BackNamibia brings mind-blowing sights and scenes to any travel itinerary, but what are the absolute best ways to experience this marvellous country?
Namibia, a country known for its vast desert and incredible natural contrasts, brings mind-blowing possibilities to your trip to Southern Africa. Having been explored by several of our Africa Specialists, Namibia is a confirmed champion of both the safari and adventure holiday world, with a spectrum of places to visit which leave a bookmark in your memory banks.
Whilst the diversity of Namibia makes It challenging to summarise its best activities with only eight, we are keen to give it a go. Thanks to the intel from our very own experts, we are sure that this list represents the best of the best that Namibia has to offer.
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Our top 8 best things to do in Namibia:
2. Explore the History of Windhoek
3. Go Stargazing in Sossusvlei
4. Head on a Game Drive in Etosha National Park
5. Embark on a Hot Air Balloon Safari
6. Witness Elephant Herds in Damaraland
7. Sports and Sea in Swakopmund
8. Stay in the Best Lodges in Namibia
1. Hike Incredible Landscapes
Seek hikes in Fish River Canyon, Damaraland and Sossusvlei
What better way to experience the most beautiful places to visit in Namibia than by getting right into the midst of them. Perhaps the best way of doing this is by embarking on a hike along remote routes, trodden by our experts and other travel enthusiasts, around some of the most sought-after scenes in Africa.
Seeing the gigantic, red structures of Namibia’s famous sand dunes, located most famously in Sossusvlei, alone stirs the soul. Knowing that these slopes are all yours to hike and explore opens up more magical avenues, welcoming you to seek the peaks of even the tallest dunes, like the famous ‘Big Daddy’ (325-metres high).
Discover more fascinating Namibia hiking spots in places like Fish River Canyon, the world’s second largest canyon, located in the south of Namibia. This is the type of place that makes you feel small yet important, as you watch nature unfold before you in its finest performance, feeling closer to its inner workings than ever. Hikes at the canyon offer the best possible vistas of its majestic beauty and insight into its geology, along with stays in luxury camps and evenings crowned by sundowners.
Climb to the top of Big Daddy, one of the tallest sand dunes in Namibia
2. Explore the History of Windhoek
The best place to seek the history and culture of Namibia
Shifting from the vast, open spaces of natural Namibia to its equally charming urban scene, you soon come to terms with the sheer breadth of the country’s offerings. The capital city of Windhoek enriches any Namibia itinerary with a splash of modern culture and history, its German colonial architecture blending with tributes to the nation’s independence.
The historical and cultural landmarks in Windhoek stretch far and wide, beginning with the iconic Christuskirche, a German Lutheran church built in 1910 which embodies the finalities of a tumultuous timeline, now standing as an unofficial national monument. The voices of Namibia's fight for independence can also be heard at the Independence Memorial Museum, where the top floor reveals panoramic views of a city once captured by colonial rule.
The best way to celebrate a free Namibia is to explore Windhoek's ever-growing beauty and vibrancy, perhaps making stops at some of its best family-run restaurants and traditional eateries. Check out the Namibia Craft Centre and purchase some local crafts and textiles, take a tour of one of the city's breweries, visit the National Museum or simply soak up the stunning, natural scenes which encircle the wonderful city of Windhoek.
Visit Christuskirche, an emblem of Windhoek's colonial past which gleams as a positive symbol today3. Go Stargazing in Sossusvlei
The best place to seek peace and luxury Namibia lodges
Deep within the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei (or the "dead end marsh") brings endless beauty to any Namibia holiday. There is no other place on Earth quite as stark and dreamy as this sprawling salt and clay pan, where monolithic sand dunes washed in deep reds and oranges rise around you, including the 170-metre-high Dune 45. Other than during periods of heavy rainfall, when the Tsauchab River fills the pan, Sossusvlei remains completely dry, encompassing a habitat for heavily adapted flora and fauna.
The surreal starkness of Sossusvlei accommodates a wide range of exciting activities which bring you closer to its unique beauty. However, our travel experts always rave about the fantastic star-gazing tours which take place in the region, an experience which only requires yourself, a pair of binoculars and a few warm layers!
Due to the region's lack of light pollution and its remote location, star constellations, planets, shooting stars, and even the Milky Way are regularly visible. With the company of a local guide from your nearby luxury Namibia lodge, the skies above will soon transform into something spectacular.
The African safari lays at the root of our love for travel at Wayfairer, as we represent only those parks which reflect a clear ethos centralising the protection of wildlife, natural environments and local communities. Etosha National Park is one of these, playing a critical role in the protection of some of Namibia's rarest wildlife, like the black rhino and cheetah. Other wildlife includes the zebra, springbok, giraffe, kudu, and over 340 species of bird - you can also head on an African Big 5 Safari here!
