adventure

Boost Employee Morale With An Exiting Adventure Team Building Event!

Corporations faced with a bout of low employee morale should organize exiting team building events to turn things around. Depending on the company budget available, there are lots of team building activities that can be implemented. Corporate event planners can organize a trip to a resort and run a myriad of group activities that encourage collaboration between co-workers.

What are some of the team building ideas that would make the event a success? Infusing a sense of adventure and fun would be the ultimate aim of these corporate events. Organizing a paintball event encourages teamwork, collaboration and competition amongst teammates and opponents. Other team building activities that would be suitable would be treasure hunts or even canoeing or kayaking. Apart from that, specialized adventure team building retreats with obstacle courses could prove to be ideal for a corporate event.

Some of the physical challenges here include monkey bars, ravine crossing, climbing walls, tire runs and stainless steel cables. Participants can be grouped into teams and encouraged to compete against one another. With this, elements such as collaboration and teamwork can be incorporated into the group during the team building event.

Another form of team building such as the geo-caching activity utilizes the combination of natural and technology elements in a mixed urban and rural environment. With a basic concept that is somewhat similar to the Amazing Race, participants are given clues to locate the next clue hidden in caches in a city or park area. Thus, logic, knowledge, collaboration and teamwork would all need to be put into place in order to decipher the clues and move on to the next location. Maps and GPS units are provided to teams for directional assistance.

Geo-caching team building programs can incorporate physical challenges such as cross-country skiing, short walks through the city or parks, or even cycling or rowing. Depending on the objective of the corporate event, physical elements will help to increase difficulty level of the geo-caching activity.

adventure

Boost Employee Morale With An Exciting Adventure Team Building Event!

Corporations faced with a bout of low employee morale should organise exciting team building events to turn things around. Depending on the company budget available, there are lots of team building activities that can be implemented. Corporate event planners can organize a trip to a resort and run a myriad of group activities that encourage collaboration between co-workers.

What are some of the team building ideas that would make the event a success? Infusing a sense of adventure and fun would be the ultimate aim of these corporate events. Organising a paintball event encourages teamwork, collaboration and competition amongst teammates and opponents. Other team building activities that would be suitable would be treasure hunts or even canoeing or kayaking. Apart from that, specialized adventure team building retreats with obstacle courses could prove to be ideal for a corporate event.

Some of the physical challenges here include monkey bars, ravine crossing, climbing walls, tire runs and stainless steel cables. Participants can be grouped into teams and encouraged to compete against one another. With this, elements such as collaboration and teamwork can be incorporated into the group during the team building event.

Another form of team building such as the geo-caching activity utilizes the combination of natural and technology elements in a mixed urban and rural environment. With a basic concept that is somewhat similar to the Amazing Race, participants are given clues to locate the next clue hidden in caches in a city or park area. Thus, logic, knowledge, collaboration and teamwork would all need to be put into place in order to decipher the clues and move on to the next location. Maps and GPS units are provided to teams for directional assistance.

Geo-caching team building programs can incorporate physical challenges such as cross-country skiing, short walks through the city or parks, or even cycling or rowing. Depending on the objective of the corporate event, physical elements will help to increase difficulty level of the geo-caching activity.

adventure

A skiing adventure, minus the snow

A skiing adventure, minus the snow
Well, this is an inauspicious start. I’m lying on the ground under the rope-tow lift on the slope at Liberty University’s Snowflex Centre in Lynchburg, Va., unsure how to get back up. It has been about a decade since I last skied, and I’d thought that giving it a go on an artificial surface would be a great warm-up before graduating back to the real stuff. Except the only thing that feels warm …

Read more on Vail Daily

adventure

Why Head Overseas? Check Out Alaska and Canada for Adventure Travel!

With thousands of adventures worldwide, for Americans, Alaska and Canada adventure travel beats just about anything else because of the convenience and awe-inspiring views.

For Americans, there are several advantages to traveling in Alaska and Canada. For one, since Alaska is a US state, you do not need a passport when traveling there by plane or cruise. And, until at least January 8, 2007, Americans do not need a passport when heading to Alaska and Canada for adventure travel activities.
And they speak English… sort of!

