To visit Namibia is one of Lonely Planet's "Top 10 things to do in 2012"

Good news for the Namibian tourism industry. To visit Namibia's protected coastline is among Lonely Planet's "Top 10 things to do in 2012"!

3. Visit Namibia’s protected coast
Namibia is a special country, blessed with an abundance of easy-to-spot wildlife, beautiful desert scenery and vast, wide open spaces. This year you can visit the epic Namibian coastline in the knowledge that the entire Atlantic shore is now part of one of the world’s largest protected areas, encompassing four parks: the Sperregebiet National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, newly created Dorob National Park and the infamous Skeleton Coast protected area. Many areas, especially in the south, can be explored independently – though ideally with your own wheels – but getting into serious Skeleton Coast wilderness requires a charter flight and deep pockets.

The other 9 of Lonely Planet's "Top 10 things to do in 2012" are:

1. Honour Scott’s Polar Centenary (United Kingdom/Antartica)
2. Follow Napoleon across Russia (Moscow)
3. Visit Namibia’s protected coast (Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park)
4. Go football crazy in Poland and Ukraine (Euro 2012)
5. Chase Australia’s Top End eclipse (Australia)
6. Meet the Maid of Orleans on her 600th birthday (Joan of Arc)
7. Discover a new Middle East (Middle East)
8. Explore Maribor’s Old Town (Slovenia)
9. Play arcade classics at the Smithsonian (Washington DC)
10. Check out Korea’s Expo (Yeosu)

For all your travel inspiration and tips for the coming year from Lonely Planet’s experts, get Best in Travel 2012 now!

Lonely Planet names Lesotho one of the Top 10 best value destinations 2012

According to Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2012", Lesotho in Southern Africa is one of the Top 10 best value destinations for 2012.

#5 Lesotho
Mountains, cannibal caves, dinosaur footprints, crafts markets – and you get around by pony. Welcome to Lesotho, the ‘kingdom of the sky’. Completely enveloped by South Africa, it’s a cheaper proposition than its powerful neighbour, with pony treks its main tourist drawcard. The best deals are to the west at off-the-beaten-track Malealea, about 60km southeast of the capital Masuru, where multiday treks lead into a massive mountain range and landscape coloured musk and orange. It’s extraordinary – and cheaper than pony treks in the east. Overnight trips, including a pony, food and a guide, begin at US$50 per day.
Malealea Lodge is a century-old trading post transformed into a well-run lodge with pony treks and good meals.

Top 10 best value destinations for 2012 are:

1. Northeastern USA
2. Japan
3. Tajikistan
4. Porto, Portugal
5. Lesotho
6. Iquitos, Peru
7. San Francisco, USA
8. Ohrid, Macedonia
9. Mekong Delta, Vietnam
10. Mérida, Mexico