Namibia is a country of contrasts, extremes, and superlatives. It’s a land of towering red sand dunes, deserts that seem to stretch on forever, and a wild, wind-lashed coastline. Home to Africa’s largest canyon, oldest desert, and many of its highest dunes, it also boasts abundant wildlife, compelling culture, and a treasure trove of natural wonders.
This is a country you come to for an adventure – but what that adventure looks like can vary significantly. Are you interested in nature and wildlife or geological wonders? Do you want to explore vast open spaces, admire otherworldly landscapes, and see the world at its most primordial – or relax in laidback beach towns?
With an excellent infrastructure, sophisticated tourism industry, and diverse scenery, Namibia is a joy to explore – but with so much on offer, what should you prioritise? Here are 10 unmissable things to see and do in Namibia.
1. Sossusvlei
Namibia’s defining feature is the Namib, a vast desert that runs the length of the country’s coastline. The most iconic sight in the desert, and arguably all of Namibia, is Sossusvlei, a place so starkly and bizarrely beautiful that you might feel you’ve stepped into a surrealist painting. Gnarled, blackened trees grow out of blinding white salt pans, and ochre sand dunes are framed against endless blue skies.
Sossusvlei is a photographer’s paradise, particularly when the towering dunes change colour with the light. The red sand is believed to have originated three to five million years ago in the Kalahari, and a sense of timelessness drifts in the air. While the salt pans are usually dry, when flooded by the Tsauchab River, they’re transformed into an ethereal blue-green lake that’s surrounded by greenery and aquatic birdlife, as well as gemsboks and ostriches.
2. Damaraland
While the desolate beauty of Sossusvlei is certainly no secret, Damaraland is a little more under the tourist radar – yet this huge stretch of land also boasts some of Namibia’s most evocative scenery. Home to dramatic rock formations, petrified forests, and palm-fringed, oasis-like valleys, Damaraland also contains some of Africa’s best-preserved prehistoric rock art and engravings.
While Namibia may not be the first African country that comes to mind if you’re looking for a wildlife holiday, it still has plenty to offer – and, in Damaraland, you might spot endangered black rhinos, desert-adapted lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and hyenas. Birdwatching is also fabulous here and the hiking trails, which weave between rocky clefts and over jagged peaks, are some of the best in the country.
3. Skeleton Coast National Park
Stretching for more than 300 miles along Namibia’s northwestern coastline is Skeleton Coast National Park. If you’re seeking solitude, or drawn to bleakly beautiful landscapes, you can’t miss this unique part of the country. Caught between the Atlantic Ocean and the central plains, the dense fog that shrouds the coast has confused countless captains, and the wave-pounded shore was once speckled with shipwrecks, as well as the bones of hapless humans who found themselves stranded in this hostile terrain.
Whale and seal bones are still scattered along these beaches, and as you stroll along the dunes, you might feel like you’ve come to the end of the world. But there’s also something incredibly soothing about the landscape, and despite how empty it can feel, there’s plenty of life to be found. Watch out for desert-adapted elephants, desert lions, giraffes, rhinos, jackals, and hyenas among the rugged canyons and windswept dunes.
4. Fish River Canyon
If you’re a keen hiker who’s looking to be awed, you’ll want to visit Fish River Canyon. At 100 miles long, 17 miles wide, and 550 metres deep, Africa’s largest canyon is the second-largest in the world, pipped only by the USA’s Grand Canyon. Its sheer scale and beauty will take your breath away. Plus, it’s one of the most species-rich arid zones on the planet. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for majestic black eagles as they swoop above the chasm.
The five-day hike is a wonderful way to appreciate this natural wonder. The route weaves for 53 miles over half the length of the canyon, and the views from the rim are spellbinding. If you don’t have five days, you can still enjoy sensational views from the lookouts. On an early morning hike, the sun glimmers over the cliffs, the bark of baboons echoes across the rocks and, as you perch on a boulder and take in the view, you might feel like you’re the only person in the world.
5. Etosha National Park
Sprawled across the arid landscapes of northern Namibia, Etosha National Park is the country’s top safari destination – a sanctuary of life among the barren wilderness. Encompassing around 8,500 square miles of land, and named after the giant Etosha salt pan, Etosha is one of Africa’s most cherished conservation areas. Known for its large herds of zebras, wildebeests, and impalas, it’s also home to lions, leopards, giraffes, and one of the continent’s largest populations of critically endangered black rhinos.
