Namibia

Vast and stunningly beautiful Namibia

Namibia is a timeless land of stark deserts and endless blue skies inhabited by strange wildlife who have adapted to the harsh environment. It has the highest sand dunes in the world, huge shimmering plains, rugged mountains, as well as the mysterious and aptly named Skeleton Coast. The country’s famous Etosha National Park is a wildlife reserve on a vast salt pan whose perennial springs attract elephant, black rhino, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, springbok and gemsbok. Due to scarcity of water in the driest months, it is not uncommon to find a “Noah’s ark” scenario here – where species of all shapes and sizes are found gathered around the few remaining waterholes.

The Skeleton Coast National Park on the countries northwest coastline is one of the planets most unforgiving environments. Most of the park is accessed only by air and the desolate coastline is an incredible sight to behold. Cape fur seals visit the coastline every year to mate and give birth as well as hunt for fish during November and December. Over 200,000 seals have been seen at once in the colony at Cape Cross Seal Reserve.

The Namib-Naukluft National Park is another awe-inspiring destination filled with magical natural wonders. Highlights include the remarkable Sossusvlei dunes and famous skeleton trees of Dead Vlei – standing on the white salt pans against a backdrop of bright orange dunes. Hot air ballooning is also a popular way to discover the ancient landscape.

Although the human population is small, there is a rich tapestry of cultures to be found throughout Namibia; including Bushmen hunter-gatherers, Herero pastoralists in their Victorian dress and the nomadic Himba of the far north.

If you are short on time, the best way to cover the enormous distances between deserts, dunes and oases is by scheduled light aircraft. Aside from saving you hours on the road, flights provide breathtaking views of this extraordinary land from the air.

The Skeleton Coast

Spectacular Sossusvlei

Seal colony at Cape Cross

Etosha National Park

Serra Cafema and Kunene River

Damaraland and Twyfelfontein

Namibia Tours and Safaris

Explore some of the best holidays & experiences that we can custom-design for you. All of our safaris and tours are tailor-made to suit your interests, budget and timeframe.

Wings Over Namibia

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Namib Desert from the air with this flying safari. Designed to offer you some of the best camps and wilderness areas in the country, this safari will take you on an

Accommodation in Namibia

Namibia is home to some of Africa’s most remote (and luxurious) safari lodges. These intimate properties often accommodate as few as 16 guests, providing complete comfort and service in some of the world’s most extreme environments. Many camps and lodges boast lavish decks, beautiful communal areas and bars, whilst some even have small, private plunge pools. Below are some of our handpicked accommodation options in Namibia, carefully selected for their superior safari locations, service and level of comfort.

Kwessi Dunes

Discover the beauty of Namibia’s remarkable NamibRand Nature Reserve at superb Kwessi Dunes

Shipwreck Lodge

Located on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, this unique lodge has been designed around the countless shipwrecks that line this remarkable coastline

Hoanib Valley Camp

Hoanib Valley Camp offers a slice of luxury amid towering mountains, sand dunes and vast expanses of desert.

Ongava Lodge

Luxurious, family-friendly Ongava Lodge is situated on one of Namibia's largest and most important private game reserves, adjoining the famous Etosha National Park.

Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp nestles amongst rocky, rugged hills in the enormous Palmwag Concession, which harbours the largest free-ranging population of black rhino left in Africa.

Damaraland Camp

Owned and largely run by the local community, Damaraland Camp offers unique desert experiences in Namibia's well-managed Torra Conservancy.

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Beautiful Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is set in one of the most remote areas of Namibia's Kaokoveld, straddling the Palmwag wilderness and iconic Skeleton Coast National Park.

Serra Cafema Camp

One of the most remote camps in southern Africa, Serra Cafema combines modern luxury with rustic elements inspired by its natural surroundings and the nomadic Himba people who live in this

Little Kulala

Little Kulala is a luxurious retreat which enjoys unparalleled proximity and private access to the famously large red dunes of Sossusvlei.  

Kulala Desert Lodge

Family friendly Kulala Desert Lodge provides guests with unrivalled access to the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris.
Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris

Talk to one of our Africa Experts

Michael Fitzgerald

Senior Destination Specialist

Taleen Gaidzkar

Senior Destination Specialist

When is the best time to visit Namibia?

As Namibia is dominated by desert, temperatures can vary significantly, particularly at night when it can get very chilly. The most popular time to visit is between June and October during the dry season, when daytime temperatures are in the mid-20’s and the chance of rain is low.

There is almost no rain during these months, which means the wildlife congregates at precious few remaining water sources. Etosha National Park is the country’s premier wildlife area and you can see a myriad of species all converging and drinking from waterholes at the same time. The Ongava Private Game Reserve, bordering the park also offers sensational wildlife viewing.

A shoulder month for Namibia, where the weather can be quite unpredictable. The temperature starts to increase, but so too does the chance of rain – which often comes as a late-afternoon thunderstorm. If there is rain, you will get to see the immediate transformation of the landscape, as new shoots of grass spring up seemingly overnight.

Namibia’s hot and wet season, when the landscape is transformed into a green wonderland. The rains mean that it is harder to spot wildlife during these months. Due to the availability of water, they do not need to congregate at water sources. This time of year offers excellent birdwatching opportunities too, as the rains bring a number of migratory species. January to March in particular are also great times to see young newborn animals.

April marks a bit of a seasonal turning point in Namibia. The countryside begins to dry out once more and temperatures begin to drop. April and May can be a nice time to travel, in particular for those who like to avoid fell ow travellers, as crowds are generally low during this time. Game viewing begins to pick up but it is still not at the peak levels of July-October.

Namibia FAQ’s

It really comes down to preference between a fly-in/fly-out or self-drive safari – both are viable options in Namibia. If you are after a more remote, wildlife-based experience then flying is best, as it reduces the amount of time spent travelling, meaning more time out on safari or away from major areas. On the other hand, Namibia has an excellent network of roads, and if you wish to take your time and see more of the country then a self-drive safari is a terrific choice.

One of Namibia’s most stunning scenic landscapes, Deadvlei (meaning dead marsh) is a white clay pan near the famous salt pan of Sossusvlei. The clay pan was once a marsh when the nearby Tsauchab River flooded. Camel thorn trees grew among the swampland and when the climate changed suddenly, drought struck the area and the land dried up, leaving behind the white clay pan with its dead trees sprouting up. The pans are surrounded by towering orange-red sand dunes – some of the largest in the world – creating an awe-inspiring back drop.

This land of deserts has some of the most photogenic landscapes in all of Africa. Although Namibia is not as famous for wildlife as some other southern African countries, it has many unique, desert-adapted and fascinating species that are well worth looking for. The country also has some fine wilderness lodges providing comfortable accommodation and excellent service in some of Namibia’s most remote areas.

Namibia has a number of different tribal groups with their own distinct cultures including the Herero, Baster, Himba and Bushmen peoples.

A big game wildlife safari in South Africa, Botswana or Zimbabwe complements a trip to Namibia. Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe is another destination you could look at.

The main gateway to Namibia is through Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. Flights to Windhoek depart daily from Johannesburg, the city where most visitors begin their Namibia itineraries.

US – Flying to Namibia from the United States requires at least one stop over. The easiest way is via Frankfurt, Germany or Doha, Qatar. Both Lufthansa and Qatar Airways fly directly into Windhoek.

UK/Europe – Again, the most direct access is via Frankfurt, Germany or Doha with Qatar Airways. Alternatively, South African Airways and British Airways fly to South Africa’s capital Johannesburg. From there you can fly to Windhoek with South African Airways.

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