Namibia contains immense geographical variations, its landscapes altering form the highest sand dunes in the world towering 350 metres above the desert, to the fish River Canyon. The largest in the world after America's Grand Canyon. Much of Namibia is arid desert covered by scrub and grass savannah. But in areas of higher rainfall. Acacia woodlands flourish. Dotted across the country are petrified forests. Rock paintings dating back to the early Stone Ave, hot springs and vast expanses of desert untouched by humankind. A sense of freedom is generated by the wide horizons, clear unpolluted skies and a population density which is amongst the lowest in the world. The Namib Desert has some of the strangest flora and fauna in the world. Here you will see the unique Welwitschia plant whose only source of moisture is dew and the occasional fogs that roll in from the Atlantic Ocean. The treacherous Skeleton Coast, so called, for the bones of countless sailors whose ships came to grief on this wild, inhospitable strip of land. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve situated north of Henties Bay - is home to one of the continent's largest fur seal colonies and the isolated parts of the shore are used as nurseries for their young. This area is also of historical significance - it was here that, more than 500 years ago, one of Namibia's first European visitors - Diego cao. The Portuguese navigator planted a cross at this point in 1486 and after whom the cross is named.
Etosha National Park, one of the most ecologically important game reserves in sub - Saharan Africa, bas a bleak landscape with a desolate beauty all its own. At the center of the park is the giant Etosha Pan, on the edge of which are several perennial springs which draw huge concentrations of game and birds during the dry winter months. Etosha is also home to four rare, endangered species, namely the black rhino, black-faced impala, Hartmann's mountain zebra and the tiny Damara dik-dik. Namibia is home to the largest concentration of cheetah still in existence. 
Whilst inhabited by African tribes for millennia, the barren coastline discouraged European investigation and it was not until the late 19th century that white settlers, mainly from Germany, arrived. Their legacy is mainly seen in the street names, delicatessens, pavement cafes and attractive colonial architecture of Windhoek and Swakopmund.