Namibia is one of the most breathtaking countries in Africa. It is the ultimate road trip destination and a fantastic destination year-round. With more than 100 mammal species, 300 species of birds, and a vast landscape, it’s a photographer’s dream! Namibia is a landscape of striking contrasts: dramatic coastlines, shifting deserts, majestic canyons, lush, river-fed plains, rugged mountains, and adrenalin-busting ocean waters. But for all its awe-inspiring natural splendor, Namibia also conveys a compelling human tale: the extant Himba and San tribespeople offer insight into their noble, ancient wisdom; the plentiful shipwrecks that frame the Skeleton Coast speak of lives lost to risk and adventure in bygone days, whilst the uncomfortable history of colonial settlement and oppression is told through the architecture and museums of the towns and cities. Despite the apparent desolation of some of its landscapes, wildlife has evolved to survive the harsh, arid climate, with desert-adapted elephants, lions, and black rhinos inspiring highlights to observe. Often described as other-worldly’, Namibia is a place for adventure, to relish the wind's freedom in your hair, the sun on your back, and to embrace the journey… Home to deserts and stunning coastlines, it’s one of our favorite African trips.
With so much to see, it’s best to break up the country into multiple trips. To simplify things, I’ve compiled a few itineraries from our past road trips through Namibia.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Language: Although English is Namibia's official language, the locals alsofrikaans, and Oshiwambo dialects speak German, A.
Currency: The Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand are both used in the country.
Capital City and Tourist Hub: Windhoek
Flight Time: London 15 h/New York 24h/Dubai 11 h
Accessibility: Flights mainly go into the capital city of Windhoek. There are daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town (South African Airlink), & regular flights from Frankfurt (Eurowings/ Lufthansa), & Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Light aircraft flights are easy to book and there are many airstrips around the country which can be used in a flying safari itinerary. Roads within Namibia are excellent and are regularly maintained. Some roads connect the country with neighboring Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia, although these are less often included in itineraries, given their conditions can be unreliable.
Credit Cards and ATMs: In big cities like Windhoek, you won’t have a problem paying for your purchases with your credit card or finding an ATM. However, if you’re planning a road trip through Namibia, you’ll need to keep money on you at all times. This is because the more remote towns only accept cash, and many do not have ATMs, including gas stations.
Plugs: Namibian plugs are type D and M. The standard voltage is 220 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter with surge protection and using a converter for hair dryers and hot tools.
Safety: Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa. It’s politically stable and has a low crime rate.
When to go: December to February is Namibia's wet season with most of the rain falling at this time. March to May is moving towards Winter when it gets drier. June to August is winter and the driest time. Daytime temperatures drop, and nights can get down to freezing. Come September, temperatures begin to warm again, with occasional thundershowers building again in late October and early November
Who for: Photographers, Honeymooners, Families, Adrenaline Junkies, Naturalist and Birders, Archaeologist
KEY REGIONS
W I N D H O E K: Windhoek (pronounced with a “V”, not a “W”) is the capital city of Namibia and is also the largest. The city is almost exactly in the country’s geographical center. Windhoek is the main tourist arrival hub, and the majority of itineraries will require an overnight here, mainly due to international flight times. Hosea Kutako International Airport (code WDH) is located 40km outside the town. However, Eros International Airport (code ERS) is just 5km from the city center and is mainly used for flying safaris. The city has a number of attractions (enough to fill a full-day city tour) and some restaurants for overnight stays.
S W A K O P M U N D: This seaside town is a stopover most itineraries will have included as standard. With a quintessential 1890s German village style, it located between the desert and the sea. Originally a landing station for the German Imperial Navy, it is well known for adventure activities including quad biking on the sand dunes and skydiving. A safari to find desert adapted creatures (snakes, spiders, etc) is highly recommended. Visitors can also set out on a boat from the neighbouring town of Walvis Bay to look for pods of dolphins. It is also easy to access Sandwich Harbour from here, a highlight for birders with more than 200,000 birds including flamingos, cormorants, and pelicans.
T W Y F E L F O N T E I N: Twyfelfontein is a UNESCO World Heritage Site found in north-west Namibia and should be included as standard in itineraries. The site is less than 1 km² in size yet has the largest concentration of rock art and engravings in Africa. Mostly created by San hunter-gatherers, the art is estimated to be over 10,000 years old and created over thousands of years. Roughly 2,500 individual engravings can be found on over 200 slabs of rock, and 13 panels of rock paintings. The site is essentially an ‘open air gallery’ , with four primary routes. Qualified guides give valuable insights into the engravings which depict a variety of hunting scenes. There are over 100 rhinos and more than 200 giraffes, plus elephants, oryx, ostrich, zebra and – remarkably – a seal. The ocean is over 100km away!