Stay in some of the best safari lodges in Namibia during your adventure in Etosha, or you can head to the neighbouring Onguma Reserve for a more private stay in its remote bush camp. Either way, your wildlife journey will be accompanied by a local expert who knows the ins and outs of this iconic national park. You will be brought to some of Etosha's waterholes, where animals gather to drink and bathe, and across grasslands and savannah, where various ecosystems flourish.
See rhinos, elephants and much more on a safari in Etosha National Park
5. Head on a Hot Air Balloon Safari
Best for those seeking an adventure holiday in Namibia
Those of us with an adventurous spirit may wish to experience Namibia's astounding landscapes from a more unique perspective. That's where the hot air balloon comes in - an ideal pursuit for anyone with an equal draw to both adventure and natural beauty. From above, the best scenes of Namibia transform into something new, something otherwise seen by the eyes of a bird.
Travel to Sossusvlei for a sky-high escapade accompanied by the best sunrises in Namibia, where the gigantic sand dunes and sweeping flats of the Namib Desert look even more surreal. Embark on a carefully-planned route which is sure to captivate your soul, perhaps shared with the most special person in your life. There is truly nothing more romantic. Here, photographers are in their element and luxury travellers find a perfect balance between adventure and opulence, as a champagne breakfast is an option for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
Witness the most beautiful places to visit in Namibia from a private hot air balloon
6. Experience Adventure Sports in Swakopmund
The best place to blend culture with adventure in Namibia
Swakopmund offers a slightly different taste of Namibia's desert, bringing a distinct cultural buzz to an otherwise remote region. From this contrast sprouts a selection of unique activities and experiences, along with a springboard to some of the best places to visit in Namibia, like the Skeleton Coast and the tumbling dunes of the Namib.
We know that many of our clients are thrill-seekers who search for something a little different to the usual luxury trip. That's why sandboarding in Swakopmund is one of our favourite things to do during a Namibia holiday, as the country's vast natural beauty is combined with an adrenaline-inducing experience spent with family or friends.
Beginners can start by sandboarding belly-down, as it is much easier to control your direction this way. Once your confidence increases, you are welcomed to attempt sandboarding on your feet, treating the board similarly to how you would a snowboard or surfboard. For those who aren't so keen on the idea, other adventure sports like quad-biking and sea kayaking are on offer depending on where you stay.
7. Witness Elephant Herds in Damaraland
Best for off-the-beaten-track travellers
Yes, there are elephants in the deserts of Namibia! These aren't just any elephants though, as they are heavily adapted to the harsh and dry environments of Damaraland. They can go days without water, and have broader feet to prevent them from sinking into the sands as they wander in search for underground water sources and for the mopane trees and acacia which they feed on.
A wildlife experience like no other, witnessing these rare desert elephants is for certain one of the most unique things to do in Namibia. Following your journey to the wondrous plains of Damaraland, nestled into the north-west of Namibia, and a swift check-in to your beautiful Namibia lodge, your captivating desert journey awaits.
With Wayfairer, you are able to tailor your travel itinerary to your own desires, meaning you can choose to embark on a self-drive Namibia tour. We do recommend accompanying an expert guide as you embark on this Damaraland tour as to assure an ethical viewing of these enchanting animals (and to improve your chances of seeing them!)
Witness large herds of elephants as they roam the deserts of Damaraland8. Stay in the Best Lodges in Namibia
Best for those who like the finer things in life!
You will find some of the best lodges in Africa as you arrive in Namibia, spotlighting some of the most captivating landscapes in the world. From the comforts of a well-decorated room which captures the diverse cultural heritage of Namibia, various regions lay right at your doorstep whilst local culinary specialties are served in private dining venues.
Discover exhilarating experiences as you stay in Swakopmund, where guesthouses offer a gateway to adventure sports whilst sleeping you in style, or immerse yourself into the timeline of Windhoek in a colonial style hotel. Head out to the stark deserts of Spitzkoppe and sleep under the stars in a luxury campsite, before heading out on leisurely hikes across the surrounding sands. Meanwhile, an array of lodges help you to plunge into the wildlife wonderland of Etosha, cradling you with cosy chalets as ecosystems roll on harmoniously around you.
Wherever you decide to go on your holiday in Namibia, our Travel Specialists will enhance your journey with a selection of high-range stays which capture the spirit of this spell-binding African country.
Enrich your safari in Etosha National Park as you spend blissful nights at Onguma Camp Kala
If you are keen to venture on a holiday to Namibia with Wayfairer Travel, make sure to Enquire Today and get paired with the perfect Travel Specialist for you!
