Travel Namibia for a One-of-a-Kind Vacation
Take a walk on the wild side when you travel Namibia. From giant sand dunes to dramatic desert scenery and expansive plains, there’s no end to the incredible landscapes you’ll encounter. Local cultures are welcoming and family-oriented, and you’ll also get your fill of incredible wildlife observation, from giraffes to rhinos, seals, and much more. And be sure to look upwards once the sun sets because stargazing proves incomparable under pristine night skies.
Here’s what you need to know about this amazing destination and why it deserves a strong position on your family’s future travel list.
Why Travel Namibia?
Endless adventure awaits in Namibia. Moreover, it’s a generally safe and clean nation with good infrastructure that makes travel a breeze. Gravel roads and tarmac main arteries are well-maintained, and many lodges and campgrounds offer excellent accommodations. Look for facilities with swimming pools to maximize your family’s fun.
When planning for this destination, bear in mind that the distance between major attractions can be significant. So, you’ll want to work with a family travel advisor who knows the country well and can help you streamline your experience on the ground.
What about the ideal time of year to visit? Namibia doesn’t have a very long rainy season, which means warm, sunny weather is the norm. The winter months run from June through August. If you travel during this time, pack for cooler temperatures at night. The hottest months in Namibia are November through February when temperatures can crest into the triple digits.
Now that you’ve been introduced to the nation, it’s time to get down to one of our favorite travel questions: Where to go in Namibia? Let’s dive in!
Explore Sunny Swakopmund
Namibia boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline and some of the world’s most picturesque oceanside landscapes. Swakopmund, located on the central coast, is ranked as one of the nation’s top destinations. It offers visitors seaside restaurants, stunning beaches, and excellent amenities.
Besides exploring beautiful beaches, nearby dunes provide plenty of opportunities for adventure, including fat bike tours. Other options include sand surfing, sandboarding, and 4WD expeditions. The Mole at Swakopmund is a triangular beach perfect for an afternoon spent enjoying fun in the sun. The waters here are slightly warmer and perfect for splashing and swimming. And the sandy beaches are ideal for everything from sunbathing to shell hunting and sandcastle building.
Swakopmund also has an aquarium with a tunnel walkway that lets fish swim all around you. And nearby ice cream shops are an easy walk from the aquarium, the sweetest way to punctuate your time at the beach!
Shipwreck Hunting Along the Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast is another unforgettable spot, known for its desolation and eerie collection of shipwrecked vessels, some dating as far back as the 16th century. How did the ships end up here? For the answer, look to the waters off the coast.
Portuguese sailors referred to the Skeleton Coast as “the Gates of Hell” because of its treacherous depths. These coastal waters were infamous for choppy waves and thick fog that made navigation nearly impossible. One of the best ways to see this area is on a 4WD safari, so you’ll want to work with a family travel advisor to help you book the best company.
Fifty-five miles south of the Skeleton Coast, Henties Bay is another great spot to put on your itinerary. This small resort town has a tranquil, quaint feel that you’ll fall in love with. And nearby waters feature abundant populations of various fish species. Shops with fishing gear and bait are common in the area, and boat fishing tours are another option that’ll put you on the trail to marine fun.
Go Seal Watching in Cape Cross and Kayaking in Walvis Bay
What to do in Namibia’s Skeleton Coast besides scope out shipwrecks? Cape Cross is an easy drive north from Swakopmund and offers chances to see plenty of Skeleton Coast shipwrecks along the way, but that’s not all. Thousands of Cape fur seals lounge on Cape Cross’s beaches and play in its coastal waters, making it well worth a visit.
Twenty-two miles south from Swapokmund, Walvis Bay is another lovely seaside location. A favorite activity is kayaking around Pelican Point. And at Sandwich Harbour, spend time checking out mind-boggling desert dunes, which cascade into the ocean, creating picturesque views.
