Namibia is a highly special and alluring country with desert scenery, complex cultures, and an abundance of wildlife. It is situated between Angola and South Africa on Africa’s west coast. With an estimated population of 2.9 million, it is one of the least populous countries in the world. Oshiwambo, English, Afrikaans, and German are the languages spoken there. Any time of year is a good time to visit Namibia. While the dry season is only the ideal time to see game, the wet season is the finest time to observe birds, take pictures, and enjoy the environment.

The vast nation is home to numerous tourist destinations, such as the Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Kalahari Desert, and Etosha National Park. The majority of these sites are in isolated areas, so travelers should prepare for lengthy journeys, particularly to locations like the Fish River Canyon. Nevertheless, whether the drive is short or lengthy, your expectations will be satisfied since you will have an amazing experience in Namibia.

Attractions and Activities

Etosha National Park
One of Namibia’s and Africa’s best national parks is Etosha. It is located in the country’s northern region, right on the brink of the enormous salt pan. Given that it is home to over 114 mammal species, including cheetahs, leopards, elephants, brown and spotted hyenas, roans, red hartebeests, wildebeests, black-backed jackals, elands, zebras, lions, as well as flamingos, blue cranes, secretary birds, ostriches, Walberg’s, and tawny eagles, wildlife enthusiasts find this park to be the best place to see game. The park boasts a vast and breathtaking terrain, with grassy plains and bushes, woods, an old salt pan, rivers, and springs, among other features.

Enjoy Namibia safari activities such as bird watching, photography, nature walks, sunset and sunrise game drives (you can choose to drive yourself or use the lodge; it’s best to see game during the dry season, which runs from June to September), and a visit to the Salt Pan, an ancient pan that was formed more than two million years ago and fills with water during and after the rainy season. The park offers a number of lodging options, ranging from the three primary camping areas to resorts including Okaukuejo Lodge, Halali, Little Ongava Lodge, and Villa Mushara.

Safari at Sossusvlei
One of Namibia’s tourist destinations is Sossusvlei, a clay and salt pan in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in the southern part of the Namib Desert, one of the world’s oldest deserts. The name Sossusvlei means “dead-end marsh,” with “soussus” being a Nama word meaning “dead end” or “no return” and “vlei” being an Afrikaans word meaning “marsh.”

In addition to climbing Dune 45, the Deadvlei, and the Big Daddy (the most difficult dune to climb), Sossusvlei is surrounded by red dunes and other dunes that are among the tallest in the world. They truly dive a beautiful magnificent view, watch the sunset rising, snap photos, and have an amazing experience. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Namib Sand Sea offers visitors an additional experience.

There’s also an opportunity to observe species like gemsboks, which are designed to live in deserts, and springbok antelopes. The best seasons to visit Sossusvlei are March through May in the fall or August through October in the spring, when the weather is gentler all day and the chilly air makes for better photography opportunities. While in this area, stay in Sesriem Camp, which is right inside the park. There are also several lodges to choose from, including Namib Dune Star Camp, Kulala Desert Lodge, and Namib Desert Lodge.

Safari in Swakopmund
Swakopmund, commonly known as a coastal city, is Namibia’s most important seaside city and is situated west of Windhoek, the country’s capital. German colonists founded Swakopmund in 1892, making it the nation’s fourth-largest city. It is a wonderful, rich location with a fascinating past that dates back to the German colonial era. Visitors can see the Swakopmund Museum, which features wonderful exhibits of ethnology, fauna, flora, mining, archeology, and history, as well as the Marine Museum, which features inshore reed marine life.

Explore further locations, such as the German-built buildings from the 1900s, such as the Damara Tower, the Kaserne, Woerman House, the Alte Bahnholf, and the Neo-Baroque Lutheran Church. This city also boasts a number of bakeries, bars, and seafood restaurants. Another destination close to Swakopmund is Walvis Bay, which is a good spot for bird watching because flamingo flocks are frequently spotted there.

Other activities include swimming, sandboarding, dune-boarding, quad-biking, diving, offshore fishing, horseback riding, dolphin tours, surfing, skydiving, mountain biking, and diving. The Rossmund Golf Club is a golf course that is transforming into the greatest desert course in the world.

The Lagoon Lodge, Namib Guesthouse (located in the town center), the Secret Garden Guesthouse, Meerkat Guesthouse (luxury), Villa Magherita (luxury guesthouse located in the heart of Swakopmund), Hansa Hotel, and Swakopmund Sands Hotel are just a few of the affordable lodging options available in this area, so you don’t have to worry about where to stay. Are you typically an adventure seeker? See the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund!