E T O S H A N A T I O N A L P A R K: Located in the north of the country, this National Park is 22,270 km² in size which is only just smaller than the size of Rwanda. 5,000 km² of this area is made up of saline depressions or ‘pans’ and otherwise is made up of grassland, woodland savannah many natural waterholes. The park is home to over 114 mammals and over 340 bird species. Featured in Sir David Attenborough’s Africa series, Etosha is well known for its rhinos, desert-adapted elephants, and endemic black-faced impala. Other desert-adapted animals include oryx and Hartmann’s mountain zebra. Predators, including cheetahs, lions, and leopards, can also be seen. There are a few high-end lodges located on private reserves bordering the park and a number of campsites within the park itself, which can be booked in advance.
S O S S U S V L E I , D E A D V L E I & S E S R I E M: Access to the Sossusvlei area of the Namib-Naukluft National Park is from the Sesriem gate, roughly 60m away from the Sossusvlei dunes. Sesriem Canyon is the result of years of erosion from the Tsauchab River and is roughly 1.5km long and 30m deep. Given the time it takes to explore, it is often left to the ‘end of the day’ in an itinerary following a visit to Sossusvlei’s dunes. The red and orange dunes are among the world’s largest and can tower over 300m above the contrasting white salt pans below. The highest dune in Sossusvlei (‘Big Daddy’) measures 325 meters. Dune 45 is the most accessible dune and most photographed. Not far from Dune 45 is the salt pan of Deadvlei. These 900-year-old fossilized black tree skeletons stick out of a stark white pan, and the site is a photographer’s dream.
D A M A R A L A N D:
Located in the northwest of Namibia, Damaraland is home to some remarkable scenery, much of it rocky and rugged. It gets very hot up here in the summer, and when it rains, the dry riverbeds fill up quickly and dramatically. The desert landscape means very interesting flora and fauna, many of which are desert-adapted. There are a number of highlights in this region which means a two-night stay is well worth including in an itinerary. It is here you will find Brandberg Mountain (the highest mountain in Namibia), the Petrified Forest (a national monument that consists of 280- million-year-old petrified tree trunks), as well as the incredible rock art at Twyfelfontein.
N A M I B N A U K L U F T N A T I O N A L P A R K: This park is an ecologically protected area 49,800 km² in size (larger than the country of Denmark). Located in western Namibia, the park has four distinct areas including the Namib Desert which is the oldest desert in the world and expands well beyond the borders of the park. Inside the National Park is where the highest dune in Namibia (Dune 7) can be found. Sandwich Harbour is situated in the most northern part of the park and is easily accessible from Walvis Bay. Namib Naukluft is also home to three main attractions of the country: Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Sesriem.
K O A K O V E L D: Koakoveld is located in the far north-west of Namibia and is part of the Kunene Region. The area extends to the Kunene River on the northern border with Angola and west to the Atlantic Ocean. The scenes up here are dramatic and incredibly photogenic. The real highlight is the Himba Tribe, the last true nomads of Namibia who are easily recognisable due to their red skin and hair. Only a handful of operators have access to the Himba Tribes for tourism purposes. Access to this part of the country is very difficult and can be quite costly as it mainly requires private charter flights, however it will most definitely be a highlight.
C A P R I V I: The Caprivi Strip is a little-known part of the country however can be considered the ‘Okavango Delta light’ due to the Zambezi and Kwando rivers which influence its landscape and climate. Getting up to the Caprivi can be difficult and is more easily accessed from neighbouring Zambia and Botswana. Time allowing, a visit here combines well with the desert/salt pan wilderness found in Etosha. There are three National Parks in the strip: Bwabwata, Mudumu and Mamili. The area is rich in flora and fauna with around 450 bird species and four of the big five (elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalos) plus crocodiles, hippos, a variety of antelope including sitatunga and lechwe, and even African wild dog.
F I S H R I V E R C A N Y O N: Fish River Canyon is the largest in Africa and second largest worldwide after the USA’s Grand Canyon. Located in the furthest south, it is not often included in itineraries as it requires a ‘dead night’ on either side of a stay (when driving). Charter flights are possible but can be costly. The canyon is over 160km long, 27km wide and up to 550m deep, and ends at Ai Ais. The Fish River (the longest in Namibia) then continues into the Orange River – the border with South Africa. Activities here are mainly hikes (from a half day up to 5-day adventures) as well as mountain biking and safari drives into the heart of the canyon.
