Where to Go in Namibia

Deep in the Namib, the world's most ancient desert, lies one of Africa's most magical destinations: Sossusvlei, home to Namibia's famous red sand dunes. Up to 300 metres high, these towering monoliths form the centrepiece to this extraordinary ocean of sand but the Namib Desert has many surprises: make your base at one of the many excellent lodges here and discover the secret wildlife and astounding views of this beautifully haunting landscape, much of which falls under the protection of the Namib Naukluft National Park.

One of Africa's biggest and best conservation areas, Etosha National Park is in Namibia's far north but is easily accessible and its gravel roads can be negotiated in a family car. Dominated by its huge salt pan, Etosha is big game country and offers an enticing blend of classic African animals such as elephant, zebra and giraffe together with desert species such as black rhino, gemsbok and springbok. Lion, hyena and cheetah are often seen and Etosha's famous wildlife-packed waterholes are a must-do in the May to October dry season.

Accommodation is available in the park but we'd recommend staying at one of the adjoining private reserves for luxury, exclusivity and a wide range of safari activities.

An inland region of rugged mountains, gravel plains and flash-flood rivers, Damaraland is where to go in Namibia for unadulterated scenic beauty. By day, the views are grand and breathtaking while at night the sky glows with countless, dazzling stars. Intimate lodges are hidden away in discreet locations and make for comfortable bases from which to explore the region. Damaraland is a hotspot for Bushman art and geological oddities while the wealth of animal life will surprise you - desert-adapted elephant, black rhino and many antelope species are among the A-list.

The battered shipwrecks that litter the beaches of the Skeleton Coast National Park may have given Namibia's far northern shoreline its name but there's more to this region than ghost stories: huge seal colonies provide scavenging opportunities for brown hyenas and jackals while vegetated inland river valleys support yet more animals and birds. A genuine off-the-beaten-track destination, travellers looking for complete isolation, tranquillity and sensational views need look no further than the handful of exclusive lodges in the area.

The famous ochre-painted Himba people have long made Namibia's far northern region their home but it is only in recent years that access to the Kaokoveld has been made possible. Perhaps Southern Africa's last true wilderness, the wild, sun-baked and remote Kaokoveld offers intrepid travellers an insight into how life can flourish in seemingly impossible conditions: head for the handful of riverside lodges in the Kaokoveld, interact with local Himba communities and discover the secret wildlife of the area.