Fun facts about Namibia

24 things you didn't know about Africa's southwestern country

KarienN

13-12-2021

  1. Did you know that the Namib Desert – from which the country takes its name – is 80 million years old and the oldest and of the driest deserts in the world? It covers one-fifth of the country. 
  2. Did you know that the sand in the region is given its distinctive red colour from the layer of iron oxide which coats it? 
  3. Did you know that a variety of different animal species can be found roaming Sossusvlei, including antelopes, ostriches, rodents and birds? 
  4. Did you know that sand dunes at Sossusvlei are among the highest in the world? Their range makes for one of the most impressive sights in Namibia. Sossusvlei is an impressive 325m high.
  5. Did you know that there are two different styles of sandboarding? Namibia has both. In Namibia, you can also do sand-skiing, similar to sandboarding, but you use skis instead of a board. Namib dunes are the most popular places for sand-skiing. 
  6. Did you know that the primary water source to the Namib is fog? Meaning reptiles and mammals inhabiting the region have become desert-adapted to survive with limited water supplies.
  7. Did you know that Namibia is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming cheetahs (around 2,500-3,000)? 
  8. Did you know that Namibia is one of only two countries in the world that has desert elephants? The other country is Mali in Western Africa.
  9. Did you know that Namibia is said to be home to the world’s largest population of wild black rhinos? However, because of the poaching risk, the exact amount of them is unknown. There are lots of projects run by conservationists and lodges working on the cause. 
  10. Did you know that Namibia enjoys 300 days of sunshine every year? 
  11. Did you know that Himba women of Namibia cover their skin with a mixture of ocher, butter, and resin as a means of protecting themselves from the sun?
  12. Did you know that Dragon’s Breath Cave, located 46 kilometres northwest of Grootfontein in Namibia, has the largest known underground lake in the world? The lake is 196 feet below ground level and 215,178 square feet in size. 
  13. Did you know that Shipwrecks, whale bones, and human skeletons have given Namibia’s Skeleton Coast its name? Several of the wrecks have disintegrated and washed away because of the dense fog surrounding the coast. 
  14. Did you know that about 90% of Namibian land remains natural habitat? 
  15. Did you know that Namibia’s Etosha National Park is one of the largest globally and is home to 114 mammal species, 110 reptile species, and over 340 bird species? Etosha means “great white place” or “place of emptiness.” 
  16. Did you know that Namibia’s AfriCat Foundation found in Okonjima Nature Reserve is the largest rescue-and-release program in the world and has rescued over 1,000 big cats in the past 20 years?
  17. Did you know that beer in Namibia is still made in accordance with a 1516 German traditional purity law issued in Bavaria? 
  18. Did you know that Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world? It measures 5,900 km². 
  19. Did you know that Namibia was the first country to sign a statement that includes the protection of the environment into the country’s constitution?
  20. Did you know that Namibian cuisine consists mainly of meat? They make numerous dishes with ostrich, antelope, zebra, giraffe, oryx, kudu, lamb and beef. Generally, the meat is grilled, and then it is topped with rich and tasty sauces. 
  21. Did you know that Namibian culture and customs are a blend of native cultures and European cultures? The two have been fused to create a unique blend. 
  22. Did you know that Namibia is the only country in Africa where there was a female leader? Sara Kuugongelwa is the fourth prime minister of the country and was elected in 2015.
  23. Did you know that pedestrians in Namibia can be breathalysed? In the past, the police warned people against drinking and walking after it was revealed officers would breathalyse anyone involved in a collision with a vehicle. In a bid to crackdown on alcohol-related accidents, Windhoek City Police announced it would begin treating pedestrians the same as drivers.
  24. Did you know that Donald Trump cannot pronounce it? The US President referred to the country incorrectly as “Nambia” not once but twice, during a meeting in New York with leaders from Ghana, Namibia, and Uganda.

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Desert Elephant Sleep-Out
Get up close and personal with desert-dwelling elephants and the elusive black rhino because seeing both the elephant and rhino in the desert can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is a truly amazing opportunity for anyone who gets the chance to participate and view these beauties up close. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
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Photographic Hides at Mashatu Lodge
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Overnight in a Dream Cruiser
Experience the African bush like no other while sleeping under the stars in a luxurious land cruiser because you can fall asleep to the sounds of Namibia’s bush, which is as vast and eerie as its surroundings. You can expect the usual amenities synonymous with safari luxury. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary accommodation in the same area or add to any program as an extended stay.
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Pony Trekking in Lesotho
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Cheetah Tracking at Samara
Track the fastest land animal on foot in one of the most beautiful locations because tracking cheetahs in the Karoo is a thrilling experience that you will never forget. Unlike other activities, it is completely unique and offered by very few reserves. This ZULA Bucket List can replace any itinerary activity in the same area or add to any program as an additional activity.
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Walking Trails Camp in Kruger
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Cape Malay Cooking Safari
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Helicopter Flight & Balloon Safari
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Bushman Walk through the Desert
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