Untouched beauty – experience Namibia's fantastic natural diversity!
From golden deserts and green savannahs to wild rock formations and vast coastal landscapes – hardly any other country offers such a variety of spectacular and untouched landscapes. Discover the highlights of Namibia's diverse nature.
Off-road tour in the Kalahari Desert
Red sand and thorn bushes as far as the eye can see: the Kalahari stretches across Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Large parts of it are actually dry savannah, where life flourishes. Meerkats, oryx antelopes and lions can be easily observed from an off-road vehicle in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The entrance on the Namibian side is located at Mata-Mata in the south-east, on the border with South Africa.
Observe desert lions on the Skeleton Coast
On Namibia's coast, the wild Atlantic Ocean meets the endless dunes of the Namib Desert. In the northern part lies the Skeleton Coast, named after the countless shipwrecks that crashed here long ago and now protrude from the sand. This surreal landscape is also home to the rare desert lion. Observing them on safari is a unique natural spectacle.
Pink landscapes: Sandwich Harbour
Swakopmund also offers a surreal encounter between desert and water: at Sandwich Harbour, golden dunes plunge steeply into the blue Atlantic Ocean. Elsewhere, granite dust colours the sand, giving it a pinkish sheen. Sandbanks form a ten-kilometre-long lagoon, where flamingos, pelicans and cormorants wade through the water. The wetland is protected and is home to up to 400,000 birds.
Hot springs at Fish River Canyon
The Fish River Canyon cuts through the Huns Mountains in southern Namibia like a giant crack. The second largest canyon in the world offers a fantastic view. Those who wish to can explore the valley on guided hikes and reward themselves with a dip in the hot springs of Ai-Ais. However, both are only possible from March to October. After that, the canyon becomes sweltering hot and torrential rivers can form.
Canoeing on the Orange River
In southern Namibia, the Orange River winds its way along rock formations and vineyards. There are no crocodiles or hippos in the river, but there are otters and klipspringers on the banks. The calm waters are ideal for exploring by canoe or rubber dinghy. Multi-day tours with a guide and tent are ideal for immersing yourself in nature. Grab your paddle, drift along and experience Namibia from its quiet side.
Dune hiking in the Namib Desert
Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert is a plain of salt and clay, whose light-coloured ground forms spectacular contrasts with the petrified trees within it and the red dunes surrounding it. One of these, ‘Big Daddy’, is 350 metres high and one of the largest in the world. Those who dare can attempt to climb to the summit. Four-wheel drive tours depart from lodges or farms, and there is a shuttle to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Photo safari on the Spitzkoppe
It rises up like a monument in the middle of the Namib Desert: Spitzkoppe, a 1,728-metre-high inselberg, is also known as the “Matterhorn of Namibia”. Its conical shape and rounded granite peaks make it one of Namibia's most photographed mountains, especially when the red rock glows in the evening light. Some walls are adorned with rock paintings dating back thousands of years – most of which can only be reached via booked guided tours.
Pink Lakes near Swakopmund
Artificially created salt pans spread out right on the edge of Swakopmund, where sea salt is harvested. They offer visitors an unreal sight: a type of algae colours the water a rich pink. Dried salt glitters in the sunlight, flamingos wade through the lakes, and the sky is reflected in the shallow water. A walk here feels like a trip to another planet.
Culture and climbing in Damaraland
Damaraland is a desert region in the north-west, famous for its rock paintings near the hot springs of Twyfelfontein. The paintings are up to 10,000 years old. Those who enjoy sports can climb the Brandberg, a massif that rises like a huge island from the Namib Desert. A visit to the Damara Living Museum, an open-air museum dedicated to the indigenous Damara people, also provides insights into Namibian culture.
On safari in Etosha National Park
Herds of elephants pass by, giraffes graze on camel thorn trees, lions doze in the shade: Etosha National Park in the north attracts visitors with its impressive wildlife and picture-postcard scenery, such as the vast savannah or the ‘enchanted forest’ in the west. Moringa trees, which are unique to Namibia, grow here. The forest may only be visited on guided tours.
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