Namibia

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Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a Southern African country bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east, and South Africa to the south and southeast.

Often overlooked by travellers, Namibia remains a hidden gem—remote, untouched, and vast. This lends it an unmatched sense of solitude, where you might find yourself alone watching a herd of desert-adapted elephants. Yet, it’s a shame that such an extraordinary destination doesn’t feature on more bucket lists.

Namibia’s true allure lies in its ever-changing, otherworldly desert landscapes. Its wildlife has evolved to thrive in harsh conditions, including the elegant oryx, desert-adapted black rhinos, and the playful bat-eared fox. The people are equally fascinating, from the ochre-coated Himba and the Damara with their clicking language to the San Bushmen and the German descendants in Swakopmund.

When to Visit

Namibia is a year-round destination with a generally dry and pleasant climate. The country receives significantly less rain than its eastern neighbors, with rainfall mainly occurring from December to March in the form of localized, afternoon thunderstorms. The ideal time to visit is from March to October, particularly for wildlife viewing in parks like Etosha, where the dry season (June to October) forces animals to gather around waterholes. During the wet season, wildlife disperses, making sightings less predictable.

Summer (October–April):

Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 35°C, with highs exceeding 40°C in the extreme north and south. Coastal areas are cooler, with temperatures from 15°C to 25°C and frequent fog. Early rains may begin in October, with the main rainy season lasting from January to April, bringing occasional flash floods.

Winter (May–September):

Interior temperatures during the day range from 18°C to 25°C, while nights can drop below freezing, with frost being common.

Namibia's Top Attractions

Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast, spanning two million hectares, is a hauntingly beautiful and windswept region, renowned as one of the world’s most unique coastlines. Its name stems from the countless shipwrecks and massive whale skeletons scattered across its stark, desolate terrain. Despite its eerie atmosphere, the area teems with life, including Cape fur seal colonies, desert-adapted elephants, oryx, giraffes, brown hyenas, and even lions. The Walvis Bay Lagoon, considered the most vital coastal wetland in Southern Africa, attracts around 200,000 birds during their migrations to and from the Arctic.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park, home to 114 mammal species and 340 bird species, is one of Namibia's premier wildlife viewing destinations. Perennial springs draw giraffes, elephants, big cats, and a variety of birds to the area. The park’s most striking feature is the expansive Etosha Pan, a vast salt flat that becomes a magnet for wildlife, including flocks of flamingos.

Brandberg Mountains

The striking Brandberg Mountains, with their broad valleys, serve as the dramatic backdrop to this remarkable region. The plains are home to 200-million-year-old petrified forests and ancient rock art, found in the mountains' ravines and caves, created thousands of years ago. Visitors may also encounter the Himba people, whose ancestors are believed to have been the artists behind these works. The region is a sanctuary for the endangered desert elephants, often spotted near dry riverbeds, and offers the unique opportunity to trek with skilled rangers in search of desert-adapted black rhinos.

Sossusvlei

A photographer’s paradise, Sossusvlei is a clay pan in the central Namib Desert. Fed by the Tsauchab River, it is known for the towering red sand dunes which surround it and which, at 300m high, are the highest in the world. Vegetation, such as the camelthorn tree, is watered by infrequent floods of the Tsauchab River, which slowly soak into the underlying clay. The best views of the dunes are at sunrise, when the rich colours make for fabulous photo opportunities.

Caprivi

The Caprivi area in northeast Namibia is a beautiful game-rich wetland full of wildlife. With regards to its flora, fauna and terrain it is like Botswana's Okavango Delta, and is protected by Bwabwata, Mudumu, and Mamili National Parks. This region has over 450 kinds of birds, making it a birder’s paradise, and is home to large elephant herds, especially near the Linyanti River in Mudumu National Park.

NamibRand Nature Reserve

Nestled in southern Namibia, the NamibRand Nature Reserve, established in 1984, protects the unique southwest Namib Desert ecology and facilitates animal migration. It's one of southern Africa's largest private reserves, rehabilitating 17 former livestock farms into a continuous habitat. The reserve borders Namib-Naukluft National Park to the west and the Nubib Mountains to the east, showcasing the diverse Namib Desert landscape from sand and gravel plains to savannahs, mountain ranges, and vegetated dune belts.

Exciting new holidays coming in 2025 ... watch this space!