6 Best Places to Go in Namibia – Top Namibian Safari Highlights
Often overshadowed by the neighboring South Africa and Botswana, Namibia one of the amazing places to explore in Africa. Here you can see Africa’s largest canyon, its oldest desert and some of the continent’s highest sand dunes around Sossusvlei, as well as the wild, dune-backed beaches that hem Namibia’s 1500km – long (932-mile) coastline.
With tons of mystery, Namibia still remains one of the most undiscovered lands on the continent. This makes it hard for visitors to choose which place to visit and not to visit, in this blog we have listed the 6 Best Places to Go in Namibia.
- Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Deep in the Namib, the world’s most ancient desert, lies one of the most magical destinations of Africa; Sossusvlei – home to the famous red sand dunes of Namibia. Up to 300 metres high, these towering monoliths from the centerpiece of this extraordinary ocean of sand, but the Namib Desert has more attractions than just the Ssossusvlei Dunes.
Few words can describe how it feels as you stand before a towering orange sand dune stretching some 300m towards the bright blue sky, walk amongst 900-year-old fossilized acacia trees in the vast white clay pan of Deadvlei, or touch the shifting sands of the world’s oldest desert in Namib.
The best time to see the dunes in all their glory is during sunrise, when light coming from the east paints them in vivid black and orange contrasts. Get your exercise in by climbing the most accessible, Dune 45 at sunrise, then explore Deadvlei or Big Daddy in the late afternoon, when the golden light again illuminates the area in all its magnificence.
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei are one of the top places to visit in Namibia and visiting this magnificent place guarantees you an unforgettable trip.
- Etosha National Park
Considered to be the top location for a quintessential Namibia safari, Etosha National Park is one of the biggest and best conservation areas in Africa. This incredible park is located in the far north of Namibia, the reserve provides a feeling of being far removed from the rest of the country but it is easily accessible by its gravel roads that can be travelled in a 4×4 Wheel vehicle.
Despite the semi-arid surrounds, the many waterholes scattered through the park promise some epic game viewing of lions, elephants, giraffes, antelope, springbok, zebra, and wildebeests. The park is also home to some extra special inhabitant, the endangered black rhino, and the elusive and very shy leopard.
- Damaraland
Damaraland is an inland region of rugged mountains, gravel plains and flash-flood Rivers, the region is the best place to go in Namibia for unadulterated scenic beauty. Considered one of the top destinations in Namibia, this ruggedly beautiful scenic area offers utterly grand and breathtaking views by day, while at night the sky glows with countless, dazzling stars.
Damaraland is situated in the Kunene Region of north-west Namibia, it is a hotspot for Bushman art and geological oddities while the wealth of animal life will surprise you including desert – adapted elephant, black rhino and many antelope species among others.
Damaraland belongs to the oldest nations in Namibia with much of their culture that has been pushed into oblivion, mainly by colonial oppressors. Within the work frame of the Living Museum of the Damara an attempt was made to reconstruct the “lost culture of the Damara tribe. Here visitors have a unique opportunity to get to know the fascinating traditional culture of the Damara, this helps contribute to the preservation of the culture as well as generate regular income for the Damara community that built the museum.
- Skeleton Coast
Situated on Namibia’s remote western coast, the Skeleton Coast is a hunting place named after the many ships that sank here over the past few centuries. The rusted remains of wrecked ships are often surrounded by swirling mists and make for mood and dramatic visuals. This remote and desolate region is home to spectacular scenery, consisting of sweeping vistas of deserts, ocean and sky, as well as a few hidden surprises.
The Skeleton Coast is home to the flourishing Cape Cross seal colony- one of the largest breeding colonies of Cape fur seals. The seals provide scavenging opportunities for brown hyenas and jackals, while vegetated inland river valleys support yet more abundant animals and birds, making it one of 6 best places to go in Namibia.
The Skeleton Coast is a genuine off-the-beaten-track destination, perfect for travelers looking for complete isolation, tranquility and sensational views need to look no further than the handful of exclusive lodges in the area
- Kaokoveld
Kaokoveld – the Southern Africa’s last frontier is home to the famous ochre – painted Himba people, it is only in recent years that access to the Kaokoveld has been made possible – making it one of the best places to go in Namibia for both local and international visitors.
Perhaps, this region is South Africa’s last true wilderness, the wild, sun-backed and remote Kaokoveld offers intrepid travelers an insight into how life can flourish in seemingly impossible conditions.
Kaokoveld is considered one of the last remaining wilderness areas in Southern Africa, it is an otherworldly and mountainous landscape of rugged beauty. The region is a refuge for rare desert adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, oryx and lions.
- Swakopmund
The Swakopmund Town is a coastal town and a perfect stop-over and stock-up Namibia destination, this seaside holiday town blends its German colonial heritage with an unmistakable African character.
Swakopmund often blanketed by early morning sea fog is where the Namib Desert meets Namibia’s Atlantic coast and offers easy excursions into the desert, a wide range of adventure and leisure activities.
Swakopmund is a perfect to go for adventure activities, Atlantic beaches and German colonial-style buildings. Although there is not too much to do inside the town itself, there are many fun things that you can do outside of it including
- 4WD Quad biking
- Walvis Bay 4×4 Driving
- Skydiving
- Kayaking
- Namib Desert driving adventures
- Scenic desert bike tour
- Segway tours
- Catamaran Tours
When planning a Namibia Holiday, be sure to add Swakopmund to your itinerary for an immersive seaside town experience, filled with unique attractions on every corner, while on a visit to Namibia.