S K E L E T O N C O A S T: Often referred to as ‘the world’s largest ship cemetery’ , the Skeleton Coast is a unique part of Africa and best observed during a scenic flying safari. The weather can be harsh and due to the rough seas, regular thick fogs and exaggerated winds, it has been the final resting place for many ships caught in the coast’s unpredictable currents. The name is also relevant as large numbers of whales have been stranded here and their bones can be found up and down the coast (a stretch of 500km long and around 40km wide). Super for gloomy photography, the area is also home to animals including jackals (who prey on the Cape fur seals), brown hyena and even desert lions.
From the remote Skeleton Coast to the beautiful Sossusvlei dunes and the beautiful luxury accommodations, it’s an incredible destination for travelers who love road trips, nature, and adventure.
Your itinerary for Namibia and the regions you want to visit will play a big part in deciding when to travel to the country. If you’re after a world-class safari in Etosha National Park, you’ll want to skip the hot summer months, but if you’re a budget traveler, that’s when you’ll find incredible flight deals.
July to October
July to October is peak season in Namibia. The winter and spring temperatures mean cooler weather, making Namibia road trips across the desert more bearable.
You’ll also have excellent game viewings at Etosha National Park in the north, and you’ll get to see some of Namibia’s unique desert wildlife along the Skeleton Coast and Damaraland.
If you’re a photographer, the winter months are also excellent for astrophotography!
The only downside to visiting Namibia during this time is the prices. Accommodation at the best lodges and even the campsites book out months in advance and flights are at their most expensive.
The winter months are considered the best time to visit Sossusvlei. The air is clear of dust, and you’ll have a beautiful contrast of the red dunes against the blue skies.
If you can, plan to enter the park as soon as it opens at 6 am. The morning light is perfect for photographers, and you’ll get to watch the dunes change colour as the sun rises.
April to June
April to June is Namibia’s shoulder season months. The hot summer temperatures start to cool down, and the landscape is green from all the rain.
It’s an excellent time to visit the country’s national parks as the high season crowds have yet to arrive and game viewing starts to pick up. However, I’d still book your accommodation well in advance, as South Africa has school and public holidays over these months and tourism to Namibia starts picking up.
Keep an eye on flight prices for Namibia as well. The airlines will start to increase airfares as the country enters winter and high season for tourism begins.
November to March
Between November and March, the temperatures in Namibia are at their hottest. You can expect an average day to reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an unpopular time to travel to the country.
However, if you can handle the heat, it’s the best time to visit Namibia if you’re a budget traveler. Airlines drop their rates to make up for the seasonal lull, and you won’t have to deal with long lines of people outside top attractions like Sossusvlei.
Be sure to pack a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated!
You can also skip Etosha National Park and plan a road trip through Skeleton Coast National Park. There’s less fog in the summer months and the nights are warmer, making it ideal if you’re camping your way through the country.
If you’re a bird lover, the summer months are the best time to visit Namibia. Many of the country’s migratory birds arrive with the rains, and you’ll see thousands of pink flamingos and Blue Cranes.
You can also head to Damaraland to see the Herero chat and Monteiro’s hornbill!
Namibia
West Namibia: 7-day Itinerary
Day 1: Windhoek
The best way to get to Namibia is to fly into the capital city of Windhoek. It’s a modern city that’s home to misplaced German castles, Neobaroque cathedral spires, and plenty of delicious food.
Accommodation: The Olive Exclusive:
This is a really cute luxury hotel in the heart of Namibia. You’ll be close enough to all of the city’s top attractions!
Things to do in Windhoek:
Visit the iconic landmark of Christ Church.
Shop at the Namibia Craft Cente.
Visit the National Botanic Garden of Namibia
Learn about Namibia’s past at the Independence Memorial Museum.
Day 2-3: Erongo Wilderness
Located about 2.5 hours outside of Windhoek, the Erongo Wilderness Lodge is where the mountains, desert, and bushveld ecosystems meet. It’s situated in a secluded valley and features 12 luxury tents.
It’s the perfect lodge for those that want to get outside and become one with nature.
Things to do in Erongo Wilderness:
Go on a nature drive with a guide and visit Paula’s Cave.
Hike one of the many self-guided walking trails.
Go on a bird watching safari.
Take a guided walk in the morning or before sunset.
