25 Fun Facts About Namibia That You Need to Know in 2025
What do you know about this amazing place? If you’re planning to visit, you’d probably like to learn a few facts about Namibia!
It’s a fascinating country, on a continent filled with fascinating countries. I hope you’ll have time to do a lot of exploring.
Take Namibia’s northern coast, for example. Called the Skeleton Coast, it is the opposite of the Africa that lives in most people’s minds.
The Skeleton Coast of Namibia stretches from the German-rooted town of Swakopmund into Angola to the north.
It gets its name from the bones left in the sand.
Bones of old ships, wrecked and thrown up on the shore. And the bones of seals and sea lions, and of whales left here in the irremissible days of whaling.
Have I caught your attention? There are a lot of really fascinating facts about Namibia, and I’ve got some great ones here for you. Read on.
Facts about Namibia
Namibia is an interesting place with a lot to learn about. See how many you already new:
1. It’s Home to Thousands of Seals
Stark and haunting, Namibia gives the appearance of a place too harsh for anything to live, let alone thrive.
On the contrary, though, the seal population numbers in the 10s of thousands, and sea lions are plentiful.
In fact, the Cape Cross Seal Reserve is one of the largest Cape fur seal colonies in the world.
The sound and the aroma of this colony make it hard to miss!
2. There Are Many Amazing Desert-Adapted Land Animals
Land animals are many, too, with desert-adapted lions, elephants and others at home in this landscape.
In fact, there are over 1700 species of animals that make their home in the Namibian desert landscape.
Though the terrain looks inhospitable, these amazing mammals have found a way to survive. Some have evolved smaller, more compact bodies. They’ve also come to derive much of their required moisture from their food.
3. Almost Half of Namibia is Protected
Namibia is unique in the fact that it was the first country to include the protection of the environment in its constitution. Over 42% of Namibia is under some form of protection.
This is to minimize the negative impacts of human activity on the land and its animals. Impressively, this is more than any other country in the world.
4. Namibia Has Large Populations of Endangered Black Rhinos
In a place with so much protected area, it’s no coincidence that almost 50% of the planet’s black rhinos call this small country home.
5. Namibia Is the Youngest Country in Africa
Until 1990, Namibia was a part of South Africa, which took control of Namibia from Germany during WW1.
During the 24-year struggle for independence from South Africa, more than 20,000 people lost their lives.
6. The Namib is the Oldest Desert in the World
It has the oldest desert, though, at somewhere in the neighbourhood of 55 million years old. It also has some of the planet’s driest regions.
7. The Namib has a Nickname
Namibia’s bleak and unforgiving landscape is its most obvious difference from its neighbours.
In fact, Desert Bushmen have called the Namib Desert “the Land God Made in Anger“.
8. Namibia has One of the World’s Biggest Sand Dunes
There are dunes, some of the largest in the world, in the Namib Desert. In fact, Dune 7 is the seventh tallest dune at 1,256 m.
It’s so named because it’s the 7th dune you will come to after you’ve passed the Tsauchab River.
9. The Namib Desert Contains a Meteorite Crater Large Enough to Be Seen From Space
The Roter Kamm crater is in Sperrgebiet, and has a diameter of 2.5 with a depth of 130 m.
The Namib dunes and the Roter Kamm Crater have actually been photographed from the international space station.
10. Namibia Gets a Lot of Sunshine!
Beautiful Namibia averages only 57 rainy days a year. That means lots of sunshine. On average, the sun shines on Namibia about 300 days a year.
Can you imagine planning a wedding here and having it rained on? That would be a bad sign I wouldn’t want to mess with.
11. At Least 30 Languages Are Spoken
There are approximately 30 languages spoken in Namibia. Thirteen have been recognized as national languages.
English is the official language of Namibia, though only an estimated 3% of the population speaks it. The remainder speaks either Afrikaans, a Germanic language, or Bantu.
Languages from one of the Khoisan families of languages, or “click” languages, can also be heard in Namibia.
When Namibia gained its independence in 1990, English was chosen over German and Afrikaans. The influence of Nelson Mandela and his followers, among other factors, saw the spreading of English.
It was seen as the language that would be heard as the voice against apartheid. Most Namibians speak 2 or more languages.
12. Surfing is a Popular Sport
There are a variety of spots in Namibia where you can surf. Experienced surfers can enjoy the most famous surf spot in the country, Skeleton Bay.
Walvis Bay and Swakopmund will suit lesser mortals.
And the best part is – there has never been a shark attack in Namibia. Now does that mean they’re due for one? Or just that Namibian seals are so good that the sharks don’t need to supplement their diets?
That’s for you to decide.
Surfing safaris are offered from Swakopmund, or you can just get yourself out there.
Be aware that if you decide to give it a try, you’ll most likely be sharing the lineup. Marine mammals, such as seals and dolphins, may be surfing the same waves.
13. Namibia Is Home to Members of the Oldest Surviving Tribe of Hunter-Gatherers.
However, the cultural traditions of these people, the San, or Bushman, are endangered.
In many places, they’re being replaced by farming and herding.
Genetics testing shows that they were once the largest group of humans on earth. Sadly, there are now just roughly 35,000 San remaining.
14. Twenty-five Percent of the World’s Cheetahs Live in Namibia, and 40% of Africa’s.
That totals approximately 3000 cheetahs in Namibia today. Most of them live outside of protected areas.
They are the most endangered of the big cats.
