26 Best things to see & do in Namibia

The ancient dunes of Sossusvlei are amongst the highest in the world. These towering mountains of shifting ochre sand attract adventurous travellers from the world over, keen to climb the dunes – notably the lofty heights of ‘Big Daddy’ or Dune 45.

It’s worth the climb to admire the eye-watering views of this sandy sea stretching away to the Atlantic.

There are few more enjoyable ways to soak up Namibia‘s serene landscapes than from the silence of a hot-air balloon. Coasting on the airwaves doesn’t come cheap though, so if you’re going to splash out make sure the scenery’s worth the splurge.

In Sossusvlei, home to the world’s most beautiful dunes, that means dawn take-offs that have you soaring over the ochre sands for an hour, before a gentle touchdown and Champagne breakfast on the sands of one of the world’s oldest deserts.

‘The Great White Place of Dry Water’ is easily Namibia’s most popular safari destination, and one of the finest game reserves in Africa. Established in 1907, the highlight of the 20,000 sq km park is its namesake: a vast pan that – according to legend – was formed by the tears of a grieving widow.

Heavy rains can briefly fill the pan, transforming it into a haven of birdlife, but throughout the year waterholes and springs along its fringes attract the 114 species of mammal that call the park home.

Camps and lodges will offer daily game drives – usually at dawn and sunset when the animals are more active, and the temperature more amenable. Some camps will also be built around to close to waterholes, which brings the game to you.

It’s Namibia’s top safari destination and one of the best in Africa, good for both self-drive and guided safaris. A multi-day safari here is a must for any visit to Namibia.

This deserted corner of north-western Namibia hides myriad charms beneath a façade of sun-baked desolation. Running for 500-kilometres south from the border with Angola, the coastline is named for the metal ribs of ships that have fallen foul of this treacherous coast and its enveloping fog.

Today, these wrecks are but one of the sights worth discovering: from a handful of eco-minded lodges in the region, visitors can also encounter raucous seal colonies and spot unique desert-adapted wildlife including elephant, rhino, lion and hyena. But the highlight is, quite simply, the enigmatic landscape of lonely beaches and shifting sands.

Stretching away from the town, is the glorious, sand-filled wilderness of the Namib desert. ‘Namib’ in the local dialect means ‘vast and empty’, and the visitor’s initial impression is one of dune-filled isolation. But there is life here, and fascinating wildlife tours offer the opportunity to go out and discover the incredible and unusual endemic wildlife that somehow manages to survive here.

Expert guides, driving 4WDs, will take you deep into the dunes to discover ancient rock formations, dune geckos and sidewinder snakes. As you go, they’ll explain the unique geology and ecology of this exceptional landscape.

Full-day tours will also include a visit to the famous ‘Moon Landscape’ outside of Swakopmund, where you’ll encounter welwitschia mirabilis plants, famous for their long, strap-like leaves.

The region that earned its keep – and name – from whaling is now somewhat ironically better known for abundant wildlife and biodiversity than harpoons in the surprisingly rich waters offshore.

Boating and kayaking ecotours are top draw. Birdlife is prolific, and close-up encounters with pelicans, flamingos and petrels are all but assured.

The same goes for the ubiquitous Cape Fur seals, while dolphins, penguins and even sunfish are occasionally seen. Tours end with Champagne and a platter of fresh local oysters.

The natural lagoon at Sandwich Harbour – 55kms south of Walvis Bay and within the Namib-Naukluft National Park – is renowned as one of the best birding locations on the African coast, attracting thousands of migratory fowl in early summer (October-November).

Designated a Ramsar ‘wetland of global importance’, the combination of dunes and lagoon is breathtaking, while the dramatic 4WD drive along the coast – with the chance to sight springbok and brown hyena – make this one of the Atlantic coastline’s natural wonders.

As Namibia’s adventure capital, skydives are a popular option for adrenalin-charged travellers in Swakopmund. Unless you’re a qualified ‘jumper’, you’ll need to sign up for a tandem skydive, which offers a scenic flight, then half a minute of jaw-dropping freefall and a leisurely float back to terra firma. Panoramic views come as standard.

No, it’s not unlike skydiving anywhere else in the world, but those desert vistas from 10,000 feet are unbeatable.

Swakopmund has become one of Africa’s adventure playgrounds, and the low-key holiday town of Swakopmund is the best place to score sandy thrills in Namibia. The setting is the nearby, sand-covered dune-filled wilderness of the Namib desert.

Quad bike adventures through the oversized dunes (some of which have enticing names like ‘Big Billy’ or ‘Devils’ Dip’) are top of the list for most visitors and a thrilling way to experience the desert’s unlimited expanse. Tours range from 45 minutes to two hours and cover up to 55kms of desert.

