Namibia Travel Guide

Namibia. A place of Barren Beauty.

This was my first visit to Namibia and my first photography workshop. The tour was to start at Windhoek go slightly north and West to Spitzkoppe (between Usakos and Arandis on the B2) then south via Gaub, Solitaire, Sesriem, Aus and across to Luderitz; back to Aus and seehiem dropping down to Fish River Canyon for a short visit before heading back north to Keetmanshoop and then returning to Windhoek via Marietal and Rehoboth.
The trip took 12 days with ample stops at the numerous must see sights for photographers which included, Spitzkoppe itself and the spectacular surrounding red rock formations, Dune 45, Deadvlei and sossusvlie, Sesriem Canyon, Luderitz Town, Kolmanskop deserted mining town, the aforementioned Fish River Canyon, the Mesaurus Fossils, Giants Playground and the quiver Tree forest.
There was a lot to fit in and had the tour extended further north to Etosha National Park there would have been the wildlife too, however this was Landscape photography tour/workshop.
Namibia is another whole scale of massive with a very low population meaning one can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle which for a Brit is a little un-nerving to begin with that said we were a convoy of three 4X4s so it was not an issue.
The countryside is stunningly beautiful in a hard barren way and utterly silent however the nights are even better (if really quite cold at times) with the most magnificent clear skies and more stars than you will probably have ever seen.
The heat (and the cold) have to be planned for, this is not the place to hop out of your car to climb up as dune to take a few snaps without a wide brimmed hat and way more water than you think you need. We did a properly organised trip to Deadvlie to scout for and to take shots, we had all the kit knowing that there was a 1.1Km trek across the dunes and that we would be spending a few hours on the pan taking shots and despite drinking way more than I thought I needed, I got mild sun stroke! Be prepared or you will have problems.
The driving is very easy with the only issues to be aware of is petrol stations and places to have punctures repaired.
While many of the hotels may display a 4 or 5 star rating these ratings should not be confused with those in Europe or USA. The quality of service encountered can be quite perfunctory to almost bordering on rude. There are however bright beacons of light that shine so brightly that this high level of service takes you by complete surprise! The speed of service can be slow to the extent of being glacial! If you want a quick meal…forget it. This is not a slight against you, they just don’t do “Quick”. We popped into a fast food joint on one occasion for a snack and it took nearly 40 minutes to get our food!
That said the sights we saw are out of this world, the fun we had was continuous, and I am not sure I will have the chance to take shots like I did again in a long time.

Definitely worth a visit!

If you are searching for diversified wildlife within different landscapes Namibia is the right place. Friendly people, exceptional accommodations and stunning sights make every visit of this beautiful country unforgettable.

It is safe. Game parks are well equipped. There is a great variety of game and birds. The scenery is like nowhere else in the world.

Austere landscape, unique sand dunes, large seal colonies, beautiful National Parks

The landscape is so varied in can be like travelling through three countries in one day, the wildlife and scenery are fabulous and the lodges are generally excellent.

Totally superb and the holiday of a lifetime

We went on safari with Wild Dog Safaris to Etosha and Okonjima in Namibia. Our Guide was Tembo. The Wildlife, Scenery, Weather, Accommodation, Transportation and our Guide, Tembo, were all absolutely fanstastic. We could not fault anything and will definitely be returning to Namibia with Wild Dog Safaris as soon as possible.

Natural environment, not too many people (as are found in Chobe or Kruger), lots of birds & animals, conservation efforts are apparent

A Harsh Paradise

I have visited Namibia multiple times, most recently for a duration of 4 months. I am certain to return. Its many sensations and moods often return to my thoughts accompanied by a certain happy nostalgia. Namibia is an impressive country, raw and wild; it rewards further exploration but is also immediately beautiful. If you are anything like me, you may find yourself with a new look on life, certainly if this is your first visit to Africa.

Certainly if this is your visit to Africa, there is no better destination. In Namibia you have vast wildlife, fascinating culture, beautiful landscapes; from lush wetlands to parched deserts, and unlimited adventure. Importantly it is very safe, crime is low and the politics are stable, the infrastructure is remarkably good and everything is well run. Tourism is well established in most areas and is a vital part of the economy, but at the same time it is geared towards low volume-high revenue, meaning you are unlikely to see crowds.

