7 Best Places to Visit in Namibia on Safari

The dramatic contrast of light and dark on the towering dunes of Sossusvlei is simply breathtaking and a sight in which to delight at sunrise. The red of the sand contrasts beautifully against the dusty white of the salt pans, with dry camelthorn trees dotting the landscape.

Hiking up the dunes is a challenge that rewards you with views across the dusty landscape, offering plenty of photographic opportunities as you spot oryx and other wildlife roaming the area. The Sesriem Canyon lies just outside Sossusvlei, with stunning rock formations to explore before or after your Sossusvlei adventure.

Highlights: Dead Vlei • Dune 45 • Big Daddy • Sesriem Canyon • Town of Solitaire

Home to four of the Big Five and other wildlife, Etosha National Park is Namibia’s leading safari destination and one of the largest in Africa. It lies in the northwest of the country and is a must-see on any visit to Namibia, teeming as it is with incredible wildlife and dramatic scenery.

The great salt pan in the park impresses visitors and when full of water, is the perfect playground for flamingos. You can enjoy open-vehicle game drives and luxury accommodations in a tranquil and captivating setting that embodies the thrills of a safari experience.

Highlights: Open-Vehicle Game Drives • Bird Watching • San Community of the Hai||om People

A desolate scene of nothing but sand and dunes surrounded by the beautiful Atlantic Ocean is what you will find on the Skeleton Coast.

One of the most exclusive destinations in Namibia, the number of visitors is limited to offer those who explore the area the option to enjoy a different kind of paradise, steeped in the luxuries of solitude.

Shipwrecks scatter the shoreline, making for dramatic photo opportunities and the chance to see the famed desert elephants for a unique experience.

Highlights: Desert Elephants • Unique Private Experience • Shipwrecks • Pristine Landscape • Huab Lagoon

Discover one of the world’s largest canyons in the Fish River Canyon, which lies in the |Ai-|Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. Breathtaking vistas span miles in any direction and open to images of orange and brown hues that contain splashes of green.

Rock striations suggest a deep history to the formation of the canyon, which lies mostly dry year-round, the Fish River occasionally quenching its thirst. Witness the sheer beauty of this region as it unfolds in dramatic style.

Highlights: Hiking • Vista and Viewpoint Tours • |Ai-|Ais Hot Springs

A little way inland from the southern port town of Luderitz lies the fascinating ghost town of Kolmanskop. Once a thriving home to many diamond diggers and their families, Kolmanskop entertained with bowling alleys and bars, theaters and lavish dance halls.

The town was once the richest in Namibia and today stands as a haunting memory of a booming metropolis in the early 20th century. It boasts captivating scenes of desert sand creeping up the walls of a hospital and other ruins, creating an ambiance unlike anywhere else in the country.

Highlights: Haunting Ruins • Visiting the Bowling Alley and Hospital • Incredible Photographic Opportunities.• German Architecture

Namibia’s northwest is all raw beauty that comes in the form of dramatic rock formations, valleys, and Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg.

Discover a petrified forest that blends with its still surroundings and relive the story of the San tribes through rock engravings in Twyfelfontein.

Accentuated by the warmth of the Himba people, it’s a stark landscape brought to life through the beauty of the Spitzkoppe, Vingerklip, and Palmwag Nature Reserve.

Highlights: Etendeka Walking Trail • Vingerklip • Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings • The Petrified Forest near Khorixas • Nature Visits in Palmwag Reserve • Hiking • Kunene Region

A coastal city steeped in German history, Swakopmund offers visitors a city and beach experience, with mild temperatures that invite guests to stop and relax.

A popular destination in Namibia, Swakopmund is a charming and vibrant place in which to stay and often works as a gateway to coastal and desert adventures.

Discover the warmth and traditions of German and African heritage as you walk through town, savor local delights, and take your time in a wonderful city.

Highlights: Woermann Haus • Railway Station • Boat Cruises • Sand Dune 4x4 Quad-Bike Adventure • Cape Cross Seal Reserve

A desert paradise that captures your soul while you search for treasures along the coast, among sand dunes, and in historical cities, or as you discover local culture and wildlife in the bush, embody the marvels you can experience when in Namibia.

Find more inspiration for planning your perfect trip by taking a look at our Namibia safaris and tours, or discover further information in our African safari travel guide.