Namibia Travel GuideÂ
Experience the ultimate in the heart of Namibia's breathtaking desert landscape and embark on an unforgettable safari.
Space. Silence. Jaw-dropping scenery. If those things appeal, start planning your trip to Namibia. It’s one of the least densely populated places in the world, with just over 2.5 million people living in a country nearly four times the size of Britain. Landscapes here are mesmerisingly beautiful, from a sea of towering rusty red dunes in the south to the lush wetlands of the Zambezi Region in the far northeast.
The stars face little competition at night, sparkling brightly across the inky darkness.
Sandy Kalahari savannah plains extend through eastern Namibia. At the same time, the ancient Namib Desert runs along the country’s entire western flank — including the wild Skeleton Coast, home to disintegrating shipwrecks and large seal colonies. Desert-adapted elephants and lions roam the Damaraland plains. Etosha National Park is known for its great salt pan — so large and stark it can be seen from space — and its wildlife, including black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs and more. Indigenous San Bushman or Himba guides provide much more than just information about the local nature, threading cultural elements into their explanations of the landscape and their relationship to it.
SOSSUSVLEI
Sossusvlei is known as one of the most photogenic places on earth. This dry pan very occasionally fills with water after rains, but most of the time it is a parched expanse of salt and clay.
Located within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei offers breathtaking sights, especially during an early morning drive along the passage of towering red dunes. It's a sight to behold as the sunlight gradually spreads across the desert floor, bringing a beautiful change in the sand's color. Don't forget to capture this moment with your camera.
For those feeling adventurous and fit, consider climbing the famous Dune 45. While it may be physically demanding to make your way through the ancient sand, the stunning views of the dunes and a thrilling run back down make it worth the effort.
For the more daring visitors, the legendary Big Daddy Dune stands at 325 meters tall, just beyond Sossusvlei. This is where footprints are swiftly erased by desert winds overnight. If climbing is not your thing, you can also experience breathtaking panoramic views of Sossusvlei from a hot-air balloon excursion over the Namib Desert.
Other nearby attractions to Sossusvlei include the striking Deadvlei, an extinct oasis with its haunting skeletal trees, the lesser-known Hiddenvlei and the narrow Sesriem Canyon.
Just north of the Sesriem Gate lies the small settlement of Solitaire, offering a unique blend of rustic charm and the opportunity to indulge in delicious apple strudel. After a day filled with astonishing sights, Sossusvlei has one final treat in store: the awe-inspiring million-star luxury of the Namib Desert at night.
ETOSHA
Etosha is an awe-inspiring place, known to the Ovambo tribespeople as the 'great white place'. It is a vast salt pan mostly contained within Etosha National Park. The main pan is usually dry, resembling a cracked mud floor, but during the summer it briefly fills with rainwater, attracting flamingos and pelicans.
Despite the hot and dry conditions, a luxury safari in Etosha offers excellent game viewing. Waterholes along the pan's edge are crucial for sustaining large populations of plains game, attracting predators as well.
An ideal day in Etosha would involve early morning and late afternoon game drives, as well as spending time "waterhole hopping" to observe animals and birds at different waterholes such as Okaukuejo, Okondeka, Halali, Goas, Sueda, and Salvadora.
The greater Etosha ecosystem extends beyond the national park, especially into private reserves like Onguma and Ongava, where wildlife can be observed from hides. These reserves showcase Namibia's sustainable ecotourism collaboration with local communities and important conservation initiatives, including the reintroduction of rhinos.
DAMARA
Damaraland is such a rugged lunar landscape It’s true, there’s something otherworldly about its uncompromising ups and downs, and yet life goes on in strange forms like the ancient welwitschia plants. But skilful local trackers can somehow find desert-adapted black rhinos when you walk with them.
