Namibia

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Windhoek is the flourishing capital of Namibia and it is from here that we begin a journey through this country and experience some of the magic of the Dark Continent on a luxurious train - the Desert Express! Dating back to colonial times, the Christ Church is a reminder of the end of hostilities between the Germans and the indigenous population during the period when it was known as `German West Africa', and indeed German influence in this part of the world is still very much in evidence today. A short journey leads into the isolated loneliness of the prairie and to lion feeding at the Okapuka Ranch in which an Austrian keeps lions in their natural environment. A popular holiday resort on the mouth of the River Swakop and the final destination of the rail journey, Swakopmund, through whose harbor everything that was used in German West Africa was transported, resulting in a regular trading route between Swakopmund and Hamburg for more than 10 years - a hint of Germany on the edge of the desert! In Swakopmund there are architectural treasures that were rented out in the days of the Kaiser and are reminiscent of various houses in Berlin. This is a part of Germany that no longer exists in Germany itself. Moon Valley is bizarre and extra-terrestrial and for millions of years it has withstood the erosive power of the Swakop. With its deep-cut valleys and no vegetation in sight, the endless rocky landscape seems unfriendly, life threatening and impassable. Namutoni Camp is situated in the centre of the Etosha National Park and has a history that dates back to 1851. Thirsty antelopes and zebras rendezvous at a watering hole while a herd of elephants drink at another. Namibia is, quite rightly, a much sought after tourist destination. White deserts, wild animals, mountains strewn with ravines, and white beaches - Africa's south west is full of more than a few colorful surprises!

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. Windhoek is the flourishing capital of Namibia and it is from here that we begin a journey through this country and experience some of the magic of the Dark Continent on a luxurious train - the Desert Express! Comfortable leather seats in the Starview compartment are the perfect way to enjoy the heavens and, as if by magic, Venetian blinds open and provide a view of the desert sky. Dating back to colonial times, the Christ Church is a reminder of the end of hostilities between the Germans and the indigenous population during the period when it was known as `German West Africa', and indeed German influence in this part of the world is still very much in evidence today. A popular holiday resort on the mouth of the River Swakop and the final destination of the rail journey, Swakopumund, through whose harbour everything that was used in German West Africa was transported, resulting in a regular trading route between Swakopmund and Hamburg for more than ten years - a hint of Germany on the edge of the desert! In Swakopumund there are architectural treasures that were rented out in the days of the Kaiser and are reminiscent of various houses in Berlin.This is a part of Germany that no longer exists in Germany itself. Namibia is, quite rightly, a much sought after tourist destination. White deserts, wild animals, mountains strewn with ravines, and white beaches - Africa's south west is full of more than a few colourful surprises!

DVD. Discover The World. 30 Minutes. This program looks at the people, history, culture and geography of: Namibia.

DVD. Nature Parks The arid landscape of the Namib-Naukluft Park in the heart of Namibiabetween the river valleys of the Swakop and Kuiseb, vast fields of scree cover the majority of this 50,000 square kilometre conservation area. The remote world of stone and rock seems so strange and unreal that one of the valleys in this region is called Moon Valley. Further into the Namib Desert, the colors of the surrounding landscape grow more intense. It is as though both earth and sky are competing against each other to see who shines brightest. The majestic and world famous blazing red dunes of Sossusvlei tower more than 300 metres over the landscape. In this extremely hot, arid and treacherous ocean of sand, even the trees seem to have given up their struggle for survival. Most of the waterholes have dried out and now this region's wildlife must prepare for yet another period of interminable draught. The impressive yet strangely formed Kokerboom, or 'Quiver Tree', is in reality not a tree at all but a high growing variety of the aloe plant. The name of the plant comes from the bushmen who made quivers for their arrows from its large branches. The Kokerboom, acacias and various low-growing varieties of bush make up the characteristic vegetation of the region. At the end of the day, the fiery sky seems to emulate the warm red colous of the mighty sand dunes and amid the beautiful scenery, the magnificent world of the Namib Naukluft Park gradually merges with the intense glow of sunset. <font size="3" color="#800000" face="Arial" align="center"