25 Incredible Reasons to Visit Namibia!
Namibia is a stark and beautiful country in the southwest of Africa. It’s utterly unique from the rest of the continent and one of my favourite parts of Africa.
This is your ultimate guide to all the reasons that Namibia should be on your list of African destinations to visit. I spent a full month on a road trip through Namibia, and it’s one of my best memories.
From the Fish River Canyon in the south end of Namibia to the Caprivi Strip way up there in the north, I found the entire country to be full of exciting and unforgettable adventures.
See how many things from the list below you can cross off on your trip! Once you get through these, make your way through Namibia’s stunning beaches. Discover Namibia’s coastal areas and all of the activities to be found along the water.
Read on for the best reasons to visit this beautiful desert country. If you’ve ever wondered if Namibia is worth visiting – you won’t when you’re done.
Why Visit Namibia?
The country is a playground for adventurers, road trip junkies like me, wildlife lovers, and wide-world wanderers alike. There are some amazing things to do in Namibia!
1. Explore the Fish River Canyon
This is the second-largest canyon in the world and definitely the largest in Africa. It has a stark and endless beauty that you can’t appreciate until you’re standing on the edge looking over it.
Enjoy Fish River Canyon from a great, well-known accommodation like the Canyon Roadhouse. With all the amenities you could ask for and in an amazing location, it’s a vacation in itself!
This is one of the best things to do in Namibia. Here are a couple more ways that you can enjoy it!
2. 🏃🏽♀️ Run the Fish River Ultra Marathon
Known as one of the world’s most technical races, the Fish River Ultra is a non-stop 100 km / 65km run.
The given time to complete the run is 24 hours. It’s an unsupported trail-running competition for ultra-distance runners.
However, there is an option for those who’d like to take it a bit easier. The Fish River Ultra Lite is only 65 km.
Entry is limited to a combined 75 participants.
Interestingly, and certainly practical, the dates for the race are chosen to coincide with the full moon. This is to make it easier for the runners to see the trail.
The record time for the Ultra is just over 8 hours. The Lite has been completed in just over 5 hours. Something to shoot for, everybody!
3. 🥾 Or Just Go For a Hike
Namibia’s Fish River Canyon is home to some incredible hiking. If you’d like to take on the full Fish River Canyon hike, here are the facts:
- The entire hike is 86 km, or 55 miles, though if you take all of the shortcuts, you can whittle it down to about 72 km, or 45 miles.
- The hike is only accessible from May until mid-September. These are the cooler months of the year. For the remainder of the year, such an intense hike is ill-advised and so is not allowed.
- Hikers need to carry everything with them that they’ll need for the duration of the hike. Everything.
For us lesser mortals, short hikes around the Canyon are also possible and I highly recommended!
Fish Creek Canyon is one of Namibia’s top attractions, and the severe and stunning scenery from the many viewpoints is unmatched.
4. ⭐️ Sleep Out Under the Stars
Namibia is known to have some of the best stargazing on the planet. There are vast stretches of Namibia that are entirely uninhabited, and few people live in the rest of it.
That adds up to next to no light pollution at all. You don’t have to go far from any urban area of Namibia to find empty desert with the darkest nights you can imagine.
In that darkness is some world-class stargazing. If you’ve never looked up at the stars over a truly dark area, this will blow your mind.
In fact, the NamibRand Nature Reserve in southern Namibia has been awarded International Dark Sky Reserve status. If you’ve never seen the Milky Way, you won’t believe your eyes.
Try staying somewhere like Kwessi Dunes, where you can sleep under a blanket of the most vivid stars you’ve ever seen. Or just spend a night wild camping for an amazing experience.
This is absolutely one of my favourite memories of Namibia.
5. 😽 Visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund Facility
Namibia is the cheetah capital of the world, and it’s due to the amazing work of the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
You can have a first-hand look at how the group operates. Take a tour of their facilities, visit some of the cheetahs that are not able to be released into the wild during their feeding, and wander through the cheetah museum.
You’ll also get to witness the unbelievable spectacle of watching the cheetahs run! Join the staff as they exercise the cheetahs they’re caring for by setting a lure for them to “hunt”.
Their top speed has to be seen to be believed.
Follow the facility’s page to learn the irresistible details.
6. Climb the Highest AND the Most Spectacular Sand Dune in Namibia
Dune 7 is the highest dune in Namibia, towering an impressive 383 metres, or 1256 feet, over the Namib desert. This dune is only 20 minutes outside of the port town of Walvis Bay, so it’s easily accessible.
