Namibia Holidays

Few destinations in Africa, and indeed anywhere in the world, capture the imagination like Namibia. The country is dominated by the seemingly endless sands of the Namib and Kalahari deserts, home to a wonderful range of experiences as well as a huge variety of wildlife.

Only Mongolia and Greenland have lower population densities than Namibia, which means you’ll pass few people once you leave Windhoek. This is wilderness at its finest and travelling here can be an other-worldly experience, punctuated by a wonderful atmosphere of fun and camaraderie at the few lodges you’ll find dotted across the country.

The quaint Germanic capital, Windhoek, sits roughly at the centre of the country, making it the perfect start and end point for almost all luxury Namibia holidays. There is an excellent network of tarred, gravel and dirt roads, making it a great destination for self-drivers, with the majority of visitors choosing to explore under their own steam, although some excellent guides are available and flying safaris are also a possibility.

Most visitors leave Windhoek after a one-night stay and head north, sometimes breaking the journey in the beautiful Central Highlands before heading up to the Etosha National Park, Namibia’s best wildlife viewing area. Just south of Etosha, the towering rocky kopjes and desert plains of Damaraland are arguably the most beautiful part of the country and the rock art sites of Twyfelfontein are well worth a visit too. On the coast the seaside town of Swakopmund feels like it has been stuck in a time warp, making it a charming spot to relax or enjoy plenty of adrenaline activities. The iconic red sand dunes of Sossusvlei and beautiful NamibRand Nature Reserve round off the “circuit” beloved of first-timers to Namibia.

Further South the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world, is top of many visitors lists and is especially popular with hikers and kayakers in the cooler winter months. The desert outpost of Aus and quirky coastal town of Luderitz are the ideal starting points to visit extraordinary Kolmanskop, an abandoned diamond mining town and one of Namibia’s most photographed sites. The Western fringes of the Kalahari Desert extend into Namibia and the charming lodges tucked in amongst the gently rolling sea of red sand are superb spots for a little R&R. In the far North-East of Namibia, the country almost comes to an end, before the Caprivi Strip extends like a finger between Angola and Botswana, eventually ending where the Zambezi River begins the final few miles of its journey before crashing over the iconic Victoria Falls.