Namibia

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Travel in Namibia

From the scorched beauty of the skeleton coast to the abundant wildlife of Etosha National Park, in Namibia you’ll find adventure and beauty everywhere you look. If you’re seeking an unforgettable safari adventure, this is the place for you, but Namibia isn’t just about the wildlife. From cruising sand dunes to checking out indigenous villages and exploring ghost towns, this remarkable country rewards the curious traveller.

Fast facts
Language: German, English
Currency: Namibian dollar, South African rand
Electricity: 220V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Namibia.
Dialling Code: +264
Time Zone: (GMT+02:00)

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Things to do in Namibia

Namibia is overflowing with natural beauty, wildlife, adrenaline activities and quirky German influenced towns. Here’s our pick of what to do and where to go.

Take a sunset cruise on the Chobe river

Forming the border between Botswana and Namibia, the Chobe river is a huge draw for local wildlife such as elephant, buffalo and hippo. On the Namibian side of the border, there are no game viewing loops, so all safari activities are done by boat. Set sail during twilight and you can see all of Africa’s wildlife in its diverse glory as it congregates around the sparkling river.

Ride through the sand dunes of Sossusvlei

Scorched plains and deep red dusty dunes punctuated with petrified trees make Sossusvlei a beautifully dramatic landscape. The dunes here are some of the largest in the world, with ‘Big Daddy’ stretching 380m high. You can hike the dunes, or, if that sounds like too much hard work, take a quad bike excursion and glide across the silken desert on four wheels.

Visit Kolmanskop sand covered houses

Once the home to German miners who sought their fortune in the Namibian desert this eerie ghost town was abandoned to the sand 500 years ago. The sight of the classic German architecture reclaimed by the desert is stark and unforgettable, like a huge anti-colonial art gallery.

Meet Himba people at an Indigenous Village

The Himba are a nomadic indigenous people who live mostly in Damaraland. They have preserved their traditional ways of life and don’t tend to put on a show for travellers, but are still warm and welcoming. One of the oldest tribes in Namibia, their culture and habits have been remarkably well preserved, as evident.

Visit Etosha National Park

One of Africa’s oldest national parks, Etosha is also regarded as one of its best. Because so much of the park is arid, animals congregate in huge numbers around its waterholes, making wildlife spotting as easy as parking up and waiting. The park is also home to an enormous salt flat - visible from space - where you can spot flamingos and pelicans while posing for unique Instagram photos.

Visit Etosha National Park

Spitzkoppe means ‘pointed dome’ in German, and refers to the granite peaks in the Namib desert. It’s when you get up close to these dramatic rock formations that you start to spot what makes them even more remarkable. Early cave paintings of humans and animals adorn the rocks here,and some date back 4000 years.

Food in Namibia

There’s a rich array of culinary choice in Namibia. The traditional cuisine utilises wild game, spinach and dough, while the German colonial influence has also made its mark, and you’ll still find bavarian style beer halls in many cities and towns.

Biltong

Namibia is one of Biltong’s countries of origin, and you can find delicious examples of the hard cured meat throughout the country. We recommend Trans-Kalahari in Windhoek.

_{Best eaten at
Trans-Kalahari Biltong and Meat, 314 Sam Nujoma Dr, Windhoek, Namibia}

Potjiekos

This South African dish translates to ‘small pot’ and often consists of meat, carrots, cabbage, pumpkin and flour based products like pasta, all cooked with distinctive Dutch-Malay spices.

_{Best eaten at
Joe's Beerhouse, 160 Nelson Mandela Ave, Windhoek, Namibia}

Kapana & fat cakes

Kapana is a quintessentially Namibian means of preparing beef, usually by grilling it on an open fire. Cut into small pieces and swathed with chilli sauce, onions, tomatoes and spices, it’s often sold in markets by young locals. It’s often regarded as a staple food that has allowed young people to start their own business with low initial capital required.

_{Best eaten at
Pepata Restaurant, Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek, Namibia}

Oshifima

This traditional indigenous staple uses maize meal and mahangu flour, forming a rich cornmeal porridge. It’s a great source of energy and is popular with long distance runners.

_{Best eaten at
Pepata Restaurant, Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek, Namibia}

Oshiwambo

Oshiwambo is a delicious combo of spinach and beef with a mealy, dough like paste, forming a savoury porridge. Try it at the Xwama Traditional Restaurant in Windhoek.

_{Best eaten at
Xwama Traditional Restaurant, Corner of Independence Ave and, Omongo Street, Windhoek, Namibia}