One thing that I really like about Alaska and Canada adventure travel is that even in Canada, there is not a huge difference from the United States. Canadian banking systems, hospitals and hospitality are all on par with the United States.

There is one major difference though. I hate to say it, but Canadians are, simply put, nicer and more helpful than my fellow Americans.

The thing is, though, that the same can be said for Alaskans. It must be something about the clean air and water above the 49th parallel that causes this friendliness because Alaskans are also incredibly hospitable.
So, what are some of the best Alaska and Canada adventure travel destinations?

Of course, this is not an extensive list for Alaska and Canada adventure travel but a great place to start. To get more details about each of the locations / topics below, please visit our website Odyssey Adventure Travel at:
http://www.odyssey-adventure-travel.com/alaska-canada-adventure-travel.html

Hiking / Trekking in Alaska

Anchorage, Barlett Cove, Chena River State Recreation Area, Chugach National Forest, Copper River Delta, Cordova, Dalton Highway, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Girdwood, Gustavus, Haines, Homer, Juneau, Kachemak Bay State Park, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kennecott / McCarthy Area, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Seward, Sitka, Skagway, Unalaska Area, Valdez, Wrangell

Hiking / Trekking in Canada

Glacier National Park, Yoho National Park, Kottenay National Park, Banff National Park, Waterton National Park

Mountain Biking Tours / Cycling in Alaska

Anchorage, Chugach National Forest, Copper River Highway, Denali Highway, Fairbanks, Gustavus, Haines, Homer, Jakolof Bay, Juneau, Kennecott / McCarthy Area, Ketchikan, Kluane to Chilkat, International Bike Relay, Nome, Skagway, Valdez

Mountain Biking Tours / Cycling in Canada
Banff — Start at Banff then over Vermillion and Sinclair Passes, head south through Kootenay National Park, north through the Columbia River Valley to Golden in Yoho National Park, then on to Lake Louise and back to Banff.
Icefields — Start at Icefields to Jasper to Banff past Sunwapta Falls, Columbia Icefields and Lake Louise
Nova Scotia — Start at Nova Scotia through Halifax, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and Windsor

Skiing / Snowboarding in Alaska
Alyeska Ski Resort
907-754-2111

Toll Free: 1-800-880-3880

Girdwood, Alaska

Sking / Snowboarding in Canada
Banff Ski Resort
Alberta, Canada

Toll free within North America:

1-87-SKI-BANFF

Outside North America:

1-403-277-7669

Reservations & Ski Packages:

1-877-542-2633
Jasper Marmot Basin
Alberta, Canada

Email: info@skijaspercanada.com

Tel: 780-852-5247

Toll Free: 1-800-473-8135
Whistler Ski Areas
Alberta, Canada

Whistler: 604.932.3434

Toll-Free within North America:

1.800.766.0449

Toll-Free within the UK:

0800-587-1743

E-mail: Guest Relations
Mont Tremblant Ski Resort
Quebec, Canada

1-888-738-1777

(Overseas: 1-514-876-7273)

White Water Rafting in Alaska

Anchorage, Copper River Delta, Denali National Park, Kenai River, Kennecott / McCarthy Area, Kongakut River, Stikine River, Talkeetna River, Tatshenshini River, Valdez

White Water Rafting in Canada

Jacques-Cartier River, Quebec, Kicking Horse River, Rouge River, Chilco / Chilcotin River

Of course, there are hundreds of great places in Alaska and Canada for adventure travel. And I am always adding to this list so be sure to check back often.

Of course, there are hundreds of great places in Alaska and Canada for adventure travel. And I am always adding to this list so be sure to check back often.

adventure

Adventure holiday packages in India

The country India is renowned for its epics and religions. It is the only site that will surely give you the most exotic holiday experience. A visit to India can be the most demanding and captivating tourist options for travelers from all across the globe. The country has rich cultural and architectural heritage, which makes the country different from any other country in world. The best example of Indian architectural art can be its ancient temples, historical monuments and pilgrim centers.

The country is sparsely spread and one of the thickly populated countries of Asian continent. The country has emerged as one of the favorite tourist spot among the travelers. The number of worthwhile tourist destination is virtually countless in India. All parts of the country have some amazing and unique sites that totally make the traveler glued to it.

