Why Visit Namibia?

A Dream World in Real Life

Namibia is a place where the concept of ‘vastness’ can not only be truly comprehended, but also felt. It is of course the gigantic, incomparable sand dunes of the ancient Namib Desert that feature most prominently on a Namibia holiday itinerary. But this Southern African country, lying between the Kalahari and the Atlantic Ocean, has much more up its sleeve.

Huge, sparsely populated Namibia is a country of gigantic skies and dramatic scenery. Destinations such as Damaraland, the shipwreck-strewn Skeleton Coast, or the Kaokoveld literally echo with emptiness and atmosphere, yet excellent lodges are tucked away in these remote regions and provide intrepid travellers with havens of serenity and comfort. And there’s a lot more wildlife than you might think!

If spotting unique animals is on your wish list, then the Namibia wildlife won’t disappoint. Excellent game viewing is what you’ll get at Etosha National Park, famous for its animal-packed waterholes and abundant predators. Small populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich, oryx, and lion can be seen in off-the-beaten-path destinations like Damaraland and Kaokoveld. These unique animals have adapted their lifestyles to survive in one of our planet’s harshest environments, and spotting them is a highlight on any Namibia safari.

A Namibia holiday is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, while its decent road infrastructure and easy-to-access destinations provide straightforward self-drive safaris for more independent travellers. Some of the best lodges in Namibia are remote, luxurious and exclusive accommodations that make for romantic holidays to Namibia for couples, while families with children will be delighted by the country’s safe, well-functioning and friendly nature.

 

1. A Place of Otherworldly Landscapes

Dunes in the Namib Desert, Namibia | Go2Africa

If you’ve been researching a trip to this country, you’ve probably come across phrases like ‘Namibia moonscape’ or ‘Namibia welwitschia plains’. The Namib Desert, the oldest desert on Earth, not only makes the country one of the least densely populated places in the world, it’s also responsible for providing unrivalled, see-it-to-believe-it Namibia landscapes.

The Namib’s enormous sand dunes, arid gravel plains, and mountainous terrain make Namibia’s scenery and landscapes some of the most dramatic you will ever see. In fact, in some areas of Namibia, you’ll feel like you’ve landed on Mars.

  • Glide over Sossusvlei’s soaring red sand dunes on a hot-air balloon safari.
  • Visit the eerily beautiful Deadvlei (‘dead marsh’).
  • Explore Damaraland’s untamed and rugged beauty.
  • Go on 4×4 excursions and guided beach walks along the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast.
  • Peer into the depths of the Fish River Canyon, our planet’s second largest canyon.
  • Be awestruck by the stargazing in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, the only International Dark Sky Reserve in Africa and the second place on Earth that was designated with Gold Tier status.

 

2. One-of-a-Kind Game Viewing Opportunities

Rhino in Etosha National Park, Namibia | Go2Africa

During Namibia’s dry season (May to October), the temporary water holes around Etosha Pan become a magnet for animal numbers of biblical proportions. Etosha National Park is dominated by this colossal mineral pan (the size of Holland), while the surrounding grasslands are feeding grounds for dense herds of plains game and Namibia wildlife like elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah and giraffe.

Damaraland is home to small populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich, oryx and springbok (gazelle). Desert-adapted elephants can travel up to 70 kilometres (40 miles) a day through the desert in search for food and water – and unlike their larger savannah cousins, they don’t destroy any trees in their quest for nourishment.

Kaokoveld is an otherworldly and mountainous landscape of rugged beauty. The region is a refuge for rare desert-adapted lion, elephant, black rhino, giraffe and oryx. The nomadic lions of Kaokoveld have adapted their lifestyles to survive in one of the world’s harshest environments. Sustenance is difficult to come by in the desert, so these powerful cats have learned how to take down big animals like giraffe and even elephant.

  • See enormous numbers of Namibia wildlife in Etosha during the dry season.
  • Track desert-adapted rhino on foot in Damaraland.
  • Search for rare desert-dwelling elephant and lion in Kaokoveld.
  • Spot Cape fur seals and the elusive brown hyena on Skeleton Coast safaris.
  • The Caprivi Strip in Namibia is a birdwatching paradise.

