Namibia Makes the List

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Wednesday, 14th January 2015

Compiled by Sanet van Zijl - Article published by Travel News Namibia

Last year Namibia was named the fastest growing tourism industry in the world and now magazines, blogs, websites and social media are all buzzing about Namibia as one of the top travel destinations of 2015.

As of late international media has been praising Namibia and encouraging its tourists to visit the country. The travel destination has made some very prestigious lists: 

  • Forbes Life’s top 3 travel destinations of the year
  • The Guardian newspaper’s top 40 destinations for travel
  • Lonely Planet travel company’s 2nd preferred travel destination in the world
  • Malay Mail Online top 5 stand out destinations
  • Irish Times 2nd best must-see destination for 2015
  • Travel-Plus-Style top 6 inspiring places to travel
  • Africa Geographic’s’ 18 best eco-safari destinations

Forbes Life is one of the most reputable travel magazines in the world. They called Namibia a must-see and complimented it for being an example to Africa of power and sustainable development. Montenegro, Namibia and Lithuania was the magazine’s top 3 travel destinations for this year. Among the reasons they list for visiting this beautiful place are the following: 

Namibia is celebrating twenty- five years of independence this year, its silver anniversary. Namibia was also the first country in Africa to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution. Wildlife is protected and managed by communities in communal conservancies. More than 43% of Namibia’s surface area is under conservation management and these parks are some of the most popular tourist attractions with their vast landscapes.

Namib Desert Chameleon

Namaqua Chameleon, Chamaeleo namaquensis. Photo courtesy of The Living Desert Snake Park

Cheetahs

Cheetahs on a chase. Photo courtesy of Africat

Namibia - Green Grass in the Desert

Green grass in the desert. Photo ©Paul van Schalkwyk

Namibia is also home to the largest sand dune in the world at Sossusvlei and the largest canyon in Africa – The Fish River Canyon.

Sossusvlei - The deadvlei

The Dead Vlei. Photo ©Paul van Schalkwyk

Namibia - The Fish River Canyon

Fish River Canyon. Photo ©Paul van Schalkwyk

The British newspaper, The Guardian, said that the fourth Mad Max film that was filmed in Namibia would most certainly convince travelers to add Namibia to their lists. Keeping in mind that the British pound is stronger in currency than the Namibian dollar, Namibia will offer more value for money than other African destinations would. 

Lonely Planet also praises the country for its conservation efforts, noting that it hosts the world’s largest number of cheetah and black rhino and unlike anywhere else in Africa, its populations of giraffe and lion are growing.

Namibia - Kalahari Giraffe

Giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis. Photo ©Yolanda Nel

The site lists its life changing experiences in Namibia: Climbing the Sossuvlei dunes at dawn to witness the sun ‘set the red sand dunes on fire’; staying up late in Etosha National Park to experience the big game at the waterholes and taking a flight safari to witness the dramatic landscapes and wildlife of the Skeleton Coast.

Namibia - Skeleton Coast

Skeleton Coast. Photo ©Paul van Schalkwyk

Travel Plus Style called their experience of the country “transcendental”. According to the site Namibia should inspire future travels with its amazing nature, breath-taking landscapes and ancient tribes, such as the last truly authentic Himba people.

Namibia - The Himba

Himba mom and kids. Photo ©Paul van Schalkwyk