Namibia is a land of endless horizons, with vast expanses of desert, mountains, canyons, and savannas. It’s also home to an array of diverse and distinctive landscapes and impressive geological formations. Hike across crimson dunes, past towering rock formations, and lush countryside. Drive over black-tar roads that slice through dusty, gravel plains beneath dramatic pink clouds. Walk among ancient acacias that defy nature as they stand tall, dead but not petrified, stretching towards the sun. Stargaze from the desert up into one of the world’s darkest skies. Explore a diamond-mining settlement turned ghost town.
1. Delve into Windhoek’s History
Most international flights arrive in Windhoek, the country’s capital and largest city, so your Namibia adventure will likely start and stop here. Do make sure you linger for a few days. The city has much to see and do, especially for history buffs.
A good first stop is the Independence Memorial Museum, which rises imposingly over the city and houses sobering artifacts, drawings, and dioramas that graphically narrate the country’s history and its struggle for freedom. Don’t miss the views over the city from the cafe-bar balcony on the museum’s top floor. Nearby is the Christuskirche (Christ Church), the oldest Lutheran church in Namibia and one of Windhoek’s best-known landmarks.
2. Walk Among Skeletons on the Beach
Northern Namibia is home to a hostile and desolate stretch of desert called the Skeleton Coast. The almost constant crashing of waves, plus dangerous and hard-to-see rocky outcroppings, create a barren and merciless land. Named for the broken and rusting remains of the ships that sank then washed ashore, the beach is also a graveyard for whales and desert wildlife, whose bleached bones litter the golden sand. Sea mist and fog circle around, making for a hauntingly ethereal experience.
3. Go Where the Desert Meets the Sea
There are few places on earth where giant dunes touch the ocean shore, yet on Namibia’s western coast, the dunes of the Namib spread all the way west to an untamed and rarely charted section of the Atlantic Ocean. This part of the coast is hundreds of miles long. For a good introduction, set out from Swakopmund, Namibia’s largest coastal city, on a cycling or 4WD tour over the dunes to the coast, across ephemeral rivers to flamingo-filled lagoons.
4. Hike a Soaring Dune
Sossusvlei – a large, usually parched, pan – is one of the best-known attractions in Namibia for good reason. The bright orange dunes that surround it are some of the tallest in the world, and the spectacle of their ochre-hued flanks rising up against brilliant blue skies is one of the country’s most iconic panoramas. The best way to enjoy them is on an early morning climb. A highlight is Big Daddy, the tallest at 325m (1066ft), with its views over Sossusvlei’s stunning neighboring pan, Deadvlei.
5. Stargaze into Africa’s Darkest Sky
Astrophotographers come from around the world to capture the night sky in Namibia. The Namib Desert is the oldest in the world, and it’s so sparsely populated that much of it has zero light pollution, with guaranteed clear skies in June and July in Sossusvlei. As a result, stargazers enjoy peerless views up to the galactic center of the Milky Way, in all its celestial glory. The Southern Cross constellation is also visible, a rare treat for those visiting from the Northern Hemisphere.
6. Experience the Awe of the Kalahari
The Kalahari Desert is a vast and desolate expanse of harsh land and extreme temperatures that nonetheless teems with wildlife, including leopards, cheetahs, black-maned lions, herds of elephants, and packs of wild dogs. The desert floor in Namibia turns red as the dunes rise and mix with iron oxide from the Orange River to the south, creating some of the most iconic sunsets in Africa.
7. Spot Wildlife on a Safari in Etosha National Park
In Namibia, animals can often be seen from the road or even from your lodge. Yet for the most amazing display of wildlife, take a safari in Etosha National Park to see concentrations of big game like elephants, giraffes, lions, and both white and black rhinos. The park is also home to a significant percentage of the world’s cheetahs.
8. Savor the View from Above
Viewing Namibia from the air offers magical views of its wildly diverse landscape. Hot-air balloons and doors-off helicopter tours provide unforgettable scenes and photographic opportunities in almost every region of interest. For example, an early morning flight over Sossusvlei lets you watch the sunrise over dune crests, while flying over the Skeleton Coast in search of shipwrecks offers a bird’s-eye view of this dramatic coastline.
9. Visit a Ghost Town in the Desert
The once-thriving diamond mining settlement of Kolmanskop is now a strangely fascinating ghost town slowly being claimed by the Namib Desert. As the sand constantly shifts, you may have to crawl through a side window to get into some of the structures. Once inside, you’ll find traces of human life in the form of brightly painted walls and more. Look down and you’ll find footprints of small critters and birds.
10. Plan a Road Trip Across Namibia
Namibia is a self-drive wonderland, a country of wide-open spaces where the scenery constantly evolves and shifts. However, be sure to plan your drives carefully, as the distance between points of interest can range from 200km (124 miles) to 600km (372 miles) or more. Expect the road trip of a lifetime amidst captivating landscapes.
11. Stare into the Abyss of a Prehistoric Canyon
The world’s second-largest canyon, Fish River Canyon, is a one-of-a-kind geological wonder dating back more than 500 million years. Hiking the canyon in the dry winter months is popular for adventurous souls, offering thrilling views of its dramatic landscape.
12. Take Part in Namibia’s Roadside Traditions
Though stations and food options are few and far between on Namibian roads, unusual and quirky roadside stops tend to pop up in the middle of nowhere. Don’t miss local delicacies, such as mushrooms cultivated by termites, a unique delicacy that can add flavor to your meals.
© GoTravelDaily 2023. This content provides insights into top destinations and experiences in Namibia, a land of adventure and natural beauty.