 

The Caprivi Strip
The Caprivi Strip, which stretches roughly 450 kilometers between Zambia and Angola in the north and Botswana in the south, is a remote, narrow extension of Namibia in the east from the Kavango region. The Caprivi Strip, which is separated administratively into the eastern Zambezi area and the western Okavango East region, is completely distinct from other regions of the nation. The Okavango, Chobe, Kwando, and Zambezi rivers round the strip. This region is well-known for its breathtaking rivers, rich culture, profusion of foliage, and animals. It is also home to more than 425 different species of birds, making it a great place to observe birds.

Taking a houseboat or sundowner tour is the greatest way to see the Caprivi Strip from the water. The strip is home to a number of attractions, including the Mahango Game Reserve and Mamili National Park. Accommodations are available, lovely, and reasonably priced; the most of the lodges are located along the banks of the river. Luxurious resorts and backpacker hostels are among the alternatives.

Safari in Damaraland
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Damaraland is bounded to the west by the Namib Desert, to the north by Ovamboland, to the south by Windhoek, and to the east by the Kalahari Desert. The Rocky Mountains, Khaki plains, Klip River, rock engravings, and incredible desert fauna are just a few of the sights to behold in Damaraland. In addition to tracking rhinos and desert elephants, visitors can enjoy unwinding and taking in the fascinating surroundings.

This region is separated into the Southern Damaraland, which offers a wealth of historical and geographical sites for camping excursions, and the Northern Damaraland, which is home to numerous game that have established themselves along the Hoanib River.

The area’s breathtaking scenery, which includes undulating grassy hills dotted with acacia and mopane trees, makes it an excellent place to observe game and birds in Namibia. The Desert Rhino Camp, Vingerklip Lodge, Mowani Mountain Camp (luxury), Ugab Terrace Lodge, Doro Nawas, and Hoada campground are just a few of the reasonably priced and accessible lodging and camping alternatives in Damaraland.

Safari in Kaokoland
Known as Southern Africa’s last true wilderness, Kaokoland is a rocky region that is home to some of Namibia’s least populated locations. It is situated in the country’s northern mountains and valleys. Similar to the Maasai people of Kenya who live in the Masai Mara, the Himba people of Kaokoland are traditional nomadic pastoralists who primarily depend on raising goats and cattle. Their customs, clothing norms, and way of life are remarkable, as is the way they coexist with animals.

Because of this culture, tourists can track rhinos and desert elephants while they’re here. Other must-see sights include the Kunene River, which is home to several crocodiles, sycamore figs, jackal berry trees, makalani palms, and more. Not to be overlooked are Eupupa Falls and Ruacana Falls, which offer breathtaking views of water cascading down rocks. Although the Epupa Falls are a little difficult to get to, once you do, the experience is truly remarkable.

Camps and lodges like Epupa Falls Lodge, Serra Cafema Camp (a magnificent lodge in the most isolated area), Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, Opuwo Country Hotel (clean and cozy), Mopane Camp, Ohakane Lodge, Hobatere Lodge, Kunene River Lodge, and Fort Sesfontein Lodge are among the lodging options. Have a great time at any of these lodges or campgrounds!

The Skeletal Coast
The northern portion of Namibia’s Atlantic Ocean coast is known as the “Skeleton Coast,” but the term is typically used to refer to the entire Namib Desert. Author John Henry Marsh, who authored a book about the Dunedin star shipwreck, came up with the moniker “skeleton coast.” The majority of this coast is made up of shipwrecks and whale bones that are strewn all over the place.

Because of its abundance of flora, including lichens and the beautiful welwitschia, as well as its fauna, which includes rare brown hyenas, steenboks, kudus, springboks, gemsboks, rhinos, and elephants, which constantly travel across the eastern regions in search of food and water, the skeleton coast is home to some of the most breathtaking and beautiful scenery on the planet. The coast also boasts a rich geology. Surfing and dune climbing are both possible here. I am having a terrific time here. Choose between lodging at the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Terrace Bay Resort, Cape Cross Lodge, or Skeleton Coast Camp.

Canyon of Fish River
Situated in Namibia’s southern region, the Fish River Canyon is the country’s second most popular tourist destination. It is believed to have developed more than 500 million years ago. It is the second biggest canyon in the world, measuring 160 km in length, 27 km in width at some locations, and 550 m in depth. You won’t regret going to the Fish River Canyon, where you can hike around the rim and enjoy breathtaking views, including the chance to see baboons, klipspringers, and hyraxes. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can enter the canyon. You can also take a beautiful fly over the canyon to get the best perspective.

The five-day hike is best done during the milder months of May through September. Here, hikers are accommodated in tents and must rely on one another for everything. Additionally, there are lodges close to the Fish River Canyon, including the Canyon Roadhouse, Canyon Hotel, Hobas Campsite, and Fish River Lodge.

