I spent a few weeks traveling through namibia in 1999. It was amazing. Somewhat different from much of Southern Africa, Namibia has highly modern urban areas peppered throughout a wide, vast country.

From Zambia, I rode a dug-out canoe across the border into Namibia, which was lots of fun. It cost me 50 cents, and that kid probably ate for a week from that donation. After that, we traveled throughout the Namib desert, which is beautiful and stark, and yet has amazing roads carved through it (thanks to the Dutch). Getting around in this country is easier than in most other African nations.

FYI -- Namibia isn't ideal for game-viewing -- most of the game parks are wide, open, flat, salt pans, and the ellies are mere specks on the horizon. However, Swakopmund is a quaint, bizarre-o gingerbread town on Africa's west coast, replete with Bavarian pastries, fine coffees, and road signs in German. It's a must-visit.

Swak is also near the sand dunes, where we sandboarded (http://www.namibian.org/travel/adventure/sandboarding.htm). Certainly the most fun I had in Namibia, sandboarding down the dunes is like innertubing down steep hills of fine, red snow. You can reach 30mph on the way down. Even if you have to trudge back up the hill, you know it's worth it, because it's so much damn fun.

I'd highly recommend a visit to this country if ever you get the chance. It's stable, safe, well-laid-out, and the people are friendly, too. More than anything, it's gorgeous.

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