There are various superb locations to go to in Namibia from the large Namibia desert with pink sand dunes to the wetlands of the plush inexperienced Caprivi Strip. Wildlife within the nation is simply as spectacular because the panorama. Right here you’ll be able to see the well-known Large 5 (lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, and rhino) and lots of different African animals together with hippos and crocodiles, hundreds of seals and flamingos, wild horses, many species of birds, reptiles, and bugs. Namibia is an actual paradise for nature and wildlife lovers; it has many unbelievable sights to incorporate in your Namibia street journey.
On this publish, we compiled an inventory of the highest 12 locations to go to in Namibia.
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Prime 3 not-to-miss locations to go to in Namibia
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is located within the Namib-Nauklut Nationwide Park within the Namib Desert. Out of many superb locations to go to in Namibia Sossusvlei was the one which impressed as probably the most. This unbelievable place with pink sand dunes and salt pans is a dream place for a pictures lover. The distinction of the orange-red shade of the desert, the white shade of salt pans, and the blue sky are spectacular.
The very best time to go to Sossusvlei is early morning when the rising solar creates clean shadows on the dunes and highlights their brilliant shade. Many guests attempt to make it for the sundown from Dune 45. It’s one of many highest dunes within the park that gives astonishing views of the rising solar from the highest. To make it in time you need to keep on the campsite contained in the park.
Deadvlei (lifeless marsh) is one other not-to-miss attraction right here. This white clay pan with putrified bushes surrounded by large dunes appears to be like surreal like a panorama in one in every of Dali’s work. When visiting Deadvlei go to the highest of one of many dunes to get some unbelievable views of the pan and the realm. Strolling up sand dunes is kind of tiresome it’s extremely really helpful to put on comfy footwear, not flip-flops or sandals as later within the day the sand will get highly regarded and would possibly begin burning your ft.
Gate hours – from 6.30 am until sundown
Admission charge – NAD 150/US$10 per individual
Different highlights of Sossusvlei
Large Daddy Dune, the tallest dune within the park
Sesriem Canyon
Hidden Vlei
Locations to remain close to Sossusvlei
Sesriem Campsite is the one place to remain contained in the park. For those who keep there you can begin driving early within the morning earlier than the gate opens which provides you further time to make it to Dune 45 earlier than dawn.
Sossus Oasis Campsite, 900 m away from the doorway gate. We desire tenting right here. It’s a pleasant well-priced place with good services that may be booked on-line.
Desert Quiver Camp, 3 km from the gate is extra of a luxurious indoor lodging choice. You may e book a bungalow on-line.
Etosha Nationwide Park
A go to to Namibia wouldn’t be full with no safari drive in Etosha Nationwide Park, one of many nation’s high vacationer sights. The park is an unbelievable place to watch wildlife hundreds of animals roam freely on the territory over 20 000 km².
The range of mammals and birds in Etosha is spectacular. Right here you’ll be able to see 4 out of the well-known African Large 5 animals; elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards. The buffalo is the one one that’s lacking right here. Apart from the Large 5, there are tons of of different mammals to watch right here; giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, many various antelopes, hyenas, cheetahs, warthogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes, honey badgers, and lots of others. In complete, greater than 114 mammal species will be seen within the park. For a profitable animal sighting, go to Etosha through the dry season between Could to October when animals are straightforward to identify on the waterholes. General winter (the dry season) is the perfect time to go to Namibia.
For those who’re focused on birds moderately than mammals the moist season (November to April) is the perfect time to return right here. Throughout that point you’ll be able to see hundreds of birds, about 340 completely different species lots of that are migratory. A number of the fowl species are flamingos, eagles, owls, vultures, storks, hornbills, parrots, ostriches, kori bustards, and lots of smaller birds.
You’ll want a minimum of two days in Etosha to discover the realm however staying right here for longer is a good suggestion. You may be part of a safari drive in case your car isn’t ok for a self-drive safari or do a 3-day tour from Windhoek to Etosha that features transportation, safari drives, guides, meals, and lodging.
Gate opening hours – dawn to sundown
Admission charge – NAD 150/US$10 per individual, NAD 50/US$3 per automotive (10 passengers or much less).
Locations to remain in Etosha
The very best is to remain contained in the park at one of many six campsites. Every campsite has a tenting space, bungalows/lodges, a restaurant, a store, and a bar. For those who don’t like tenting you’ll be able to keep indoors.
If the campsites contained in the park are full and indoor lodging is simply too dear you’ll be able to keep simply outdoors Etosha at Etosha Buying and selling Submit Campsite, 4 km from the Anderson Gate, or at Etosha Village Campsite, 2 km from the Anderson Gate.
