Namibia is a county located in southern Africa, bordering Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa. Its capital city is Windhoek and its currency is the Namibian dollar, whilst the local language spoken is English. It officially gained independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990, after the Namibian War of Independence and has since become a member of the United Nations and the African Union.
Namibia has spent its recent history as a colony and this started in 1884 when it became a German colony, known as German South-West Africa. During the German rule the local tribes, the Herero and the Namaqua fought against the imperialist rule and were subjected to mass genocide, with around 75,000 of the two tribes being killed.
Namibia changed hands in 1915 when South Africa defeated the German forces during World War I and occupied the country. Post-World War II when most European empires were granting independence to their African colonies South Africa came under heavy pressure to do the same with Namibia. However, it wasn’t until 1988 when South Africa finally agreed to end the occupation.
As you would expect in an central-southern African country the climate in Namibia is hot and dry for most of the year. Winter comes from June to August when it’s usually dry, and the two rainy season come from September to November and February and April.
One of the main parts of the Namibian economy is tourism, with nearly one million travellers coming into the country every year. The country has been boosted by holiday guides, such as Lonely Planet, rating it very highly as a tourist destination. The main attraction for tourists is the ecotourism within, featuring Namibia’s extensive wildlife, such as zebras, lions and tigers, which makes safari a big seller.
Car hire in Namibia is recommended, especially if you want to travel around the vast country, outside of Windhoek. By using AnyCarHire.com you’ll be able to make significant savings, ensuring you get the best price on your hire car and meant that it will be ready as soon as you arrive in Namibia.
