Namibia is a country with one of the richest and most interesting regions of South Africa that is the combination of various landscapes, great wildlife, and an amazing cultural background. Namibia is the place where any adventure lovers, nature enthusiast, or a person seeking an amazing traveling experience can find everything possible, starting with towering dunes to rough mountains, expansive deserts, and national parks filled with wildlife. When you take a visit to this marvelous nation, you may ask yourself what are the Best Things To Do in Namibia.
This guide will take us through the 10 best activities and places in Namibia that will make it interesting, such as wildlife safaris, desert tours, cultural tourism and so on. Namibia has something to offer to everyone whether you want to adrenaline rush, have a relaxing time or a cultural experience. And here, therefore, is a list of the Best Things To Do in Namibia that will boldly make your visit an experience of a lifetime.
1. Visit the magnificent Sossusvlei Dunes.
A visit to Namibia would have been incomplete without passing through Sossusvlei, which is among the most iconic places in the country. The largest salt and clay pan in the world, it lies in the center of Namib desert with some of the highest sand dunes in the world that may exceed over 300 meters in height. Sossusvlei belongs to the Namib-Naukluft National Park and it is an unearthly, surreal experience.
The Reason why it is one of the best things to do in Namibia.
The Sossusvlei Red Dunes, more so dune 45, are an important inclusion in Namibia itinerary. The dunes are the richest colors to view during sunrise and sunset, because in the process, the light produces marvellous shadows and highlights of the surrounding landscape. Tourists can ascend the dunes, walk through the pan, or have a scenic flight over the desert in order to have an aerial shot of this awe making area. The juxtaposition of the scenery between deep red dunes and dry white pans and sparse vegetation give a memorable view.
2. Take a Safari in Etosha National Park.
Namibia boasts of some of the greatest wildlife in Africa and one of the best this can be seen in Etosha National Park which is one of the biggest game reserves in Africa. Etosha lies in the north of the country, and is covered by a large salt pan that is seen even by space, and a rich wildlife of the Big Five, the lion, the elephant, the leopard, the buffalo and the rhino.
Why It is among the Best Things to do in Namibia.
The Etosha safari is an excellent wildlife adventure. The park has one of the finest game viewing in Africa particularly during the dry season (May to October) when the animals visit their waterholes in large numbers. Tourists will be able to take a tour in the expansive plains of the park and be on hand to observe some of the wildlife interaction activities such as predator and prey interactions. Etosha has also more than 340 species of birds making it a testament of a paradise to a bird watcher. Etosha, whether in self-drive safari or guided tour, will be an experience of its own in the center of the wild Namibia.
3. Visit the Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is among the most inhospitable and inaccessible regions of Namibia and it has a weird but fascinating appeal. This coast with its sea-wrecks, bones of whales, and desolations are all beautiful and ghostly. Elevated in the north-western region of the country, the Skeleton Coast is a habitat of the national park Skeleton Coast park, which covers the coast to the Angolan border up to Hoanib River.
Reasons as to why it is one of the best things to do in Namibia.
The Skeleton Coast is one of the destinations where you will experience the crude strength of nature. Tourists have the chance to fly scenically along the coastline and observe the unrealistic landscapes of shipwrecks and dunes and the crashing waves. The park is also characterized by a diverse wildlife that comprises of desert-adjusted elephants, seals and numerous species of birds. The coast is one of the most distinct places to visit in Namibia due to the isolation and haunting beauty of the coast.
4. Explore the Dead Vlei World-Famous Dunes.
Dead vlei is a clay pan, which is situated in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, and some of the highest sand dunes in the world surround the clay pan. The contrast between the splendid orange dunes and the salty pan in stark, white with the ancient and dead camelthorn trees gives the impression of a surreal destination, and makes it one of Namibia’s most photographed places.
Why It was One of the Best Things To Do in Namibia.
The unreal beauty of Dead Vlei is incomparable. The visual effect of the old trees, the white pan, and the red dunes around makes the image of the area really impressive. Tourists have the option of hiking to the pan, climbing the surrounding dunes to get a panoramic view or can just enjoy the peace of this extraterrestrial location. They are best visited in sunrise and sunset when the light gives the dunes and trees a dramatic shadow and changes their colour.
5. Zambezi River Boat Cruise.
Zambezi River is a very known river in Africa many countries through which it flows to the Indian Sea. In Namibia, a border with Zambia and Zimbabwe is in the north east where the Zambezi River is a forming point making it a perfect place to do river-oriented activities. The trip on the river on the boat is an inimitable experience of the flora and fauna of Namibia and its natural beauty.
