Namibia, located in southwestern Africa, is a country renowned for its stark, haunting beauty and vast, diverse landscapes. Known for its dramatic deserts, stunning coastlines, and abundant wildlife, Namibia offers a unique travel experience that combines adventure, nature, and cultural heritage.
Explore: Etosha National Park • Windhoek
The capital city, Windhoek, serves as the central hub for travel and commerce, while the country’s remote regions provide endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Tourists are drawn to Namibia for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse outdoor experiences. Key highlights include the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, and the eerie Skeleton Coast. Adventure seekers enjoy activities such as dune boarding, wildlife safaris, and hiking, while cultural enthusiasts appreciate Namibia’s rich heritage and vibrant local communities.
Namibia is bordered by Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east, South Africa to the south and southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country spans a variety of geographical regions, including the coastal Namib Desert, the central highlands, the Kalahari Desert in the east, and the lush Caprivi Strip in the northeast. Namibia’s climate ranges from arid and semi-arid in the deserts to more temperate and subtropical in the north and northeast.
The Namib Desert, stretching along the Atlantic coast, is one of the oldest deserts in the world. This region is famous for its spectacular sand dunes, particularly in Sossusvlei, which are among the highest in the world. Visitors can explore the desert on guided tours, go sandboarding, or take hot air balloon rides for a unique perspective.
Located in the northwestern part of the country, Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves. The park is centered around the vast Etosha Pan, a large salt pan that becomes a shimmering oasis during the rainy season. Etosha is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and a multitude of bird species, making it a prime destination for safaris.
The Skeleton Coast, named for the numerous shipwrecks that dot its shores, is a remote and rugged region along Namibia’s northern Atlantic coast. The area is characterized by its desolate beauty, with dramatic landscapes that include windswept dunes, rocky outcrops, and foggy beaches. The Skeleton Coast National Park offers opportunities for coastal drives, wildlife viewing, and exploring abandoned shipwrecks.
Damaraland, located between the Namib Desert and the Skeleton Coast, is known for its rugged terrain and significant cultural and natural attractions. Highlights include the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, the towering Brandberg Mountain, and the rare desert-adapted elephants and rhinos. Visitors can also learn about the traditions and lifestyles of the local Himba people.
The Caprivi Strip, a narrow stretch of land in the northeast, is a lush and water-rich region that contrasts sharply with Namibia’s arid landscapes. This area is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area and is home to several national parks, including Bwabwata, Mudumu, and Nkasa Rupara. The Caprivi Strip is ideal for river safaris, birdwatching, and cultural interactions with local communities.
The Central Highlands, encompassing the area around Windhoek, offer a mix of urban and natural attractions. Windhoek, the capital city, provides modern amenities, historical sites, and vibrant markets. The surrounding highlands feature rolling hills, game reserves, and scenic landscapes, making it a great base for exploring the rest of the country.
What’s Cool
Safaris, quaint German architecture in Swakopmund, ember red sand dunes in the Namib Desert, exploring ghost towns on the Atlantic and the infamous and very foggy Skeleton coasts, the excellent beer and abundance of tasty meat.
What’s Not
Scorching desert heat, an HIV/AIDS rate that afflicts around 25 percent of the population, drink-driving, pick-pockets, the small number of bars, lack of options for vegetarians and the emphasis on race - a legacy of Namibia’s apartheid past.
Where to Go
Highlights
Windhoek: Namibia’s capital is located at the centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600 meters and features impressive colonial architecture and a soft spot for naming streets after dictators - Fidel Castro street and Robert Mugabe avenue anyone?
Swakopmund: Namibia’s premier seaside resort, with a colonial feel and a variety of water sports on offer.
Etosha National Park: a chance to view game in one of the world’s largest reserves, which surrounds the Etosha salt pan.
Lüderitz: a recently deserted old German colonial town, Lüderitz is now enjoying a renaissance despite the encroaching desert. Rock lobster is a local favorite here.
Sossuvlei and the Namib Desert: bright red sand dunes and cool, starry nights. In winter, it’s sometimes possible to see the curious sight of dunes covered in snow.
Fish River Canyon: long walking trails and the world’s second-largest canyon are among the major attractions in this sometimes unbearably hot part of the country.
Spitzkoppe: a rocky outcrop soaring nearly 1,800 meters.
Skeleton coast: offering misty mornings, few people make it to this ships’ graveyard, a spooky outpost of the Namib Desert.
When to Go
Namibia is a country of sunshine and cool desert nights. The winters, between May and September, are pleasant, sunny and warm although temperatures can drop below freezing at night in the desert. During the summer, from October to March, temperatures can reach 104°F (40°C), but it remains cool at night. This is generally the only time of year that sees rain, but with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it never gets too wet. There are however two short rainy seasons which often see thunderstorms, between October and December, and again from mid-January to April.
Festivals & Events
Mainly Christian Namibia celebrates a number of holidays throughout the year. Here are the most memorable:
March: Namibia’s Independence Day is a public holiday and a major party, marking the end of South African rule.
August/September: the Kuska Carnival in Swakopmund is one of the country’s most colourful.
October: a German tradition, Ocktoberfest is an excuse to drink beer and remains very popular in towns and cities.
December: Christmas carols are sung by candlelight at coastal resorts including Swakopmund.
Things to Do
Going on safari: see South African wildlife up close including springkok, wilderbeast, lions, zebras and rhinos - if they’ll let you.
Riding a camel: let a camel do all the hard work as you enjoy Namibia’s spectacular sand dunes.
Trekking: escape from your four-wheel drive and get out on a trail around Fish River Canyon and Spitzkoppe.
Sand boarding: high-speed boarding on Namibia’s stunning sand dunes is popular outside of the main coastal towns.
Hot-air ballooning: see the desert and the country’s green savannah from a bird’s eye view.
Partying: with names like Blitzreig Bunker Bar and Funky Lab, Windhoek is great place to go out and enjoy its excellent beer of the same name.
Relaxing: escape the danger of wild animals and hot deserts and relax at various up-and-coming destinations on the Atlantic coast.
Getting There
Getting in and out of the country is easy enough; it’s getting around that’s hard. Direct flights are available from South Africa, England and Germany among other countries, with Windhoek being the usual port of disembarkation. Given the fairly long distances involved, the sparse population and wildlife in the way, driving in Namibia can be challenging, although many of the roads are sealed and of good quality. Travelers can hire taxis or share with others between towns and cities throughout the country.
Health & Safety
Hospitals and clinics are of a high standard in Namibia compared to much of the rest of Africa, meaning tourists should be well catered for in the event that things go wrong, but many parts of the country are remote and the desert is as unforgiving here as anywhere else. The high HIV/AIDS rate here is lower than some surrounding countries, but is still off the scale by European and North American standards. The country also has a high crime rate, spurred by huge unemployment levels, particularly among the ethnic African populations. Be careful on the roads at night as drink-driving is considered inconsequential here despite the obvious dangers which are further complicated by wildlife straying into the road.