Namibia (Bradt Travel Guides) [Paperback]

"An invaluable resource." The New York Times "Travelling independently to Namibia and exploring some of the remoter corners of this fascinating country by 4x4, we came to depend on the Bradt Guide. This was especially the case when we ventured into Bushmanland in the north east to visit the remote Khaudum National Park. Arriving late into Tsumkwe and unable to gain access to the lodge, we were forced to drive hard up the sand tracks into the gathering gloom, eyes glued to the GPS and totally reliant on the coordinates thankfully detailed in this comprehensive guidebook. We toasted Chris McIntyre with a few beers when we finally arrived at the Sikerti Camp!" Exodus "Best guidebook." The Sunday Times "The most detailed guide available." Wanderlust "Both thorough and authoritative." Travel and Leisure "By far the most thorough and informative." Travel Africa 'The best travel guide I've ever used' David Takacs

This highly praised guide is written by Chris McIntyre, a tour operator who specialises in southern Africa. His unbeatable knowledge of the country is augmented by ecologist Jonathan Hughes who describes how animals and plants survive the desert conditions. Namibia is the ideal country for a self-drive holiday, so this book is predominantly aimed at those travellers. Fifty clear maps and detailed listings of the lodges, guest farms and bushcamps make this guide the essential purchase.

Namibia: The Bradt Travel Guide' is a new guide containing over 480 pages and 39 high quality colour pictures. The guide's nine introductory chapters include the practical details of getting there, planning & preparing for a trip, suggested itineraries, organising fly-drive trips, driving in Namibia, camping & walking in the bush, Namibia's natural environment, history, people & culture, health & safety, and much more. The guide's 50 maps number virtually every road in the country, and include detailed street plans for the major towns and cities - Windhoek alone has five full pages of maps devoted to it. There are 13 regional chapters including Windhoek, The Namib-Naukluft National Park, The Skeleton Coast, The Kaokoveld, Etosha, The Triangle & Bushmanland, Owamboland, and the Kavango & Caprivi Strip. Each discusses virtually every small town, hotel, lodge, bush camp, B&B and English-speaking guest farm in each area, together with their contact details, directions to get there and a detailed, personal review of their facilities and activities. There are sections on orientation, where to stay and eat, and what to see and do. Up-to-date prices are included throughout. There is extensive in-depth coverage of the national parks and wildlife. Which parks to visit, how to get to them and get the most out of them. It's a very practical guide. Many walking trails are described, and even the particular game species most likely to be seen at individual water-holes is Etosha National Park are discussed. This is the most comprehensive and detailed guide to Namibia currently available. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Detailed & extensive - the essential guide to Namibia
I've been deeply involved with Namibia since writing the UK's first 'Guide to Namibia & Botswana' in 1990. Now I run a specialist UK tour operator and spend much of my time organising trips to Namibia. For 2-3 months of each of the last five years I have travelled around the subcontinent, looking for what's new and what's changed.

'Namibia: the Bradt Travel Guide' is my third book on this wonderful country, and the enthusiasm's not worn off yet. I still regard Namibia as one of my favourite African country. From the towering apricot dunes of the central Namib to the desolation of the Skeleton Coast, the spectacle of game in Etosha, or the sheer insight available in Bushmanland - it's spectacular and magical. And it's very easy to visit on a self-drive trip. This guide will enable you to do that. It is very comprehensive, with practical details of the cost, location, facilities and contact details for all lodges, hotels, bush-camps, camping sites and guest farms, as well as personal comments on which are the best and friendliest places. This is a critical guide; I haven't been afraid to offer opinions as well as facts.

Throughout the book, I've paid special attention to sustainable tourism initiatives, mindful of the visitor's responsibility to the people and landscape of Namibia. To help the enquiring visitor, there are extensive sections on Namibia's history, its people and its natural environment. Also the text is also suffused with special-interest boxes, discussing wide-ranging topical issues from the controversy surrounding the 'Epupa Dam Project' to 'Safety for Women Travellers' and the unique adaptations of animals to the harsh Namib Desert.

This is a personal guide, backed by years of living and working in and with Southern Africa. The introduction notes the background to the guide: "I first visited Namibia in 1989, as the South African administration started to relinquish its grip and the country prepared for independence. By then I had lived in Southern Africa for several years and travelled widely. Namibia was rumoured to be wonderful; but nobody seemed to know any details. The world knew South West Africa (Namibia) only as a troubled place from news bulletins, nothing more. So I hired a VW Golf and drove from Namibia's northeastern tip to its southern border in 12 days. Overseas tourism simply didn't exist then. Sesriem had one campsite with just 11 pitches for tents; the Fish River Canyon was deserted. That trip was terribly rushed, but Namibia captivated me. The scale of its wilderness was as enchanting, and travelling was remarkably easy."

Finally, I've always welcomed reader's thought and comments after using the guide - what's useful, what's less so, and what topics/aspects they'd like to see more or less of - as I'll probably be writing the next edition in a few years time. So please send me feedback when you have bought this guide. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Chris McIntyre is a director of a UK travel company specialising in southern Africa. He travels regularly throughout the region.