Why Namibia?

Sossusvlei 

& 

Deadvlei

Nestled within the vast Namib-Naukluft National Park, the majestic dunes of Sossusvlei rise to meet the sky, earning their reputation as some of the highest sand dunes on earth. This iconic destination is a marvel of nature, where deep red sands, ancient camel thorn trees, and expansive white salt pans come together to create an otherworldly landscape. Sossusvlei is a sanctuary of beauty, offering an exclusive experience for discerning travelers seeking both adventure and serenity in Africa’s largest conservation area.

Namib-Naukluft Park

Embark on an unparalleled journey through the Namib-Naukluft Park, where vast landscapes unfold beneath the purply-blue mountains and endless skies. Covering 50,000 sq km, this ancient desert basin is a natural masterpiece of serenity, where the only sound is the whisper of the breeze. Time seems suspended, transporting you to an era millions of years past, with preserved dinosaur footprints scattered across this awe-inspiring terrain.

For those with the luxury of time, venture into the nearby NamibRand Reserve, where eco-lodges like Wolwedans, Sonop, and Kwessi Dunes provide the ultimate in exclusivity. Experience the desert in unparalleled style, with horseback riding, quad biking, scenic drives, and hot air ballooning over this remarkable landscape.

Etosha National Park

Considered by many safari aficionados as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves, for the discerning wildlife enthusiast, Etosha National Park is Namibia’s crowning jewel of safari experiences. Home to four of the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard), as well as the rare cheetah and giraffe, this northern Namibian park is a haven for wildlife aficionados. 

Its vast salt pan, the Etosha Pan, serves as a dramatic backdrop for game viewing of biblical proportions during the dry season. 

Etosha’s luxurious safari lodges offer unrivaled comfort, providing guests with private game drives and intimate wildlife encounters, all against the backdrop of this great wilderness.

Skeleton Coast

The San Bushmen called it ‘The Land God Made in Anger’ and the Portuguese explorers knew it as ‘The Gates of Hell’, but it is believed to be named after all the bones that lined the beaches from old whaling operations and seal hunts.

The Skeleton Coast is a hauntingly beautiful stretch of land where the ancient dunes of the Namib Desert meet the wild Atlantic Ocean. It’s a remote and surreal landscape, steeped in mystery and adventure, famous for its shipwrecks, dense fog, and shifting sands.

Exclusive experiences here include fly-in safaris and stays at the luxurious and iconic Shipwreck Lodge. Guests can explore the region on 4x4 excursions or guided walks, discovering desert adapted wildlife and the eerie remains of shipwrecks from centuries past.

The one-of-a-kind Shipwreck Lodge is the only property situated in the Skeleton Coast National Park. Here you can track desert-dwelling animals on 4×4 excursions or go on guided beach walks to explore the debris from centuries-old ships that fell victim to the Skeleton Coast’s shifting sandbanks, dense fog and perilous currents.

Damaraland

Arguably one of the most scenic parts of Namibia, Damaraland is a massive, untamed and ruggedly beautiful region. If you’re the intrepid kind, this incredible hinterland offers an adventure beyond compare. Prehistoric water streams with wide-open plains and grassland, granite hills and deep gorges are par for the course with Damaraland. The geography changes dramatically to the west: endless sandy wastelands eventually meet the turbulent Atlantic Ocean at the Skeleton Coast.

Damaraland is home to very unique animals that have adapted their lifestyles to survive in one of our planet’s harshest environments. Small populations of desert-adapted elephant, black rhino, giraffe, ostrich, oryx and springbok (gazelle) can be seen here. Desert-adapted elephants can travel up to 70 kilometres a day through the desert in search of food and water – and unlike their savannah cousins, they don’t destroy any trees in their quest for nourishment.

Highlights

Fish River Canyon

For those seeking dramatic vistas and the grandeur of nature, located in the south of Namibia, the Fish River Canyon is the world’s second-largest canyon and features a colossal ravine of about 160 km long, up to 27 km wide and almost 550 metres at its deepest. The immensity of this magnificent landscape is truly breath-taking: a flat plateau that suddenly drops half a vertical kilometer into a twisting kaleidoscope of hues formed over millions of years by erosion.

This spectacular environment provides refuge for mammals and an abundance of reptiles, insects and fish. Natural hot springs on the canyon’s floor form pools of water which also attract many types of water birds. Other canyon residents include mountain zebra, kudu, oryx and gazelle that attract predators like leopard, jackal, brown hyena and bat-eared fox.

Swakopmund

The quaint seaside holiday town of Swakopmund, with its charming blend of German colonial architecture and African character, is Namibia’s premier seaside escape. Its palm-lined streets, seaside promenades and pleasant summer climate make Swakop a great stop-over during a Namibia safari and the perfect place for self-drivers to restock and get some rest.

