The mountainous red/orange dunes of Sossusvlei, the stark and perilous Skeleton Coast, the moonscapes of Spitzkoppe, the incredible wildlife viewing in Etosha, the deep valleys of Fish River Canyon, the endless starry skies, the blazing African sunsets, the friendly locals, and seriously delicious food.
Yep, Namibia absolutely blew our heads.
But if we’re honest, we didn’t plan our vacation to Namibia very well at all. It was only by accident we met a lovely native called Hennie, who gave us the expertise to explore Namibia quickly, securely, and enjoyably. His words of wisdom rescued us and no doubt contributed to the wonderful experience we had in Namibia.
Now it’s our job to pass on the information we acquired. So you may have the best possible vacation to Namibia, here are some key Namibia travel recommendations to understand before visit this amazingly gorgeous nation.
Where is Nambia?
For many, the simple mention of Namibia has greeted with a “where?” reaction. And we sorta understand that - Africa’s a vast continent which, sad as it may be, is still somewhat neglected by the world community.
For those who aren’t sure, Namibia is situated on the southwest coast of Africa. It is surrounded by South Africa in the south, Angola to the north, Botswana to the east, and Zambia in the northeast.
Mostly dry, the magnificent scenery resembles Mars, with huge stretches of rocky mountains and gorges, immense orange and white sand dunes, and desolate savannas, while the jagged Atlantic coastline is one of the most dangerous in the world.
Oh, and despite what Donald Trump may claim, it’s pronounced Na-mibia, not Nam-bia.
Is Nambia worth visiting?
The answer to this question is an emphatic YES.
Namibia is unlike anyplace else on Earth; a place where you’ll feel extremely tiny by the grandeur of your surroundings and in total awe of Mother Nature's greatest accomplishments.
Driving in the midst of the Namib desert, lifeless mountains and sand dunes around us, having not seen any kind of life for hours, we’d never felt smaller. To be honest, that was the most exciting sensation we’ve experienced on our travels. And that’s Namibia’s attraction.
With the stormy Atlantic Ocean on one side and the world's oldest desert on the other, Namibia is a truly challenging place. It’s home to natural marvels such as the Fish River Canyon, the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei and Swakopmund, the animal hotspot of Etosha National Park, the beautiful mountains of Spitzkoppe, a rich indigenous and colonial history, and flourishing adventure activity sector.
And it’s home to some pretty darn excellent beer.
Namibia is also the ideal place to experience the hardships and sufferings of Africa for the first time. It’s safe (usually), the official language is English, the cost of travel is cheap, it has the big five, and its distinctive landscapes are some of the most stunning we’ve ever seen.
So, whether you’re seeking one of the great road trip experiences, eager to see the Big Five, or to get an adrenalin rush of epic proportions, Namibia is definitely worth visiting!
When is the best time to visit Nambia?
We definitely suggest visiting Namibia during the driest months of the year - around June, July, and August. During this season anticipate bright sunny days with lower temperatures (possibly freezing), particularly at night.
We were really shocked at how chilly it was, so pack an extra sweater just in case.
The dry season is also the greatest period for game watching, particularly in the Etosha National Park, when animals congregate around limited water sources.
There is also a reduced risk of malaria at this time, particularly in the northern regions such as the Caprivi strip, which should be avoided during the rainy season in January - February.
If you’re seeking a totally different Namibian experience, the summer rains from November - April may turn sections of the nation green and sometimes bring floods to the desert.
The Distances Are Vast And You Should Travel Namibia Slowly
Travel in Namibia is really unlike travel anyplace else on earth. Known as the land of limitless vistas, the immense expanses and magnificent scenery of this nation will leave you feeling both incredibly tiny and unimportant, and carefree and in utter wonder at every step.
It's spectacular in every single aspect, and a visit here is definitely worth it.
A little-known statistic is that Namibia has the second-lowest population density in the world behind Mongolia, with just 2.2 million people. It’s enormously huge, but yet utterly vacant. In fact, on one day, we spent many hours driving across the Namib desert without seeing another single person - not even an animal.
The remoteness has its benefits, however; we found Namibia to be the ideal location to escape the rush and bustle of city life, and enjoy a calmer way of living.
Make the most of the immensity, and spend at least two weeks touring the nation. If you have the time, a month. That way you don't have to hurry from place to location and spend days at a time in the vehicle simply to check places off. You won’t regret it, and if we’re honest, the longer you spend discovering Namibia, the less likely it is you’ll want to go.
Namibia is safe
Undoubtedly, "is Namibia safe to visit" is the question we're asked most frequently regarding our stay in the nation. Our honest response is that Namibia seemed like one of the safest nations we've ever visited - until we got into Windhoek.
On a Saturday night in the heart of Namibia's capital, we were nearly mugged. We won’t go into detail since all's well that ends well, but it was our own dumb mistake and a lesson for you all - never let your guard down. Why are we telling you this? Because it’s essential we’re honest with you, but it’s also crucial you don’t allow our little bad experience to discourage you from going.
As a general, Namibians are extremely kind, the country's infrastructure is excellent, and the amount of corruption prevalent here is much less than in surrounding nations. It is, overwhelmingly, a calm and friendly nation. However, there are still problems with both poverty and gang violence, which has led to increasing personal and small crime.
When it comes to travel and safety in Namibia, take the usual precautions you would elsewhere, such as never leaving valuables or luggage unattended in your vehicle, and being cautious of people surrounding you at ATMs.
In certain locations, we suggest that you don’t walk alone or take cabs late at night (especially after 9 pm) since there have been instances of armed muggings and theft of tourist's bags.
As usual, take these warnings with a grain of salt, and rather than let them dissuade you from coming, simply keep these Namibia safety precautions in mind.
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