It’s also a great place to try sandboarding, with half-day trips to giant sand dunes that even beginners can be slaloming down in no time.

You can also mountain bike on the dunes and ride on a camel.

There are few better ways to travel from the capital to the coast – or back again – than this overnight, low-key-luxury train service. Wide picture windows from each of the train’s 24 compartments provide panoramic views as bushveld and lonely farmlands give way to coastal dunes, while the spacious lounge and restaurant carriages offer comfortable corners to while away the 22-hour journey that includes a safari or sundowner stop.

The on-board restaurant serves up hearty Namibian cuisine, and has a decent wine list.

The remote far-northern regions of Namibia are not easy to access, but reward the tenacious traveller with enigmatic desert landscapes cut through by a splash of green on the banks of the Kunene River, the highlight of which is the Epupa Falls.

In the Herero language of northern Namibia, Epupa translates as ‘falling water’, and the series of glittering cataracts that make up the Epupa Falls – as the Kunene River tumbles some 50-metres through a series of gorges – is certainly a highlight of this remote corner of the country. It’s no Victoria Falls, but what makes the falls a stand-out is their very presence in such a stark and arid landscape.

Lodges nearby can arrange activities on the river, from guided hikes and birding boat trips to seasonal river-rafting and kayaking trips in the high-water season between May and November.

Beyond the river, cultural excursions to meet the region’s Himba people are a further highlight. Famed for their ochre body paint and semi-nomadic lifestyle, a visit to Himba villages offers a unique insight into an ancient way of life

One of just two World Heritage Sites in Namibia, Twyfelfontein in Damaraland is home to a remarkable collection of cave paintings and etchings dating back 10,000 years.

One of the largest seal colonies in the world, Cape Cross is a worthwhile day out from Swakopmund, and the lonely 200km round-trip offers fantastic sea and desert panoramas.

Locals dub this unusual building ‘The Coffee Machine’, but within the Independence Memorial Museum you’ll find stirring exhibitions and archives covering Namibia’s journey from colonialism through liberation struggle to independence. Entrance is free, and the top-floor café has excellent views of the city.

This enigmatic ghost town near Luderitz echoes the heyday of Namibia’s early 20th-century diamond boom. Today the desert is slowly, hauntingly, reclaiming what was one of the wealthiest towns in the world.

Mysterious herds of wild horses roam the sandy grasslands of the Namib Desert, rumoured to be descended from German army horses stationed here in World War I. Dozens gather each day at the waterhole near the settlement of Aus.

Set in the Old Breweries Complex in central Windhoek, the Namibia Craft Centre offers souvenirs and handicrafts from across Namibia. Home to more than 40 craft enterprises – largely community- or women-owned – you’ll find everything from Himba jewellery to hand-woven Zambezi baskets. Look out for the excellent collection of Namibian art and music too.

This group of dramatic granite peaks soar 1728m above the rocky deserts of Damaraland in the Namib Desert, creating a wild, starkly beautiful paradise for hikers and climbers. There’s a campsite at the foot of the main peak, but you’ll need to be self-sufficient or book into nearby lodges.

More inner-city nature reserve than manicured garden, the 12-hectare National Botanic Garden of Namibia offers a selection of walking trails to explore. Useful information boards highlight key species, from endemic succulents to the enigmatic quiver tree. Open Monday to Friday. Free entrance.

The world’s second-largest canyon is a dramatic natural wonder in the south of the country. Tackle the 5-day, 85-kilometre hiking trail, or admire the canyon from viewpoints near Hobas.

No visit to Windhoek is complete without a stop at this offbeat eatery where the Windhoek lager is always cold and the enormous portions of grillhaxe (pork knuckle) fly out of the kitchen. Take a wander to admire the quirky décor between courses.

Set in the dry Swakop River, with the Namib Desert as a backdrop, the Rossmund Golf Resort offers an 18-hole par-72 layout with striking views, grassy fairways and wildlife to keep players on their toes.

The rooftop Skybar at the Hilton Windhoek is the city’s finest sundowner spot, with glorious views and a particularly impressive gin menu, with a collection of Namibian craft gins infused with local botanicals.

With Adirondack chairs set just metres from the sea, this rustic beach bar in the mouth of the Swakop River is the best place in Swakopmund for sundowners. Make like the locals and drink beer, not Bellinis.

Break the long journey from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund in Solitaire, a middle-of-nowhere settlement famous for the apple pie at McGregor’s Bakery. The Solitaire Lodge also offers 25 en-suite rooms and wonderful desert views.

If you’re not devouring your weight in eisbein at the Brauhaus, beachfront seafood eatery The Tug is the best place to eat in Swakopmund. Phone ahead for a window seat.