The most famous traveling sites of India include the ancient cities of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur of Rajasthan; historical monuments like India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Old Fort of Delhi; serene backwaters, houseboats, beaches, pilgrim centers of Kerala; the beaches, churches and water sports of Goa; the natural and picturesque beauty of Himachal Pradesh; adventurous sports like trekking, mountaineering, river rafting and several others in Jammu & Kashmir.

All these wonderful options at one-place makes the travelers totally fall in love with the country. The above-mentioned options only present a small picture about the destinations of India. Your will come across several other things once you explore the country.

Although the whole country has wide range of diversified places, but one thing that most of the tourist does not know about is the scope of adventurous activities in India. The country has a lot in store for adventure-loving tourists. One can go for various available options like mountaineering, camping, trekking and rock climbing on high mountain ranges located in northern part of the country. The best place for these activities is the northern hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Another activity that the adventurous travelers simply love is the wildlife watching. You can easily find Wildlife sanctuaries in most parts of the country. Some of the well-known Wildlife sanctuaries and national park of India are Corbett National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Gir national park & Sanctuary, Ranathambhore National Park, and several others.

One thing that every adventurous traveler loves is the water sports. The state of Goa is a boon for such kind of travelers. The state offers tremendous option for water sports to its visitor. Goa is famous for water sports like Scuba diving, Wind Skiing, Angling, river rafting and various other water sports.

For such adventure travelers various travel agency organize tours of different types and different places. Some of popular adventurous tours in India are Sikkim tour, Zanskar Trek tour, Goa beaches tour, Best of Himachal tour, Wildlife tour, Motorcycle Safari in Rajasthan tour, Hemkund Sahib Yatra tour, trekking tour in Ladakh and several others.

All these adventurous tour packages make the country one of the favourite traveling option among the travelers. For exploring these wonderful adventurous traveling options one should bank upon any well-accomplished travel agency that is well experienced and recommended by some famous traveling guidebooks.

adventure

Best Places for adventure in India

Ladakh

Ladakh or the land of passes is a famous tourist destination. It is on every trekker’s must-visit list. It is bounded by Himalayan range on one side and Karakoram Range on the other. The normal temperatures here are extremely low and in winters they go as low as -20 degree centigrade.  Leh which is the capital of Ladakh has many tourist attractions. Ladakh has a strong Tibetan influence. Hence there are several Buddhist monasteries which are also open to public visits. The main adventure activities here are trekking, rock climbing, rappelling, river crossing and white water rafting. To reach Ladakh you can take flight from Delhi to Leh or drive down here.

Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal famous as the land of gods is what you can dream of to have on a perfect holiday. Fresh air, pure water, green surroundings, mountains in the background and snow on top of them.. all this and more is what Uttaranchal has on offer. It has brilliant little tourist spots like Nainital, Mussourie, Kausani and many more places. Uttaranchal is famous for trekking, skiing, water rafting, hang gliding, paragliding, boating, canoeing and angling.

Sikkim

Sikkim in the east India is a paradise for tourists. It is the most scantily populated place in India. The landscapes here are incomparable, the weather is uplifting and the mountain ranges here are not to be found anywhere. Coffee plantations here add to the lush voluminous greenery of this place. Rafting and mountaineering here are famous amongst tourists as adventure tourists. Sikkim can be reached at by Darjeeling, Siliguri or Kalimpong.

Himachal

Himachal is a state located right in the centre of Hmalaya mountain ranges with Jammu to its north, UP is South East and Haryana in South. It has trekkable mountain peaks and raftable rivers, green forests and good roads for safaris. Himachal is famous for adventure activities such as skiing, heli-skiing and ice skating. You can also try safaris by jeeps, cars or motorcycles. Aero sports like paragliding is also available here. Trekking, camping and river rafting are also famous here. You can reach here by bus, car, train or flight.

Rajasthan

This North West state of India is surrounded by Thar Desert. It shares a long border with our neighbouring country. Rajasthan also is the place where the oldest mountain ranges of Aravalli stand. Rajasthan has a lot of forts, fortresses and palaces. In fact this place is land of the royal families whose battles are legendary in India. Rajasthan has always been welcoming tourist from all over the globe. It offers adventure sports such as camel safaris, trekking, aero sports, fishing, water sports, wildlife extravaganza. It is accessible by flights, trains and buses.

