Namibia is one of the most unique places we have ever visited, it was like being on a different planet!
This fascinating country earned its number one rank position as “Best Landscapes” on our 9-month Cairo to Cape Town journey.
In this Namibia travel guide, we list the reasons why you should visit Namibia as well as our top recommendations of where to visit.
We can guarantee you’ll be booking your Namibia flights after reading about some of these places.
Why Should I Visit Namibia?
We visited some stunning places on our Great African Adventure, but Namibia stands out all on its own in regards to out-of-this-world landscapes.
We drove over 2,000km across this fascinating country and lost count of the number of “Wows” we would say daily!
The following list are some reasons you should visit Namibia:
Incredible landscapes – from the world’s oldest desert, the world’s highest sand dunes, and some of the world’s most magnificent, magical, and mysterious places.
Crowd-free travel – this was something special about Namibia as you can escape the crowds while traveling around, allowing you to truly immerse in the nature around you.
A host of activities to suit everyone’s tastes – Enjoy adventure sports such as sand boarding and quad biking, desert exploration, hiking, camping, and star-gazing to name but a few.
Safety – Namibia is considered one of the safest countries in Africa.
Wildlife safaris – Embrace Namibia’s unique wildlife on safari, including the opportunity to witness four of the Big Five in Etosha National Park.
We feel that the above are compelling reasons enough to inspire you to consider a visit to Namibia, but let’s look further into what exactly there is to do in this fascinating African country.
Top 3 Not-to-Miss Places in Namibia
Now that we’ve captured your attention, let’s delve into some of Namibia’s top attractions where you can fully immerse yourself in this incredible country’s breathtaking wonders.
1. Spitzkoppe
Let’s begin with our favorite place in Namibia – Spitzkoppe.
Spitzkoppe is a mountain oasis in the Namib Desert—150 kilometers east of Swakopmund. It’s often referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia, with the highest of the majestic granite peaks rising to 700 m.
Spitzkoppe is basically a desert playground, with smooth granite rocks and boulders forming arches, secret caves, and tunnels.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of water and sun protection as it does get hot in the desert!
Spitzkoppe is a perfect place to watch the iconic African sunset, it won’t be difficult to find a rocky hill or a boulder that will serve as a lookout point.
However, watching the sunset is not the only activity here; you can go hiking, rock climbing, stargazing, or bird watching here.
For a unique experience of Spitzkoppe, it is all about camping. The best thing is that the Spitzkoppe campsites are so spread out you will feel like you are the only ones there.
Soak in the experience of sleeping under the African sky surrounded by massive boulders and bizarrely shaped mountains. We can promise there will be nothing quite like it.
We slept on our camping beds without any tent, just us and the majestic Milky Way under the most incredible night sky you will ever witness.
Now that is an experience – just make sure that your sleeping bag is well zipped up in case any creepy crawlies choose to snuggle in with you!
If camping is not your thing, it’s possible to visit Spitzkoppe on a day tour from Swakopmund.
Spitzkoppe Campsite
Spitzkoppe Campsite is a basic campground but still has decent facilities like hot showers, a small shop, and a restaurant at the reception.
Working hours – 9 am to 4 pm
Day admission fee – NAD 120/US$6 per person
Campsite fee – NAD 210/US$11 per person
2. Sossusvlei
Visiting Sossusvlei offers a chance to witness one of the most visually stunning and geologically captivating landscapes on Earth.
Have we got your attention?!
Sossusvlei is situated in Namib-Nauklut National Park in the southern part of the Namib Desert. This incredible place offers some of the most surreal landscapes you will ever experience.
Deadvlei (“Dead Marsh”) is the main attraction when visiting the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. It is a white pan, surrounded by many towering red sand dunes, and scattered with ancient, dead camel thorn trees.
These trees, estimated to be over 1000 years old, stand as darkened skeletons against the stark background, creating otherworldly beauty and eerie tranquility within the heart of the Namib Desert.