Why It is among the best things to do in Namibia.
Taking a cruise with a boat on the Zambezi you can see wildlife in a new perspective. You can also see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and other types of birds as they go to the river to drink water. Cruises are especially popular, especially those which take place at sunset times, the sight of the sun setting in the river is magical. The Zambezi River is one of the destinations one must visit in Namibia whether you plan a relaxing boat adventure or a more fun-filled day kayaking the river.
6. Swakopmund, Namib Desert.
Swakopmund is a delightful town that provides an ideal starting point to the Namib Desert that surrounds Swakopmund as a coastal city in Namibia. The town has a big colonial background and the influences of the Germans can be traced in the town architecture and the food. Swakopmund is also a place where one can get in touch with numerous wonderful desert sports, which are dune surfing, sandboarding, and quad biking.
Reasons why it is one of the best things to do in Namibia.
Swakopmund is an excellent mix up of adventure and rest. Having visited the desert, it is possible to see the peculiar atmosphere of the town, rest on the beaches, and attend the Swakopmund Museum. To the adrenaline addicts in the gathering, there exist a multiplicity of things that can be undertaken within the nearby desert, such as skydiving, down massive dunes with the sandboard, or a scenic flight over the desert with its gorgeous scenic landscapes. The town known as Swakopmund is probably the most ideal spot to feel the expensiveness and charm of the desert, accompanied by the relaxed atmosphere of a seaside area.
7. Damaraland Region.
Damaraland is among the best beautiful and diverse regions in Namibia. Damaraland has a rich history and geography as the country is characterized by rugged scenery, the volcanic mountains and old engravings that remain etched on the rocks. The region is inhabited by the Himba people who are a native tribe and is also affected by the ancient geological processes.
Why It Makes the List of the Best Things to Do in Namibia.
Damaraland boasts of several natural features that are unique to it, with the most prominent being the twyfelfontein rock engravings, which have been recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site, and the brandberg mountain which has prehistoric paintings. Other wildlife that is known to the region is the desert-adapted elephants. The diversity of damaraland as a sightseeing attraction renders its rugged beauty a must-see site in persons who visit Namibia.
8. Explore the Interesting Himba Culture.
Himba people are numerically one of the most typological native tribes of Namibia possessing specific traditions, dress and lifestyle. Himba people occupy the north west region of Namibia in places such as the Damaraland and the Kunene Region. A trip to a Himba village will give one a rare opportunity to experience the traditional ways of life of the indigenous people of Namibia.
Why It is among the best activities in Namibia.
The Himba people are a unique group of people to experience some cultures. You will get to know their old ways including using ochre to paint their skin and their hair, and being semi-nomadic. Certain tours also take you to Himba villages which will provide you with the opportunity to interact with the locals, learn about their everyday activities, and thus it would be an interesting and educative experience to everyone who cares about Nambibian culture.
9. Take a Scenic Flight Over Namib Desert.
To get the most unprecedented view of the desert sceneries, one may take a scenic flight over Namib Desert. Some operators have flights that fly you over the soaring sand dunes, the Skeleton Coast and the spectacular salt pans giving you an aerial perspective of some of the most well known sites of Namibia.
Why It Is Among the Best Things to do in Namibia.
An air safari provides an impressive perspective of the vastness of the Namib Desert with flexible dunes, expanse of salt pans, and jagged shoreline becoming visible. Cruising over the beauty of the desert is a memorable experience and an ideal way of capturing the beauty of the country in the air.
10. Fish River Canyon adventure.
One of the largest canyons in the world is the Fish River Canyon, which is found in southern Namibia. This geological wonder is more than 160 kilometers in length, at most 27 kilometers in width and approximately 500 meters in depth. The canyon provides spectacular sceneries and is a destination that should be visited by anyone in Namibia.
The reason it is one of the best things to do in Namibia.
Going to Fish River Canyon, one can observe the greatness of nature. One can hike the canyon rim, scenic drives to different points, or the Ai-Ais Hot Springs are located nearby. The geological history of the canyon, its vastness, and beauty make it one of the most beautiful natural features in Namibia.
Conclusion: Things to Do in Namibia.
Namibia is a destination that has everything to attract any form of a traveler. Namibia, as an adventure spot, wildlife sightseeing, culture fan, or just a person seeking spectacular scenes, has it all. The Namibia list of the best things to do is a thrilling mix of nature, culture and adventure that does not end with just a life time memories. Between the rolling dunes of Sossusvlei and the animal sights of Etosha, Namibia is undoubtedly one of the most original spots of Africa.