Karnataka

Karnataka is a place with lot of places that are of tourist interest. There is a whole range of sculptures temples, hills, forests and sea shores that Karnataka has on offer. No wonder it is voted as the 4th most popular destination in India. It also stands 2nd in having the highest number of national monuments. Karnataka has an array of adventure sports that suit various temperaments. You have endless trekking options in the Karnataka hills and lots of white water rafting opportunities in the Kali river. Wildlife here is rich too and tourists are crazy about the Bheemeshwari, Bandipur, Nagarhole sanctuaries. It has several weekend getaway options as well. Karnataka is reachable by flight, train and bus.

Goa

Goa is called the Rome of East. The Portugese influence here is very strong here. The place is a destination popular amongst youngsters, hippies, party-crazy people.  Besides the hippie culture that Goa has it also has a great history behind it. It has century old temples, churches and ancient houses which stand for the old Goan culture.  Goa too is a place for water sport lovers. The Arabian Sea touching the Konkan coast is an exciting place to experiment with water. The water sports you can try here are scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, parasailing, surfing, water-skiing, windsurfing, and deep sea fishing. Goa is easily reachable by air, sea and land.

Andaman & Nicobar

Andaman and Nicobar is a cluster of 572 small and big islands. This place has great opportunities for water sports. Andaman has a water sports complex where you can indulges in a variety of water sports. You can experience scuba diving, sailing, parasailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and trekking in the ocean. You can also enjoy sail boats, speed boats and paddle boats. Glass bottom rides are a hit here. The extensive marine life here is striking and a wonderful experience. Andaman also has an amusement park and central jail which are great tourist spots. You can reach here by flight which flies from Kerala, Kochi to Port Blair or by ship which leaves from the Kochi port.

Lakshadweep

Lakshwadeep is a beautiful island 240 km away from Malabar Coat. The island is rich in marine wealth and that is what people come to see here from across the globe.  Water sports in Lakshwadeep are quiet popular as there is availability of equipments of very high standards. Water sports here include snorkeling, scuba divng, glass-bottom rides, para sailing, surfing and water skiing. The islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Kadmath and Minicoy offer activities like kayaking, sailing, paddling and inflatable motor boats. Staying facilities here are good but expensive as it is still not so tourism inflicted. Lakshwadeep can be reached by a flight from Kerala or Cochin. You can also come here by ship that commences its journey from Kochi.

Kerala

Kerala is a place where all the elements of nature exist in their purest form. The seas tranquilize, the skies mesmerize and the lands are ablaze with the fire of light that blows from the human settlements. Kerala is voted as the third best tourist destination in Asia. It is connected with all the major cities of India and is accessible by air, train and bus. The Kerala tourism is the most developed and it has facilities that suit people of all classes.

There is plenty for everyone to do here. People come here for adventure trips, trekking expeditions and water sports. Some also come here for soft adventures like Wildlife Safaris, the infamous boat race-Allepy, Kollam and backwater vacations. Kerala also offers a huge range of wellness holidays like spa getaways or Yog and meditation tours. Whatever way you wish to come here as a backpacker of an elite guest, Kerala will never fail to impress you.

adventure

Adventure at Gulmarg is The Best Thing at Kashmir Trip

Magical flower meadows, snow clad mountains, enchanting valleys, lovely landscapes and many more – Gulmarg is one such place in the state of Jammu & Kashmir that offers something or the other for all kinds of tourists with varying tastes. Be it your honeymoon vacation, adventure trip or a family holiday, Gulmarg offers you the best of natural beauty and the most exciting & thrilling adventure sports.

Fascinating Attractions
The city was named Gulmarg in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, as he was quite impressed with the stunning spectacle of the grassy hills adorned with colorful flowers. A few of the most popular attractions of the city are:

Gulmarg boasts of a gorgeous and magnificent grassy golf course that is the world’s highest too. It offers excellent bases for trekking in the northern Pir Panjal Range, Khilanmarg etc. These offer wonderful views of the entire valley along with the Nanga Parbat. Gulmarg is amongst the best skiing resorts in India. The longest skies run in Gulmarg is provide by the Gondola Cable Car Lift. Khilanmarg, carpeted with flowers in the spring, is a marvellous site for skiing. Apart from the surrounding peaks and the Kashmir valley, it offers spellbinding views of the great Himalayas from Nanga Parbat to the twin peaks of Nun – Kun. At the foot of the twin Apharwat peaks, there lies the famous Alpather Lake (about 13 km from Gulmarg). The lake is frozen until mid-June and offers amazing opportunity for horse riding. If you wish to explore the glorious fauna of the great Himalayan range, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is an ideal place to visit. Here you can spot animals like Himalayan Musk Deer, Red Fox, Brown and Black Bear along with various resident and migratory birds.