It takes most of us 15 to 20 minutes to climb to the top. Sliding down through the sand can be accomplished a lot more quickly! You can even try sandboarding or skiing down.
Dune 45 is a well-known Namibia landmark in the Sossusvlei area. Often, the dune is included in the name, as in someone asking if you’ve climbed Sossusvlei.
While Dune 45 is only 85 metres, or 280 feet, high, the panoramic view from the top is insanely glorious. This is especially true at sunrise.
But even in the evening, the view of the valley below is otherworldly. You might find yourself wondering if you’re looking at a lunar landscape.
And in case you’re wondering, Dune 7 is so named because it is the 7th dune you’ll come to after crossing the Tsauchab River.
Dune 45, on the other hand, is 45 kilometres past the Sesriem Gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, where the dune is located.
7. Sossusvlei is More Than Just Dune – Climbing!
Helicopter flights and hot-air balloon rides are other spectacular ways to get the view of a lifetime.
Besides the view of the Namib sand sea, these activities are great ways to see the mysterious African Fairy Circles.
The barren circles spread over 7,700 km, or 1,100 miles, of desert grassland.
Theories as to how they came to be include termites, the evolution of the grasses, as well as fairies. Have a look and see what you think.
8. Take Your Own Version of the Most Well-Known Photo of the Namib-Naukluft Park
The Deadvlei photo is of camel thorn trees in the Namibia dune. They’re typically set against the stark landscape of the white pan, the surrounding red dunes, and the vivid azure-coloured sky.
The trees grew after the Tsauchab River flooded and filled the pan but stopped growing and died when the climate changed and the dunes moved in, blocking any future flooding.
The dry climate has kept the trees from decomposing for an estimated 900 years.
Wander through the area for a while to get a feel for what I imagine the astronauts got a taste of on the moon.
9. Tour an Authentic Ghost Town
Kolmanskop, the most well-known ghost town, is near the port town of Lüderitz in southern Namibia. The abandoned diamond town was built in 1910. I love a ghost town.
The small town was very rich until the mine started to deplete during the First World War. When an easily accessed and incredibly rich diamond deposit was found to the south in 1928, many people left everything for it.
The town was entirely abandoned in 1956. Today, the once-impressive houses are being reclaimed by the desert and are becoming engulfed in sand.
Kolmanskop is now a popular Namibia tourism attraction, run by Namibia-De Beers. A few of the buildings have been restored, and the bowling alley is open for a few frames.
I found it well worth the cost of the permit that you need to enter.
10. Stop at the Canyon Roadhouse
The Canyon Roadhouse is a local institution. It offers more than just accommodation – you’ll find a restaurant and bar, laundry service, and a nice little shop.
Visitors can enjoy different activities like game drives, guided walks, e-bikes, and excursions into the Fish River Canyon area.
The Roadhouse has complimentary Wifi in public areas but no cellphone coverage or TVs/radios in rooms. If you decide to stay, they have modern rooms, and campsites are also available with all the necessary facilities.
11. Check Out the Vogelstrausskluft Private Nature Reserve
This Nature Reserve was created when Namibian and European investors re-naturalized former farmland in 2001.
Their goal was to re-establish native wildlife populations and preserve the local flora. Light tourism is allowed here to finance conservation efforts.
It’s definitely worth a stop. It’s located with the Fish River Canyon on one side and the edge of the Kalahari on the other.
This gives an incredible opportunity to see the variety of plant and animal life that call each of these ecosystems home.
12. Explore the Quiver Tree Forest
The quiver tree is the national plant of Namibia and is actually depicted on the country’s 50-cent coin.
Despite the name, quiver trees are not actually trees at all but giant branching succulents. Still, they can grow up to 9 metres, or 29.5 feet tall.
The name comes from the purpose they used to serve to the indigenous San people. The hollowed-out branches were used as “quivers”, which are tube-shaped containers to hold their arrows for hunting.
A traditional use of the trees’ roots was to treat asthma and tuberculosis, but these days they’re just decorative. So don’t count on them as a cure for your ills and start digging for roots!
If you happen to visit in June or July, you might get to see the bright yellow winter flowers that appear on the quiver tree 2-3 decades after it has been planted.
A hike through the Quiver Tree forest is an excellent way to see these fascinating trees up close and in person. They’re also home to dassies, small furry creatures also known as rock hyraxes or rock rabbits.
Hiking through the forest is a great way to get a closer look at the quiver trees. You might also see rock hyraxes as well, aka dassies or rock rabbits.
13. Giant’s Playground
Nearby is the Giant’s Playground. You might see it on your map as Spielplatz der Riesen. This collection of stacks of massive, 180-million-year-old rocks and boulders is a little spooky.
