Celebrated for its vast open landscapes – making it an ideal destination for a Namibian safari – there is an abundance of space in which to inhale deeply. Bask in an infinite supply of blue skies, sun-drenched weather, and tranquil starry nights.
Over the years there have been a number of cultural influences that have all added to the unique atmosphere of Namibia. At various times Germany, Great Britain, and South Africa have all governed the territory but it was with the eventual independence of Namibia in 1990 that the country was able to develop its multi-cultural character and reinvent itself. There is a rich and colorful uniquely African vigor that now freely blends in with the European influences on architecture, food, customs, and art, all merging to create a distinctive Namibian character.
All this is in interesting juxtaposition with the expansive landscapes that surround the cities. The many national parks and game reserves boast a huge variety of wildlife in a kaleidoscope of differing environments: giraffes amble across the blinding white saltpans of Etosha National Park, gemsbok plunge headlong up impossible steep red dunes at Sossusvlei, and seals in their many thousands colonize lonely beachheads along the Skeleton Coast. Astonishing contrasts on a Namibian safari are everywhere for the visitor to savor, enjoy, and photograph.
Namibia has rapidly become a well-known safari destination with a difference, famed for its remote and intimate lodges, interaction with the indigenous people as well as the wildlife, and offering unique opportunities to become involved with the cultural heritage of all its peoples.
Where To Stay
These are some of our favorite lodges and places to stay around Namibia
Uniquely designed around the enigmatic shipwrecks that line the nearby coast, there’s nowhere on the continent quite like Shipwreck Lodge. In fact, there’s nowhere on the continent quite like the Skeleton Coast. It’s a raw, rugged and impossibly remote slice of African wilderness, where towering dunes and wind-swept plains roll as far as the eye can see, buffeted by the icy Atlantic seas.
Stay at Shipwreck Lodge and game drive in search of desert-dwelling fauna; discover the enchanting desert flora (succulents and lichens); sit atop the dunes as the sun sinks below the horizon; spend the day beach-combing for whale bones and debris from centuries of shipwrecks; and marvel at the geologically-remarkable Clay Castles. Really, there’s nowhere like it on earth.
Activities: Morning & Afternoon Drives, Guided Walks, Shipwreck Exploration
Budget: $$$ (Luxury)
Adventure is second nature at Ongava Tented Camp. Here, the spirit of a traditional sojourn in the wild is redefined in comfort and style, as you settle into the welcome of your spacious walk-in tent. The A-frame Meru tents, inspired by the shape of Mount Meru, the “mountain of shining light” in Tanzania, are equipped with modern conveniences to make you feel at home, even when you’re just a heartbeat away from the wonders of nature.
Every stay in the bush has its own touch of magic, but there’s something extra special about a stay in a tented camp. You’ll feel like an explorer, immersed in the landscape, with your senses finely attuned to the rhythms of the wild. A waterbuck ambling right by your tent; a little rock hyrax darting across your path; an elephant dipping its trunk into a waterhole, just a heartbeat away from where you’re sitting.
At Ongava Tented Camp, you’re in nature’s domain, enjoying a special touch of luxury to add to that touch of magic.
Activities: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives, Guided Bush Walks, Research Center Visits
Budget: $$ (Mid-Range)
Our Suggested Itineraries
Diverse Namibia is an active, exciting adventure, exploring the iconic areas of this vast country; its dunes, deserts, plains and superb wildlife, enhanced by exclusive accommodation in private reserves and concessions. On this adventure you will take in the soaring red dunes of Sossusvlei, the life-filled, blue Atlantic Ocean, the desert and denizens of Damaraland, and the dense plains game and predators of Etosha National Park. Activities are varied and include scenic walks and visiting the spectacular ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. This a true Namibian adventure with a range of activities impossible to beat!
Explore Here: DIVERSE NAMIBIA – 10 DAYS
This shorter Namibian safari includes Sossusvlei, home of the largest sand dunes in the world, the Huab River Valley– one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia offering endless vistas of plains, valleys, and mountains, where nature drives and walks offer sights of desert-adapted wildlife, ancient rock-art, striking geological formations, and astonishing night skies. Desert-adapted elephant are a highlight of the area. Last, you’ll visit the Ongava Reserve, which allows for game drives in the Etosha National Park and on the Ongava Reserve itself, along with optional guided walks, birding and visiting hides. Ongava holds one of the largest rhino custodianships for the Namibian government in the country and is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where guests can see both black and white rhino along with lion and numerous other species.
Explore Here: WINGS OVER NAMIBIA CIRCUIT – 7 DAYS
Experiences
These are some of the experiences on offer in Namibia
Awards and Accolades