Fish River Canyon
The biggest canyon in Africa and the second-largest canyon on this planet after the Grand Canyon Fish River Canyon is unquestionably a not-to-miss place in Namibia. The canyon was fashioned about 650 million years in the past. The canyon is about 160 km lengthy and as much as 550 m deep. The very best views of Fish River Canyon you get from the point of view. 11 km from the Hobas entrance gate. There are a number of viewpoints when you’ve got time to enterprise a bit alongside the canyon to get views from completely different angles.
It’s located within the excessive south of the nation on the border with South Africa not many vacationers that journey to Namibia attain this place. It’s not as crowded and busy as different locations to go to within the central a part of the nation. For those who’re doing a street journey from Cape City to Namibia or one other method across the canyon is an ideal in a single day cease.
Fish River Canyon hike is likely one of the most well-known trails in Southern Africa. The route is open solely through the winter months from Could to mid-September. For those who go to Namibia throughout that interval and have 4-5 days you’ll be able to full the route simply make certain to e book it upfront.
For those who’re an keen path runner you would possibly get pleasure from Fish River Canyon Extremely, a 100-kilometer 24-hour race that takes place within the canyon.
Working hours – each day, from sundown to dawn
Admission charge – NAD 160/US$11 per individual, NAD 20/US$1,5 per automotive
Locations to remain close to Fish River Canyon
Hobas Campsite provides tenting and bungalows, it’s the closest to the point of view place to remain. The services listed below are fairly primary. We desire staying at Ai-Ais Resort or Canyon Highway Home as an alternative.
Canyon Highway Home, 27 km from the point of view. Tenting and bungalows can be found right here. You may e book a room on-line.
Ai-Ais Sizzling Springs is about 78 km from the point of view. It provides tenting, indoor lodging, and scorching spring swimming pools.
9 Superb locations to go to in Namibia
We spent 2 months driving by means of Namibia and went to many implausible locations. It was troublesome to decide on solely 12 locations to go to. The checklist is predicated on our Namibia expertise. The next finest locations to go to in Namibia are organized from south to north.
Quiver Tree Forest, Keetmanshoop
The forest is a novel place to go to in Namibia. It’s positioned within the south of the nation, 10 km from Keetmanshoop, the closest city. The quiver tree is a uncommon specimen of the Aloe tree present in Southern Namibia and components of South Africa. It’s not a typical forest. The bushes right here sit fairly far aside from one another between the rocks and boulders. The Quiver tree appears to be like weird with a clean “bare” trunk and lots of root-like branches crowning the highest. It grows very slowly. The tallest bushes within the forest, about 2,5 m, are a few hundred years previous. There are about 250 quiver bushes within the forest. Sundown is the perfect time for taking photographs of the forest.
Subsequent to the Quiver Forest, there may be one other stunning place to go to – Large’s Playground. It’s a flat space with large boulders randomly positioned on or subsequent to one another.
Apart from quiver bushes, rocks, and boulders guests can see right here wild animals corresponding to meerkats, floor squirrels, and birds. The night time sky right here is spectacular too with milliards of brilliant stars and constellations that one can clearly see with no telescope.
Working hours – each day, sundown to dawn
Admission charge (Quiver tree forest + Large’s Playground) – NAD 100/US$7 per individual
Locations to remain close to Quiver Tree Forest
Kolmanskop Ghost City, Luderitz
The well-known ghost city is an fascinating place to go to in Namibia. The deserted city is positioned 13 km outdoors Luderitz. Kolmanskop was once a affluent German settlement after the invention of a diamond deposit within the space in 1908. For the following 40 years until the Second Battle II Kolmanskop was a affluent city. Because of the discovery of easier-to-access diamond deposits within the south of Namibia, many miners deserted Kolmanskop. The final household left the city in 1956 since then it’s been deserted. In 1980 the stays of the city had been became an open-air museum.
It’s really helpful to go to the ghost city with a tour. The tour lasts about 1h30min. Throughout it you go to a number of buildings (butchery, fitness center, store, personal homes, a skittles alley, and so on.) and get to be taught in regards to the historical past of the city and the spectacular for that point services it used to have corresponding to the primary within the southern hemisphere X-Ray machine.
There are various different issues to do in Luderitz and round when you’ve got time you’ll be able to spend right here a day or two exploring the realm. On the way in which to Kolmanskop close to Aus, you’ll be able to see wild horses that freely roam within the desert along with gemsboks and different antelopes.
Working hours – each day, from 9 am to 1 pm
Admission charge – NAD 75/US$5 per individual
Locations to remain close to Kolmanskop
There are various lodging choices in Luderitz.
