EDITOR’S LETTER
YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE
C
BE INSPIRED BY NAMIBIA’S MOST EXTR AORDINARY EXPERIENCES
ongratulations for choosing Namibia as your next travel destination.
In the world today, with the myriad of options presented in the most tantalising way, it is quite a compliment for Namibia, tucked away in the far south-western corner of the African continent, to grab your attention. We have to thank the pro-active team at the Namibia Tourism Board office in Frankfurt for spreading the Namibian tourism message so effectively all over Western Europe and the United Kingdom. Now that you have taken the first step to contact the NTB office and then receiving this special edition of Travel News Namibia upon request, it is our honour to introduce you to Namibia and help you choose the type of holiday that suits your purse and your personality. Whether you are an adventure seeker or a green traveller, an independent off the beaten track kind of being, a nature lover or a people person - Namibia has it all. You just need to know where to find it. To make your search in this magazine easier, we inspire you with 8 equally important
destinations, all of them spectacularly scenic, beautiful and photogenic. But unless you have months to spend in this desert country, it will be wise to read our teams’ short informative pieces and lists, look at the images and make your pick. You may find something that you did not expect at all. As tourists in this day and age we have an obligation to be aware of the impact of our decisions as to where, with what and how to travel. In Namibia we make it easier for you to feel good about your contribution to the improvement of the lives of ordinary Namibians who make a living from tourism. The fact that you acknowledge the different cultures by engaging in local tours or local festivals, honour their heritage and encourage Namibians from the 14 different ethnic groups to treasure their customs and share it with visitors, gives them the incentive to be authentic in what they show you and share. In many parts of the country, rural Namibians live with wildlife and watch over wilderness areas and wild places for the sake of protecting biodiversity, which has been lost in many developed places globally. Visit those protected places here, but appreciate the fact that without these
custodians, there would be no wild animals roaming freely on unfenced land. Tourists are explorers and we want to encourage you to try local food and try experiences that can only be found in Namibia. Whatever your route, you will encounter some of them along the way. There are many secret spots that you may not stumble upon, especially on your first trip, but we have unlocked and listed some for you. As a first-timer we will not blame you for wanting to experience all of the famous Namibian highlights, but keep in mind that this country is vast and distances are formidable. Don’t make your wishlist too long. It may be much more rewarding to be aware of the obvious. Don’t miss the beautiful sunsets and the crisp early mornings with birdsong wherever you are. A spectacular dark night sky with brilliant stars or a yellow moon growing or waning is waiting for you at every destination. All you have to do is look up. Namibia is ready to beguile you.
Rièth van Schalkwyk
TRAVEL NEWS NAMIBIA SPECIAL EDITION 2020
3
