Southern African Adventures
September 16th 2007 23:40
As we continue our adventure through Africa we move to the southern countries that make up the continent. Unfortunately Africa seems to be one of the least likely continents to visit according to most people that I have come across. i cannot understand why as it offers such diversity and such incredible landscape that you would be hard pressed to find anything comparable. Hopefully I can try and persuade you otherwise!
Our first port of call will be Namibia. These countries are in no particular order so you will need to peruse a few travel websites to find that offer an intinerary which includes places you would like to visit.
The capital of Namibia is Windhoek (pronounced Vind-hook). The Nama and Herero people have two different names for the city but both have to do with the hot springs that were once part of it. Dutch settlers first arrived in the area in the mid 1800`s, but by 1890 it had been taken over by the Germans. World War 1 saw the end of the German occupation here and in 1915 the South Africans occupied it on behalf of the British. 1990 saw yet another change as the country gained independence and the Republic of Namibia was born.
The rich red dunes of the Namib Desert would be enough to make any traveller happy. However, if you are looking to be blown away you should make your way to the Skeleton Coast. Bushmen call it 'The Land God Made in Anger' and sailors 'The Gates of Hell', so you can imagine it is a stunning place! The beach is literally covered with the skeletons of creatures and ships that have met their demise here. The icy Benguela Current makes conditions rough, the year round fog that settles over the waters makes visibility near impossible and the inhospitable climate makes it a place where only the tough survive. There are a range of animals to see here, it being home to one of the largest seal colonies on the planet. www.africanodyssey.co.za recommends around two weeks to fully enjoy Namibia.
Next on our adventure we will take a look at Zimbabwe. Formerly known as Rhodesia it now makes the news headlines for its tyrant President who has ruined probably one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. However, if you are in the area it is definitely worth the trip. Victoria Falls lies in the country’s West and at
Victoria Falls part of the mighty Zambezi River, the 4th longest in Africa. If you are a fishing enthusiast you will fall in love with this place immediately. If you are a nature lover you will suffer the same fate. If you are a living and breathing person you will be doomed... your heart will be unable to tear itself away from here. Home to thousands of crocodiles and hippos, other animal and bird species and the most amazing sunsets the area is teeming with natural beauty on a massive scale. You will not be disappointed!
South Africa is the most Southern country in Africa. It is so diverse in culture and landscapes that you would think several countries have been crammed into one. There is so much to see and do here you would need a dedicated post just for this one country. Obviously attractions like Cape Town`s Table Mountain and the wildlife at Kruger National Park would be high on any travellers list of places to visit, but one special place that I can highly recommend to any visitor is to stand on the Southern most tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. Although the actual meeting point of the two oceans (Indian and Atlantic) changes according to the currents you can still enjoy the spectacular scenery and enjoy the meandering walks along the coastline. It is well worth the trip.
There are many more countries in Africa to visit that offer such a wide variety of sights and sounds to make every traveller salivate. So take the time to wander the dusty trails, soak up the majestic coastlines and enjoy the diverse cultures on offer. You won`t be disappointed!
Photos and Information courtesy of:
www.africanodyssey.co.za
www.skeletoncoast.org
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
Our first port of call will be Namibia. These countries are in no particular order so you will need to peruse a few travel websites to find that offer an intinerary which includes places you would like to visit.
The capital of Namibia is Windhoek (pronounced Vind-hook). The Nama and Herero people have two different names for the city but both have to do with the hot springs that were once part of it. Dutch settlers first arrived in the area in the mid 1800`s, but by 1890 it had been taken over by the Germans. World War 1 saw the end of the German occupation here and in 1915 the South Africans occupied it on behalf of the British. 1990 saw yet another change as the country gained independence and the Republic of Namibia was born.
‘1 708 meters wide… it [is] the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.’
Scottish missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone, named it after the reigning British monarch at the time, however it is known by locals as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' or 'The Smoke That Thunders' Victoria Falls part of the mighty Zambezi River, the 4th longest in Africa. If you are a fishing enthusiast you will fall in love with this place immediately. If you are a nature lover you will suffer the same fate. If you are a living and breathing person you will be doomed... your heart will be unable to tear itself away from here. Home to thousands of crocodiles and hippos, other animal and bird species and the most amazing sunsets the area is teeming with natural beauty on a massive scale. You will not be disappointed!
There are many more countries in Africa to visit that offer such a wide variety of sights and sounds to make every traveller salivate. So take the time to wander the dusty trails, soak up the majestic coastlines and enjoy the diverse cultures on offer. You won`t be disappointed!
Photos and Information courtesy of:
www.africanodyssey.co.za
www.skeletoncoast.org
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
| 97 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Only for the brave, not the weak of heart, I think.
katyzzz
Comment by Lara M
Love Speaks
Food Slate
Like u, I think it has so much to offer...
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
Nah anyone can do it! You don`t need to be brave. You will love it!
Ash
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
For sure! I don`t understand it either. It`s not like people live in mud huts and have to watch for prowling lions roaming through the city.
There is soooooo much on offer. I hope you visit.
Ash
Comment by AmyHuang
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Comment by sandeye
Bird Story
San Francisco Music News
Yoga Tap
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
The Skeleton Coast has been a place I have wanted to visit for a long LONG time. It looks so beautifully eerie, that kind of magic isn`t found in many places!
Ash
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
yeah unfortunatly the movies don`t reflect too much of the better side of Africa!
Hope you get there one of these days
Ash
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
what a fascinating place?
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
*laughs* I have experienced 'their meeting' on board an ocean liner .. and can remember rocking for bloomin' days *chuckle* my poor Dad, was green ... I really enjoyed Cape Town.
Lilla ...
Comment by Ash
Flashes of memories
hahaha I`m glad that I only saw them from land - there was a whirlpool on the day that we were there! Being on board a ship? eeeewwwww! I would have been feeding the fish rather regularly I think
Yeah Cape Town is a nice place. We used to go there to visit my grandfather who never liked me very much so they were strained visits for me. I remember the fog on the beaches - we weren`t allowed to swim because you couldn`t see 10 steps in front of you!
There is a hill there - i forget what it is called - but it is an optical illusion. It`s the freakiest thing! You park your car at the bottom of the hill, take it out of gear and take off the hand brake... and you start to ROLL UP THE HILL! It`s truly weird. I`ll have to find out what it`s called now.
Ash