Namibia

Namibia is a land of hauntingly beautiful landscapes. It is less about "high-density" wildlife and more about unique, desert-adapted species surviving in extreme environments. It is arguably the best destination in Africa for a self-drive adventure.

Quick Facts

  • Country: Namibia
  • Size: ±824,292 km²
  • Major Regions: Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Skeleton Coast
  • Wildlife: Desert-adapted elephants, lions, and black rhinos
  • Malaria Zone: Low risk (except the far north Caprivi Strip)
  • GPS Coordinates: ~22°00′S 18°00′E

Location & Access

  • Main Towns: Windhoek, Swakopmund.
  • Air Travel: Hosea Kutako International (WDH).
  • Road Access: Excellent for self-driving on well-maintained gravel roads.

Wildlife Highlights

  • Etosha Pan: Animals congregate at floodlit waterholes in front of lodges.
  • Desert-Adapted Species: Elephants and lions that have evolved to survive in the arid Damaraland.
  • Cheetahs: Namibia is the "Cheetah Capital of the World."

Best Time to Visit

Title
Title
Title
Title
Season
Months
Weather
Game Viewing
Dry Season
May–October
Cool, very dry
Peak at Etosha. Wildlife must visit waterholes; visibility is 100%.
Summer
November–April
Very hot, rare rain
Landscapes turn green; best for birding and calving in some areas.

Game Reserves & National Parks

  • Etosha National Park: Centered around a massive salt pan, it is famous for its waterholes where animals gather in huge numbers.
  • Namib-Naukluft Park (Sossusvlei): Home to the world’s highest sand dunes and the iconic white clay pan of Deadvlei.
  • Damaraland: A rugged, unfenced wilderness where desert-adapted elephants and rhinos roam among ancient rock art.
  • Skeleton Coast Park: A remote, mist-shrouded coastline known for shipwrecks and a massive Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross.

Summary

The dry winter is essential for wildlife viewing in Etosha, though the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei are spectacular throughout the year.

Key Takeaways

Namibia is for the adventurer and photographer. It offers a sense of solitude and vastness that no other safari destination can match.