With the world’s highest sand dunes, the continent’s biggest game park home to hundreds of species, and cities that effortlessly blend Europe and African culture, Namibia is a land of adventure and larger-than-life experiences.
To make sure you make the most of your travel to Namibia, we have compiled a list of the best things to do in the land of mining ghost towns, San Bushmen and skeleton forests.
Sand board the world’s highest dunes at Sossusvlei
A mother clay and salt pan surrounded by mammoth rust-colour sand dunes forms Sossusvlei, where fierce sun and wind continually shift the dunes colour and shape. Make the thirsty climb with the Namib desert beetles, and glide back down in style on a sand board.
Take your token snap at Dune 45
45km past Sesriem on the road to Sossusvlei, the quintessential Namibian photo opportunity waits for hoardes of camera shutters at the most photographed sand dune ever framed.
Visit eerie ghost towns
Explore the bizarre tourist attraction of Kolmanskop, a town literally ‘desert’ed in knee-deep sand from the Namib after the once thriving community fled when the diamond mining industry in the area fell.
Safari through Etosha National Park
Rainfall in the shallow salt pan fills watering holes, forming prime viewing stops for gatherings of elephants and lions adapted to the desert environment. Gemsbok and black-faced impala feed from the surrounding bushveld, and raise inquisitive heads to the hundreds of pelicans and flamingos joining the wildlife party.
Hike Fish River Canyon
This 500-million-year-old gorge is the largest in Africa, and offers magnificent views and impressive hiking trails along with hot springs at the southern end of Ai-Ais.
Count seals at Cape Cross Seal Reserve
The congregation of 100,000+ Cape fur seal colony along the Namib coast is a noisy and smelly experience, but a worthwhile tour to watch them feed from the buffet selection of fish in the cold Benguela current.
Africa meets Europe in Swakopmund
Sandwiched between the Namib desert and the Atlantic sea, Swakopmund is more German than African, with colonial architecture, cafes and beer straight out of Bavaria. Namibia’s leading coastal resort is an adventure sports centre, advertising an array of adrenaline highs including surfing, deep-sea fishing and quad biking.
The misty Skeleton Coast
Desert air meets the sea, and the resulting misty curtain has caused numerous shipwrecks along a hauntingly beautiful coastline now home to one of the world’s largest naval graveyards.
Experience bush life at Spitzkoppe
Bush camp in the middle of this wondrous remote region amidst the landmark ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’ granite peak, surrounded by rock paintings tucked away in prehistoric caves.
Art, museums and beer in Windhoek
The attractive capital parading Germanic roots claims the best brewed beer this side of Africa, and we might just agree. The city is known as an artistic and cultural centre with numerous museums well worth a visit.
Meet San Bushmen
Interact with the oldest ethnic group at one with nature and ecology, communicating in their unique ‘click’ language and folkloric songs to share with guests of their traditional land.
Otjitotongwe Cheetah Park
Get in the starting blocks next to a tamed cheetah (and get thrashed in a sprinting race) at the Park that forms a part of the leading conservation efforts to protect these big cats becoming endangered by poachers.
Traditional souvenirs from Himba tribespeople
Look out for Himba tribeswomen, customarily semi-clothed and coated in red butterfat and ochre body paint, normally seen selling traditional souvenirs at a busy market stopover.
See more than the Big Five
Namib-Naukluft National Park is an ideal place for spotting elephants, lions, cheetahs and rhinoceros, but there are far more fascinating species to be found here, including antelopes like gemsbok, Tok Tokkie beetles and ostriches.
‘Camel Thorn’ Tree Forests
Not far from Sossusvlei lies Deadvlei, a dead acacia tree forest that stands in stark contrast with the burnt desert around it.
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
