I Know What You're Thinking...Why haven't I heard of Namibia before?
That is a pretty strange one, considering all the incredibly unique features Namibia has to offer.
If you're into anthropology, Namibia is home to some of the earliest hominids, with over 15,000 petroglyphs strewn across the nation, one in particular dating back to 28,000 years. Some of the oldest indigenous peoples can be found in Namibia as well, including the San and the Nama, both with their own incredibly unique cultures too.
You like gems? Namibia has millions of diamonds that have been mined and sold for over 100 years.
You're drawn to quintessential African animals? Namibia has the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo), as well as the largest cheetah population in the world. You can find most of these animals in one of the highest rated safari parks in Africa: Etosha National Park.
You're into breathtaking landscapes? Don't forget to check out the hot air balloon rides over the Namib desert, or the incredible Ruacana Falls on the Angola border.
But, seriously, why haven't you heard of Namibia before? The biggest reason might be that 97% of the country is empty and has a never-ending desert that stretches right up to the coast. Namibia ranks as the third least populated country in terms of people per square kilometers (3.14). Another reason could stem from their devastating history of being colonized by Germany and controlled by South Africa until 1990. The country has been through incredible hardships, and has only just recently been able to start making a name for itself. While tourism opportunities exist, especially in Etosha Park, they are still pretty limited, and for a 30+ hour plane flight, you're definitely not hearing of many friends that are opting to head over there.
So, I don't blame you for being new to the country. But now you do know it, you might just add this special nation to your next list of future vacations.
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