Namibia travel guide

Space. Silence. Jaw-dropping scenery. If those things appeal, start planning your trip to Namibia. It’s one of the least densely populated places in the world, with just over 2.5 million people living in a country nearly four times the size of Britain. Landscapes here are mesmerisingly beautiful, from a sea of towering rusty red sand dunes in the south to the lush wetlands of the Zambezi Region in the far northeast. At night, the stars face little competition, sparkling brightly across the inky darkness.
Sandy Kalahari savannah plains extend through eastern Namibia, while the ancient Namib Desert runs along the country’s entire western flank — including the wild Skeleton Coast, home to disintegrating shipwrecks and large seal colonies. Desert-adapted elephants and lions roam the Damaraland plains. Etosha National Park is known for its great salt pan — so large and stark it can be seen from space — and its wildlife, including black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs and more. Indigenous San Bushman or Himba guides provide much more than just information about the local nature, threading cultural elements into their explanations of the landscape and their relationship to it.
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In the centre of Namibia lies the small capital city of Windhoek, a common entry point with the largest of the country’s international airports. Just under an hour outside the city, there are safari reserves* that already feel a world away. But you’d be wise to explore further. North of the South African border is the second largest canyon in the world — Fish River Canyon*. There are hiking routes — open between May and September — and canyon-edge lookout points to take in the expanse of terracotta-coloured rocks and craggy cliffs plunging down to the riverbed below. Sunset is sublime.
Heading north, you’ll find the Sossusvlei dunes: orange-red sand swept into high, smooth peaks with ridges that create perfect shadows. Scramble up a sand dune before sunrise for the most magical daybreak scenes — or take a bird’s-eye view from a hot air balloon. Then there’s the much-photographed Deadvlei*, an ice-white clay pan on which blackened, sun-charred camelthorn trees stand, dead but unable to decay in such dry conditions, surrounded by undulating dunes. Stop in the neighbouring coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund for sweet German desserts, a respite from the inland heat, and adventure activities from skydiving to quad biking*.
You can find critically endangered black rhinos, desert-adapted lions and elephants, and giraffes in the northern region of Damaraland, plus ancient rock paintings and engravings. Namibia’s most famous safari destination is Etosha National Park*, where there’s a wide range of camps and self-drive options. In the far north, you can cruise the Kavango River, which borders Angola and flows into Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Continue east along the Zambezi Region panhandle — formerly the Caprivi Strip — into a verdant landscape of abundant birdlife, big game and fishing opportunities.
This depends on the style of your trip. High-end travellers can pick from Namibia’s top luxury properties: five-star boutique hotels in Windhoek*, isolated desert camps or stylish safari lodges. These places usually have private airstrips so guests can travel by light aircraft rather than driving. But many people do explore Namibia in 4x4s — often ones fully decked out for trips that might last months.
As overlanding and camping are popular in southern Africa, it’s easy to hire everything you need and use social media forums for those random pieces of advice you never knew you needed. It’s also a great way to reach Namibia’s less accessible, less visited destinations and to gain more freedom and flexibility. If you don’t fancy driving long distances or tackling dirt roads, you could join a guided overlanding group trip — they’re often great value considering the distances covered. Those in the middle of the budget range will find plenty of affordable B&B guesthouses, as well as basic, self-catering safari camps.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve — a protected area of sun-bleached grass, burnt-orange dunes and low, rolling mountains in southern Namibia — is one of the largest private nature reserves in Africa. It’s also a gold-tier Dark Sky Reserve, being one of the darkest places in the world due to the lack of light pollution — conditions that must be protected with its reserve status. But it’s not just a lack of artificial light that makes this Namib Desert reserve so special, it’s the lack of people too — there’s no more than one bed per 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) and the scattering of camps and lodges in the reserve are limited to a maximum of 25 guests each. The properties make the most of the awe-inspiring starry skies with sleep-outs and astronomy experiences. During daylight hours, there are guided walks, hot air balloon rides, and nature drives. You might spot oryx, springboks, giraffes, baboons, or predators such as black-backed jackals, spotted hyenas and even leopards.
June to mid-September is winter and the dry season, which is when it’s easiest to drive, better for safaris, and a little cooler. It’s also peak season, so prices are highest. Mid-April and May are usually dry, with landscapes still green from the wet season rains. Overall, late May might be the sweet spot.
Is Namibia safe for tourists?In terms of crime, Namibia is generally very safe for tourists. Other risks, such as heat stroke on a hike, are easily mitigated with sensible precautions. Check vaccination requirements — for example yellow fever — and whether or not you’ll need malaria medication.
How long should I spend in Namibia?Two weeks is usually fine for a self-drive circuit, but extra time should be put aside to travel more widely — for example, if driving from South Africa through to northern Namibia.
What about money?The Namibian dollar is fixed at the same rate as the South African rand, which is also accepted throughout the country. You can pay by credit card in most places.
Inspired to visit Namibia but yet to book your trip? Here are the best hotels from Expedia* and Kayak*.
• Discover holiday packages to Namibia*• Discover holiday packages to Windhoek*• Discover tours in Namibia*
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