This ‘meadow of flowers‘ lies in the Baramulla district (57 km from Srinagar) at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level. The Nanga Parbat and the Haramukh add some more beauty to the place. This splendid hill resorts is a heaven for the skiers, and they can easily hire the skis and sticks, snow boots, woolen socks, mufflers, windproof jackets, goggles, and caps from the local shops.

adventure

ADVENTURE TOUR TO INDIA

The great India has a number of exciting and sensational places to offer in its network of incredible adventure destinations. Be it a trek through the mountains, a safari in a nature reserve or a camel ride through the desert. The islands like Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep are absolutely untouched and are great spots for adventure lovers. With Great Spirit flowing through your body, you can imagine the white water rafting on the raging Ganga. The Far East is home to dense and lush green forests that stimulate the adventure people to penetrate them. The west is the Great Indian Thar Desert. Thus India offers large diversity, better than any other country in the world to host adventure activities ranging trekking, water sports, wildlife safari, skiing etc.
Trekking
India is undoubtedly amazing adventure destination especially for the trekkers. India has been a country that has captured the minds of adventure lovers, and explorers for a long time. No mountaineer can resist the Himalayas for his rich temptation of having a trek in the verdant slopes. The Western Himalayas covering the areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh offer a large area for trekking in India. The Eastern Himalayas covers Darjeeling in West Bengal and the northeastern states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Rafting
India is full of water rafting destinations. Most of the white water rafting destinations is located in the Himalayas, and the River Ganges is the most popular among them. So many camps are organized along the 80-km stretch from Rishikesh to Devprayag. The rivers Yamuna, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Kalisor, Bhilangana and Bhagirathi offer many stretches, for both professionals as well as amateur rafters. Ranges in Ladakh and Sikkim also offer great riversides for rafting.

Wildlife Safari
The Indian Wildlife safaris are one of the most exciting holiday options for those who want to be closer to the nature. These wildlife safaris will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city life amidst nature. India offers an amazingly large number of animals and birds in its various wildlife sanctuaries and conservation parks. You would wake up to a clear and pristine early morning dawn, and the sound of chirping birds. Nature is as it is an unending discovery, and each wildlife safari will lay bare so many facets that when you come to the end of your safari you will hope to return soon for yet another exciting adventure.

Skiing
There are hundreds of holiday destinations in India, which offer Skiing sports. The most popular among them are Jammu and Kashmir, the hills of Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, and the Northeastern states of India. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner’s skiing place. Skiing involves a lot of skill that needs an initial bit of practice and patience. The adventure sport of skiing is known as a fun sport for its ease, its sense of freedom and the thrill of flying down a slope with the wind on your face and in your hair. From amateurs to professionals, all love this sport of Skiing.
Climbing
India has some of the highest mountain peaks of the world. India offers high peaks of some of the great mountains for mountaineers coming from all over the world. Journeying through the lap of great Himalayas brings incomparable adventure, cultural learning and recreation opportunities. Mountaineering and climbing in the Himalayas on some of the world’s greatest peaks is the experience of a lifetime. It also provides opportunity to see some of the highest permanent settlements in the world, unveiling preserved cultures and a way of life inimical to modern times.

adventure

Alaska Adventure Tourism

Alaska is a great adventure and sightseeing destination for those who love nature’s unspoiled bounties. From tundra wildernesses to Arctic wildlife, Alaska has everything a traveler can ask for and more. That is not all. Alaskan native traditions offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into a time when life was simpler and the human connection to nature much deeper.

