Namibia Travel Guide
Top Places to Visit in Namibia
Etosha, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund are three of Namibia’s standout destinations. One is all about wildlife, one about the desert, and the other offers a complete change of pace on the coast.
Etosha National Park
Etosha is Namibia’s main wildlife destination. Much of the game viewing takes place around waterholes along the edge of the enormous salt pan.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is known for its high red dunes, pale clay pans and stark desert scenery. Early mornings bring cooler conditions and the best light for photography.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is Namibia’s best-known coastal town, with historic buildings and a relaxed atmosphere. Desert excursions, boat trips and outdoor activities are all nearby.
Plan Your Namibia Vacation
Choose how you would like to experience Namibia, whether by road, air or a combination of the two.
Tours, Safaris & Honeymoons
Explore Namibia on a private guided journey or fly-in safari.
Tailor-Made Vacation Packages
Adjust the route, pace and length of your trip to suit you.
Travel Tips & Advice
Practical information on weather, health, money and packing.
Other Places to Visit in Namibia
Travelers with more time can explore the far south, the rugged northwest or the greener river country in the northeast.
Zambezi Region (Caprivi)
In stark contrast to the rest of Namibia, the Zambezi Region has wide rivers, wetlands, prolific birdlife, and good boat safaris.
Damaraland
Damaraland is a remote region of rocky valleys, dry riverbeds and ancient rock art. Desert-adapted elephant and black rhino still roam here.
Fish River Canyon
The Fish River Canyon is the main attraction in southern Namibia. Several viewpoints overlook its immense cliffs and winding riverbed.
Kalahari
The Namibian Kalahari is known for red dunes, camel-thorn trees and open grassland. Oryx, springbok and smaller desert animals are commonly seen.
Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is a lonely stretch of fog, dunes and rough Atlantic sea. Shipwrecks and seal colonies add to its unusual character.
Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein protects one of Africa’s largest collections of ancient rock engravings and is Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Waterberg Plateau Park
The Waterberg Plateau rises above the surrounding plains. Visitors come for the walking trails, views and wildlife.
Windhoek
Most trips begin or end in Windhoek. The capital is useful for an overnight stay before continuing into the country.
Recommended Accommodation in Namibia
Namibia offers a wide choice of places to stay, from comfortable camps and coastal lodges to exclusive safari and desert retreats. These are four very different options in Etosha, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund.
Halali Camp
Inside Etosha National Park, Halali is best known for its floodlit waterhole and convenient location for exploring the park.
Ongava Lodge
Set on a private reserve bordering Etosha, the lodge combines excellent wildlife viewing with a peaceful setting overlooking the bush.
Close to Sossusvlei, this intimate desert lodge offers beautiful views and easy early-morning access to the famous dunes.
Desert Breeze Lodge
Built among the dunes outside Swakopmund, this quiet lodge offers sweeping desert views while keeping the coast and town within easy reach.
The Namib Desert
Much of western Namibia lies within the Namib Desert, which runs along the Atlantic coast. The best-known dunes are around Sossusvlei, but the desert also includes gravel plains, dry riverbeds, rocky outcrops and the fog-bound Skeleton Coast.
Very little rain falls here, yet the Namib supports welwitschia plants, oryx, springbok and other species suited to the dry conditions. In areas near the coast, fog provides an important source of moisture.
Explore
Foods to Try in Namibia
Quality produce from sea and land, prepared with African and German influences.
German-Inspired Food
Bakeries in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Lüderitz serve fresh bread, pastries and cakes. Sausages, schnitzel and sauerkraut also appear on many menus.
Seafood
Fresh fish and oysters are widely available along the coast. Lüderitz is particularly well known for rock lobster when it is in season.
Kapana
Kapana is beef grilled over an open fire, cut into small pieces and eaten with spices or salsa. It is especially popular at markets in northern Namibia and Windhoek.
Game Meat
Springbok, kudu and gemsbok are served as steaks, kebabs and stews. Game biltong is also easy to find while traveling through Namibia.Recommended Attractions
Namibia’s best-known sights range from desert landmarks and coastal scenery to rock art and historic settlements.
