Namibia is a premier safari destination, captivating adventurers with diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes. Renowned for its dramatic coastlines, shifting deserts, majestic canyons, and lush plains, Namibia offers a visual feast that astounds and enchants. The country’s wildlife has adapted uniquely to its harsh environment, featuring desert-adapted elephants, lions, and black rhinos, providing thrilling safari experiences. Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, adorned with shipwrecks, adds an element of mystery and historical intrigue. Preserving its indigenous cultures, such as the Himba and San tribes, further enhances the safari journey, offering insights into ancient wisdom and traditions. The freedom to explore vast, untouched expanses and the sense of adventure infused into the very fabric of Namibia make it a sought-after safari destination for those seeking a unique and unforgettable wilderness experience.
Namibia is a rich collage of captivating contradictions, showcasing dramatic coastlines, shifting deserts, majestic canyons, lush river-fed plains, rugged mountains, and exhilarating ocean waters. Beyond its breathtaking natural beauty, Namibia narrates a compelling human story.
The resilient Himba and San tribespeople share glimpses of their ancient wisdom, while the Skeleton Coast, adorned with numerous shipwrecks, echoes tales of daring and risk from days long past. The towns and cities, marked by their architecture and museums, witness the uncomfortable history of colonial settlement and oppression.
Despite the apparent desolation in some landscapes, wildlife has adapted to thrive in the harsh, arid climate, with desert-adapted elephants, lions, and black rhinos offering captivating sightings. Often described as “other-worldly,” Namibia beckons as a panorama of adventure—a place to savour the freedom of the wind in your hair, the warmth of the sun on your back, and an invitation to embrace the unfolding journey.
Windhoek, pronounced with a “V,” serves as Namibia’s capital and largest city, strategically positioned nearly at the country’s geographical centre. As the primary tourist arrival hub, Windhoek often necessitates an overnight stay in itineraries primarily influenced by international flight schedules. While Hosea Kutako International Airport (code WDH) is 40km outside the city, Eros International Airport (code ERS) is a closer option, just 5km from the city centre, primarily catering to flying safaris. Windhoek boasts several attractions worthy of a full-day city tour and various restaurants suitable for overnight stays.
This coastal town is a standard stopover in most itineraries, featuring a quintessential 1890s German village style nestled between the desert and the sea. Initially established as a landing station for the German Imperial Navy, it has gained recognition for adventure pursuits, such as quad biking on the sand dunes and exhilarating skydiving experiences. A safari to discover desert-adapted creatures like snakes and spiders comes highly recommended. Additionally, visitors can embark on a boat excursion from the adjacent town of Walvis Bay to spot dolphin pods. The town also serves as a convenient gateway to Sandwich Harbour, a haven for birders with a diverse population of over 200,000 birds, including flamingos, cormorants, and pelicans.
Twyfelfontein, situated in north-west Namibia, holds the esteemed status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a staple inclusion in itineraries. Despite its compact size of less than 1 km², the site boasts Africa’s most extensive concentration of rock art and engravings. Crafted primarily by San hunter-gatherers, this ancient artistry dates back over 10,000 years and spans thousands of years. With approximately 2,500 individual engravings scattered across more than 200 rock slabs and 13 panels of rock paintings, Twyfelfontein is essentially an expansive ‘open-air gallery’ offering four main routes. Knowledgeable guides provide valuable insights into the engravings, which depict a diverse array of hunting scenes. The site features an astonishing collection of wildlife, including over 100 rhinos, 200 giraffes, elephants, oryx, ostriches, and zebras, with the intriguing addition of a seal – an extraordinary presence considering the ocean is over 100km away!
Situated in the northern part of the country, this National Park spans an impressive 22,270 km², nearly the size of Rwanda. Within this vast expanse, 5,000 km² comprises saline depressions or ‘pans,’ while the rest is a mix of grassland, woodland, and savannah dotted with natural waterholes. Etosha National Park is a sanctuary for over 114 mammal species and over 340 bird species. Gaining recognition through its feature in Sir David Attenborough’s Africa series, Etosha is renowned for its rhinos, desert-adapted elephants, and the endemic black-faced impala. Among other desert-adapted creatures are the oryx and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. The park also hosts predators such as cheetahs, lions, and leopards. Along the park’s borders, there are high-end lodges on private reserves, while within the park, advance bookings can be made for several campsites, offering diverse accommodation options.
