The Best Places to Visit in Namibia

Nestled in Africa’s South Western corner, Namibia stands out for its truly unique range of landscapes. The treacherous Atlantic coast laps Namibia’s Western border, the colossal sand dunes of Sossusvlei rise out of the South, whilst the cosmopolitan cities of Swakopmund and Windhoek thrum with energy.

Touching down, you will encounter this diversity first-hand travelling into Namibia’s remotest corners. Take to the road on a self-drive road trip, or hop into your own Cessna to witness the true vastness of the country from the sky. From horseback, 4×4, quad bike to hot air balloon, families can explore by every mode of transport you can think of. 

With such a diverse array of landscapes and destinations, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated by the prospect of planning a family safari to Namibia. To provide inspiration and some top Coral Tree tips, we have put together a list of our must-see places to visit in Namibia. 

1. Damaraland

A comprehensive Namibian family safari would be incomplete without an exploration of the underexplored Damaraland. This remote region boasts breathtaking landscapes and forms Namibia’s cultural heart, home to the country’s most extensive rock art collection as well as the nomadic Damara people. 

Formerly designated as the Damaraland by the apartheid-era government of South Africa, the region was combined with the Kaokoland to the north, and now forms part of what is today known as the Kunene Region. 

Bookended by Brandberg Mountain – Namibia’s tallest – and the quaint settlement of Sesfontein – the Damaraland boasts some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. The rocky mountains of Spitzkoppe attract hardcore rock climbers wanting to scale its 1728m peak – sometimes referred to as the ‘Matterhorn of Africa’ – as well as family travellers drawn to its uniquely rounded shapes. Whilst the panoramic views of the remote Messum Crater, formed by a collapsed volcano, can be explored on rugged footpaths. 

The primary attraction drawing families to Damaraland is its authentic San/Bushman rock art at various sites. Among these, the renowned White Lady painting on Brandberg Mountain stands out as the most well-known. Whilst, Twyfelfontein, recognised as a World Heritage Site, boasts over 2,000 rock engravings portraying scenes of animals and hunters, often depicting a spiritual realm encountered by shamans in trance, solidifying its status as a globally significant rock art site.

An underrated wildlife area, the ‘concession areas’ of the Damaraland limit tourism to preserve its game-rich landscapes. Home to one of Africa’s largest populations of free-roaming black rhinos and Namibia’s famous desert elephants, families could also be lucky enough to spot a lion, hyena, or leopard in this region too. 

Many of the Damaraland’s camps are extremely remote, taking quite a few hours to reach them by road, so we suggest staying in the area for at least three days, not least because of the plethora of activities on offer here. 

2. Etosha National Park

Only a few hours drive to the west, lies the acclaimed Etosha National Park – the jewel in Namibia’s wilderness crown and one of Africa’s best safari destinations. Spanning over 22,000km2 and named for the ginormous salt pan it rests on, the ‘Great White Place’ is an essential destination for any family safari to Namibia. 

The varied environment of the park lends itself to an abundance of game. The areas of denser vegetation are home to some of Africa’s largest elephants, thanks to the unique nutrients found in the ground, and families can spot giraffe, wildebeest, kudu as well as the two different types of resident zebra – the Common Plains zebra and its rarer relative the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra – on game drives throughout the park. 

One of the world’s last wild lion strongholds, the park has been named as a critical landscape for global lion conservation, and remains as one of the best places to spot prides roaming and hunting in their natural habitat.

With over 340 bird species spotted here, Etosha is a mecca for some of the best birding in Africa. Families can witness the world’s largest bird, the Ostrich, sprinting across its plains whilst the heaviest flying bird, the Kori bustard, swoops down on its prey. Hardcore birders will especially love Etosha’s rainy season – from November to April – as clouds of flamingos flock to the flooding salt pan. 

Our Coral Tree tip for Etosha is to base your game drives – whether self-drive or guided – around visits to Etosha’s famous waterholes, including Nebrownii, Okaukuejo, Rietfontein, Goas, Kalkheuwel and Namutoni. During the dry season, whilst water is increasingly sparse, multiple animal species congregate creating incredible predator and prey encounters. 

3. Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei – ‘Dead Marshes’ in Afrikaans – refers to an ancient salt and clay pan surrounded by some of the oldest and tallest sand dunes in the world. Tucked into Namibia’s vast Namib-Naukluft National Park in the arid south-west, it is one of the most photographed places in Sub-Saharan Africa and a must-see destination for a family safari. 

What will most strike you when you first drive into Sossusvlei is how its dunes burn red, pink and orange during the spectacular desert sunrise. This phenomena is actually due to the tiny flecks of iron found in the sand, which have slowly oxidised over the years, becoming an ever darker red colour. The darker the dune you spot, the older its age! 

And what will soon become apparent is that this is a very old desert, with some experts estimating that it is up to 55 million years old. Rivalled only by the Atacama Desert in Chile for its age and aridness, families will feel like they are walking backward through time as they stroll around the ancient landscape. 