 

3. Ideal for the Self-Driver

Self-drive holiday in Namibia | Go2Africa

To make the most of a Namibia holiday, you either need enough time or enough budget. If you have the budget, it’s very easy to fly between the remote corners of this colossal country. But if you have ample time and an independent spirit, there’s no better country in Africa in which to go on self-drive safaris.

Driving yourself is by no means intrepid exploration. Car hire can be arranged for you with a complete itinerary, detailed maps, and all the information that you’ll need to safely enjoy your self-drive Namibia holiday.

Distances may appear daunting, but the country’s roads are good, straight and uncrowded. Driving yourself not only gives you complete freedom to create an adventure at your own pace, but it also immerses you in the natural grandeur and sheer emptiness of the Namibia landscapes.

  • A self-drive Namibia vacation is the most popular way to explore the country.
  • Very good road infrastructure in safari areas like Etosha National Park.
  • Driving yourself is the most economical way to travel.
  • Have complete freedom to enjoy your Namibia vacation at your own pace.

 

4. The Ultimate Adventure Playground

Climbing a dune in the Namib Desert, Namibia | Go2Africa

When it comes to sheer scale and natural beauty, Namibia’s epic landscapes are hard to beat. Imagine ochre sand dunes more than 300 metres (985 feet) high, soaring inselbergs, or a tempestuous coastline scattered with shipwrecks and whale- and seal bones.

From sandboarding down the dunes of our planet’s oldest desert to climbing the granite flanks of the ‘Matterhorn of Africa’, a Namibia vacation offers a plethora of activities for thrill seekers.

  • Hike through the second largest canyon in the world, the Fish River Canyon.
  • Slide down the Namib’s massive dunes on a sandboard.
  • Go rock climbing at Spitzkoppe, an inselberg rising high above the desert plains of Damaraland.
  • Mountain bike the singletracks through the Namibia moonscape outside Swakopmund.
  • Enjoy an early-morning balloon ride over the spectacular Sossusvlei dunes.

 

5. Meet the Desert Specialists

Himba Tribe member in Kaokoland, Namibia.

Journey to a remote corner of the Kalahari to meet the San Bushmen. This indigenous hunter-gatherer society still uses Stone Age technology, yet they possess a knowledge of their environment that researchers are only just beginning to comprehend. Their understanding of the natural environment is extraordinary to witness, and their survival skills are beyond belief.

The Himba are an indigenous people living in the Kaokoveld region of northern Namibia. Meeting them is among the top cultural interactions you can have in Africa. They are famous for covering themselves with otjize paste – a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment – to protect themselves from the harsh, hot and dry desert climate. It gives the Himba’s skin and hair a very distinctive style, texture and orange-red tinge.

  • Learn about the extraordinary survival skills of the San Bushmen, the first cultures of Southern Africa.
  • Spend time with the Himba, considered the last remaining nomadic people of Namibia.
What travellers most enjoyed about Namibia

Cultural interactions

Hot air ballooning

Private concessions and conservancies

Scenery

Self-drive

Walking safaris

Wildlife and safari

Explore these Namibia Resources
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Exterior of main area at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge Aerial view of Sossusvlei Desert Lodge boma and pool guest area The arrival area at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. exterior of the suites at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. The interior of a guest suite. Incredible views from the lounge. Private dining

Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Activities Travellers Enjoyed
Dune walks & drives Guided walks Hiking Hot air ballooning
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
A mysterious place with the enormous dunes. Shipwreck Lodge is the only lodge situated in Skeleton Coast National Park. Situated in one of Africa’s most riveting locations. The uniquely designed main lounge. The uniquely designed cabins are solar powered. Bathrooms are en suite and equipped with indoor showers. Space can be made for families.

Shipwreck Lodge

Activities Travellers Enjoyed
4x4 Drives Day tours Game drives Quad-biking