Flamingo Colony, Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay (Whale’s Bay) is likely one of the few locations on this a part of Africa the place you’ll be able to see hundreds of flamingos from shut by. A beauty of the Walvis Bay colony is that it’s very straightforward to entry you’ll be able to watch birds from the promenade. Often, you’ll be able to see flamingos within the tidal lagoon by Pelican Level. The very best time to see flamingos in Walvis Bay is between December and March, the height migration season that begins in November and ends in April. We had been there at the start of March and there have been hundreds of birds round.
Apart from flamingos, vacationers can see in Walvis Bay humpback whales and southern proper whales. The very best time for watching whales is between July and September. For those who occurred to be that point in South Africa you’ll be able to go whale watching in Hermanus one other great spot to see these light giants. Amongst different animals seen listed below are dolphins, leatherback turtles, sunfish, seals, pelicans, and so on.
Working hours – 24 hours
Admission charge – no
Walvis Bay sea excursions & actions
If you need a better encounter with among the animals and like adventures you’ll be able to be part of one of many boat or kayak excursions in Walvis Bay.
Locations to remain in Walvis Bay
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is our favourite city to go to in Namibia. It’s an excellent place if you happen to want a few days or even weeks to relaxation from long-distance driving, chill on the seashore, and revel in good meals and craft beer. We favored Swakopmund much more than Windhoek.
Swakopmund was established in 1892 as a harbor for German southwest Africa. Till now it preserved its colonial structure and authentic German names. The middle of the city is kind of small you don’t want a automotive to get round accommodations, seashores, eating places, and outlets are inside strolling distance from one another. There are various superb issues to do in Swakopmund. From skydiving over the desert to sandboarding or quad biking over sand dunes. The city has many eating places, espresso outlets, and bars the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from contemporary seafood and fish, craft beer, and conventional German delicacies. The seashores are near the middle, they’re good for chilling, working, strolling and even swimming although the water right here is kind of chilly.
Excursions and actions in Swakopmund
For those who’d like to boost your Namibia journey with some adventurous actions Swakopmund is the proper place to do it.
Locations to remain in Swakopmund
Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Hentisbaai
Cape Cross is one other superb place to go to in Namibia for animal lovers. The reserve is located on the Skeleton Coast, 60 km north of Hentisbaai. The coast is a 40-kilometer stretch. It obtained its identify due to its inaccessible shores with many shipwrecks. A number of the shipwrecks will be seen from the street some require a 4×4 car.
The Cape Cross Seal Reserve occupies a small peninsula. It’s one of many largest Cape Fur seal colonies on this planet. There are greater than 200 000 seals within the reserve. It’s actually spectacular; wherever you look you might be simply seals. The very best time for visiting the colony is the breeding time between December and February when you’ll be able to see hundreds of cute curious seal cubs right here. There are particular boardwalks for guests to reduce individuals’s interplay with animals however you’ll be able to see seals from very shut they lay subsequent to boardwalks and typically cubs even climb by means of handrails. The one downside of this place is the odor if you happen to’re delicate to that carry a masks or a handkerchief to cowl your nostril.
Working hours – each day from 10 am to five pm
Admission charge – NAD 150/US$10 per individual, NAD 50/US$4 per automotive.
Locations to remain close to Cape Cross
Cape Cross Lodge and Campsite, 3 km from the seal colony. You may camp right here or keep indoors in one of many rooms. There’s a restaurant/bar and a small store the place you should buy wooden, ice, bread and another fundamentals.
First Group Desert Rose Appartments, 60 km from Cape Cross in Hentiesbaai.
Spitzkoppe
Spitzkoppe is a bunch of granite peaks within the Namib Desert, 150 km east of Swakopmund. For its dominating place within the space, it’s typically referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia. The best peak rises to 700 m. Easy granite rocks and boulders kind arches and tunnels. Spitzkopp is an ideal place to look at the sundown simply discover a rocky hill or a boulder that may function a lookout level. Watching the sundown isn’t the one exercise right here; you’ll be able to go mountain climbing, mountain climbing, stargazing, or fowl watching right here. It’s doable to go to Spitzkoppe as a day tour from Swakopmund.
Spitzkoppe is an unbelievable place for tenting. You may go to on a day journey too however tenting right here is one thing particular. The campsites sit far aside from one another you don’t see or hear different campers. It provides you a sense of being solo within the desert surrounded by large boulders and bizarrely formed mountains. The services listed below are fairly primary nevertheless it’s part of “wild tenting”.
Working hours – 9 am to 4 pm
Admission charge – NAD 80/US$5 per individual
Locations to remain close to Spitzkoppe
The very best is to remain at Spitzkoppe Campsite. It’s fairly primary although yow will discover some services like a scorching bathe and a restaurant on the reception.
For those who’re not prepared or geared to remain at a really primary campsite within the wild you’ll be able to select one of many close by indoor options.