What is even more remarkable than the desert’s age is its inhabitant’s ability to survive in this extreme environment. Almost completely barren, the Namib Desert receives less than 10mm of rain annually making it almost impossible for most wildlife to survive, or so you would think. There are pockets of life everywhere. Salsola shrubs, an unusual melon native to the desert, are dotted all over the nearby Deadvlei salt pan, sustaining themselves solely on the morning mist rolling in from the distant Atlantic. The desert is also home to the Oryx, a large type of antelope who survive by cooling their blood before it enters their brain, and even the desert-adapted lion. 

To explore this unique landscape, families can opt for a range of options. One of the best places in the world to take a hot air balloon flight, you can witness the truly vast scale of the landscape whilst enjoying the peaceful serenity of motorless flight. Whilst game drives through the park are perfect for spotting the native prides of lions and wandering oryx. 

Families should also make time for a guided walking safari to learn about the smaller flora and fauna of this unique environment, before taking on the challenge of scaling the largest dune – aptly named ‘Big Daddy’. 

4. Skeleton Coast

The Skeleton Coast – so named for its proliferation of shipwrecks – consists of a vast expanse of dunes colliding with the rugged Atlantic Coast on Namibia’s Western shore. Known as As Areias do Inferno (The Sands of Hell) by early Portuguese sailors who knew what fate awaited wrecked colleagues, the area maintains its sense of wilderness and exploration, perfect for an adventurous family safari. 

This coastline’s vast remoteness is what makes the area truly unique. 20,000 sq km of empty dunes stretch from Sandwich Harbour, south of Swakopmund, to the Kunene River, forming one of the most inhospitable areas in the world’s oldest desert. 

The Skeleton Coast’s sparsity of population, as well as Namibia’s certification as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve, the first and only one in Africa, make it one of the best places on earth for stargazing. Whether you are an avid hobbyist or have a fleeting interest in astronomy, the Skeleton Coast should be at the top of your list. 

The pristine environment of the coast makes the Skeleton Coast an attractive destination for families looking for a real taste of the wild, especially as attempts to traverse this vast landscape have often resulted in another phenomena of the area – the almost 1000 shipwrecks littering the coastline. Falling victim to the thick coastal fog, arising from the chilled air of the Benguela Current meeting hot desert winds, these wrecks loom ominously in the Atlantic swell. 

The harsh environment has also lent itself to some truly innovative adaptations to survive, and experienced guides can point out the unique flora and fauna on walking safaris. From the darkling beetles that lie on the crests of dunes during foggy days allowing drops of water to roll down to their mouths, to the geckos licking moisture from plants and stones. 

Contrary to many families’ expectations of a safari holiday, the Skeleton Coast offers a bustling population of cape fur seals, Heaviside’s dolphins and even green turtles, all an exciting sight on local kayak and boat excursions. And thrill seekers can surf the Atlantic swell, bash the dunes on quad bikes or take to the air in a light aircraft. 

5. Swakopmund

An essential stop-off for any Namibia safari, Swakopmund, situated on its dramatic Atlantic coast, offers a refreshing burst of urban culture as well as some of the best outdoor pursuits in the country. 

Families should begin their Swakopmund adventure with a guided tour to explore the elegant art nouveau architecture of the town and learn about its rich history. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, the town has transformed from a colonial outpost into a seaside resort, maintaining its historic charm while offering an incredible range of activities, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Make time to visit the distinctive Swakopmund Museum, which offers a comprehensive look at Namibia’s varied history. Located at the foot of a lighthouse, the site is steeped in history, even occupying the site of an old warehouse destroyed by a British warship’s ‘lucky shot’  in 1914. Look out for the People of Namibia exhibit which tells the story of Namibia’s many different ethnic groups, from the Herero to the Himba. 

As well as being a destination in itself, the town’s surroundings offer a real playground for thrill-seekers. Families can quad bike, sandboard, or even ski around the huge dunes of the Namib, or opt for a more relaxed guided excursion to the Moon Landscape and Swakop River Canyon. For a water-based adventure, families can take a catamaran or kayak tour to spot the cheeky cape fur seals – who regularly try to mount the boats – dolphins, leatherback turtles and even whales depending on the time of year.

Offering more activities than you could hope to do in a single stay and a revitalising dose of the urban, Swakopmund is always worth a visit on a family safari to Namibia. 

Summary

Namibia is a true land of contrasts. From the ethereal beauty of Sossusvlei to the untamed wilds of Damaraland, a family safari to Namibia is an intrepid adventure through some of Africa’s most varied and spectacular landscapes. 

A Namibia family safari can take you from witnessing wild lions stalking their prey in Etosha to an ascent of the rocky peaks of the Spitzkoppe, or even to an elegant seafood restaurant in Swakopmund. 

A matter of weeks in Namibia can grant your family a lifetime of experiences and Coral Tree Travel are on hand to make sure you visit the must-see sights as well as the hidden gems no one knows about, all the time making sure your trip runs seamlessly. 

What are you waiting for? Get in contact with the travel experts at Coral Tree to start planning your luxury family adventure and turn dreams of seeing these glorious creatures into a reality. We have a fantastic range of safari experiences and packages to choose from.

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Author: Mike