnival)

Windhoek Karneval is an annual extravaganza that brings the spirit of carnival to

the heart of Namibia's capital city. Inspired by traditional European carnivals, the event
features colorful parades, elaborate costumes, lively music, dance performances, and
street entertainment. Participants and spectators alike join in the festive atmosphere,
celebrating community, culture, and creativity. The carnival showcases Namibia's
multicultural identity and serves as a platform for social cohesion and cultural exchange.
Various streets and venues in Windhoek, with the main parade typically starting in the
city center and winding through the streets. Windhoek Karneval is held annually, usually
in late February or early March.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in Namibia is a lively celebration of German culture, particularly its

beer, food, and music traditions. Modeled after the world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich,
Germany, the Namibian version features large beer tents serving a variety of German
brews, traditional Bavarian cuisine such as sausages, pretzels, and sauerkraut, as well
as live music performances by local and international bands. The festival provides an
opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in German culture while enjoying the
warm hospitality and festive atmosphere of Namibia. Various venues across Namibia,
including Windhoek, coastal towns like Swakopmund, and other urban centers.
Oktoberfest celebrations typically take place during October, aligning with the original
Oktoberfest dates in Munich.

Food

Namibia’s menu is representative of its character – that is, a fusion of history,

cultural influences and a struggle for survival lives at its core. Every ethnic group has
their specialties, although there are common threads throughout. A normal meal could
include, for starters, larvae Mopane (large edible caterpillars) or the most famous snack
in Namibia must be mopane worms. A rite of passage for many visitors, these highly
nutritious caterpillars are found on mopane trees and can be cooked or dried into a
crispy snack. Continued with a variety of grilled meats (beef, kudu, oryx, springbok) or a
Potjiekos, literally translated as ‘small-pot food’, a stew preferably cooked outside with
meat and vegetables. It’s a (very) slow-cooked stew of meat or fish made in a cast-iron,
three-legged pot over an open fire. Biltong is a southern-African snack that you will find
all over Namibia, made of strips of dried meat (either beef or game) that is similar to
American ‘jerky’. Biltong is usually sold as slices cut from large strips or as thin spicy
strips called Chilli Bites. Another local favourite dried meat and a relative of biltong is
‘droëwors’ (dried sausage), which is made of either beef or game meat.

Traditions & Customs

● Hospitality is highly valued in Namibian culture, with guests often welcomed

with warmth and generosity. It is customary for hosts to offer food and drinks
to their guests, and refusing such offerings may be seen as impolite.
● Traditional Namibian dishes such as kapana (grilled meat), mahangu
porridge, and potjiekos (slow-cooked stew) are often served during
gatherings and celebrations, symbolising the importance of sharing and
communal harmony.
● When dining with hosts, it is customary to wash your hands before and after
the meal as a sign of cleanliness. Meals are typically eaten communally, with
everyone sharing from central dishes. It is polite to wait for the host to begin
eating before starting, and using your right hand for eating is preferred.
 ● The Himba, a semi-nomadic tribe in northern Namibia, are renowned for their
distinctive customs, including the use of otjize, a paste of butterfat and ochre,
symbolizing the earth’s rich red color and the blood of life.
● Their traditions, including cattle herding and ancestral worship, are integral to
their identity.
● In many Namibian cultures, marriage and family practices are significant
social events, often involving elaborate rituals and ceremonies. These
practices vary between ethnic groups, reflecting a diversity of customs across
the country.
● Traditional healers, known as ‘sangomas’ or ‘nyangas,’ play an essential role
in many communities, providing spiritual guidance and healing.

Tourism Tagline/Slogan:

“Endless Horizons,” highlights the country’s natural beauty, unique wildlife, and
cultural attractions.

How To Get There

To enter Namibia, you need a passport that is valid for at least another 6 months
and has at least 3 blank pages. Namibia issues tourist visa for stays less than 90 days.