Located on the southwest coast of Africa, Namibia offers diverse and stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife that includes the Big 5, and some of the world’s darkest skies with the Milky Way always shining bright. It’s also one of the safest and least crowded African countries with lots of vast, open space. The Namibian desert is popular for its sand dunes that can be climbed at sunrise for a bucket-list experience and along the coast, you’ll find beautiful beaches and shipwrecks to explore.
Namibia is a destination that truly stands out from the crowds. Not only does it offer safari and game-viewing opportunities, but the landscape itself is the star of the show. Explore remote sand dunes, deserts, mountains, and coastlines which each present exceptional photographic opportunities.
Our experts know Namibia like the back of their hand, and having traveled extensively around the country, they have put together some trips and tours, and some of the best safari camps and hotels to get you inspired. All of our trips are tailor-made and can be customized to suit you – our aim is to curate the perfect luxury safari for you, and with our friendly and knowledgeable specialists, we are confident we will.
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Namibia is not only is it safe and easy to travel through, it offers a wealth of things to see and do without the big tourist crowds. It’s home to the world’s highest sand dune, rising dramatically from the Namib Desert at around 1,260 feet in height. As a point of reference, that’s higher than the Empire State Building in New York and London’s Shard The dunes are one of the most popular attractions, drawing visitors from across the globe to time their climb to the top to watch a glorious sunrise. In the heart of the desert is an abandoned mining town that’s slowly being swallowed up by the sand. It’s become a popular tourist attraction, especially for those who want to fill their Instagram feed.
The wildlife is impressive too. Etosha National Park is a top destination for witnessing the Big 5, home to 114 mammal species, particularly abundant with elephants and black rhinos. There are 340 different bird species and during the wet summer months, the park’s famously vast salt pan fills with water providing an incredible oasis for birdwatchers. The hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast is littered with shipwrecks that surrendered to the waves of the Atlantic, crashing against the desert sands.
Endlessly scenic, offbeat, and filled with wildlife, Namibia is about twice the size of California yet has a population that’s half of the city of Los Angeles. Venture off the beaten safari path while still enjoying the chance to spot the Big 5 along with a wealth of experiences from strolling hauntingly beautiful beaches to climbing some of the world’s highest dunes, some with pink-tinged garnet sand. Toss in tranquility, privacy, luxe resorts, and friendly people for the ultimate African destination.
There are 12 national parks in Namibia, but Etosha is number one. A vast wilderness area covering more than 8,600 square miles. It’s a birdwatchers’ paradise during the wet season, including thousands of flamingos. During the dry season, all sorts of animals are attracted to its water holes, from lions to elephants.
Known for its rugged and rocky landscapes, Damaraland experiences harsh weather conditions with unique animals that have managed to adapt perfectly. It’s home to desert-dwelling elephants with features like wider soles and elongated limbs that make it easier to traverse the extreme terrain, as well as critically endangered desert lions.
Stretching over 300 miles along the Atlantic, the Skeleton Coast is a fascinating yet hostile, eerie area with the cold ocean waters clashing with the hot desert and dune landscape. Along the beach are many ghostly shipwrecks disappearing in the sand, highlighting the fact that the power of nature cannot be denied.
The largest coastal city in Namibia, here the desert sands meet the ocean creating a spectacular visual. It has a rich German heritage that can be seen throughout while the sandy beach is ideal to stroll. Within a short drive, you’ll find many attractions, including the Cape Cross Seal Colony.
A clay and salt pan surrounded by high red dunes, Sossusvlei is nestled in the Namib Desert, protected by Namib-Naukluft National Park. It’s renowned for its red star-shaped dunes that stunningly contrast against the stark white floors of the pan. Ancient, petrified dunes dating back a billion years can be found nearby.
One of the most scenic regions of the country, the NamibRand Nature Reserve is remarkable day and night. It offers untouched open spaces with everything from mountains and dunes to red sands and savannas. It’s also an International Dark Sky Reserve, with one of the world’s darkest night skies for romantic stargazing.
Generally, the best time to visit Namibia, particularly if you want the best chance for spotting wildlife is from July through October. If you want to avoid the highest prices and thicker tourist crowds, consider coming in June when things start drying out, drawing animals to the waterholes while temperatures are more pleasant during the day. While the weather is more unpredictable in November, typically quite hot with a chance for rain in the afternoon, game viewing is still good.
There’s plenty to do in Namibia no matter when you visit, including thrilling activities like hot-air balloon rides over the Namib desert for a bird’s-eye view over it all. Visit Deadvlei with its ancient petrified trees and explore the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast, among a wide range of other options.
Deadvlei is a white clay pan tucked between the dunes at Namib-Naukluft Park. The UNESCO-listed site is best known for its ancient trees. Due to the dry climate, when they died over 900 years ago, they became petrified. Contrasted against the white pan floor, the sight is stunning with its otherworldly-like beauty.
Riding in a hot-air balloon over Sossusvlei and the Namib desert provides a spectacular bird’s-eye vantage point. A true bucket-list experience, balloons go up during the early morning hours when it’s cooler while also allowing you to marvel at a glorious sunrise over the endless sea of red dunes.
The world’s largest ship cemetery, the Skeleton Coast spans 300 miles where the sands of the desert meet the ocean’s crashing waves. The frequent dense fog that forms here often confused captains causing many ships to wreck, with the eerie remains now being slowly being swallowed up by the sand.
As a country, Namibia is extremely vast and unique. These landscapes attract visitors from across the globe, especially amateur and professional photographers. With this in mind, it is these desolate landscapes that are often included in a Namibia itinerary, including Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Damaraland, Hoanib, and the Skeleton Coast. For those looking for towns with more activities and excursions, then Windhoek and Swakopmund are great options. For denser wildlife sightings, Etosha National Park is the best option for a safari in Namibia, as animals congregate around the permanent water sources.
We would recommend between 7-10 days to spend in Namibia, including a night in the capital city Windhoek at the beginning and the end (to rest and recover after your long-haul flight). The distances in Namibia are extremely large, so spending longer in the country allows you to enjoy the scenery as you travel across the country. There are a couple of options when it comes to traveling Namibia. You can drive through the country, in a rented 4×4 vehicle, which we can help organize. Alternatively you can fly between destinations, which will allow you to see the landscapes from the sky. Flying will save on time, but is a more expensive option.
Namibia does have wildlife throughout its national parks and reserves, including the Hoanib region and Etosha. However, it is not deemed as a country with the highest volume of game viewing, unlike East or South Africa. The reason being is that the country is so dry, with desert landscapes covering a huge proportion of the country. Here in such tough conditions, only the strongest of species survive, such as the oryx antelope, lizards, beetles, and snakes. Desert-adapted lions and elephants can be seen, as well as other predators in rare occasions. The best place to do a safari in Namibia is Etosha National Park. This park has man-made waterholes across the country, which mean animals congregate and stay close around these waterholes.
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