Combining animals, untamed landscapes, and an intriguing human tale is what it means to explore Namibia. Come along with us as we show you our top Namibian tourist destinations.

1. Etosha National Park

The pleasure of watching wildlife at Etosha National Park is unmatched in Africa. Large herds of fauna, life-giving waterholes, and expansive, hallucinogenic salt pans make up this amazing planet. Black rhinos visit the waterholes that run beside many of the campsites and lodges at night to drink, while elephants and lions, who are bathed in the Etosha dust, rule the daytime activities. As you think about a gemsbok silhouetted against the setting sun, get caught in a traffic gridlock of springboks, dream about unicorns, and cross off as many of the park’s 340 bird species as you can.

2. The Sossusvlei

On every list of Namibian tourist destinations, the sand dunes of Sossusvlei consistently come in close to the top. The dunes here are truly amazing, especially when viewed in the warm golds and oranges of sunrise and sunset, as the wind has sculpted them into the most exquisite shapes.

As near-perfect ridgelines unfold to the horizon, views from the sand dune peaks, such as Dune 45 (called after the 45-kilometer trip from Sesriem), provide an incredible feeling of scale. The elemental hues and the petrified trees that are dwarfed by dunes hundreds of meters high in Deadvlei are unavoidably moving elsewhere.

3. Encourage Activity in Swakopmund

Swakopmund has more attractions than almost any other city in Namibia when it comes to tourist destinations. The surrounding terrain in Swakopmund is so diverse that you could swim or surf the Atlantic in one day, go sandboarding down a sand dune, or go on a safari to see desert species. Hiking, skydiving, birdwatching, scenic flights, and more are additional options.

4. The Damaraland

Damaraland is characterized by rugged, rocky mountains and is both incredibly inaccessible yet reachable from well-traveled highways through north-central Namibia. Some of the most unexpected species in the nation may be found here, including desert elephants, highly endangered black rhinos, and even lions that roam from here to the Skeleton Coast.

5. Twyfelfontein Rock Art

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site With its rather mysterious name meaning “Doubtful Spring,” Twyfelfontein is a unique location to witness rock art that dates back thousands of years. These rock engravings, some of which date back to the Stone Age 6000 years ago, show a variety of animals and provide an amazing account of a terrain and climate that have seen tremendous change.

The carvings make it evident that the area surrounding Twyfelfontein was formerly a lush, well-watered landscape that was home to a wide variety of fauna. It stands in contrast to the dry circumstances that are prevalent at the moment.

6. The Zambezi Region’s Caprivi Strip

It’s unfortunate that not many tourists think of the Caprivi Strip when choosing where to visit in Namibia, given everything that it has to offer. In addition to being a great place to go bird watching, the area’s national parks are seeing a recovery in lion, elephant, and other charismatic species populations. The Okavango Delta is located just across the border in Botswana. Bwabwata and Nkasa Rupara are the best of these parks.

7. Canyon of Fish River

Fish River Canyon is commonly referred to as Africa’s Grand Canyon, and for good reason. In this area of towering rock formations in Namibia’s southern interior, hiking routes wind high along the ridges and deep into the valleys. For hundreds of miles in all directions, Fish River Canyon is surrounded by flat plains and plateaus, which heightens the natural drama of the area. You must hike for a few days to get to the greatest areas and to gain a feel of the size and diversity of Fish River Canyon. Hot springs, expansive views, and a lasting sense of quiet are your benefits.

8. The Skeleton Coast

In addition to being one of Namibia’s top tourist destinations, the country’s Atlantic coast is among the world’s most stunning coasts. Sand sheets and oceans of sand dunes meet the sea on this otherwise deserted seashore.

Some shipwrecks are now kilometers inland as a result of the sands’ inevitable westward march over hundreds of years, which has recovered land that was once ocean. In addition to shipwrecks and desert-meets-sea landscapes, frequently arid river valleys like Hoanib offer a haven for fauna that has adapted to the desert.

9. The Kaokoveld

With one of the lowest population densities in Africa and a noticeable sense of remoteness, Kaokoveld is similar to Damaraland but considerably more so. The Himba people’s homeland is here, and seeing these incredible survivors is motivation enough to travel. One of the main draws of visiting this serene and breathtakingly gorgeous location is the opportunity to view desert elephants.

 

10. The Plateau of Waterberg

Hiking the sandstone Waterberg Plateau is a great way to spend a few days in Namibia, even if it’s not one of the more well-known tourist destinations. Black and white rhinos, sable and roan antelopes, and other animals can be found here. But what you’ll truly enjoy about this place is the mix of breathtaking vistas, charming valleys, and hiking paths with relatively few other hikers.

11. The Cape Cross

At Cape Cross, wildlife and history collide in a breathtaking way. Diego Cão, a Portuguese adventurer, was the first European to set foot in Namibia in 1485. This historical moment is marked by a cross, which is one of several objects of interest here. The original cross was planted by Cão. Over 100,000 Cape fur seals congregate on a shelf with a view of the ocean nearby. They are one of Namibia’s greatest wildlife experiences and a breathtaking sight.

12. Private Game Reserve Erindi

Erindi Private Game Reserve’s wildlife is so abundant that movie teams travel from all over the world to capture some of Namibia’s most spectacular wildlife scenes. African wild dogs, black rhinos, and all three big cats are likely to be spotted during night drives, which are a highlight. Giraffes and elephants are also nearly certain to be seen. It is among the top tourist destinations in the nation despite its small size.

13. The Lüderitz

Every visitor to Lüderitz performs a kind of double take. This is due to the town’s architecture, which resembles a Bavarian village from the 19th century that was transplanted onto a secluded section of the southern African coast. While Atlantic waves roar against the shore, the town’s primary attractions are the Art Nouveau buildings and museum, which harken back to the German colonial era. To the north and east rises Sperrgebiet National Park, one of Namibia’s largest sand dune areas.

14. National Park Khaudum

Khaudum National Park is an off-road wilderness destination for the daring tourist located in Namibia’s isolated northeast. African wild dogs, lions, roan antelopes, elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, kudus, and gemsboks are among the main wildlife attractions, however there are many more. With 320 species documented, the birding is also very good here.

But perhaps what will stick with you the most after you leave this place on the northwest edge of the Kalahari Desert is the quiet and the sensation of abandonment to the modern world.