To reach the Sossusvlei area within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, visitors enter through the Sesriem gate, approximately 60 meters from the iconic Sossusvlei dunes. Sesriem Canyon, formed over years of Tsauchab River erosion, spans about 1.5 kilometres in length and plunges to depths of 30 meters. Often reserved for the ‘end of the day’ in itineraries following a visit to Sossusvlei’s dunes, exploring the canyon demands ample time. The striking red and orange dunes, counted among the world’s largest, soar to heights exceeding 300 meters, juxtaposed against the contrasting white salt pans below. The tallest dune in Sossusvlei, known as ‘Big Daddy,’ stands at an impressive 325 meters. Dune 45, the most accessible and widely photographed dune, is situated not far from the salt pan of Deadvlei. In Deadvlei, fossilised black tree skeletons, aged around 900 years, protrude from a stark white pan, creating a mesmerising scene that fulfils every photographer’s dream.
Nestled in the northwest of Namibia, Damaraland boasts captivating scenery characterized by rocky and rugged terrain. The region experiences intense heat during the summer, and when rainfall occurs, the dry riverbeds swiftly transform into dynamic watercourses. The desert landscape fosters a unique array of flora and fauna, many of which have adapted to arid conditions. Damaraland offers several noteworthy attractions, making a two-night stay valuable to any itinerary. Notable features include the towering Brandberg Mountain, the highest peak in Namibia, the Petrified Forest—a national monument showcasing 280-million-year-old petrified tree trunks—and the extraordinary rock art at Twyfelfontein.
This expansive park spans 49,800 km², making it an ecologically protected area larger than the entire country of Denmark. The park in western Namibia encompasses four distinct regions, including the Namib Desert, recognised as the world’s oldest desert, extending far beyond its borders. Within the National Park lies Namibia’s tallest dune, Dune 7. Situated in the most northern part of the park, Sandwich Harbour is easily accessible from Walvis Bay. Namib Naukluft is home to three of the country’s main attractions: Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, and Sesriem.
Situated in the far northwest of Namibia, Kaokoveld forms part of the Kunene Region, stretching from the Kunene River along the northern border with Angola to the vast expanse reaching the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The landscapes in this region are characterised by their dramatic and exceptionally photogenic nature. The standout attraction is the Himba Tribe, the last authentic nomads of Namibia, easily distinguished by their distinctive red skin and hair. Limited operators have the privilege of facilitating tourism encounters with the Himba Tribes. Access to this remote region poses significant challenges, often requiring private charter flights, which can incur substantial costs. Nevertheless, exploring Kaokoveld is undoubtedly a highlight, promising a unique and memorable experience.
The Caprivi Strip, often overlooked, can be likened to a ‘light’ version of the Okavango Delta, thanks to the influential Zambezi and Kwando rivers shaping its landscape and climate. Accessing the Caprivi can be challenging, with more convenient entry points in neighbouring Zambia and Botswana. If time permits, visiting this region complements Etosha’s desert and saltpan wilderness. The strip boasts three National Parks: Bwabwata, Mudumu, and Mamili. Abundant in flora and fauna, it hosts approximately 450 bird species and four of the big five—elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalos—along with crocodiles, hippos, various antelope species, including sitatunga and lechwe, and even African wild dogs.
The Fish River Canyon, Africa’s largest and the world’s second-largest after the Grand Canyon in the USA, is situated in the southernmost region. Often excluded from itineraries due to the necessity of a ‘dead night’ on either side of a stay when driving and charter flights are an alternative. Stretching over 160km in length, 27km in width, and reaching depths of up to 550m, the canyon terminates at Ai-Ais. The Fish River, Namibia’s longest, then flows into the Orange River, forming the border with South Africa. Predominant activities in this area revolve around hikes, ranging from half-day excursions to five-day adventures, along with opportunities for mountain biking and safari drives into the heart of the canyon.
Often labelled as ‘the world’s largest ship cemetery,’ the Skeleton Coast is a distinctive African region, best appreciated through a scenic flying safari. The weather conditions can be harsh, with rough seas, frequent dense fogs, and heightened winds making it the final resting place for numerous ships ensnared in the coast’s unpredictable currents. The name is fitting, considering the substantial number of stranded whales, whose bones scatter the coast along its vast stretch of 500km length and approximately 40km width. While the area provides a captivating setting for sombre photography, it is also home to diverse wildlife, including jackals preying on Cape fur seals, brown hyenas, and even desert lions.