Swakopmund has become Namibia’s leading adrenaline destination and offers a wide range of activities like sandboarding, quad biking, 4×4 driving in the dunes, as well as skydiving between the Atlantic ocean and the Namib desert. If that’s not your cup of tea, you can also enjoy boat excursions to look for seals and dolphins or simply explore Swakop’s restaurants, cafés, art galleries and museums.

Kaokoland

Kaokoland, in the remote north-western corner of Namibia, remains one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. Home to the semi-nomadic Himba, who have lived traditionally in this harsh landscape for centuries, it’s a region where wildlife like gemsbok, springbok, and desert-adapted elephants roam freely.

The Kunene River, rushing down from Angola, brings life to the region, culminating in the stunning Epupa Falls. Here, baobabs and palms frame the dramatic gorge, creating a magical scene. Visitors can explore the Himba culture, walk in search of crocodiles, and take in breathtaking views of Epupa’s waterfalls at sunset. Kaokoland offers an adventure where nature and tradition coexist in perfect harmony.

The lure of wild Africa is felt as you drive into the north-eastern corner of Namibia. Once called the Caprivi strip and later the Caprivi region before claiming its full African heritage, the Zambezi region is a step into the heart of the continent.

A tree-filled expanse dotted with villages and elephant caution signs welcome you. Unusually, this corridor containing the Bwabwata National Park is a protected home to both wildlife and people, ushering in a concept of coexistence, stewardship and synergy. Two smaller national parks, the Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara, lie along the Kwando waterway that becomes the Linyanti and Chobe rivers as it flows eastwards.

Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)

Considered by many as Namibia’s answer to the Okavango Delta, the Caprivi offers an incredible water-based safari experience within its riverine forests and vast wetlands. The region’s big drawcard is that it’s surrounded by four perennial rivers – Chobe, Kwando, Linyanti and Zambezi – which makes it a haven for elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. The birdwatching is also superb: the region has recorded a staggering 600 plus species. Caprivi is home to several intimate game reserves with excellent lodges that offer boat safaris and fantastic sunset cruises.

Kolmanskop - The Ghost Town

As a confronting reminder of the fact that time and tide do not wait for you, Kolmanskop is disappearing into the desert. The country’s most famous ghost town is situated in the Sperrgebiet (‘forbidden territory’) of southern Namibia. After a diamond was discovered in the area during the early 1900s, fortune hunters moved into Kolmanskop causing a huge and frantic diamond rush. The small town soon developed into a bustling centre featuring elegant houses, a hospital, ballroom, school, casino and an ice cream factory. 

The small town soon developed into a bustling centre featuring elegant houses, a hospital, ballroom, school, casino and an ice cream factory. Development reached its pinnacle in the 1920s, but the town started declining after World War One when diamond prices crashed.

Within a period of 40 years, Kolmanskop flourished and died. The Namib Desert is slowly but surely swallowing this ghost town’s crumbling ruins which bear very little resemblance to its former affluent glory. Today, Kolmanskop delivers eerily beautiful photographic opportunities and is a popular destination for film shoots.

Okonjima Nature Reserve

Namibia’s cheetah population is the largest and healthiest in the world.

Okonjima lies halfway between Windhoek (Namibia’s capital) and Etosha National Park, making it a convenient stopover between the two.

The reserve is well known for its fantastic cheetah and leopard sightings, and is home to The AfriCat Foundation – a non-profit organisation that makes significant contributions to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores like leopard, cheetah and brown hyena in their natural habitat.

Cheetah Conservation Fund

A unique opportunity to experience conservation in action! CCF is the global leader in cheetah research, conservation, and education. Its Centre, 44 km east of Otjiwarongo and close to the Waterberg, is open to the public all year round (8 am - 5 pm) except Christmas. CCF works to keep cheetahs in the wild and educate the public. Here scientists, researchers, but most importantly visitors and normal cheetah fans get an interesting insight into the life of the fastest land mammal on earth. 

CCF is a sanctuary to injured or orphaned cheetahs, many of which cannot be released back into the wild.

 Learn about the cheetah's plight, watch them being fed or exercised at high speeds, meet some of our scientists. Our Model Farm teaches farmers how to co-exist with predators. Visitors can meet some of CCF's Livestock Guarding Dogs and their flocks of sheep and goats and also sample home-made goat-milk cheese, ice cream or fudge at the Cheetah Cafe. 

These exquisite destinations encapsulate the extraordinary beauty, diversity, and luxurious experiences that Namibia has to offer. Each destination provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with nature, wildlife, and culture in style and comfort, ensuring an unforgettable African journey.