Himba Village, Kunene Area
Visiting a Himba village in Namibia was one of many highlights of our 2-month journey. The Himba is the indigenous individuals of Northern Namibia. They’re semi-nomadic those that dedicate themselves to sheep and goat herding, gathering, and rising crops. A go to to a standard Himba village is a really fascinating cultural expertise. Folks dwelling in these villages attempt to protect their way of life in each element from constructing homes and elevating youngsters to making ready meals and making garments.
We actually loved staying for a few days on the Ovarhimba Dwelling Museum, 44 km north of Opuwo. We stopped at this place by likelihood on the way in which to Epupa Falls and had been actually glad that we’d determined to remain there.
Working hours – 9 am to 4 pm
Conventional life within the village 2-3-hour tour – NAD 250/US$17 per individual
Tenting – NAD 100/US$7 per individual
Epupa Falls
A powerful group of waterfalls within the North of Nambia on the border with Angola comes as a shock after the countless Namib desert. Epupa Falls might be the least visited place on this checklist resulting from its location away from the principle vacationer sights not many individuals make it right here. Epupa within the Herero language means “foam”. The waterfalls are created by the Cunene River Epupa is a collection of waterfalls that stretch for 1,5 km. The best single drop fall is about 37 m. The realm across the falls is spectacular; large baobab bushes, massive fig bushes, tall palms, orange boulders, dramatic drops, and roaring waterfalls. Epupa is a pleasant place to return for a few days to calm down below palm bushes having fun with the attractive surroundings and the tranquility of the place. You may mix Epupa Falls with a go to to a Himba village. Himbas are one of many tribes that inhabit this space.
Working hours – 24 hours
Admission charge – no
Locations to remain close to Epupa Falls
Caprivi Strip
It’s not only a place however an space within the northeast of Namibia located between Angola, Botswana, and Zambia. Caprivi is Namibian wetlands the panorama and local weather listed below are very completely different from the remainder of the nation. A 450-kilometer strip is commonly ignored by worldwide vacationers if you wish to escape crowds it’s the place to return. The realm will get quite a lot of rain yearly it’s an excellent place to do a river safari to see hippos and buffalos these giants you gained’t have the ability to see in Etosha. One other distinctive function of Caprivi is boat safaris. You may spend a number of days happening the river on a ship watching hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and different mammals and birds.
5 massive rivers (Kwango, Okavango, Chobe, Linyanti, and Zambezi) float by means of Caprivi creating a novel atmosphere for fowl watching and safaris. There are a number of nationwide parks and reserves in Caprivi the place guests can see many elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, occasional lions, leopards, and wild canine. Many freshwater birds will be seen within the space, particularly through the moist season between December and April. The Caprivi Strip is an ideal cease on a Namibia to Victoria Falls journey.
Locations to remain in Caprivi
Ngepi Campsite, Divundu, an excellent in-nature place for tenting or staying in a bungalow located on the river financial institution.
Caprivi River Lodge, Katima Mulilo on the shores of the Zambezi River.
Camp Kwando, Kongola, one other good place with bungalows on the river financial institution.
go to the perfect locations in Namibia?
Renting a automotive
To succeed in many of the talked about above locations to go to in Namibia you’ll want a automotive. Public buses in Namibia run between cities and cities (e.g. Windhoek, Swakopmund, and so on.) however you gained’t have the ability to get to another locations.
For those who’re flying to Namibia from abroad the best and quickest method is to hire a automotive at Windhoek Airport on arrival and drop it there on departure. For those who’re planning on doing self-drive safaris it’s higher to hire a 4×4, particularly for off-road driving within the desert. For those who’re planning to drive between locations and be part of safaris excursions you don’t want an enormous automotive any dependable car will probably be fantastic.
Becoming a member of a bunch tour
For those who don’t need to hire a automotive you’ll be able to all the time be part of a bunch and go to the perfect locations in Namibia with a tour and skilled guides. This could be a superb choice for solo vacationers.
4 particular causes to go to Namibia
There are various spectacular locations in Namibia. The nation provides an unbelievable panorama variety; from the dry desert with large sand dunes within the south to the wetlands and jungles within the north.
In Namibia, you’ll be able to see just about all African animals from meerkats within the Kalahari Desert to lions and elephants in Etosha Nationwide Park and hippos and crocodiles within the Caprivi Strip. To not point out tons of of different mammals, birds, and reptiles that inhabit the huge territory of Namibia.
Namibia might be one of many best African nations to journey to. You may drive your self or be part of one of many throughout Namibia excursions whichever method you select it’s straightforward to get to the principle vacationer sights within the nation.
Namibian persons are very pleasant and useful. We loved assembly locals, chatting with them, and getting helpful suggestions.
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack moderately than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.