Visiting the Namib Desert

Explore the Namib Desert & Its Striking Landscapes

Sandwiched between the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Luderitz and protecting an enormous swathe of unspoilt Namib Desert, the 50,000km² Namib-Naukluft National Park is one of the largest conservation areas in the world – a fitting testament to the word ‘Namib' which means ‘vast' in the local Nama language. The Namib Desert is considered the world's oldest desert, estimated to exist for approximately 55 – 88 million years so far.

While the Big 5 are not found here, it opens up the opportunity to spot the region's unique desert-adapted wildlife, smaller lesser-noticed mammals, and even an endemic species. Not to mention the often overlooked reptiles, amphibians, and insects – their unique adaptation to the desert make them fascinating to observe. For example, the Namib darkling beetle, which adapted to absorb moisture from fog and the endemic desert rain frog that clings to a handful of damp environments.

Discover our top Namibia safaris and venture from its undulating dunes and petrified trees to the rumbling ocean and deserted towns preserved by sand. Its vast and varied environments ensure there are more places to visit in Namibia than just the desert. During your time in the Namib Desert, be sure to seek out cultural interactions with the local semi-nomadic Himba tribes who call the desert home and learn more about their traditions. Here are a few of our top recommendations on things to do in the Namib Desert:

1. Unparalleled Landscapes

The Namib Desert embodies effortless elegance in sweeping sand dunes, rugged desert, and even crashing ocean. Its most iconic draw cards are the famous dunes at Sossusvlei and the petrified trees of Deadvlei. Its other standout features range from seasonally dry river valleys and fractured salt pans to baking gravel plains and isolated mountain islands. Arguably its most striking feature is where the Namib Desert meets the ocean along the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast. Explore this unique coastline and discover shipwrecks, skeletal remains of mammals and sealife, and even parts of planes that once flew across.

Highlights from Namib Desert Landscapes:

• Watch as waves crash upon the desert shoreline
• Climb the famous Dune 45 and Big Daddy
• Admire the petrified trees in Deadvlei
• Walk along dry riverbeds and salt pans

2. Exceptional & Unique Wildlife Sightings

While wonderfully scenic, the Namib-Naukluft National Park is also home to plethora of interesting animals and a Namib Desert safari can be surprisingly rewarding. As far as animals in the Namib Desert go, several antelope species – kudu, gemsbok and springbok – can be found in the more vegetated river valleys, and keen eyes may even spot a caracal. Other animals to look out for in the Namib-Naukluft include the endemic Hartmann's mountain zebra, oryx, black-backed jackal, both spotted and brown hyena, and a number of smaller nocturnal mammals, including bat-eared foxed. Keep an eye out for meerkats and towering giraffes as well as fascinating reptiles and amphibians like the Namaqua chameleon. Alongside wildlife is a healthy population of birds with species such as raptors, black eagles, and lanner falcons commanding the skies while others provide a natural symphony for travellers.

Highlights of Namib Desert Wildlife:

• Observe a host of interesting insects, reptiles, and amphibians
• Tick off several fantastic mammal species sightings
• Keep an eye out for the area's endemic species
• Try your luck at spotting more elusive species such as the caracal
• Learn more about how local animals have adapted to the dry landscape

3. Luxury Lodges & Hotels

Namib Desert safari accommodation, especially in the vicinity of Sossusvlei, is plentiful and most lodges offer sumptuous living quarters, delicious cuisine, and expert guides. These guides will open up the secrets of the Namib Desert to you, bringing the world's oldest desert alive on game drives and interpretative walks. For those seeking something different, there are also more traditional tented camps and lodges or sprawling accommodations suited to families, groups, and multi-generational travel. There are also several premium options perfect for honeymooners, romantic travel, or those who desire an exceptional experience.

Highlights of Namib Desert Accommodation:

• A good selection of accommodation options geared to various traveller types
• Premium and more budget-friendly options
• Fantastic guides who are well versed in their surroundings

4. An Amazing Adventure Capital

It's no surprise that the Namib Desert is considered the ‘adventure capital' thanks to a wide array of exciting activities. Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or simply an adventure enthusiast, there's an activity for everyone – from sky-diving and sandboarding to quad biking, horse riding, and even camel rides. There are also wonderfully scenic flights offering the opportunity to see Namibia's striking landscapes from an entirely new perspective. Not to mention a safari staple, game drives through the Namib-Naukluft National Park or even guided nature walks.

Highlights of Namib Desert Activities & Adventures:

• Game drives & guided nature walks on the safari side
• Adrenaline-inducing activities such as sky-diving and quad biking
• Enjoy sandboarding opportunities down towering dunes
• Venture through the desert on horseback or via camel

5. A Star Gazing Paradise

One of the most incredible opportunities during Namib Desert tours is star gazing. While many places have little light pollution, making the stars visible, the NamibRand Nature Reserve is recognised internationally as a Dark Sky Reserve. Not only was it the first one in Africa but it is the second to be awarded Gold Tier status due to its exceptionally dark skies. During a visit here, dress warmly for the cool night air and spend time admiring the vibrant velvet blanket above dotted with bright stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way, which is said to be so bright it casts shadows on the ground.

Highlights of Star Gazing on a Namib Desert Safari:

• Experience Gold Tier status skies leading to exceptional stargazing
• Little light pollution in the Namib Desert means more visible stars
• Enjoy one of the top International Dark Sky Reserves
• Spot constellations, standalone stars, and even the Milky Way

Namib Desert Accommodation

Accommodation in the Namib Naukluft ranges from luxury lodges to tented camps, and there is plenty else to suit all tastes, budgets and trip types.

View our recommended Namib Naukluft accommodation below or click through to our Sossusvlei holiday accommodation for a full list of accommodation in the Namib Naukluft region including Sossusvlei.

Start planning your Namib Desert Holiday

Ready to explore the Namib Desert or perhaps combine destinations? Our team of Africa Safari Experts are on hand to help you plan a bespoke itinerary with you in mind.

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