Heritage Tours

If you are in Alaska, you should not miss the heritage tours and sightseeing destinations. Once there, you will be introduced to the customs and cultures of native Alaskans. Listen to their folklore, music, and watch their dances, which are a tribute to all that the native Alaskan holds dear – the sea, the rugged mountains and the wildlife that sustained old tribes. You will get a first-hand experience of native culture in the region through museums, shows, and guided tours.

You can also visit old mining towns, established during the Gold Rush. You will discover how the first European prospectors and traders in this place learnt to negotiate against the harsh elements and thrived against great odds.

The Great Wildernesses

Alaska is thinly populated, with Anchorage being the main urban center in the region. The low density of population makes Alaska an ideal tourist getaway – you do not have to worry about walking into crowds of noisy tourists. In the Alaskan wildernesses and nature trails, there is just you and a panorama of natural beauty.

Close to Anchorage are two volcanoes that are, well, smokin’ hot. They spew smoke and lava from time to time, though not enough to pose a danger to the city. Mt. Spurr, Mt. Redoubt, and Mt. McKinley are three of the most well known mountain peaks in Alaska. Your Alaska tour will be incomplete without a hike to the great Alaskan glaciers. They are not very far from Anchorage.

Wildlife

Alaska is home to the great grizzly. Other animal attractions here are black bear, moose, whales, and dozens of bird species. A trip to Alaska is unfinished without a visit to the Alaskan wildlife parks. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is encircled by the Kenai Mountains and has the Cook Inlet to one side. The Kenai Mountains, towering 6000 feet over the plains, shelter rare bald eagles. Other animals found within the sanctuary are mountain goats, wolves, bears, even caribou.

The Chugach National Forest is known for its natural beauty. Consisting of glaciers, rivers, and the Kenai ranges, the Chugach is a favorite destination for fishing enthusiasts. The Denali National Park is the third major national park in Alaska.

Your trip to the Alaska national parks need not be a single day affair. The parks have lodges run by government as well as private operators. You can book comfortable rooms here and enjoy a stay within the lush surroundings of the national parks.

Another much-loved wild denizen of Alaska is the orca whale. Just off the coast of Anchorage are endless opportunities for observing whales in the waters. You can hire boats or book a place on a ferry tour of the coastline.

Alaska has a lot to offer to travel enthusiasts. So pack your bags and set out on the journey of a lifetime, exploring mountain ranges, volcanic stretches, Arctic wildernesses, glaciers, marine life, and wildlife parks in Alaska.

adventure

Namibia – a Bountiful Harvest Awaits the Adventure Traveler

Namibia is a largely arid country of stark rough-hewn beauty. The most vivid images are those of a haunting Technicolor landscape of swirling orange dunes, shimmering mirages and treacherous dust devils. The apparent desolation is deceptive and plant and animal life and even man has adapted to this environment. The country is designed almost specially with the active and adventure seeker in mind. Timeless deserts, thorn bush savanna, desolate wind ravaged coastlines, majestic canyons, and sun-baked saltpans are the bounty that awaits the traveler.

Namibia’s top draw is the Etosha National Park, rated as one of Africa’s finest game sanctuaries. The birding experience in the country is truly superior. On a Namibia safari, the range of activities you can indulge in the unsurpassable physical environment is truly impressive. Ballooning over the desert, skydiving over land and sea, paragliding, whitewater rafting and sand skiing along coastal dunes are good activities for starters. More fun games to pick from include abseiling – that most spectacular of rock sports, coastal and fresh water angling, desert camel riding, scuba diving, 4×4 desert runs, hiking and mountaineering.

Namibia has four distinct geographical regions. In the north is Etosha Pan, a great area for wildlife and heart of Etosha National Park. The slender Caprivi Strip is nestled between Zambia and Botswana and is a wet area of woodland blessed with a few rivers. Along the coast is the Namib Desert, which at the age of 80 million years old, is said to be the world’s oldest desert. At the coast, the icy cold Atlantic meets the blazing African desert, resulting in dense fogs. The well-watered central plateau runs north to south, and carries rugged mountains, magnificent canyons, rocky outcrops and expansive plains.

Namibia, one and half times the size of France, is very sparsely inhabited and carries only 1.8 million soles. The people are as unique as the land they live on. The most intriguing are the San, otherwise known as Bushmen. These most hardy of people have a highly advanced knowledge of their environment. It is a marvelous thing how well they are adapted to their difficult habitat. Just pause and think that these are the only people in the world who live with no permanent access to water. In the Kalahari Desert, one of their domiciles, surface water is not to be found. Tubers, melons, and other water bearing plants as well as underground sip wells supply their water requirements.

