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.