Walking up sand dunes is quite tiresome and it’s highly recommended to wear comfortable shoes, not open shoes as the sand gets very hot and could burn your feet.
Top Tip : Make time to visit Sesriem Canyon. Located only 4.5km from the entrance gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is the less-visited, but in our opinion, just as awe-inspiring.
The Tsauchab River has shaped the Canyon over millions of years and it is one of the few places in the area that holds water all year round.
Do not pass on visiting this Namibian wonder during your Namibia holiday.
3. Etosha National Park
We couldn’t finish our top 3 Namibia attractions without including a safari drive in Etosha National Park, one of the country’s top tourist attractions.
The park is an incredible place to observe thousands of animals roam freely on the territory over 20,000 km².
Here, in Etosha National Park you can see four out of the famous African Big 5 animals; elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards. The buffalo is the only one that is missing here. However, in total, more than 114 mammal species can be seen in the park.
For a successful animal sighting, visit Etosha during the dry season between May to October when animals are easy to spot at the waterholes. Overall winter (the dry season) is the best time to visit Namibia.
You’ll need at least two days in Etosha to explore the area but staying here for longer is a good idea. You can join a full or half-day safari drive if your vehicle is not good enough for a self-drive safari or do a 3-day tour from Windhoek to Etosha that includes transportation, safari drives, guides, meals, and accommodation.
Gate opening hours – sunrise to sunset
Admission fee – NAD 150/US$10 per person, NAD 50/US$3 per car (10 passengers or less).
Under 16 years – FREE!
7 Other Namibia Attractions Worth Visiting During Your Namibia Holiday
Carrying on from our top 3 Namibia attractions, we will look at 7 other destinations that are worth exploring during your Namibia holiday.
We spent one month driving through Namibia and visited many fantastic places. Therefore this list is based on our personal Namibia holiday experience.
1. Windhoek
Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. Visitors can delve into Namibia’s past by exploring historical landmarks like the Christuskirche and Alte Feste, while museums such as the National Museum and Owela Museum offer fascinating insights into the country’s heritage.
Windhoek also offers scenic viewpoints, outdoor activities in surrounding nature reserves, and a lively nightlife scene filled with entertainment options.
Basically, it offers visitors a well-rounded balance to keep everyone happy!
Not only does it offer a glimpse into urban Namibian life but Windhoek is the gateway to Namibia’s wonders, and provides an excellent starting point for adventures across the country.
The best way to discover Windhoek is to take a city and township tour with a local guide to discover both sides of the city. View the historical highlights in Windhoek city center, and get an overview of the Katutura Township where the majority of the city’s residents live.
2. Kolmanskop
Kolmanskop was a prosperous German settlement after the discovery of diamonds in the area in 1908 but now sits as an abandoned town, located 13 km outside Luderitz.
The town included a hospital, ballroom, school, and even a casino. Kolmanskop even had the first X-ray machine in the southern hemisphere – we thought that was kind of cool!
However, as diamonds declined, the town was gradually abandoned, becoming a beautiful ghost town only 40 years later. The last family left the town in 1956, since then it’s been abandoned.
Today, Kolmanskop remains frozen in time, offering visitors a haunting yet fascinating glimpse into its past.
Its crumbling buildings half-buried in sand have become quite the tourist attraction, drawing tourists intrigued by its eerie beauty and historical significance, but probably more so for the cool instagramable photos!
When visiting Kolmanskop we would recommend joining one of the free guided tours. These tours last about 1hr 30mins and provide insight into the town’s rise, fall, and the unique stories it holds within its weathered walls.
*Make sure you keep an eye out for the wild horses roaming freely on the way to Kolmanskop near Aus.
Working hours – daily, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Admission fee – NAD 75/US$5 per person.
If you are not self-driving, you can join a 12-day Safari Adventure which includes a trip to Kolmanskop.
Read all about our visit to Kolmanskop ghost town.
3. Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon is located in southern Namibia, close to the border with South Africa. The canyon runs for 160 kilometers (about 100 miles) in length reaching depths of over 500 meters (1,640 feet), and formed about 650 million years ago.
Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second-largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. Needless to say, it is a not-to-miss place in Namibia.
Apart from dramatic landscapes, rugged cliffs, and expansive views, the Fish River Canyon hike is one of the most famous trails in Southern Africa.
The route is open only during the winter months from May to mid-September, just make sure to book it in advance.
Working hours – daily, from sunset to sunrise
Admission fee – NAD 160/US$11 per person, NAD 20/US$1.5 per car
4. Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a coastal city in Namibia, located about 352 kilometers (219 miles) west of the capital city, Windhoek. It is here we spent most of our time in Namibia, the perfect place to rest up after all the long distance driving.
Swakopmund is by far our favorite town in Namibia, uniquely positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert.
Swakopmund’s German heritage can be seen clearly in its colonial architecture, original German names, cuisine (and beers!)
Although Swakopmund is a great option to chill out and rest up after all the driving, if you are still feeling energetic you can indulge in some more adventurous activities.
These include activities such as skydiving, quad-biking, and a special Living Dunes Experience – spend 3 hours tracking geckos, lizards, snakes, chameleons, spiders, and more while enjoying the beautiful sand dunes of the Dorob National Park.
5. Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Cape Cross Seal Reserve is situated along the Atlantic coast of Namibia, approximately 120 kilometers northwest of the coastal town of Swakopmund and is home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world.
Thousands of seals gather here, creating a remarkable spectacle with their presence, and activities (and their stench) along the coastline.
If you’re sensitive to smell, perhaps bring a mask or a handkerchief to cover your nose. We mean it, it REALLY STINKS!
Cape Cross also holds historical significance as it was the site where Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão erected a stone cross in 1486, marking one of the earliest European explorations of the African coast.
Working hours – daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Admission fee – NAD 150/US$10 per person, NAD 50/US$4 per car.
6. Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is located north of Swakopmund along Namibia’s northwestern coastline.
Swakopmund serves as a gateway to the southern part of the Skeleton Coast, and it’s one of the starting points for travelers embarking on expeditions to explore this remote and rugged region.
The Skeleton Coast earned its powerful name due to the many shipwrecks that dot its shores and the skeletal remains of whales and seals scattered along the coastline.
Sounds lovely right?!
Exploring the Skeleton Coast provides a unique chance to completely immerse yourself in an untouched wilderness, discover the stories of maritime history through scattered wrecks, and encounter wildlife resilient enough to survive in this harsh but stunning environment.
Don’t feel confident to self-drive this wild route? How about you jump at the amazing opportunity of a 3-day journey through the stunning landscapes of Namibia.
This incredible Namibian tour starts in Windhoek to the vast plains of Etosha National Park, on to the haunting beauty of the Skeleton Coast, and finishes amongst the historical charm of Swakopmund.
You can get all of this for the unbelievable price of $870 per person.
7. Flamingo Colony, Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay (Whale’s Bay) is located 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) south of Swakopmund and can be easily visited as a day trip from Swakopmund.
Visitors can witness the remarkable sight of thousands of flamingos. As you can imagine this creates an incredible sight of vibrant pink colors against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
The best time to see flamingos in Walvis Bay is between December and March, the peak migration season that starts in November and ends in April.
Working hours – 24 hours
Admission fee – Free
Enjoy Your Namibia Holiday!
Namibia holds a special place in our hearts. The sense of tranquility that comes from experiencing Namibia’s vast and unspoiled wilderness is like nothing else we have ever experienced.
Whatever your reason for visiting, whether it’s natural wonders, adventure activities, or cultural experiences, Namibia has something to offer each traveler that will be an extraordinary experience.
We are confident that you will love it as much as us.
In fact, why not let us know? We would love you hear your thoughts!
If you have any questions then leave us a comment below, and don’t forget to check out our socials.
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