Now where even is Namibia?.

Today’s story is from Florence Brennan. Even though I am more a Johnny fan, I couldn’t deny this article and its Brad Pitt intro, because I have been dying to visit Africa for many years, and this article is perfect for putting together a travel itinerary in Namibia!

OK. I’m going to say it. I put my right hand on my heart, swear on some sort of important looking document, and shamelessly admit it.

I love Brad Pitt.

It’s like an addiction. I am a massive fan. I cannot but help believe that that he is in fact a human deity, the messiah of the acting world, a toned-tanned leader of the human race; how can anyone be that beautiful? Admittedly, I’m not as fanatical about his size-zero trout-pout other half (jealous…moi?!), but then again, you know, if that’s what floats his boat I will wholeheartedly accept his decision and support them in whatsoever they wish to do. Take for example their somewhat unusual and widely discussed familial decisions – in that they seem to be in the process of adopting a child from every continent. Weird. And if Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Vietnam weren’t enough, the first biological ‘Pitt-Jolie’ addition to the world, little Shiloh Nouvel, was born in Namibia.

Photo provided by Florence Brennan.

Namibia… where is Namibia?

Up until a couple of months ago, that was literally all I had to go on for this relatively anonymous yet strikingly fascinating southern African country. Lesser known that neighbours South Africa and Botswana, and wedged between the Kalahari Desert and the South Atlantic, Namibia is gradually making its way into the global consciousness. It is in fact Africa’s youngest country as following German colonization, Namibia was a part of South Africa before achieving independence in 1990.

I’m not going to lie; the shape of the country itself is peculiar – a sure-fire by-product of the brutal carving up of Africa in the late nineteenth-century. It can be roughly split into four topographical regions; the Namib Desert and coastal parks on the west, the Central Plateau in the east and central regions, the Kalahari Desert bordering Botswana and South Africa, and the woodlands of Caprivi and Kavango which stretch all the way over to Zimbabwe. Knowing where to start was a nightmare, so I consulted mydestination.com/Namibia for more ideas.

Photo provided by Florence Brennan.

Starting off on the heavily trodden tourist trail, I headed for Swakopmund; Namibia’s ‘seaside’ town on the South Atlantic coast. (OK, perhaps my route was slightly biased, as this was where Lady Jolie-Pitt had her darling offspring!) Described by Lonely Planet as being ‘more German than Germany’ the town provides a bizarre taste of Eastern Europe in the heart of Africa – kind of like Stuttgart-on-Safari. The town has established itself as an adventure sport hotspot and offers sand-boarding, kayaking, skydiving, and quad-biking for all those adrenaline junkies looking for their next fix. If you can only stomach one gut clenching activity, I would most definitely opt for sand-boarding. Reaching speeds of 80km/hr, this is like extreme snow-boarding in shorts and t-shirt. When else will you get the chance to hurtle down Lawrence of Arabia-esque dunes like some sort of stunt extra in a sun drenched sea of sand?

Heading inland, the Namibian capital, Windhoeck is found nestled in the geographical heart of the country. Incongruous with its desert surroundings and, as ever, oozing German influence, the large clean avenues and traditional coloured Germanic buildings give a surreal sense of displacement. Hotels here are ten a penny, and accommodation poses no problems whatever your budget. However, despite the capital’s ethnic diversity and clean optimism, there is little in the way of tourist amusements or, to be honest, vibrancy, and after a few days this somewhat staid city can become tedious.

Photo provided by Florence Brennan.

Although slightly disappointed in what Windhoeck had to offer, the abundance of National Parks and Namibian safaris more than compensated, and I was treated to breathtaking scenery, extremely animated wildlife, and a lot of photo ops. Etosha National Park, in the northern plateau boasts over 114 mammal species, with kudu, oryx, eland, warthogs, and wildebeest rubbing shoulders with all kinds of exotic and exciting avian species. Crossing the Tropic of Capricon, the southerly Namib-Naukluft National Park is another favourite. Situated in the infamously arid Namib Desert, the park boasts towering sand dunes in striking deep red and burnt orange. This is also home to the legendary Dune 45 – where travellers can climb the 170m high mound before sunrise, reaching the top just as the long fingers of dawn bath the entire desert in soft reddish light.

Despite perhaps being previously overshadowed by its bigger-named neighbours, Namibia is certainly emerging as a sought-after destination in its own right, and is one to watch as a top African destination in the future. Dual-citizenship? That Little Miss Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is one lucky lady!

Photo provided by Florence Brennan.

Author Bio: Florence Brennan
Hailing from the emerald isle, Florence Brennan hopped across the Irish Sea to complete a degree in French and Comparative Literature at Glasgow University. Now working as an English teacher in Canada, she makes the most of her generous holidays to soothe her itchy feet and explore her Pacific neighbours. Never far from her Celtic roots, Flo is passionate about folk music, foreign gastronomy and all things rugby.

*All photos in this post were provided by Florence Brennan.