It does look for all the world like the giants will be back to play with their toys any moment. Definitely a great stop.
14. Head Out to the Garub Pan to See the Wild Horses
Somewhere between 80 and 250 wild horses, depending on the time and who’s counting, live in the Pan. Located just outside the town of Aus, these horses have run wild here for at least 80 years.
There are a variety of stories that attempt to explain how the horses came to be in what is a classic example of the middle of nowhere.
But however they arrived, they have become a symbol of the wildness of Namibia, and what it takes to survive in its harsh environment.
It really is inspirational to see how these magnificent horses have adapted and continue to thrive in the desert that has given them their name – the Namib.
There’s a hide off of Highway B4 where you can watch them undetected.
15. Spend Some Time In and Around the Town of Lüderitz
Lüderitz is a pretty little portside town with only about 15,000 people. It has an interesting museum with details of the area’s rather reprehensible past and some great colonial architecture.
The area around the town has some great places to see Namibia’s wildlife. Jackals, oryx (gemsbok), ostriches, seals, and flamingos are a few of the creatures that you could see here.
As well, Halifax Island, off Lüderitz, has an important breeding colony of African penguins. Tours are available to take you out to have a look at these imminently squeezable marine birds.
16. Watch – Or Participate in – the Lüderitz Speed Challenge
This annual windsurfing event is held at a lagoon west of town once every spring. The prize is a Lüderitz-produced diamond!
17. Spend a Few Days in the Adventure Capital of Namibia – Swakopmund
The activities available to you in seaside Swakopmund run the gamut from sky-diving to trips to a local camel farm. You can even take a birding safari or a nighttime wildlife walk.
You can also visit the location where David Attenborough‘s Namibia documentary was filmed. It’s one of his best, the fascinating The Private Life of Plants.
You’ll also find some lovely colonial architecture and delectable German dishes in the great selection of excellent restaurants.
Follow this link to the Wonders of Central Namibia to find out even more of what there is to see in the Swakopmund area.
18. Arrange a Stay at the Ultra-Ethical Na’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
Or better yet, volunteer! There are several options here for truly ethical wildlife experiences at the Sanctuary. You can ride on horseback around a wildlife habitat or participate in the Carnivore feeding tour.
You can even hear ancient stories and learn traditional hunting techniques on a San Bushman experience.
Na’ankuse has even found a way to combine wine-making with wildlife conservation. That’s something you don’t want to miss.
I highly recommend stopping in, even just for a short visit. You can learn a lot about Namibia’s wildlife, wildlife sanctuaries, and Africa itself.
19. Take a Look Around the Capital City of Windhoek
Windhoek is also known as the art capital of Namibia. There are several galleries, museums, theatres, and craft outlets around town for you to browse.
A free walking tour is a great way to get a feel for the city. Visit Viator for some great tour options
The National Botanical Garden just off Sam Nujoma Avenue is full of exotic and indigenous plants, flowers and trees. Perfect if you’re like me and have to visit every botanical garden possible when you travel.
Better yet – it’s free!
20. Try Some Game Meat
Joe’s Beerhouse in Windhoek is a popular spot for visitors who want to find out what zebra and crocodile taste like. They have other selections as well, plus a variety of “regular” food if kudu isn’t what you want to do in Namibia.
Think beef, pork, and pizza, plus some seriously yummy desserts. And don’t forget the excellent beer!
Joe’s even has an airport shuttle on request if you’d like to save your visit for a pre-flight home treat.
21. Explore the Spitzkoppe
The Spitzkoppe is a group of bare granite peaks that jut dramatically up from the level plains of northern Namibia. It’s one of the most conspicuous, noteworthy, and highly photographed landmarks in this part of the country.
Like many of Namibia’s favourite spots, a large part of the appeal of the Spitzkoppe is the way the light plays about the peaks and the area surrounding them.
There are also several hiking trails through the peaks and the nearby Pontok Mountains and many ancient cave paintings to be on the lookout for.
There are trails suitable for all fitness levels, even for serious, hard-core rock climbers.
22. Don’t Miss Twyfelfontein
This site is a sandstone table-top mountain, most famous for the ancient rock engravings and paintings you can find here.
The site was actually made Namibia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its collection of rock petroglyphs – the largest in Africa.
23. Stroll the Walkways at Cape Cross Seal Reserve
One of the largest Cape fur seal colonies in the world, the Reserve is home to an estimated 100,000 seals on average. This number doubles during breeding season in October.
