It is the enchanting African desert nation that attracts thousands of adventurous travellers every year. A place of solitude, of peace, and of other worldly beauty, Namibia is one of those destinations that is so charming that you won’t want to leave.
Namibia is a different sort of country, and most travellers agree that the nature-filled scenes and the utter seclusion of the destination make it the perfect place to lose yourself and forget your world, if only for a little while.
It is not just the fascinating beauty of Namibia that makes it one of the best places to have a holiday. Namibia is also home to some incredible people and cultures, just waiting to greet you and to invite you in. The history of the country has greatly shaped it into what it is today, and there are many ways that you can learn more about the country’s past. From visiting museums where scenes and items from bygone eras are on full display, to making time to visit one or two of the local villages and mingling with the people, you can learn all sorts of things about Namibia that you might not be able to find in a book.
Although Namibia is best known for being a desert nation, there is so much more to it than meets the eye. A lot of the country is covered by the golden sands of the Namib Desert, but in the North East, the landscape changes dramatically and turns into the perfect setting for an African safari. Namibia safaris are a little bit different to those in neighbouring Botswana, which is world famous for being one of the better places you can experience a safari trip. Most of Namibia’s wildlife has adapted to its harsh conditions, and that makes the animals here both unique and resistant to the conditions of the landscape.
One of the best and most popular ways to explore Namibia is with a guided tour, although it is possible to travel on your own. Solo Namibia tours are made for the daring, with the destinations being so far flung and out of the way, that only experienced solo travellers tend to sign up for such trips. But with all of the guided tour options, you don’t really need to worry much about taking a solo trip, because there are just so many other great options to choose from.
- Population Size – In 2021, Namibia was home to 2.53 million people.
- Official Languages – English is the only official language in Namibia, but it is only spoken by 3% of the population. Oshiwambo is the most common language in the country and Afrikaans is the country’s most widely understood language. Part of the population also speaks German.
- Land Size – 824 292 square kilometres. This makes Namibia about 1.5 times the size of France and considering the size of the population and the huge expanse of land, Namibia is known to be the second least densely populated country in the world.
- Politics – Namibia is a democracy but it has one dominant party, the South-West Africa People’s Organisation.
- Currency – Namibian Dollar
When is the best time to visit Namibia?
It is not an exaggeration to say that Namibia is an ideal place to visit all year round, but the general consensus among travellers and travel agencies is that due to the intense summer heat, winter is the best time to travel here. The winter also gives way to some of the best wildlife sights, as the animals tend to stay well-hidden when the heat gets too intense.
June to August is generally the best time to have a Namibia holiday, especially if what you want is a magical safari in Etosha National Park. The winter months of Namibia are also a whole lot drier than the summer, so you can expect to see a lot of wildlife close to watering holes and rivers.
If you intend to visit the country during the winter, keep in mind that so is everyone else. Winter attracts a lot of tourists precisely because it is a great time to travel. If you want to avoid the winter tourist season, and you feel up to facing the heat, you can always travel in summer. Namibian summers are glorious and they are the perfect excuse to relax in the pool, sip on something cold and delicious, and if you are really daring and find yourself in Swakopmund, you can take a dip in the Atlantic.
Top Attractions and Activities
Those who choose Namibia as their African holiday destination of choice are going to find that there is a lot to explore, a lot to see and a lot to enjoy. Namibia is home to a wide variety of attractions which range from urban attractions in the towns and city, to wild attractions and the most exquisite landscapes. If you are planning your itinerary and you want to make sure that you don’t miss a thing, here are some of places to go and things to do that you should include on your list.
- Go to Walvis Bay
Want to see flocks of pink flamingos prancing around in shallow waters in the early morning light? Walvis Bay is where you need to be. Walvis Bay has everything you imagine Namibia would have; dunes, sunny skies, interesting wildlife, and the perfect landscape for a little 4×4 adventure.
- Go to Damaraland
A visit to the picturesque Damaraland is a must if you want to experience solitude and the utter beauty of Namibia. Damaraland is home to the country’s famous desert elephants and when visiting here you can also spot rhino, lions, springbok, oryx, and all sorts of birds. The landscape is rugged and dotted with rock formations, making it a photographer’s playground.
- Go to Namib-Naukluft Park
With its mountains that stand out in an otherwise flat and dry grassland, Namib-Nauluft Park is hauntingly beautiful and home to the Sossusvlei, one of the country’s most iconic places. Namib-Nauluft Park is well away from the rest of the world, making it the perfect retreat for anyone wanting to escape from their busy lives for a while.
- Go to Caprivi
Caprivi is close to Botswana and shares much of its character, including the weather and the landscape. Caprivi is on a flood plain, and it attracts all sorts of animals, as they move from one country to next in search of food and water. This is the ideal place for a safari trip.
- Go to Windhoek
While the rest of the country is very much all about the natural attractions, Windhoek is the urban city waiting to be explored. Windhoek is the perfect place to experience a little more of the country’s culture and it is also the best place to try out local foods and to shop from local businesses.
Namibia tours cover every possible holiday desire. Most tours are a wonderful combination of places and experiences, which means by the time you leave country, you will have seen it all. When panning your trip, here are a couple of tour packages to check out.
- 8 Days Etosha, Sossusvlei with a Taste of Swakopmund
See all of the top safari spots in Namibia and also spend some time in the seaside town of Swakopmund with this exciting tour. It starts and ends in Windhoek and in just 8 days you can see the best side of this epic African nation.
- 7 Days Southern Kalahari and Namib Desert Explorer
The desert is an interesting place to explore, especially if you’ve never visited one before. The rolling dunes go on for as far as the eye can see and along with the stunning landscapes, the desert is also home to a myriad of insects and animals, all of which have adapted to life in one of the harshest environments in the world. This 7 day tour will take you through the two deserts, and it will include stays in the most beautiful places.
- Beautiful Contrasts Northern Namibia Comfort Guided Tour
7 days and 6 nights, this tour will take you to those parts of Namibia which are considered to be the most beautiful, such as Etosha, Swakopmund, and all the places in between.
- Kaokoland Guided Tour
From some sightseeing in Windhoek to time spent in Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Epupa Falls, and Etosha, this Namibia tour is ideal for those who want to get a real, full taste of what Namibia is all about.
- Diverse Landscapes
See quite literally every part of Namibia with this incredible 24 day tour of the country. The Diverse Landscapes tour is quite easily one of the most comprehensive adventures and if you have the time, it is the only Namibia holiday you might ever need.
Planning your Namibia Tour
A Namibia holiday is easy to plan for when you book your tour with a travel agency. While you will need to pack the basic necessities such as the right cool and comfortable clothing, all your travel documentation, your flight, and your camera, if you book a Namibia tour with the right travel agency, everything else, from your accommodation to your itinerary and your transportation will be taken care of for you.
Ready to see Africa’s most remote and beautiful destination? Contact ATC today to discuss or book your Namibia holiday or make your booking via our website.