Few places on Earth offer contrasts as striking as Namibia. In the south-west of Africa, one of the oldest deserts in the world runs straight into the Atlantic Ocean, while in the far north, waterfalls tumble through palm-lined gorges and ancient cultures keep their traditions alive.
The Namib: dunes that reach the sea
The Namib Desert, which gives the country its name, stretches along the entire Atlantic coast. At Sossusvlei, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, red sand dunes rise to more than 300 metres, among the highest in the world. Nearby, Deadvlei — a white clay pan dotted with dead camel thorn trees, some of them hundreds of years old — is one of the most photographed landscapes in Africa.
Further north, around Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour, the dunes run right down to the ocean. The cold Benguela current creates morning fogs that roll over the sand and sustain unusual desert life, from beetles that drink the fog to the hardy plants of the coast.
The Skeleton Coast
North of Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast earned its name from the shipwrecks and whale bones scattered along its shore. It is a wild, empty landscape of fog, sand and surf, home to huge colonies of Cape fur seals at Cape Cross.
Waterfalls in the north
On the Kunene River, on the border with Angola, the Epupa Falls drop through a series of channels lined with baobabs and palms — a surprising sight in a country best known for its deserts.
Ancient cultures
Namibia is home to some of the oldest traces of human culture in Africa. At Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage site, thousands of rock engravings made by hunter-gatherers depict animals such as giraffes, rhinos and elephants.
In the north-west, the Himba people maintain a semi-nomadic way of life centred on cattle, and are known for covering their skin and hair with a mixture of ochre and butterfat. Visitors should only visit communities through responsible operators that respect local customs.
Wildlife
Etosha National Park, built around a vast salt pan, is one of Africa’s great wildlife reserves, where elephants, lions, rhinos and giraffes gather at waterholes during the dry season.
Practical tips
- The dry season, from May to October, is the best time for wildlife.
- Distances are huge and many roads are gravel: a 4x4 and careful planning are recommended.
- Nights in the desert can be cold even when days are hot.