Safari in the Kalahari Desert
Stretching from eastern Namibia to Botswana and sections of South Africa, the Kalahari Desert is a vast semi-arid desert composed of sandy savannah and rolling red dunes speckled with golden grasses. The majority of this desert, which is over 900,000 square kilometers in size, is located in Botswana, while Namibia also has a portion of its vast landscape that is home to the Bushmen and is home to rare plant and animal species.

The Succulent Karoo, which is considered an eco-region and possesses an astounding amount of plant species (over 5000), is one of the ecosystems in the Kalahari that are not deserts. Walking safaris, photography, wildlife viewing, bike tours, and scenic drives are all excellent options offered by the majority of desert game parks and hotels.

This desert, which is home to more than 200 bird species, 50 animal species, and numerous red dunes speckled with sandy grasses, offers a wealth of sights and activities. Choose from a variety of lodges and hotels, including Africa Safari Lodge, Zebra Kalahari Lodge, Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Auob Country Lodge, and Kalahari Anib Lodge.

Tours of Windhoek
The largest and capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, is situated in the middle Khomas highlands and occupies 1,982 square miles. As of 2011, its population was 325,858; however, as many people move to the city center, it may have increased by now. Numerous museums, including the Geology Museum, Owela Museum, Transport Museum, and Alte Museum, as well as intriguing historical structures like the Elephant Column, the Ink Palace, and Christus Kirche, are located in Windhoek. Additionally, there are craft stores and the Galleries National Art Gallery of Namibia, which preserves the nation’s art and crafts.

Additionally, take in Windhoek’s other fascinating sights, such the Meteorite Fountain, the Warehouse Theatre, the National Botanical Gardens, and the National Theatre of Namibia. All of them are simply breathtaking. There are numerous reasonably priced guest houses and safari-style lodges in the city that offer cozy lodging in addition to outdoor pursuits like hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching.

Bushmanland Holidays
Home to San villages, Bushmanland is located in the northern Kalahari region and features thorny veld, dune belts, and breathtaking landscape. The San people are hunter-gatherers who coexist peacefully on the fertile plains. This region boasts a wealth of wildlife and breathtaking diamond night scapes. Experience what is known as the actual wilderness by going to Bushman land.

Mountain Tours in Brandberg
The Brandberg Mountain is situated in Erongo, formerly Damaraland, in the northwest section of the Namib Desert. Standing at a height of 2573 meters above sea level and encompassing 650 square kilometers, it is Namibia’s tallest mountain. On a clear day, Brandberg, which translates as “Fire Mountain,” is visible from a distance.

Over 43,000 images, each with a distinct meaning, are part of Brandberg’s artistic legacy. The paintings were created by the San Bushmen more than 16,000 years ago. The mountain is also a fantastic location for hikers and climbers, who can reach the peak by taking one of the several paths that lead up the mountain.

The ideal time to travel to Namibia

The greatest time to visit Namibia is from July through October, when the temperature is just around 20°C. There being very little rain during this period, the temperatures are comfortable, and the wildlife views are excellent because the foliage is sparse and dry, and the majority of the animals may be observed near the few waterholes.

Malaria is less likely to occur during this period. Since this is Namibia’s busiest travel season, reservations for safaris must be made well in advance to ensure availability. Additionally, vacationers are recommended to pack appropriately because September and November are typically very hot, while June and July have very cold mornings.

Conversely, Namibia’s summer rains, which begin in November and last through April, bring the arid regions back to life as the flora turns green and the strong rains occasionally flood areas of the desert. For individuals who are passionate about bird watching, December is a perfect season to visit Etosha National Park.

On the other hand, you will be rewarded with amazing vistas of wildlife. Since there is a high danger of malaria during this time of year, all required precautions should be taken, including applying insect repellents, sleeping under a treated mosquito net, and taking anti-malaria prophylactics. Since most of the roads are slick and impassable, January and February should be avoided as they are the wettest months in the nation.

Namibia’s Best Places to Stay

The nation provides a wide range of lodging options, from contemporary hotels in the city to opulent safari lodges in several national parks, such Etosha National Park, to the simple tented camps located in the Namib Desert. The nation also features a number of fly-in lodging options because many of the most popular tourist attractions, like the Skeleton Coast, Kaokoveld, and Darmaland, are located in the most isolated regions that are best reached by plane.

Game viewing, guided birding excursions, hot-air balloon safaris, and bicycle tours are just a few of the activities that guests may enjoy at many of the eco-friendly safari camps and lodges that are situated in top wildlife regions.