Namibia

This new, thoroughly updated seventh edition of Bradt's Namibia remains the longest and most detailed guidebook to this vast African country - more than twice the size of Germany but with less than 3% of the population. With sweeping landscapes, empty roads and wildlife reserves, Namibia has long captured the imagination of photographers, independent travellers and nature enthusiasts. Namibia's immense emptiness offers majestic sand dunes along the Skeleton Coast, seemingly endless gravel plains, vast tracts of farmland and rugged mountains hiding galleries of ancient Bushman rock art. Throw in exhilarating wildlife encounters and the unexpected beauty of the rivers that define the country's northern and southern boundaries, and it's easy to see why Namibia attracts lovers of the great outdoors. Moreover, the country is extraordinarily diverse in human terms. Alongside the increasingly cosmopolitan feel of its capital, Windhoek, and the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia is home to many different cultures, among them the Himba in the Kunene region, and the Bushmen on the fringes of the Kalahari. Written by expert author and long-standing Africa tour specialist Chris McIntyre, and updated by two outdoor-adventure experts from South Africa, this new edition incorporates all key recent changes to this comparatively inexpensive safari destination. It provides unrivalled coverage of places to stay and eat, from small, personal guesthouses to classy hotels and upmarket game lodges, and detailed information for self-drivers (including personally researched and checked GPS coordinates) as well as for fly-in and guided safaris. Indeed, getting around Namibia is part of its appeal: the well-maintained road network, punctuated by independent lodges, makes light of long distances. Helping you to discover Namibia in detail, 13 chapters offer a regional breakdown, from Windhoek to the Southern Kalahari, Namib desert, Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, the world-renowned wildlife-watching destination of Etosha National Park, and the Kavango and Zambezi regions in the extreme northeast, including excursions into neighbouring Botswana. There's also in-depth coverage of wildlife and where to see it, including a full-colour field guide encompassing mammals, reptiles and amphibians, marine life and birds. In sum, Bradt's Namibia guidebook remains the essential travel companion for this thrilling country. AUTHOR: Chris McIntyre (expertafrica.com) went to Africa in 1987, after reading Physics at Queen's College, Oxford. He taught with VSO in Zimbabwe for almost three years and travelled extensively before writing his first guidebook (Bradt's guide to Namibia and Botswana) in 1990. He has since written Bradt's Namibia guide as well as co-authoring (with his wife, Susie) Bradt's guides to Botswana, Zanzibar and Zambia and (with Philip Briggs) Bradt's guides to Tanzania. Alongside keeping these guidebooks up to date, McIntyre is managing director of Expert Africa. This specialist tour operator organises high-quality trips for individual travellers throughout Africa, including offering a wide range of trips to Namibia. McIntyre maintains keen interests in development and conservation, acting as advisor to various NGOs. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, McIntyre lives in Surrey with his wife and co-author Susie and their two children; together they regularly travel to Africa to update guidebooks. 140 colour photos, 54 maps

Table of Contents:
Introduction PART ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION 1 The Natural Environment 2 Namibia Wildlife Guide 3 History, Politics and Economy 4 People and Culture 5 Planning and Preparation 6 Health and Safety 7 Getting Around Namibia 8 Camping and Walking in the Bush PART TWO: THE GUIDE 9 Windhoek 10 The Central Corridor 11 The Southern Kalahari and Fish River Canyon 12 Lüderitz and the Southwest 13 The Namib-Naukluft National Park 14 Swakopmund and Walvis Bay Area 15 The Skeleton Coast 16 The Kunene Region 17 Etosha National Park 18 Highlands South of Etosha 19 The Triangle and Bushmanland 20 Ovamboland 21 Rundu and the Kavango/Zambezi Regions (The Caprivi Strip) Appendices Tracks and Signs, Language, Further Information Index

About the Author :
Chris McIntyre (expertafrica.com) went to Africa in 1987, after reading Physics at Queen's College, Oxford. He taught with VSO in Zimbabwe for almost three years and travelled extensively before writing his first guidebook (Bradt's guide to Namibia and Botswana) in 1990. He has since written Bradt's Namibia guide as well as co-authoring (with his wife, Susie) Bradt's guides to Botswana, Zanzibar and Zambia and (with Philip Briggs) Bradt's guides to Tanzania. Alongside keeping these guidebooks up to date, McIntyre is managing director of Expert Africa. This specialist tour operator organises high-quality trips for individual travellers throughout Africa, including offering a wide range of trips to Namibia. McIntyre maintains keen interests in development and conservation, acting as advisor to various NGOs. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, McIntyre lives in Surrey with his wife and co-author Susie and their two children; together they regularly travel to Africa to update guidebooks.

Review :
Essential for planning your trip-- "Scotland on Sunday" Invaluable for planning an itinerary-- "The Irish News" Recommended reading-- "Travel Africa magazine"