In Namibia today, Bushmen number about 50,000. Historians estimate that they have lived, mostly as hunters and gatherers, for at least 25,000 years in these parts of the world. Bushmen speak in a peculiar click language and are very gifted in the arts of storytelling, mimicry, and dance. Namibia’s other people, who are indigenous to the continent, are mostly of Bantu origin. They are thought to have arrived from western Africa from about 2,400 years ago. The African groups include the Owambo, Kavango, Caprivians, Herero, Himba, Damara, Nama and Tswana. The Africans aside, other groups comprise about 15% of the population and have played an important role in the emergence of the modern nation. White Namibians amount to about 120,00 and are mainly of German and Afrikaner heritage. Germans arrived in significant numbers after 1884 when Bismarck declared the country a German Protectorate. Afrikaners, white farmers of Dutch origin, moved north from their Cape settlements, especially after the Dutch Cape Colony was ceded to the British in 1806. This strongly independent people, whose ancestors had lived in the Cape from 1652 resented British control.

Two other distinct groups complete the spectrum of Namibia’s people – Besters and Colored’s. Colored in Namibia and southern Africa refers to people of mixed racial heritage, black- white for example. They have a separate identity and culture. This makes sense considering that Namibia was run by South Africa after the First World War. Even in pre-Apartheid South Africa, racial classification was a fine art. The Afrikaans-speaking Besters, descended from Hottentots women and Dutch settlers of the Cape. Alienated from both white and black communities, they trekked northwards, finally founding their own town Rehoboth, in 1871. Bester is actually derived from “bastard”, but it is not derogatory, and the Besters are indeed proud of it.

Namibia’s barren and unwelcoming coastlines served as a natural deterrent to the ambitions of European explorers. That was until 1884 when the German merchant Adolf Luderitz established a permanent settlement between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic seaboard that afterwards took his name. Bismarck subsequently declared the territory covered by Namibia a German colony and named it Südwestafrika or South West Africa. As German settlers moved into the interior, conflict was inevitable with the inheritors of the land.

The German occupation was a particularly unhappy experience for the Herero. The Herero resented the German’s harsh and racist rule and the effect of the encroachment on their lands on their livelihood and way of life. On the first day of the year 1904, the Herero led by Chief Samuel Maharero, rose suddenly and unexpectedly in arms against their colonial overlords. The Nama joined the insurrection and the authorities did not regain control even after six months of trying. Over 100 German settlers and soldiers died in the uprising. Historians now consider events that followed to constitute the first genocide of the twentieth century.

Lieutenant General Lothar von Trotha was furnished with a contingent of 14,000 soldiers and tasked to put down the rebellion. The governor general of the territory was then Rudolph Goering -the father of Herman Goering, Hitler’s right hand man. Lothar von Trotha was a generation ahead of his time and his kind of thinking was to become government policy under the Third Reich. He argued that the Herero must be destroyed as a people and he did not wince at the murder of women or children. At the end of it all, 100,000 Nama and Herero were killed. The survivors were herded in concentration camps where unspeakable things happened. The Herero fared very badly and 80% of her people perished. The population of the Nama diminished by 35-50%.

Windhoek, the capital of 165,000 people is the only true city in the country. For those traveling to more remote regions, this is where you settle practical matters. The positive aspects of the German period can be seen in the charming style of older buildings in the city. Places of interest in the city include the State Museum, State Archives, and the Namibia Crafts Centre. The Dan Viljoen Game Park lies 24 Km west of Windhoek on the gentle hills of Khoma Hochland. In this resort you find ostriches, baboons, zebras and over 200 species of birds. The Waterburg Plateau Park, located 230 km from Windhoek is popular with weekenders. This extensive mountain wilderness is home to cheetah, leopard, kudu, giraffe, and white rhino.