Etosha is unquestionably the best choice for a safari – and, for fans of independent travel, it’s perfectly set up for self-drive exploration, with well-spaced camps and decent roads. The dry season (May to October) is best for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water sources (as per the image above). However, a wet season safari (November to April) is still rewarding, as migratory birds flock here, and the landscape is transformed with vibrant flowers and lush greenery.
6. Lüderitz
From Fish River Canyon, it’s only a few hours’ drive to the historical town of Lüderitz. With a population of 16,000, Lüderitz is Namibia’s most isolated main town and, sandwiched between the sea and desert, one of the country’s best places to spot coastal birds and wildlife. The lagoon-laden coastline is ideal for wind-buffeted hikes, and you might see whales, flamingos, or penguins as you stroll. There’s plenty of culture and history, too, and exploring offers a colourful insight into Namibia’s colonial past.
Established in the 1880s by German colonists, Lüderitz enjoyed a surge of prosperity after the discovery of diamonds in 1909 – and most of the German-style Art Deco architecture was erected then. Today, the town is known for excellent seafood, particularly rock lobster, oysters, and mussels, but it still retains a uniquely time-warped, end-of-the-road ambience. The sunsets are also sensational, so keep your camera to hand!
7. Kolmanskop
Another one for photographers now…or anyone who enjoys exploring haunting, atmospheric places. Just 10 km from Lüderitz, in the middle of an area known as ‘the forbidden zone’, is the ghost town of Kolmanskop, one of the most famous, and eerily beautiful, abandoned places in the world. Over the years, the desert winds filled these empty homes and dilapidated rooms with rolling banks of sand – a surreal reminder of the power of time, and the fact that nothing lasts forever.
But Kolmanskop was once a thriving town. In 1912, it was responsible for nearly 12% of the world’s total diamond production, becoming a bustling hub of luxury in the stark desert. By the 1930s, however, the area was depleted by intensive mining and, by 1956, Kolmanskop was completely abandoned. Today, the sand-covered ruins are one of Namibia’s most evocative tourist attractions – although it may not be too long before the town vanishes entirely into the desert.
8. Swakopmund
If you’re a fan of adventure sports, you won’t want to miss visiting Swakopmund – or Swakop, to use its more informal name. This relaxed coastal town gives another fascinating glimpse into Namibia’s colonial past and, while German-Namibians are a minority here, German is widely spoken. The town is sometimes jokingly referred to as “Germany’s most southerly seaside resort”, but step away from the European half-timbered architecture, and the influence of the African desert is everywhere.
Swakop’s rippling golden dunes invite adventure and there are few better places to go dune boarding, quad biking, or skydiving. There’s also excellent surf and plenty to occupy wildlife enthusiasts; a little over 20 miles away is Walvis Bay, famous for its flamingos, while Sandwich Harbour’s bird-filled lagoon and towering sand dunes are astonishingly photogenic. At the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, you can also watch thousands of Cape Fur seals relaxing on the beach and gambolling in the waves.
9. Windhoek
Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and transport hub and, because all international flights land here, almost all tourists pass through this small, friendly city. Perched upon an inland plateau 1,700 metres high – and conveniently located in the centre of the country – Windhoek is one of the world’s highest capital cities. It’s also a great place to spend a couple of days as you get familiar with Namibian culture, sample the local cuisine, and pick up any supplies you may need for your travels.
The beautiful Christuskirche, Parliament Garden, and Alte Feste monument are the most famous landmarks, and they’re all located in the city centre. At the Independence Memorial Museum and Alta Feste Museum, you can learn about Namibian history, while the best souvenirs and locally produced products are found in the bustling Katutura Township. Animal lovers may also want to visit the nearby N/a’an ku sê wildlife sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates many of Namibia’s most iconic animals.
Final thoughts...
Situated on Africa’s southwest coast, Namibia is like nowhere else on earth. Though it’s three times the size of the UK, this big, beautiful country has a population of just three million, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world.
Because of this, it boasts a largely untouched landscape and a unique sense of timelessness. Whether you’re drawn to the country’s seemingly-boundless red deserts or the lush, game-rich reserves, Namibia will dazzle you with its beauty, diversity, wilderness, and vastness.
For further reading, why not check out our list of 10 hidden gems in Africa to add to your travel list?
Have you been to Namibia before – or is it on your bucket list? Are you intrigued by any of the destinations above? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.