Day 4-5: Spitzkoppen Lodge
About 4.5 hours away from Windhoek is Spitzkoppen Lodge, a hotel lodged between 150-million-year-old boulders. With a minimalistic approach, the property seamlessly blends into the apricot sand and rugged landscape.
There are 15 one-of-a-kind chalets, each offering an unforgettable VIP service!
Things to do at Spitzkoppen Lodge:
Go on a guided rock art tour.
Wander through the nearby caves.
Tackle one of the many hiking trails.
Before you check out, be sure to stop by the little shop at the lodge to pick up a souvenir. It’s full of handcrafted wonders and gemstones that have been carved by local miners.
Day 6-7: Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a quaint little seaside town where you’ll find palm-lined streets and beautiful beaches. A highlight of the area is a day trip to the Cape Cross Seal Colony! It’s a great way to get a taste of the famous Skeleton Coast!
Things to do in Swakopmund:
Check out the Hohenzollern Building
Visit the Marine Memorial.
Go to the Princess Rupprecht House.
On the southwestern coast of Africa, you’ll find one of the most underrated tourist destinations on the planet. Far off the beaten path, this golden slice of Namibia may not be at the top of many people’s travel bucket lists, but it’s so worth the trip.
Part of the Namib Naukluft Park, this incredible piece of coastline is unlike any beach you’ve seen. This dramatic six-mile-long lagoon is where the sapphire South Atlantic Ocean meets the endless deserts of Namibia.
South Namibia: 7-day Itinerary
Day 1-2: Arrive in Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay is famous for its flamingo lagoon, pelicans and migrations. One of the best ways to explore the area is with a 4×4.
You can tackle the dunes and go on off the beaten track adventures.
Driving around Namibia is possible on your own, but you need to know basic mechanical skills like changing a tire. With vast distances between destinations, weak cellphone signal, and a small population, you can’t rely on other cars coming past frequently.
Things to Do in Walvis Bay:
Take a scenic flight over Walvis Bay.
Go on a living desert tour.
Go see the pelicans and flamingos.
Where to Stay in Walvis Bay:
Flamingo Villas Boutique Hotel: I stayed here because I wanted to as close as possible to the flamingos! It’s within walking distance from the beach where they gather in massive groups.
Day 3-4: Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of the top destinations in Namibia. It’s famous for its massive dunes and ancient camel thorn trees.
You’ll find Sossusvlei inside Namib-Naukluft National Park. I highly recommend staying inside the park’s boundaries so you can enter Sossusvlei for sunrise!
Things to do in Sossusvlei:
Big Daddy Dune: The Big Daddy Dune. It’s the tallest dune in Sossusvlei and is over 1,000 feet tall! If you’re feeling up to the challenge, hike to the top for some incredible views!
Deadvlei: One of the most iconic landmarks in Sossusvlei is Deadvlei. It’s an area that’s home to 900-year-old dead camel thorn trees. The pitch black trees are juxtaposed against the cracked white clay, and the contrast is stunning! It is a bit of a walk to get there so bring water and stay hydrated.
Where to Stay:
Little Kuala: I stayed at Little Kuala Lodge, which is outside the park. It consists of 10 villas and is surrounded by the wilderness. Each suite has a private pool, indoor and outdoor showers, and a rooftop bed where you can spend your night stargazing.
Sossus Dune Lodge: Sossus Dune Lodge is one of the few lodges located within the national park. Choose from the dune chalets or splurge on a honeymoon suite.
Day 5-7: Wolwedans
Still located in Sossusvlei, the Wolwedans Dunes give you a chance to experience the vastness of Namibia. There are two different lodges within the dunes, and both have a special place in my heart.
If you have the time and the budget, I recommend staying at both!
The Wolwedans Dune Lodge is a five-star hotel in the middle of the desert. It’s located on top of a dune plateau and offers a one of a kind experience.
The main lodge is divided into two chic lounge areas. There’s a massive deck with a lounge area, a swimming pool with hammocks and two dining areas.
The lodge also organizes sunrise hot air balloon rides and guided game drives!
Also within the NamibRand Nature Reserve is the Wolwedans Boulders Safari Camp. While the Dune Lodge is more luxury, Boulders is more off the grid.
It offers four oversize tents that can sleep up to eight guests and are designed to minimize the impact on the natural environment. There’s also the main dining area and a campfire where you can relax with a sundowner and watch the sunset over the desert scenery.
At the Boulders Camp, there are two different packages for activities. The NamibRand active package is perfect for those looking for adventure, and the NamibRand leisure package is designed for luxury and comfort.
Total Cost: Please inquire at info@urthsafari.com