Etosha is one of Africa's largest game parks being nearly the size of Switzerland. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the water holes in the dry season making for exciting game viewing. Visitors can expect to see many buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lion and, if fortunate enough, leopard and cheetah.

Etosha, meaning ‘Great White Place’, is dominated by a massive mineral pan. The pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park. The pan was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River, however the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

Damaraland is renowned for its interesting flora and fauna dominated by rugged mountain ranges and steep escarpments, scorched by a relentless desert sun and inhabited almost exclusively by the unique semi-nomadic Himba tribe. Game species include desert elephant, black rhino, ostrich and springbok. If you want to be inspired by one of Mother Nature’s rarest beasts, searching for the endangered Desert Elephant in Damaraland is a must. 

In the caves and ravines of the area many prehistoric rock paintings have been found and none more famous than the ‘White Lady’ of the Brandberg. Discovered in 1917 the painting remained relatively unknown until 1948 when the French archaeologist Abbé Henri Breuil copied it and brought the painting to light. Initially it was speculated that the 'White Lady' was a painting of a European woman, although the painting pre-dates the arrival of Europeans in the area by centuries. The remote area of Damaraland also offers some of the most spectacular stargazing in the world.

Internationally known as a photographer’s dream, Sossusvlei with its monumental dunes was formed by multi-directional winds. Unique and breathtaking in its beauty, Sossusvlei is a huge clay pan is situated in the Namib Nauklaft Park enclosed by giant sand dunes. The photogenic lure of this area is breathtaking, boasting exceptional scenery, as well as a wild and romantic spirit. It is made up of a vast, dry clay pan over which towers a sea of magnificent sand dunes, reputedly the highest dunes in the world. When it has rained sufficiently, the main pan draws flamingoes and other aquatic birds to the area.

The dunes of the Namib Desert have developed over a period of many millions of years. It is thought that the vast quantities of sand were deposited into the Alantic Ocean by the Orange River. Wind continuously reshapes the patterns of the huge dunes and travelers can marvel at their formation while experiencing the unimaginable magic of flying above the Namibian desert in a hot air balloon.

Namibia’s premier coastal resort is Swakopmund, a pretty town with palm trees lining the streets and many eye-catching turn-of-the-century colonial buildings. Founded in 1892 during the period of German colonial rule, it served as the territory’s main harbor for many years. In 1884, Namibia was declared a German Protectorate. By 1907 Swakopmund had the largest European population of any German colony in Africa, the town pulsated with life – a quaint town had emerged out of the desert!

Today this quaint desert town, hedged by desert and sea, is enhanced by lush green lawns, palm trees and carefully tended public gardens. Swakopmund is popular amongst visitors because of its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere. Quaint architecture from a bygone era adds to the time-out-of-place atmosphere of Swakopmund. When approached from the interior, domes, turrets and towers on the skyline appear as a hazy desert mirage. Activities here include exciting adventures on the magnificent dunes such as sandboarding and quad biking.

Contact United Vacations 1-800-417-9246