Scope Out Wildlife Near Windhoek
On a wildlife drive near Namibia’s capital Windhoek, get ready to snap endless pictures of wildlife! Animals abound, including impalas, warthogs, ostriches, and many more. Visit the picturesque Khomas Hochland highlands, and head down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert, where you’ll savor otherworldly scenery and a picnic lunch.
Besides a safari, fun activities include visiting crafts markets and Joe’s Beerhouse. While primarily a restaurant, Joe’s Beerhouse has a unique ambiance with its outdoor seating and traditional Namibian cuisine. It can be a fun place to experience local culture with children.
For a change of pace, head to the Planet Aero trampoline park in Windhoek. Located in Maerua Mall, there’s no better place for kids to work off energy while being entertained for hours. From wall climbing to dodgeball, wall runs to ninja areas, this facility appeals to all ages and interests.
Dunes Climbing and Stargazing Near Sossusvlei
For a truly surreal landscape, visit the celebrated red dunes near Sossusvlei. Towering upwards of 1,066 feet above the valley floor, visitors can climb the dunes for a one-of-a-kind experience. The dunes are best conquered early in the morning or in the evening to take advantage of cooler temperatures.
Among the sand-locked pans of Sossusvlei is a truly striking sight—Deadvlei. Accessible on foot after an easy hike over sand that’s a little over a mile round-trip, Deadvlei includes ghostly camel thorn trees, which flourished here as late as 900 years ago. They eventually died due to lack of water but remain testaments to a bygone time.
And the real treat happens after the sun sets. Stargazing is unparalleled thanks to the lack of light pollution. There are many wonderful lodges and camps nearby where you can take full advantage of the night time spectacle.
Visit Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park teems with abundant wildlife and is perfect for self-drives and Namibia safari tours. Located in the Owambo Basin, the Etosha Pan sits on the northwestern edge of the Namibian Kalahari Desert and is classified as a saline desert. Thre emillion years ago, this area lay under a massive prehistoric lake fed by the Kunene river. But after the water feature’s course changed, the region transformed into a complex of salt pans.
As for Etosha Park, it offers a diverse array of landscapes, including savannahs, grasslands, and woodlands. To best view wildlife, your guide will take you to springs and waterholes throughout the park where wildlife species abound. Wildlife you may scope out during your visit include lions, giraffes, elephants, blue wildebeests, elands, kudus, warthogs, hyenas, and much more. All told, 114 species of mammals call this location home as do more than 340 species of birds.
Ongava Tented Camp provides the perfect location to embark on your exploration of Etosha National Park. A ranger from the camp will take you on an open-game viewer to search for wildlife. Ongava Game Reserve shares a border with Etosha National Park, and it sits poised atop a rocky outcropping, perfect for savoring expansive vistas. The tented camp’s main lounge includes a dining area and pool and overlooks a floodlit waterhole and breathtaking plain.
Discover the Epic Beauty of Damaraland
Sandwiched between Etosha National Park and the coast is Damaraland, a region renowned for otherworldly rock formations, desert-adapted wildlife (including elephants and rhinos), and unique plant life. It includes the UNESCO World Heritage site at Twyfelfontein, home to one of Africa’s largest collections of rock art. The area also boasts the Damara Living Museum, an institution devoted to the ancient Damara people.
Your journey through this incredible country includes countless jaw dropping scenes. The country is ablaze in colorful table-topped mountain ranges, and dramatic rock formations and unique vegetation make for unforgettable views.
Put Namibia on Your Travel List
When you travel Namibia, get ready for incredible adventures and experiences! Of course, planning an unforgettable getaway requires expert knowledge of local amenities, coupled with the right connections to access luxurious perks, special activities, and so much more. We can help you plan the trip of a lifetime in one of Africa’s most iconic nations.
Let Our Whole Village help you make your next family vacation one of a kind! We’ll design the ideal itinerary based on your family members’ interests and ages. From our local connections to travel know-how, every leg of your itinerary will be jam-packed with independent exploration, hands-on experiences, unique tours, and the best local accommodations.
Let’s chat!