Most visitors to Namibia follow the same circular route, clockwise or anti-clockwise. This route typically takes two to three weeks and covers a lot of the incredible must-see sights and areas and can be done in a rented 2WD drive car. I can not emphasise enough how beautiful and varied this country is; there is far too much to cover in three weeks, but this standard route is perfect in that it pays sufficient attention to the highlights and still allows a great sense of adventure though Im sure one would always wish it had been longer.

To summarise, the main places visited on this circuit:

The Namib desert, which is a unique ecosystem of endless shifting sand dunes and mountains. There is plenty opportunity for walking and to drive along the long gravel roads is awesome. One of the most astonishing natural features on earth is the Sossusvlei and the Deadvlei. The former is a green oasis among the dunes, and nearby the latter is a photographers dream: a clay pan dotted with dead trees.

Swakopmund, a quaint germanic seaside town surrounded by sandy flats. A tourist hub from where it is possible to go on many excursions to interesting birding sites, seal colonies or adventuring in the desert.

Damaraland, a beautifully arid region dotted with rocky hills and villages. It is possible to track down here the famous desert-adapted elephants and there is a large population of free-roaming black rhino. Amidst the other wildlife and still subsisting are the Damara people who graze their cattle. Twyfelfontein is Namibia's only world heritage site (so far), an ancient rock art site.

Etosha, the most famous national park offering the 'classic' safari experience in a rather unique setting. It is dominated by a vast clay pan, the southern edge of which is scattered with waterholes. Particularly in the dry season you will see vast herds of animals waiting to drink as predators such as Lions block their paths. Ive seen incredible amounts of lions here and Rhinos are almost guaranteed at the Okaukuejo waterhole.

A lot of people also visit a reserve called Okonjima. This is the home of the Africat foundation which works to conserve Cheetahs and Leopards. You will almost certainly see these two cats if not truly 'wild'. Ive recently decided no longer to recommend this place due to various ethical issues I became aware of during a volunteering stint.

There are countless other things to see and visit, but I will also summarise here the kost significant regions:

Kaokoland, a large desert area inhabited by the nomadic Himba people. Incredibly remote and rugged, wild, it shouldnt be attempted by unexperienced 4x4ers and certainly not solo. Expect to find vast sandy valleys lightly grassed and not another soul for miles.

Caprivi, a small region crossed by many rivers and characterised by swamps and forests. It is densely populated by a variety of peoples living in a largely traditional manner, but still wild and untamed and there is a large population of Elephants.

Kalahari, a vast semi-desert with sparse but interesting wildlife. Large portions are monotonous and uninteresting but some areas are fascinating. The Khaudum park has much wildlife and is remote and bushmen in the area can demonstrate their skills and way of life.

Fish River Canyon, the world's second largest canyon. Breathtaking and challenging hiking.

Finally, a very small place which I feel deserves more attention is the Mundulea reserve. This is a reserve being restored to its natural potential, and effectively conserves a great deal of endangered species. Visitors here will be received exclusively and be given fascinating lessons about the local nature.

It is easily possible to reach the vast majority of these places in a normal car, and once there tourists of all kinds are catered for. One can have great luxury with expert guides and astonishing views from your room, or one can experience the wild rhythms first hand while camping - of course intermediates are also possible.

Namibia is a truly beautiful country with great variety of things to see and do. It is easy to travel here and there are many options available for accommodation. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.

From the Etosha in the north to the dunes in the south and from the Kalahari in the east to the skeleton coast in the west I found this to be an amazing country with great friendly people and so many experiences

There is much to see and to do in Namibia. Abundant wildlife, in national parks and gamefarms, but also roaming free in Damaraland and Kaokoland in combination with beautiful sceneries. There is a great choice of accommodations. Campsites, self catering, guestfarms and lodges (basic to very luxurious).
In the coastal area (Walvisbaai, Swakopmund) you can enjoy f.e. Scenic flights, quadbike tours, sandsurfing, "gogga" tours (looking for the little 5) or dolphincruises.