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Namibia

Namibia is a vast country of breathtaking scenery, diverse cultures, and abundant wildlife. It consists mainly of desert and semi-desert, dunes and canyons  with tropical wetlands and forests in the far northeast, where the country borders the Kwando and Okavango rivers as well as the mighty Zambezi. Namibia has many state-owned parks and reserves and almost 200 privately owned game reserves. It is a quiet and peaceful country, home to many ethnic groups of people, each with their own traditions. This unique and atmospheric country will leave you with special memories and a desire to return.

    Etosha National Park

    Etosha National Park in the north of the country owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow, chalky, white depression that forms the heart of the park. A series of waterholes along the southern edge guarantee excellent game viewing. In good rain years, the pan fills with water. In winter it becomes an austere expanse of white cracked mud, shimmering with mirages and upward-spiraling dust devils.

    Namib -Naukluft Park and Sossusvlei

    The Namib-Naukluft Park is a national park in western Namibia, situated between the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the edge of the Great Escarpment. Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most spectacular and atmospheric areas with its red dunes, white salt pan, and Deadvlei. Deadvlei is a clay pan that used to be an oasis before the river changed its course.

    An ideal way to appreciate the area is by doing a hot air balloon trip at sunrise or a 4×4  dune safari with breakfast. The unique landscape makes this area one of the most photographed in the world. 

    The Fish River Canyon

    The Fish River Canyon was created fifty million years ago when the Fish River started to cut its way through a valley within a canyon in southern Namibia. It is considered to be the second-largest canyon in the world, second in size to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Visitors to the canyon can embark on an unguided 4 to 5-day hike through the canyon, sleeping overnight under the stars.

    Ruacana and Epupa Falls.

    The beautiful Ruacana Falls and Epupa Falls are located on the Kunene River in northern Namibia. This remote wilderness which is known for its beautiful sunsets, incredible textured rock formations, baobabs, and abundant birdlife is also home to the semi-nomadic Himba people. The riverside is dotted with rustic lodges from where one can do white water rafting, canoeing, and fishing.

    Waterberg Plateau Park

    The Waterberg Plateau is elevated high above the plains of the Kalahari and Eastern Namibia. Due to its inaccessibility, several of Namibia’s endangered animals such as the black rhino have been relocated there. The Waterberg Plateau is ecologically diverse and has over 200 different species of birds with some rare species of small antelope on the lower hills. Geologically, the oldest rock stratum is over 850 million years old and dinosaur tracks were left there some 200 million years ago.

    Skeleton Coast National Park

    The Skeleton Coast National Park is a desolate coastline shrouded in mysteries and mist. Seal and whale bones and shipwreck tales abound. It is where the desert and the icy ocean merge in an untamed wilderness.  A light aircraft flight gives one an incredible view of the inaccessible areas. Alternatively, one can stay in a luxury lodge and enjoy guided activities such as 4×4 trips to explore the dry riverbeds with breakfast and ending with a climb to the top of the great roaring dunes.

    Damaraland

    The dramatically beautiful, mountainous region of Damaraland is home to an assortment of desert-adapted wildlife such as elephant, rhino, zebra, and lion.The rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein feature exceptional Bushmen engravings, which are considered to be some of the best-preserved etchings on the continent. The Petrified Forest dates back millions of years and offers a haunting landscape of gigantic fossilized trees.  UNESCO named Twyfelfontein as Namibia’s first World Heritage Site in 2007.

    Windhoek

    Windhoek is the capital city and is situated in the central highlands of Namibia, surrounded by mountain ranges and bush savanna. The city displays a cosmopolitan flair with museums, art galleries, parks, craft centers, and modern shopping malls.  Hosea Kutako International Airport is 45 km (28 miles) east of Windhoek.

    Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

    Swakopmund is the largest coastal town in Namibia, hedged between the sea and the desert. It is popular among visitors because of its old-world German charm, relaxed atmosphere, excellent coffee shops serving Black Forest cake, and its variety of beer gardens. It is also known as the adventure capital of Namibia due to all the fun activities on offer such as sandboarding, quad biking, sky diving, deep-sea fishing, etc. 

    Walvis Bay is a port town 35 minutes drive from Swakopmund. Its tidal lagoon is home to abundant birdlife. The harbor is busy with fishing boats and the wharf has colorful shops and restaurants. Dolphins, whales, and Cape fur seals inhabit the Atlantic waters around the Pelican Point Lighthouse and one can do harbor cruises to see and experience this exceptional sea and birdlife. 

    Best time to travel:

     

    • November – April: are the very hot summer months and the rainy season. 
    • May – October: are the winter months with warm dry days. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night.   

    Talk to us about your travel plans

    Take the stress out of planning. Free yourself up to look forward to your adventure. We at Cape Classics strive to understand your personal style in creating itineraries that will feed your soul.