Skeleton Coast
Fog, rough seas and scattered shipwrecks give this remote coastline its stark character. Much of the northern park can only be visited on an organized trip.
Spitzkoppe
The granite peaks of Spitzkoppe rise abruptly from the surrounding plains. Walking routes lead to rock arches, viewpoints and ancient paintings.
Kolmanskop
Once a busy diamond-mining town, Kolmanskop was gradually abandoned and is now being reclaimed by the desert. Guided visits explore its sand-filled buildings.
Epupa Falls
Epupa Falls lies on the Kunene River along Namibia’s border with Angola. Visitors come for the cascades, palm-lined riverbanks and cultural experiences in the surrounding area.
Welwitschia Plains
The plains east of Swakopmund are home to unusual welwitschia plants, some of which have survived in the desert for many centuries.
Cape Cross
Cape Cross supports a large breeding colony of Cape fur seals. A raised walkway allows visitors to view the colony at close range.
Diaz Point
A cross at Diaz Point marks the landing of Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias near Lüderitz. The exposed peninsula also offers wide coastal views.
Dune 7
Dune 7 lies outside Walvis Bay and can be climbed for views across the surrounding desert. The soft sand makes the ascent harder than it first appears.
Petrified Forest
Large fossilized tree trunks lie scattered across this protected site west of Khorixas. Local guides explain how the trees reached the area and became preserved.
Sandwich Harbour
At Sandwich Harbour, high dunes meet the Atlantic coast south of Walvis Bay. Access is by guided four-wheel-drive excursion and depends on the tides.
Brandberg
Brandberg is Namibia’s highest mountain and an important rock-art site. Guided walks lead into the valleys below its granite slopes.
Popular Activities
Namibia offers plenty to do, from desert adventures and game drives to hiking, fishing and boat trips.
Hot Air Ballooning
Sunrise balloon flights near Sossusvlei offer wide views across the dunes and surrounding mountains.
Dune Adventures
Sandboarding, quad biking and guided desert excursions are popular around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Game Drives
Game drives are offered in Etosha, private reserves and the river parks of northeastern Namibia.
Walking and Hiking
Options range from short desert walks to longer trails in the Naukluft Mountains and Fish River Canyon.
Fishing
Surf and boat fishing are available along the Atlantic coast, while the northern rivers offer freshwater angling.
Cruises
Cruises from Walvis Bay explore the lagoon and nearby coast. River trips are also popular in the Zambezi Region.
Bird Watching
Good birding areas include Etosha, the coastal lagoons and the rivers and wetlands of northeastern Namibia.
The People
Namibia has a small but culturally varied population, with many languages and traditions found across its different regions.
Aawambo
The Aawambo are Namibia’s largest cultural group and live mainly in the north-central regions. Farming, trade and growing towns all form part of life in this busy part of the country.
Other Communities
Namibia is also home to Kavango, Ovaherero, Damara, San, Ovahimba and several other communities. Each has its own history, language and customs.
The Nama
The Nama have strong ties to southern Namibia. Music, storytelling, poetry and distinctive needlework remain important parts of their cultural heritage.
Geography of Namibia
Namibia stretches from the Atlantic coast across desert, mountains and open inland plains. The greener northeast is quite different from the dry western and southern parts of the country.
Coastal Plain
The Namib Desert runs along much of the Atlantic coast. This narrow strip includes high dunes, gravel plains and dry riverbeds before rising toward the interior.
Escarpment and Highlands
A steep escarpment separates the coast from Namibia’s higher central regions. Windhoek lies in these uplands, surrounded by the hills of the Khomas Hochland.
Inland Plateau and Northeast
Open plains and low mountains cover much of the interior, with the Kalahari lying farther east. In the Zambezi Region, rivers, wetlands and woodland replace the dry scenery found elsewhere in Namibia.
Take your time. Scenic flights are wonderful, but Namibia’s scale and changing landscapes are best appreciated when traveling overland. Some of my favorite memories come from these trips, including seeing the pans at Sossusvlei filled with water and photographing several black rhino approaching the waterhole at Halali Camp in Etosha National Park while traveling with my sons.