Namibia

Namibia Safaris

Out-of-this-world landscapes and panoramas make Namibia a photographer's dream destination. While not as much of a wildlife destination as other countries, Namibia makes up for this with phenomenal scenery, cultures and activities. Namibia is a desolate and largely uninhabitable country, well-known mainly for its deserts and coastline. However, there is far more to the destination. Namibia is home to some fascinating people, and in the right season, can provide you with some of the best game viewing on the continent.

Destinations in Namibia

Destination

Damaraland

One of the most scenic areas of Namibia, situated roughly in the centre of the country, Damaraland has a vast range of landscapes and experiences to offer. With enormously wide open spaces, endless wastelands, and some beautiful mountains and inselbergs, Damaraland can occupy a number of days of a Namibian itinerary. Named after the Damara people who were moved into the area during the years of apartheid in South Africa, you can enjoy cultural experiences with the local tribes along your journey.

Destination

Etosha National Park

Meaning "Place of Dry Water," Etosha is the best wildlife destination in Namibia, and at certain times of year can rival any game reserve in Africa. Formed around the enormous and beautiful Etosha Salt Pan, the national park is home to an incredible number of species, including black rhino, the endemic black faced impala, thousands upon thousands and springbok, zebra, wildebeest and the majestic gemsbok (oryx).

Destination

Fish River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon - 161 km long, 27 km wide and up to 550m deep - is the second largest canyon worldwide after the Grand Canyon in the USA . The Canyon forms part of the state-run Ais-Ais Richtersveld Transfontier Park. The Fish River has its source in the eastern parts of the Naukluft Mountains. After about 200 km the river flows into the Hardap Dam. The Fish River Canyon commences at Seeheim and ends at Ai Ais and the river then flows into the Orange River, the border to South Africa.

Destination

Kalahari

The Kalahari Desert is a semi-arid sandy savanna that extends across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, covering approximately 900,000 square kilometers (350,000 square miles). Characterized by its flat, sandy terrain interspersed with salt pans such as the Makgadikgadi Pan, the Kalahari experiences extreme temperature variations with hot summers and cooler winters, and receives low and variable rainfall, typically between 150 and 350 millimeters (6 to 14 inches) annually. Despite its arid conditions, the region supports a diverse range of wildlife adapted to its harsh environment, including oryx, springbok, Kalahari lions, and various bird species. Vegetation is sparse but includes drought-resistant shrubs and grasses, which become more abundant during the rainy season. The Kalahari is also home to the San people, whose traditional knowledge and cultural practices are closely adapted to the desert environment. This semi-arid region plays a significant ecological role with its seasonal landscape variations and ancient salt pans, which are important for wildlife and scientific research. Both conservation efforts and tourism focus on preserving the region's delicate ecosystem and supporting sustainable resource management while offering opportunities for wildlife observation, exploration of unique landscapes, and cultural engagement.

Destination

Kavango-Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi)

In the north east of Namibia, bordering Angola, Botswana and Zambia, the Caprivi region is a mosaic of woodlands, rivertine forests, swamps and rivers and home to an abundance of game and birds. Community campsites and joint venture lodges are set in amazing places. The wildlife is protected by several reserves: Mamili, Bwabwata, Lizauli and Mudumu. There are no fences, therefore the animals roam freely across the borders of Namibia's neighbouring countries, Botswana and Zambia.

Destination

Kunene Region

The Kunene Region of Namibia is a rugged and remote wilderness that captures the untamed spirit of Africa. Nestled in the northwest corner of the country, Kunene is a land of dramatic contrasts, where the parched Namib Desert meets the rugged mountains and verdant valleys. This region is a sanctuary for a wealth of wildlife, from desert-adapted oryx, to tiny desert chameleons. The Kunene River, winding its way through this arid expanse, breathes life into the land, forming a natural border with Angola and creating lush oases amidst the stark terrain. The Epupa Falls, a series of cascades along the river, offer a breathtaking spectacle, with the thundering waters plunging into deep, rocky gorges surrounded by baobab trees. Kunene is also home to the Himba people, one of Namibia's most iconic indigenous communities. The Himba maintain a traditional, semi-nomadic lifestyle, herding cattle and goats, and adorning themselves with intricate jewelry and ochre body paint, which symbolizes their deep connection to the land. Exploring Kunene is an adventure into the heart of Namibia's wild beauty, where each journey unveils the raw and pristine character of the African wilderness. The region's remote lodges and campsites provide a gateway to an experience of solitude and connection with nature, far from the bustle of modern life. Whether trekking through the rugged mountains, navigating the expansive desert dunes, or marveling at the star-studded skies, Kunene offers a truly unforgettable escape into one of Africa's last great wildernesses.

Destination

Namib Desert

One of the driest places on earth, with some of the world's highest sand dunes, the Namib Desert will remain in your memories forever. With night skies being overwhelmingly pierced with stars, and sunrises and sunsets casting gorgeous colours over the dunes. Stretching about 1200 kilometres along the west coast of Southern Africa, but only averaging about 70 kilometres in width, the Namib creates the most desolate of coastlines. It is unbelievable that anything can survive in these harsh sands, however, many fascinating creatures and plants eke out an existence from the little resources available.

Destination

Okonjima Game Reserve

Situated halfway between the capital Windhoek and the Etosha National Park, the 55,000 acre Okonjima Game Reserve is the home of The AfriCat Foundation, which rehabilitates cheetahs, wild dogs hyenas and leopards. There are opportunities to see these beautiful carnivores in their natural environment.

Destination

Skeleton Coast

Taking its name from the skeletal remains which were found on the beaches from whaling and seal hunts, the Skeleton Coast has been known to generate its fair share of human bones too. This harsh coastline has been the resting place of numerous shipwrecks, with the fate of the sailors being of unimaginable hardship. Canyons, sand dunes and mountains make up the terrain of the area, with numerous species of wildlife surprisingly being found suriving the conditions.

Destination

Sossusvlei

Together with the dead pan of Deadvlei and the vast expanse of the Namib-Naukluft Park, Sossusvlei is the most iconic area in Namibia. Often referred to as the "Dune Sea" these are the highest dunes in the world, reaching close to 400 metres from the base. The dunes take on incredible red, orange and apricot hues, depending on their iron oxide content and the time of day.

Destination

Southern Namibia & Gariep River

The Orange/Gariep river is the longest in southern Africa. It runs from east to west across the entire width of the country, draining water from the Lesotho Highlands and flowing into the Atlantic Ocean at Alexander Bay. In Southern Namibia the river forms the international border between the two countries, and from the start to the finish is about 2 200km.

Destination

Swakopmund

The seaside town of Swakopmund lies between the desert and the ocean, and is Namibia's adventure centre, with a host of activities on offer. Interestingly, the quaint little town has a very strong German flavour to it, with numerous German style buildings lining the streets, and a number of German restaurants and bakeries adding to the European ambiance.

Destination

Waterberg Plateau Park

Known as the "Little Etosha" the Waterberg Plateau Park is a fascinating table-topped mountain, created from sandstone, which has been eroded over millions of years. Rising about 200 metres from the surrounding plains, the park plays host to a variety of game species, but few predators, and the natural springs in the area keep the sandstone lush and vegetated, in contrast to the dry Kalahari-type landscapes of the surrounding areas.

Destination

Windhoek

Namibia's quirky capital city is often used as a stopover city, with international flights arriving and departing daily. While it's a convenient place to break a long journey, Windhoek also offers some surprising local culture, interesting restaurants, and excellent shopping for local arts and crafts.