Fortunately, the Cheetah Conservation Fund has had a big hand in growing the population in Namibia. If you can, donate here.
15. The Stargazing is Phenomenal
Another fun fact about Namibia is that it is considered to have the third-best stargazing in the world.
This is due to the cloudless skies – remember, only 57 rainy days a year. Another contributing factor is the lack of air and light pollution.
If you’ve never seen the milky way in all its glory, this is a glorious spot for it.
16. Many People Still Dress as They Did In the 1800’s
Men and women of the Herero tribe still wear German-inspired tribal dress.
The women’s garment is called an Ohorokova, and is worn with a hat in the shape of a cow horn.
The people of the tribe were forced into this manner of dress. This happened when Germany gained control of the area in the late 1800s.
In one of the earliest examples of genocide by Germany, 75% of the Herero tribe was extinguished.
The garb is worn today as a form of protest. It’s also meant to raise awareness of this unthinkable period in their history.
17. Their Beer is Still Made in the German Style
Beer in Namibia, world-famous Windhoek Lager, for example, is still made according to the Reinheitsgebot.
This is the German traditional purity law of 1516. It states that beer can only contain water, malt and hops 🍺 . No additives are allowed.
I feel that this qualifies it as a health food.
18. Many Movies Have Been Filmed in Namibia
Some big movies have been filmed in the deserts of Namibia. There are Flight of the Phoenix, Beyond Borders, Mad Max:Fury Road, and 2001:Space Odyssey.
Others include Into the Okavango, Steel Dawn, A Far Off Place, and of course The Mummy. In total, you can find Namibian landscapes in 41 movies.
19. You Can Ride A Luxury Train
The Desert Express is a 5-star luxury train that had been operating in Namibia since 1998. I debated whether or not to include the Express in this list.
This is because it hasn’t reopened yet after shutting down during the Covid crisis. As of December 2024, operations still have not resumed.
But my fingers are crossed that it will be running before too much longer! So I want you to be aware of this lovely, elegant way to see this country.
The Desert Express offered weekend trips from Windhoek to Swakopmund. They also had 7-day tours from Windhoek to Swakopmund, Etosha, and back to Windhoek.
The trains are lovely, modern and luxurious. Here’s hoping that they’re able to resume operations again soon! I’ll update when that happens.
20. Namibia Has the Largest Underground Lake
Another interesting fact about Namibia? Dragon’s Breath Lake, the largest underground lake in the world, is found here.
It’s 2 hectares in size, and 84 m deep. The lake is 60 m underground and is located in a cave called Dragon’s Breath Hole.
When the warm air from the surface outside reaches the cold water of the lake, a vapour is formed – dragon’s breath in the lair of the fire-breathing beast.
Namibia is a mecca for spelunkers, with 124 known caves, some still unexplored.
21. Namibia Has Africa’s Largest Rock Art Collection
Namibia contains the largest and most well-preserved collection of rock art in Africa.
The art is scattered across the country. However, the best-known spots to see them are Brandberg Massif and Twyfelfonteinin, both in Damaraland.
Twyfelfonteinin actually was named a UNESCO World Heritage rock art site in 2007.
The carvings and paintings are the work of the San tribe of hunter/gathers. These may be 6000 years old or more.
22. Facts About Namibia’s Petrified Forest
In Damaraland (aka.Koakoveld), in north-central Namibia, you’ll also find the Petrified Forest, another one of Namibia’s landmarks.
The landmark is not actually a forest, despite the name. It’s actually a collection of giant, perfectly preserved and petrified tree trunks.
The trunks are about 280 million years old. According to scientists, they were washed up here in a huge flood after one of the many ice ages.
23. It’s Home to the Himba People
The Himba people are considered to be the last semi-nomadic tribe in Namibia.
They have a base homestead where their crops are cultivated, but follow the rainfall and access to water.
You may have seen pictures of the Himba people.
They’re distinguished by the red ochre mixture that colours the faces of the women and coats the matted braids in their hair.
They live in northern Namibia, still following age-old traditions. However, their way of life is threatened by the encroaching modern world.
24. Watersports
Watersports are some of Namibia’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s a great destination for those looking for adventure in the way of kite surfing and windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, as well as the aforementioned surfing.
25. The World’s Second Largest Canyon is Found Here
Namibia is where you’ll find the second largest canyon in the world. It’s smaller only than the grand canyon, in Arizona, USA.
Fish River Canyon is also the site of the Fish River Ultra, a non-stop 100 km/65km, 24-hour unsupported trail-running competition for ultra-distance runners.
The dates are chosen to coincide with the full moon. This is to make it easier for the runners to see where they’re going. Entry is limited to 75 participants.
Summing It Up: Fun Facts About Namibia
And you thought there weren’t that many fun facts about Namibia!! Honestly, Namibia is one of my favourite countries in Africa to visit.
And it’s certainly one of my top spots when I need a road trip.
As well, if you’re a woman wondering, is Africa a safe place to travel on my own, I’d say a resounding Yes!
I’d also suggest that Namibia be your first stop in Africa if you’re a bit nervous. Besides being safe, it’s also easy to navigate, and has roads that aren’t crowded.
Have a look at some safety tips for travel in Africa. Then hop over this article for a few insight planning your trip, plus what you’ll find when you arrive.
Guides to all parts of Namibia can be found by clicking here.
Don’t let your fears hold you back! And if you have questions – here’s a contact link just for you.
Veilig Ry! (Happy Travels!)
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