Ancient traces of our species can be found in the San cave paintings at Twyfelfontein (including, intriguingly, a penguin) and on the Brandberg (Namibia’s highest peak). It’s not hard to imagine having a spiritual experience in such dramatic surroundings as the pointed Spitzkoppe (a place of mysterious significance to the ancient San people) or while wandering between the stone trunks of the aeons-old Petrified Forest. My favourite rock formation was the spectacularly isolated Vingerklip – like a limestone spire missing its cathedral.
I’d recommend a day on the Skeleton Coast for a more immediate history lesson. The sun-bleached bones that litter the beaches are a testament to the struggle for survival here, while the incredible rusted hulks of doomed trawlers and cargo ships have stories swirling around them like sea mist.
The tour guides enjoy sharing exciting stories of shipwrecks and dramatic rescues. When I heard about the discovery of a mysterious crouching skeleton buried near the famous Dunedin Star, it sent shivers down my spine. The drive back inland is a highlight in itself, revealing both inselbergs and fossil riverbeds.
What to do
Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, is a popular entry with the largest international airport in the country. Just under an hour outside the city, there are safari reserves that offer a unique experience. North of the South African border is Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, with hiking routes and canyon-edge lookout points. Heading north, you'll find the Sossusvlei dunes, Deadvlei, and neighbouring coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund for sweet German desserts and adventure activities.
Don’t miss
Where to stay
Depending on your travel style, Namibia offers a range of options for high travelers, including luxury boutique hotels, desert camps, and safari lodges with private airstrips. Alternatively, many people explore Namibia in 4x4s, which can be fully equipped for long trips. Overlanding and camping are also popular, offering access to less visited destinations and more flexibility. For those on a, there are affordable B&B guesthouses and self-catering safari camps available.
The Namib Rand Nature Reserve is a vast private reserve in southern Namibia, featuring sun-bleached grass, burnt-orange dunes, and low, rolling mountains. It is also a gold-tier Dark Sky Reserve, with minimal light pollution that must be protected with its reserve status. The reserve is sparsely populated, with no more than one bed per 1,000 hectares, and camps and lodges limited to 25 guests each. Visitors can enjoy sleep-outs and astronomy experiences under the awe-inspiring starry skies, as well as guided walks, hot air balloon rides, and nature drives during the day.
Best Time to Visit Namibia
Summer temperatures are high in Namibia, often exceeding 30°C; Namibia is especially hot and humid from December to February. During the Namibian winter, between the months of March and October, days remain warm but nights are cold; this is a pleasant time to visit so long as you bring layers for the evening.
Winter is also an ideal time to visit Namibia’s Etosha National Park – low rainfall means animals are easily spotted congregating around waterholes. Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, hosts its Oktoberfest beer festival in October.
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Getting around
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Public transport is limited in Namibia. Trains are mostly for freight, buses are slow and don’t necessarily go to the spots popular with travellers. Namibia has a network of internal flights, which are helpful and pretty efficient for long journeys if you are short on time.
By far the best way to explore Namibia is to hire a car. In the main, Namibia’s roads are good – a few are tarmacked, most are packed gravel; unless you are going off the beaten track, a 2WD is sufficient. For any off-road desert explorations you must have a 4WD, and know how to drive it. Bear in mind that distances in Namibia are vast and petrol stations sparse – when you see one, fill up.
Is Namibia safe for tourists?
In terms of crime, Namibia is generally very safe for tourists. Other risks, such as heat stroke on a hike, are easily mitigated with sensible precautions. Check vaccination requirements — for example, yellow fever — and whether or not you’ll need malaria medication.
How long should I spend in Namibia?
Two weeks is usually fine for a self-drive circuit, but extra time should be put aside to travel more widely — for example, if driving from South Africa through to northern Namibia.
What about money?
The Namibian dollar is fixed at the same rate as the South African rand, which is also accepted throughout the country. You can pay by credit card in most places.
Namibia's International airports
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Windhoek Hosea Kutako International (WDH) lies 45km from Windhoek.
