The 12 most beautiful places to visit in Namibia

Enchanting landscapes, fascinating animals and exciting historical vestiges: discover the most beautiful spots in Namibia!

In the heart of southern Africa, Namibia unfolds sumptuous panoramas, between arid deserts, steep coasts defeated by waves and sand dunes flooding infinity. Debust the cheetahs during a safari in Etosha, let yourself contrate the history of the world by Twyfelfontein's petroglyphs or try at the sandbord in Swakopmund.

This beautifully wild country is one of the few on the planet to offer you an experience in all immersive points, away from mass tourism.

What about visiting Namibia? Here is a florilège of the most beautiful places to explore!

1. Etosha Park

What to do in Namibia at all costs? The Etosha Park I can't. The safari is unforgettable in this preserved space of about 22 000 hectares only one third of which is open to the public. It evolves freely 114 mammal species and 340 bird species . The big game is to try to see the Big Five , that is, lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros and buffalo.

You are advised to go near the water holes early in the morning or at the end of the day — when it’s less hot — to have a greater chance to see them. You can sleep in the park, lodges and campsites welcome you under a starry sky, in a silence only broken by the gloussement of the hyenas. A magical night that will remain engraved in your memory for a long time, no doubt!

2. Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei , in the Namib Desert — one of the oldest in the world — must be in good place in this ranking of places to visit in Namibia. Of course, the road is long to get there, but what show once on site! The sand dunes take place to the horizon and offers many points of interest.

One of the most cured is the Deadvlei , which served as decors to many films and advertisements. Take out your camera to photograph the painting formed by the white clay bowl, red dunes, calcified acacias and sky blue. The cliché is unreatable! At sunrise or sunset, you can also start climbing the dune 45 or Big Daddy to offer you a sumptuous panorama of the surrounding area.

3. Fish Canyon River

Second largest canyon in the world after the United States, Fish Canyon River is to be discovered absolutely if you plan to visit Namibia. Natural gem located in the extreme south of the country, at the border with South Africa, it captivates the imagination with its 160 kilometers long, 27 wide and 550 meters deep.

The contemplatives will go from the viewpoints to enjoy exceptional landscapes. The bravest will choose for the hike Fish River Hiking Trail which will lead them to the bottom of the canyon, in favor of a 85-kilometre walk 3-5 days . Hot water sources will allow you to unravel while observing the faults caused by 2 million years of erosion.

4. Kolmanskop

Unusual excursion lovers, if you ask that to do in Namibia, do not miss the ghost city of Kolmanskop ! The sand was released at the beginning of the 20th century, following the discovery of a diamond in the area, it had some time hosted families of miners in search of a juicy spine.

A casino, a hospital and even a swimming pool will be built, before the village will be moved from the 1930s to more profitable mines. Today, we can explore the places, gradually overwhelmed by the sand. A few pieces of furniture and a small museum will allow you to learn more about the history of Kolmanskop and its inhabitants.

5. Pelican Point

If you still wonder what to do in Namibia to vary the pleasures, what do you say of a kayak excursion In the middle of the seals? An impressive colony of some thousands of people elected home to Walvis Bay and on Pelican Point , which you will draw closer to the strength of your arms alone.

The smell is a bit confusing at the beginning — not to say nausea — but the malice of the seals that come to play with you will soon make you forget this slight inconvenience. Other animals shivered in the vicinity, such as pink Flemish poetics, curious jackals or pelicans with a demeasured goose that gave their name instead.

6. Swakopmund

Located on the Atlantic coast of the country, Swakopmund is a small seaside resort that forms the entrance door to the Skeleton coast, which will be discussed right after. Start by strolling through the quiet streets of the city, to contemplate the façade of Woermann Haus — a superb colonial home — or to push the museum’s doors, to learn more about local history, fauna and flora.

But all Swakopmund’s interest is to go to the surroundings and surf the sand dunes that stand close to the ocean. Once you’re up, you’ll enjoy a sumptuous panorama, before you go down on your board. An emergency registration place on your list of places to visit in Namibia.

7. Skeleton coast

Skeleton coast is undoubtedly among the most surprising places to do in Namibia. She owes her name to a writer, John Henry Marsh, one of whose books recounts the ship’s sinking, the Dunedin Star. And unsuccessful ships, all along the coast, testifying to the difficulty of coming here.

This and there you will also discover whale bones on the beaches, and herbal ornithologists can debust near 250 bird species in their twins. Two modes of transport are available to you to visit the places: one helicopter tower , to fly over the region and take full view of it, or car (we recommend the 4×4, the road is sometimes hardly practicable on some portions, especially those on earth).

8. Sandwich Harbour

No way to visit Namibia without making a detour by Sandwich Harbour ! Another immanquable part of the Skeleton Coast, the tour is done this time necessarily with a guide, to avoid losing.

You will discover a magical place where the sand dunes meet the ocean, sometimes with a somewhat fantomatic mist. The guide will probably take you to see a colony of pink flamands that has elected home in the corner, or some lizards and geckos that live in the sand.

9. Twyfelfontein

To visit Namibia, it is also time for the first men who have trodden his land and have left traces in the north-west region of the country. To Twyfelfontein , you can discover one of the largest concentrations of Rupestre art and petroglyphs in Africa, moving testimonies of hunter-gatherers who lived here more than 6,000 years ago.

Along with a guide, you will enjoy an instructive walk on the site and you will contemplate as diverse motifs as a giraffe, an elephant, a man’s fingerprint or an ostrich engraved in the red rock. The surrounding landscape is grand, as often in this country.

10. Kaokoland

When you wonder what to do in Namibia, why not a detour by the north of the country, to meet the inhabitants Himbas ? Associations organize guided tours in the villages, which will allow you to learn more about the ancestral way of life of these Bantu tribes.

Here, women tease the body and their long braids in red, using a mixture of ochre powder and fat, to protect their skin and hair from the sun and the harshness of the climate. They will be happy to share with you some recipes from their cosmetic preparations.

11. Windhoek

If you plan to visit Namibia from France, you will necessarily land Windhoek (pronounced Windouk), the capital of the country. Perched in altitude and organized in American according to a gridded plan, it is very pleasant to walk.

It has many interesting sites, such as Owela Museum , dedicated to the history and culture of the country, a good way to become acquainted with local customs. Afterwards on the two churches that deserve a look, Christuskirche and Sainte-Marie de Windhoek before proceeding to one of the city’s monuments, the Reiterdenkmal . In the evening you can share a beer with warm residents in one of the pubs in the centre.

12. The Caprivi Band

What to do in Namibia that is not in the desert or arid region? Band of Caprivi , located northeast of the country, forms a bucolic stop welcome for lovers of greenery and lake landscapes. The flood plains, palm trees and forests contrast with happiness in the rest of the territory.

Most of the time, we discover this area before going to Chobe Park in Botswana or Victoria Falls. Many birds live here and to contemplate them, opt for a boat cruise on the Chobe River or Zambeze. At sunset, it’s even more romantic!