Namibia: The Bradt Travel Guide

Rating:
Summary: This 2nd edition already needs an update!
Review: Having bought the Botswana guide I logged on to secure a copy of the new second edition of the Namibia guide, hoping for the same level of high quality up-to-date information...Sad to say some of the information is dated ... A couple of examples to illustrate: Sossusvlei is one of Namibia's most popular destinations. The road from Sessriem to the dunes has been sealed since 2000. The book mentions that "there is talk of sealing the road". Concerning Etosha, there is mention of Helios a long disused waterhole close to the Halali camp. This waterhole was closed before 1998! In mention of Andoni, north of the Namutoni camp, the author says that he has hardly ever seen any game in that area. This depends strongly on the time of your visit. At the end of the dry season September-November, VERY large concentrations of game can be seen in this area. Further in the Caprivi section of the book (last page) there is mention of the dispute between Namibia and Botswana over Kasikili/Sedudu Island. This dispute was settled by the International Court in Hague in december 1999. But not all is bleak, the guide, is VERY COMPREHENSIVE, and still makes an EXCELLENT choice for planning, as long as you check that the information is still current. Clearly some of the material is new to the second edition and thus is current...

Rating:
Summary: superior guide
Review: I have been a world traveler for over a decade, relying on books and word of mouth for my guides. I found Namibia, by Chris McIntyre, to be an excellent resource for my prospective trip to the country. It not only has the information needed to become acquainted with the country and plan the trip, it emphasizes an all important and too often neglected focus: that of treading lightly and respecting the native people (bravo!!). I have typically sought out Lonely Planet books for my trips (I usually refer to two books for my information) and found that this book filled in a number of gaps that the afore mentioned book left out. I would recommend this book as the 'number one' book to anyone traveling to Namibia. The only thing this book lacked was a better section on local languages. Unfortunately I have found it difficult to find more than background information on launguge in ANY book on Namibia. Good Traveling!

Rating:
Summary: superior guide
Review: I have been a world traveler for over a decade, relying on books and word of mouth for my guides. I found Namibia, by Chris McIntyre, to be an excellent resource for my prospective trip to the country. It not only has the information needed to become acquainted with the country and plan the trip, it emphasizes an all important and too often neglected focus: that of treading lightly and respecting the native people (bravo!!). I have typically sought out Lonely Planet books for my trips (I usually refer to two books for my information) and found that this book filled in a number of gaps that the afore mentioned book left out. I would recommend this book as the 'number one' book to anyone traveling to Namibia. The only thing this book lacked was a better section on local languages. Unfortunately I have found it difficult to find more than background information on launguge in ANY book on Namibia. Good Traveling!

Rating:
Summary: Essential, detailed advice for planning a trip to Namibia
Review: I've been involved with Namibia since writing the UK's first 'Guide to Namibia & Botswana' in 1990. Now I run a specialist tour operator and spend much of my time organizing trips to Namibia. For 2-3 months of all of the last five years I have traveled around the subcontinent, looking for what's new and what's changed.

'Namibia: the Bradt Travel Guide' is my third book on this wonderful country, and the enthusiasm's not worn off yet. From the towering apricot dunes of the central Namib to the desolation of the Skeleton Coast, the spectacle of game in Etosha, or the sheer insight available in Bushmanland - it's magical. And it's very easy to visit.

This guide will enable you to do that. It is very comprehensive, with practical details of the cost, location, facilities and contact details for all lodges, hotels, bush-camps, camping sites and guest farms, as well as personal comments on which are the best and friendliest places. This is a critical guide; I haven't been afraid to offer opinions as well as facts.

Throughout the guide, I've paid special attention to sustainable tourism, mindful of the visitor's responsibility to the people and landscape of Namibia. To help the inquiring visitor, there are extensive sections on Namibia's history, its people and its natural environment. Also the text is dotted with special-interest boxes, discussing wide-ranging issues from the controversy of the 'Epupa Dam Project' to 'Safety for Women Travelers' and the unique adaptations of animals to the harsh Namib Desert.

This is a personal guide, backed by years of living and working in and with Southern Africa. The introduction notes the background to the guide:

"I first visited Namibia in 1989, as the South African administration started to relinquish its grip and the country prepared for independence. By then I had lived in Southern Africa for several years and traveled widely. Namibia was rumored to be wonderful; but nobody seemed to know any details. The world knew South West Africa (Namibia) only as a troubled place from news bulletins, nothing more. So I hired a small car and drove from Namibia's northeastern tip to its southern border in 12 days. Overseas tourism simply didn't exist then. Sesriem had one campsite with just 11 pitches for tents; the Fish River Canyon was deserted. That trip was terribly rushed, but Namibia captivated me. The scale of its wilderness was as enchanting, and travelling was remarkably easy."

Finally, I always welcome reader's thought and comments after using the guide - what's useful, what's less so, and what topics/aspects you'd like to see more or less of. I'll be writing the next edition in a few years time, so please send me feedback when you have bought this guide.

Rating:
Summary: Namibia - The Brandt Travel Guide
Review: This book is meant for the first time traveler to Namibia. The book is specifically designed to segment the various locations within the country and cover them in a well-detailed manner. A separate section in the book is dedicated to immunizations and other health related matters - important issues for travelers to Africa. The guide sections covering Windhoek (the capital) and smaller cities are very good giving a wide range of accomodations and restaurants from which to chose. The coverage of Etosha National Park is especially noteworthy as they provide tips on viewing locations for wildlife within the park.

Matters that could have been covered more effectively include internet website references for information on health precautions, tours (aside from those advertising in the book) and shopping tips. This information can easily be obtained with a quality search engine for the internet.

Rating:
Summary: Namibia - The Brandt Travel Guide
Review: This book is meant for the first time traveler to Namibia. The book is specifically designed to segment the various locations within the country and cover them in a well-detailed manner. A separate section in the book is dedicated to immunizations and other health related matters - important issues for travelers to Africa. The guide sections covering Windhoek (the capital) and smaller cities are very good giving a wide range of accomodations and restaurants from which to chose. The coverage of Etosha National Park is especially noteworthy as they provide tips on viewing locations for wildlife within the park.

Matters that could have been covered more effectively include internet website references for information on health precautions, tours (aside from those advertising in the book) and shopping tips. This information can easily be obtained with a quality search engine for the internet.