Namibia reigns supreme as a top African tourist destination

Namibia reigns supreme as a top African tourist destination

Namibia Hilton Hotel, Windhoek

The Hilton Hotel chain is arguably the most well-known accommodation franchise in the world. It represents the ultimate in luxury and countries know that they’ve made it as prime tourist destinations when they’re chosen for a brand new branch. Namibia is the latest country to be graced with a Hilton Hotel as Hilton Windhoek opened its doors at the beginning of June. Hilton Windhoek is the chain’s 40^th hotel in the Middle East and Africa, while Namibia is the 77^th country to benefit from the attractions naturally associated with a Hilton Hotel.

Speaking at the grand opening, Dave Horton, who is the global head of Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said: “Namibia is a growing market with tourist arrivals increasing every year; it offers travellers an opportunity to explore the best of Africa with its many conservation parks, wildlife reserves and the untouched Namib Desert.”

The opening of Windhoek Hilton was well-timed as it came just before the annual Namibian Tourism Expo which was held in Windhoek, but not at the Hilton. The expo was well supported by the Northern Cape, South Africa’s immediate neighbouring province with Namibia.

Dianna Martin, marketing manager at the Northern Cape Tourism Authority, described the relationship between the two countries as “symbiotic” and emphasised the importance of marketing the Namaqualand and Green Kalahari in South Africa along with some of the prime attractions in Namibia to encourage trans-border tourism.

The expo coincided with the Namibia Tourism Board’s (NTB) 10^th anniversary. Once again the timing was fortuitous as Lonely Planet had only recently named Namibia as the 5^th best value holiday destination for 2011. Namibia’s primary attractions, according to Lonely Planet, are the Namib Naukluft National Park for outstanding safaris, Sossusvlei as a travel itinerary essential and Windhoek as a stunning example of a cosmopolitan African city with world class accommodation.

The Namibia Tourism Board was even named as the best tourism board in all of Africa.

Don’t let malaria spoil your African holiday

Malaria is a nasty disease prevalent in large parts of Southern Africa. It kills more than one million people per year and 300 million cases are reported annually. 25% of childhood deaths in Africa are caused by malaria. But that doesn’t mean you should rule sub-Saharan Africa out of your holiday plans. Malaria is preventable, provided you take the proper precautions.

When you first book your African holiday, be sure to ask your travel agent if you’ll be going into any malaria zones. If you are, you need to see your doctor to discuss prophylactics. There are a number of anti-malaria drugs available. The one you take will depend on where you’re going, the level of risk and your current level of health. Some areas are resistant to certain types of anti-malaria medicine, so you need to be very specific when you tell your doctor where you’re going. You’ll also need to discuss appropriate prophylactics for any children who will be accompanying you, as well as any pregnant women.

You need to start taking anti-malaria medication 4-6 weeks before you travel. And you need to continue taking it for up to four weeks after you come back. This is because some types of malaria lie dormant for weeks after infection, especially if it is in your liver.

African malaria zones

In South Africa, most cases of malaria occur in the north-east, especially in the Kruger Park. If you’re planning a holiday in the Kruger Park try to time it to coincide with the dry season, as mosquitoes thrive during the rain. The dry season is in winter, from around April to October.

The northernmost parts of Namibia and Botswana also pose a risk, as do all of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya.

Prevention is better than cure

In addition to prophylactics, the best way to prevent malaria is to use your common sense. Invest in a good insect repellent – 20% to 35% DEET is recommended, don’t leave skin exposed, sleep under a net, sleep with the windows and doors closed and spray some insecticide in your room before you go to sleep.

Not only is malaria preventable but it is also curable.

Take the proper precautions and there is no reason why your African holiday can’t be all you dreamt and more.