Etosha National Park is what brings wildlife lovers to Namibia. The park is comparable in size and diversity of species with the best in Africa. The unusual terrain of Etosha holds savanna grassland, dense brush and woodland. But it is the Etosha Pan, a depression that sometimes holds water and covers 5,000 sq km, that is the heart of park. The perennial springs around the pan, attract many birds and land animals in the dry winter months. The effect of this background is magical and some of the best wildlife photographs have been taken here.

There are 144 mammal species in the park and elephants are particularly abundant. Some other interesting wildlife here includes giraffe, leopard, cheetah, jackal, blue wildebeest, gemsbok and black rhino. The birding is great at Etosha and over 300 bird species have been recorded. You will get best value by spending at least three days here. There are excellent accommodation facilities at the three rest camps of Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo. The best time to see animals is between May and September, when water draws them in huge numbers to the edge of the pan. Etosha is 400 km to the north of Windhoek by road.

The Fish River Canyon is unrivalled in Africa and only the Grand Canyon in the U.S in larger. The Canyon runs for 160 km and reaches a width of 27 km and depth of 550 m. But size alone does not explain the appeal of the canyon. You experience incredible views at various points along the rim. Adventure lovers do not merely come for the views. Hiking through the canyon is the ultimate endurance adventure for hikers. There is an established 90 km hiking trail that will take you 4-5 days to cover.

The trail ends at Ai-Ais hot spring resort where you can unwind. You are allowed to hike between early May and end of September. The hike is quite strenuous and needless to say, you must be physically fit. The authorities disbelieve the capacity of most people to undertake the hike and will actually insist on seeing a medical certificate of fitness before allowing you to start off. Fish River Canyon is 580 km to the south of Windhoek.

The Skeleton Coast has been the graveyard of seafarers and whales and deserves that morbid name. The problem is the dense fogs. And woe to the ship wreck survivor who expects respite onshore! Ahead is the Namib Desert, one of the driest and most unwelcoming places. Adventure travelers love trekking along the coastline as they enjoy the stark beauty of the area. To the south at Cape Cross, you find a seal colony carrying tens of thousands of seals. The Skeleton Coast Park covers 16,400 sq km and begins at 355 km northwest of Windhoek.

The Portuguese explorer Diego Cao reached this part of the world in the year 1486. He is probably one of the people whose experiences discouraged Europeans from venturing ashore until the arrival of the Germans 400 years later. Further south is the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a vast wilderness covering 50,000 sq km. The landscape is very diverse and covers mountain outcrops, majestic sand dunes, and deep cut gorges. For really spectacular dunes, the Sossusvlei area is unsurpassed. Here you have dunes rising to 300 m! The orange tint giants extend as far as the horizon and the area has an unreal, unforgettable atmosphere.

To the northeast of the country, the well-watered Kavango and Caprivi Strip region offers an unspoilt wilderness suitable for rugged game viewing and camping. The area also promises a feast for bird lovers. Game reserves in the area include: Kaudom, Caprivi, Mahango, Mudumu and Mamili. Poachers did great damage to wildlife during the years of the civil war in neighbouring Angola. Animal numbers are however building up rapidly. Some of the wildlife in the region includes leopard, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, lion and various antelope species. The Caprivi Reserve falls in an area of swamps and flood plains. Here you have an opportunity to partake fishing, hiking, game viewing safaris and river trips in traditional mokoro boats.

In Namibia you can enjoy up to 300 days of sunshine. The coast is temperate and thermometers run between 5C-25C. Inland, daytime temperatures range from 20C-34C, but can rise to 40C in the north and south of the country. Winter nights can be quite cold and frost occurs over large parts of the country. The rains inland fall in summer (November-April) and are heaviest in the Caprivi region. Rains do not much affect travel, but beware of flash floods in the vicinity of riverbeds. The best time to travel is over the dry months of March to October, when it is easier to see animals at waterholes. It is best to avoid the Namib Desert and Etosha between December and March when it can get unbearably hot.

You can get by wearing light cottons and linens in summer. Over winter nights and mornings, you need heavier cottons, warmer wraps and sweaters. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the ground gets very hot. Some useful stuff to pack includes: camera, binoculars, sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellant. Be ready for dusty conditions and carry your clothing, equipment and supplies in dust proof bags. Do not be tempted to buy items made of ivory. You may not be allowed to carry them through customs at home. And it also good that you do not encourage the trade in ivory products that keeps poachers busy.

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