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It’s very difficult to capture the beautiful essence of Namibia’s landscapes with words,
yet here we’re trying as we go through the most spectacular spots
we visited in this enchanting land. Enjoy!
ARE YOU INTO HIKING? DISCOVER OUR FAVOURITE TREKS IN NAMIBIA HERE
"Let me drink" said the little Zebra - Etosha National Park, Namibia
SOSSUSVLEI
If you google “Namibia”, Sossusvlei is the first place that regularly appears in online researches and it does totally make up to every expectation! A huge extense of bright red sand-dunes, Sossusvlei hides mind-blowing vistas such as the Deadvlei or the Elim dune, especially if you visit at sunrise or sunset. The golden hours will never disappoint.
Read about the walk up "Big Daddy" in our post here.
LOOKING FOR A MEANINGFUL WAY OF TRAVELLING AFRICA?
A perfectly shaped red dune in Sossusvlei Valley in Namibia
SPITZKOPPE
We visited Spitzkoppe because we were attracted by the picture of this beautiful mountain which is said to equal the Matterhorn (the iconic mountain in the Swiss Alps) in appearance. Little we knew we would fall in love with this arid place, starting from its amazing campsites which allow amazing vistas at sunrise or sunset. Every boulder or corner we explored was hiding fabulous landscapes and you will have these places mostly for yourself during shoulder season.
Find out about the wonderful hikes on Spitzkoppe here
SETTING OFF FOR A LONG TRIP? STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD WITH OUR TIPS HERE
TIP – To find our way around the city we have used Maps.me, an offline map which gives you both driving and walking directions
Sunset over Spitzkoppe Campsites on a warm March evening in Namibia
NAMIB NAUKLUFT PARK
Another well-kept secret of Namibia, you will rarely see more than a couple of good pictures of this park if you google it. Yet, we had a great time here. Starting from the Naukluft campsite, which is a nice sheltered area where to freshen up before venturing out in the park. Here it’s your chance to do some good hiking and have a refreshing swim in beautiful water rock pools along the way. Just be aware of the many local baboons so lock up your food and don’t leave anything unattended or it will magically disappear!
Find out more about hiking in the Naukluft Park here
HAVE YOU SORTED YOUR INSURANCE AND YOUR VISA? FIND OUT HOW TO PREPARE FOR A WORLD TRIP HERE
Troupe of baboons roaming in Namibia Naukluft National Park, Namibia
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
This was our first safari ever in Africa. Plus, we got to do it in our own car by our own. And we absolutely loved it!
Not only you have lots of freedom (you can chose where to stop, how long, when) but you also get to see lots of wild animals in their natural environment – we almost crossed out all the big five from our list (lion, elephant, rhino) with the exception of the hippo which does not live in Etosha National Park and the cheetah which we saw in a campsite in the south – if you want to check it out, visit their website here: Quivertree Forest Rest Camp
DON'T MISS A NIGHT OUT CAMPING IN NAMIBIA - CHECK OUT OUR SELECTION OF NAMIBIAN CAMPSITES HERE
Plus, we spotted more than twenty giraffes all together around a water hole, surrounded by zebras, kudus and springboks. We also had a glimpse of mama hyena with her cubs on an early morning!
PROBLEMS WITH PACKING FOR A WORLD TRIP? GET SOME IDEAS IN OUR POST HERE
How many giraffes can you count at this waterhole in Etosha National Park in Namibia?
TIP – We recommend to spend at least one night inside Etosha National Park. You can drive out at sunrise before the main gates of the park opens or at sunset after the main gate closes, so you can get better chances of seeing wild animals around water holes during the coolest hours of the day and you will share these moments with only few people instead of a huge crowd of cars.
Sunrise encounter with mama Hyena and her two little ones in Etosha National Park in Namibia
NATIVE TRIBES
To add a little bit of culture to your trip, make a stop at the villages of Namibian native tribes. Many villages will ask for an entry fee and you’ll have a guide explaining to you how these tribes still live like thousands of years ago.
We visited a Himba village close to Kamanjab which was extremely interesting. We have been invited to enter the tribe chief’s house and learn how his wife prepares perfumed otjize paste, the red ochre pigment mixed with butterfat which they use to protect their skin against the harsh weather conditions (exposure to sun and water scarcity) as well as against insect bites - such an ancient wonderful tradition!
To visit the Himba Village close to Kamanjab, ask for entrance tickets at the Oppi Koppi Restcamp
The wife of the chief of this Himba tribe preparing otjize paste in Namibia
Although there are no more Damara villages like they used to be in Namibia, there are some nice reconstructions which you can visit and where you can learn about their fascinating culture of hunters/gathers. Descendants of the Damara will put up a very lively show with dances and songs for visitors.
We recommend the Damara Living Museum close to Twyfelfontein with its amazing setting among massive rocks. Learn more here
Knife making demonstration at the Damara Living Museum near Twyfelfontein in Namibia
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