NAMIBIA
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
ABOUT
NAMIBIA
The country that gave us Martian-red dunes and shipwrecked coastlines doesn’t whisper adventure.
It roars in stillness.
Namibia is where elephants trek through desert like mirages, where stargazing feels spiritual, and where landscapes are measured in goosebumps, not miles. This isn’t your usual African safari.
It’s where German bakeries meet tribal tattoos, where ghost towns sink into sand, and where silence wraps around you like a warm blanket.
Here’s the thing about space. Namibia gives it to you. Skies that go on forever. Roads with no end in sight. And yes, that Himba woman’s necklace has more meaning than a museum.
From the wildlife of Etosha to the mystery of Sossusvlei, Namibia doesn’t just stun. It recalibrates you.
Namibia draws travelers who are willing to embrace silence and space. It’s for those who don’t rush through a landscape but sit with it - watching shadows shift on the dunes or listening to stories shared around a fire.
The luxury here isn’t polished—it’s profound. If you want to unplug, to feel the vastness of nature and your place within it, Namibia doesn’t just deliver awe—it leaves you changed.
Whether you’re tracking wildlife with a guide, feeling the crunch of salt pans underfoot, or staring up at a sky ablaze with stars, Namibia asks you to let go of the noise and step into the quiet.
You don’t just visit—you absorb, reflect, and return home seeing the world—and yourself—a little differently.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN
NAMIBIA
PLACES TO SEE
Sossusvlei
Home to Dune 45 and surreal salt pans surrounded by towering red dunes.
Deadvlei
An eerie, beautiful landscape of fossilized trees and white clay.
Etosha National Park
Prime wildlife viewing at floodlit waterholes.
Skeleton Coast Haunting
Shipwrecks and windswept Atlantic beauty.
Swakopmund
German charm meets adrenaline sports.
Twyfelfontein
Thousands of ancient rock engravings in a desert setting.
Damaraland
Elephant safaris, tribal culture, and stunning geology.
Himba Villages
Visit Namibia’s semi-nomadic pastoralists.
Kolmanskop
Sand-filled ghost town frozen in time.
Windhoek
Namibia’s capital, with markets, museums, and craft shops.
Moon Landscape
Barren but breathtaking vistas near Swakopmund.
Caprivi Strip Green,
River-rich region perfect for birding and boat safaris.
QUICK FACTS
GETTING AROUND
Between Cities
Namibia is best seen by road. Rent a 4x4 for independence and access to remote areas. Some routes are paved; many are gravel. Charter flights are available to lodges.
Around Cities
In Windhoek and Swakopmund, taxis and private transfers are common. In the countryside, travel is either self-drive or guided.
CRUISING & ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
From sleek safari lodges perched on cliffs to tented camps that open to watering holes, Namibia’s stays are all about place and perspective. Eco-luxury is the norm, often with solar power, open-air showers, and unforgettable views.
Cruises
While Namibia isn’t a cruising destination inland, ocean cruises often stop in Walvis Bay or Lüderitz. Excursions include dune boarding, desert tours, and seafood feasts on the coast.
SHOP, EAT & DRINK
Shop
Hand-carved wooden animals, Himba jewelry, woven baskets, and locally dyed fabrics. Support women’s cooperatives and craft centers.
Eat
Sample game meats like oryx and springbok, savor kapana (grilled street meat), and try traditional stews with maize porridge.
Drink
Enjoy local lagers brewed to German standards, or try homemade ginger beer and Amarula cream liqueur after sunset.
TIME ZONE
Namibia observes Central Africa Time (CAT), which is GMT+2.
RIDE SHARE & TAXIS
No Uber or global rideshare services. Local taxis are common in Windhoek, but most visitors use hotel-arranged private drivers or transfers.
ELECTRICITY & PLUGS
No Uber or global rideshare services. Local taxis are common in Windhoek, but most visitors use hotel-arranged private drivers or transfers.
CLIMATE
Namibia has a desert climate—hot days, cool nights. May to October is dry season and best for wildlife viewing. November to April sees some rain, especially in the north, but also brings dramatic skies and lush landscapes.
FILM/TV & FAMOUS FACES
Namibia’s dramatic dunes and open desert were front and center in Mad Max: Fury Road, as well as The Cell and BBC nature series. It’s also the home of supermodel Behati Prinsloo and Olympic silver medalist Christine Mboma, both helping to put Namibia on the world stage.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Emergency Services: 10111
Tourism Board: +264 61 290 6000
Country Code: +264
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN
NAMIBIA
EXPERIENCES TO HAVE
Deadvlei at sunrise
Walk among ghostly camelthorn trees as the first light paints this ancient clay pan in gold, red, and shadow.
Dune 45’s red ridge
Climb Namibia’s most iconic dune at dawn, where each sandy step leads to panoramic views over the sea of ochre.
Etosha waterholes
Wait quietly at the edge of a waterhole as elephants, giraffes, and lions gather for a rare and intimate wildlife moment.
Skeleton Coast from the air
Fly above shipwrecks and shifting sands on a hauntingly beautiful stretch of coastline where desert meets the Atlantic.
Himba village
Meet the Himba people in their ochre-painted homesteads, where tradition, beauty, and storytelling live on in every gaze.
Swakopmund pier
Stroll the windswept pier as waves crash beneath your feet and the town’s German colonial charm hums behind you.
Namib Desert quad biking
Race across towering dunes and empty plains on an adrenaline-filled ride through the oldest desert on Earth.
Twyfelfontein rock art
Trace your fingers over ancient petroglyphs etched into stone, left behind by San ancestors thousands of years ago.
Flamingos at Walvis Bay
Watch flocks of flamingos wade gracefully through the lagoon, their pink reflections rippling on mirrored water.
Milky Way over camp
Lie back under Namibia’s dark skies as the stars blaze overhead and the Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon.
YOU MIGHT BE WONDERING ABOUT
NAMIBIA
FAQ's
Is Namibia safe for tourists?
Namibia is one of Africa’s safest safari destinations. Roads are well-maintained, and crime is low in rural areas. Just be prepared for remote travel conditions.
How many days do I need in Namibia?
10–14 days is ideal for a loop that includes Sossusvlei, Etosha, and the Skeleton Coast. Distances are long, so don’t rush.
When is the best time to visit Namibia?
May–October is dry season and best for wildlife. November–April is hotter with occasional rain and dramatic skies.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
TRAVELING IN
NAMIBIA
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This 10-day Namibia itinerary is designed for families and small groups who want to go beyond the safari and into the heart of culture. With visits to desert dunes, historic sites, local villages, and game reserves, you'll experience Namibia at a pace that works for all ages. Discover how to plan a smooth, immersive trip with expert tips on driving, lodging, and cultural encounters—perfect for multigenerational travelers.
90 countries down - Namibia is top three!
I've been to over 90 countries and our trip to Namibia is in our top 3 vacations - EVER! From our luxury lodge stay to our epic road trip, and our visit to the San Bushmen. It was oustanding!
Sandra McLemore
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