When you take the road to Namibia

At first, I was not sure what to expect. Crossing the border, I was thinking “what did I think – booking a holiday here”, and then coming back I was thinking “I want to go back”. Namibia gets under your skin and stays in your heart. Once you leave footprints in the sand, you will always want to go back. Namibia is a land of beauty beyond the desert.

It truly is a beautiful country. At times it is very dry, and you might think all you will see is a dried-out bush or empty rivers, but that is far from the truth. Let’s discover the hidden gems of Namibia and discover wonderful things to do:

A starry night

Firstly, when visiting Namibia do make the time to have a look at the stars at night. Especially when visiting an area out of town. There are many options for guided tours in the desert or going on a camping trip with 4×4 trails included. These are truly special experiences.

When in Namibia always be on the lookout to spot wild horses. The Namib Desert Horse is a rare feral horse found in the Namib Desert of Namibia.

Kolmanskop

This almost sad destination in Namibia is a photographer’s dream. Old houses still preserved in the heat of the day remind us of what was…. Sand now filling up the corridors of the buildings reminds us that nature will take back what belongs once we humans leave. It is a spectacular sight to see and worth putting on your travel bucket list.

If you are ever looking for Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram photo opportunities, this is fantastic.

This ghost town is in the South of Namibia, about ten kilometers from Lüderitz.

This was once a beautiful small town in the height of diamond-mining-fever times. Unfortunately, the mining was depleted by the 1930s and the people left and abandoned their homes to trek for other diamond opportunities elsewhere. By 1956 the town was completely abandoned after the hospital closed.

Kolmanskop (also known as Kolmanskuppe or Kolmanskoppe) is a place you must visit with a tour guide. It is much more fun, and you learn a lot from the history and the story behind this ghost town.

Have a look at this video for a bit of extra info: YouTube video

Twyfelfontein

World Heritage Site Twyfelfontein (meaning doubtful fountain) is the place to find rock art in Namibia. With more than two thousand rock engravings which are more than six thousand years old, this represents one of Africa’s largest displays of ancient rock art.

Spitzkoppe

The Spitzkoppe is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib Desert. The granite is more than 120 million years old. Many examples of Bushmen artwork can be seen painted on the rock in the Spitzkoppe area. The Spitzkoppe Mountains were also the filming location for 2001: A Space Odyssey in the “Dawn of Man” sequences.

The Fish River Canyon

If you’ve seen the Grand Canyon in the USA, the next one on your list should be the Fish River Canyon in Namibia, the second largest canyon in the world.

It consists of a northern upper and a southern lower canyon and is 56 km long.

The lower canyon is between 460 and 550 m deep and 5 km wide.
The upper canyon is 160 to 190 m deep and but 8 km wide.

The best time to do the Hiking Trail is during the months of April to September and can be completed within 4 to 5 days, depending on your fitness levels.

The Quiver Tree Forest

A spectacular site especially early morning or at sunset and a photographer’s paradise. The Quiver Tree Forest is a well-known tourist attraction about 14 km north of Keetmanshoop. This forest was declared a national monument and is situated on the Gariganus Farm.

The Etosha National Park

(Often referred to as the Etosha Panne in Afrikaans)

This beautiful and famous national park of 22 270 km² has a vast variety of wild animals and is one of the best places to go on game drives. You might see lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, and many more.

Accommodation is widely available inside the park, and you can refer to their website for the latest information updates.

Best time to visit Etosha National Park

The best game-viewing time is during the “dry months” of May to September but keep in mind that it gets cold at night as this is winter in Namibia.

The summer months of October to April (also their rainy season) are normally also the months recorded with some extremely hot days, so come prepared.

Bird watching is at its peak in the rainy season from November to March, which is also the hottest and wettest month normally.

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red Namib dunes and is in the South of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. If you love the desert with its beautiful ever-changing dunes, you will love Sossusvlei. Captivating shadows and amazing sunsets will add to a wonderful experience for anyone keen to take photos. Dune 45 is a famous tourist attraction and everyone coming back from a trip to Sossusvlei agrees that it is worth a visit and a travel bucket list experience.

Travel Tips

It doesn’t matter what time of year to visit Namibia, always pack both summer and winter clothes (or at least include a very warm jacket and socks).

Visit a famous Bollywood filming location

The video for the song “Guzarish” from the movie “Ghajini” was filmed in this beautiful destination:

Full Video: Guzarish | Ghajini | Aamir Khan, Asin | A.R. Rahman | Javed Ali, Sonu Nigam

Guzaarish (Ghajini) Filming Locations
Based on a Tamil film by the same name, Ghajini was remade in Hindi with Aamir Khan and Asin.

The popular romantic song from the film ‘Guzaarish’ was shot at the Skeleton Coast, Namibia desert with the leading pair.

This was the first Bollywood film to be shot here and has a glimpse of a desert by the coast.

What is the best time of year to go to Namibia?

According to most advisors, it is from July to October, but it depends on what you would like to do. (Refer to the above visit info on Etosha Park). April and May are often lovely months and we had fantastic weather. (We had a bit of cold in the mornings and turning into beautiful sunny days. A common site in Namibia is the fog. Be aware that it might be very thick in some places and unexpected for tourists. Always keep an open eye for animals on the roads, especially at night and when it is foggy.)

Is Namibia expensive?

Travel Tip(s)

Namibia’s currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD). However, the South African Rand is accepted everywhere.

Namibia Travel Costs

Namibia International Airport

Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is the main international airport of Namibia, serving the capital city of Windhoek. It is located well east of the city, 45 km, and is Namibia’s largest airport with international connections.

The Hot Water Springs at Ai-Ais, the Quiver Tree Forest, the Fish River Canyon, and the Brukaros Mountain (a former volcano), therefore saving you drive time.

Other airports in Namibia

Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport

Ready-Made Holiday Multi-Day Tour Packages

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Unique Accommodation - Skeleton Coast

Shipwreck Lodge Namibia

“Located in the famous Skeleton Coast concession between the Hoarusib and Hoanib rivers in the Skeleton Coast National Park (map link), Shipwreck Lodge is only 45 km from Möwe Bay (map link). The shipwreck-shaped chalets are nestled between the dunes with a view of the Atlantic Ocean where the cold Benguela current provides guests with a refreshing breeze.

Our exclusive clients can look forward to appreciating the harshness of the desert and the beauty of these solitary landscapes filled with geological history. Learn about the fauna and flora adapted to survive in these harsh conditions – all from the comfort of the restaurant deck. There are eight twin/double chalets and two lovely family chalets.”