The accessible raised walkways make it easy for you to make your way across the beach and get a good look at the seals. And a good smell of them, too – it’s pretty intense!
You can even stay overnight nearby.
24. Feel the Haunting of the Skeleton Coast
The eerie feeling of this part of the northern Namibia coast comes in part from the bones of past shipwrecks, old carcasses left from past whaling, and the remains of an old collapsed oil rig.
That feeling also comes from the stark and unforgiving landscape itself, one that’s often covered in an otherworldly thick fog that echoes with the sounds of the waves crashing on the sand.
This is a unique place in a unique country. Be sure not to miss it.
25. Safari in Etosha National Park
No list of what to do in Namibia can be written without including a visit to Etosha National Park. Etosha is one of the best wildlife parks in Namibia. It’s also one of the most easily accessible wildlife parks in southern Africa.
Along with a high population of wildlife, Etosha also has a few conveniences going for it. The infrastructure of the park can be driven safely without a 4WD, and it has a low malaria risk.
There are also gift shops, filling stations, and restaurants found in the different camps throughout the park. As well, you have your choice of several different accommodation options, from tents to high-end camps.
If you don’t have much time and have to choose just a few stops to make while you’re in Namibia, make Etosha one of them.
26. Travel Across the Caprivi Strip
The Caprivi Strip is the narrow 450 km, or 280-mile-long strip of land that extends out from the very northeastern corner of Namibia. It is bordered by Botswana to the south, with Angola and Zambia to the north.
If you have the time while you’re in Namibia, you’ll want to see one of the last wild places left in Africa. It’s the other side of the coin from the stark and arid landscapes of the rest of Namibia.
When it comes to landscape and wildlife, Caprivi has more in common with the Okavango Delta that it neighbours than it does with the rest of Namibia.
The Caprivi Strip has several national parks and is an area rich in wildlife.
As well as playing host to a large population of critically endangered African Wild Dogs, the Caprivi is part of an ancient migration route for elephants moving north and east from Botswana and Namibia.
You do need a 4WD to travel through the strip, but it’s a trip that will stay with you forever.
💲CURRENCY: Namibian Dollars; African Rand is also accepted.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit: Shoulder season,
April/May
🔌 Electricity:
Plugin \Type D or B;
230V & 50 Hz
Why Visit Namibia: Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Namibia?
Namibia is not only home to the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, it also has the largest canyon in Africa, the largest cheetah population on the planet, and the second-largest population of black rhinos worldwide.
What is the best time to visit Namibia?
April/May is shoulder season, the sweet spot when it comes to the weather and prices in Namibia. It’s warm, fairly dry, and still pretty green and lush, yet wildlife will be getting easier to see as the greenery thins a bit, and waterholes become fewer.
Why do tourists go to Namibia?
Namibia is a great first trip for tourists who want to visit Africa. The country is safe and uncrowded, with excellent infrastructure and a wide variety of activities, wildlife and landscapes to enjoy.
What is Namibia best known for?
Namibia is a strikingly beautiful country. It’s the location of the oldest desert on earth desert, the Namib. As well, Sossusvlei, Namibia is also home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, as well as the renowned wildlife haven Etosha National Park.
Is it worth it to go to Namibia?
Absolutely! Namibia is an incredibly beautiful country and entirely unique from the rest of Africa. From the world’s second-largest canyon in the south to the stunning dunes around Sossusvlei, to Etosha Park and Caprivi in the North. There is so much to see that just isn’t there for you elsewhere in Africa.
Is Namibia better than South Africa?
It’s impossible to directly compare Namibia and South Africa! The landscapes, cultures, and activities of these two countries are so different that, ideally, a traveller should try to visit both.
Travel to Namibia for desert landscapes, adventure activities, and the Himba culture, to name just a few reasons to go. Head to South Africa for scenic road trips, epic diving, and great wildlife experiences, again to name only a few things to take you there.
Summing It Up: Namibia Is SO Worth Visiting!
You might only have a short time to spend in Namibia, or you might have all the time in the world. Either way, you can pick and choose from these spectacular reasons to visit Namibia! They’ll add up to the trip of a lifetime.
For all the in-depth info you need, from complete guides to all parts of Namibia to the best beaches there, have a look at these destinations to find what you need.
Have fun in Namibia – you’re going to love it!
Happy Travels!
Read more about Namibia:
• Solitaire Namibia: Apple Pie & Cheetahs in the Desert
• 25 Fun Facts About Namibia
• Beautiful Namibia in Pictures: 20 Photos that Will Make You Want to Visit Now!
• The Best Namibia Trip Planning Guide for 2023
• Find Your Dream Destination in Africa
