Namibia Travel Guide

Namibia’s National Parks

Namibia is home to unique national parks and reserves, which occupy a full 18% of Namibia’s total land area, including the following:

• /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs
• Bwabwata National Park
• Cape Cross Seal Reserve
• Daan Viljoen Game Park
• Dorob National Park
• Etosha National Park
• Gross-Barmen Hot Springs
• Khaudum National Parks
• Mangetti National Park
• Mudumu National Park
• Namib-Naukluft Park
• Naute Recreation Resort
• Nkasa Rupara National Park
• Skeleton Coast Park
• Tsau Khaeb National Park
• Waterberg Plateau Park

Namibia’s Famous Sand Dunes

Among Namibia’s many incredible sights, one of the most special is without a doubt the massive sand dunes in the Namib Desert. These bright orange dunes (whose colour comes from the continued oxidization of iron in the sand particles) are among the largest in the world, and they have formed as a result of millions of years of winds from the Atlantic Ocean depositing sand that the Benguela Current carried from the mouth of the Orange River.

Namibia’s largest dune is Dune 7 (388 m), located outside the city of Walvis Bay. But the most popular dune-viewing destination is at Sossusvlei, named for the Sossusvlei clay/salt pan. Famous dunes of this area include the Elim Dune, Dune 45, and Big Daddy—all of which are wonderful to photograph, and in some cases even to climb!

Sossusvlei also features a number of famous pans (Hiddenvlei, Deadvlei), Sesriem Canyon, and another curious sand formation: petrified dunes (that is, former sand dunes that have petrified to rock). And the entire area is also home to a number of antelopes, smaller mammals, rodents, reptiles, and insects, many of whom are endemic to the Namib Desert and who are uniquely adapted to survive in that environment.

Visitors to Namibia’s sand dunes always leave happy, awe-inspired, and with incredible photos to remember this one-of-a-kind place.

Top Cities in Namibia

• Lüderitz: Named after the German merchant Adolf Lüderitz, this famous diamond town is known for its well-preserved, German art deco architecture, as well as its remarkable wildlife, including seals, penguins, flamingos, and ostriches.
• Otjiwarongo: One of Namibia’s fastest growing cities, Otjiwarongo is located close to the Waterberg Reserve, the Crocodile Ranch, and several big cat conservation programs such as the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
• Swakopmund: The beautiful seaside town of Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination with beautiful buildings, shops, museums such as the National Marine Aquarium, and access to Namibia’s famous sand dunes.
• Walvis Bay: This historically-significant harbour town is known for its clean waters, high-quality seafood, and boat tours for those interested in marine and bird life. It is also close to Dune 7 and massive salt fields.
• Windhoek: Namibia’s capital city is the first port-of-call for most international tourists, who can enjoy the German colonial architecture, artefacts of German culture, good food, and various museums and monuments.
• Maltahohe: An good base for those who wish to visit the world-famous Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft Park, this pleasant town has a variety of cultural and historical activities to keep visitors busy.

Popular Self-Drive Routes

Self-driving is a popular option for visitors to Namibia, with decent roads and tourist accommodations being widespread. If you are interested in planning a self-drive safari, enquire now, and one of our Namibia specialists will help you plan the route that best fits your needs.