With its well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders, touring Namibia is truly a pleasure. Visit the capital of Windhoek and the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund to discover remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon Park; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with local subspecies, such as desert lions, desert elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for nearly 1000 km along the magnificent Atlantic coastline. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.
Situated east of the capital city of Windhoek, the area of the Kalahari North can be found in the northeastern reaches of Namibia. The expansive Kalahari Desert spans over seven countries, some of which include: South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. The Okavango River Delta forms part of the northern region of the desert creating an array of waterways and wetlands which support an abundant variety of wildlife. The northern central region is home to ancient dry riverbeds called 'omuramba'. Kalahari North is blanketed in endemic acacia- camelthorn trees, ephemeral rivers, a fossil watercourse and boasts a reasonably regular rainfall, making it the ideal habitat to support fauna and flora. Visitors can enjoy a comfortable stay at one of many lodges and guest farms dotting the area and explore the pristine landscape.
Despite recent and surprisingly rapid modernization, Botswana’s cities provide little in the way of tourist attractions. However, what the cities lack in excitement, the surrounding wilderness areas more than make up for in outstanding natural beauty. The country’s primary tourist draw card is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta - the largest inland delta in the world provide a haven for an abundance of African wildlife. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi salt pans where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains which host large prides of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.
Maun is the starting point for most expeditions into the Okavango Delta and as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Area attractions include a renowned river boat that offers ‘booze cruises’ up and down the Thamalakane River, and the forest groves of the Maun Game Reserve.
Maun can also be the start or finish point of your self drive or private safari.
Known as the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans, the tiny old Botswanan village of Gweta is a pleasant place to stay while exploring the vast salt pans. Take a guided walk or quad bike ride through Gweta’s surrounds and discover flint-head spears and other artifacts abandoned by the area’s early Stone Age inhabitants. Experience a barbecue under the star-studded African sky while sipping on traditional, organic sorghum beer or a creamy baobab milkshake. During the rainy season, the Gweta area teems with zebra and wildebeest and these, in turn, attract hungry predators such as lion and cheetah. If a unique and interesting getaway is what you are after, Gweta won’t fail to impress.
This small village, situated 180km north of Francistown, is a popular stop-over destination on the way to or from Maun and Kasane (both ~300km away) further north. The white sand, tall termite mounds and Mokolwane palm trees are a feature of the area around this village. Due to the number of tourists passing through there are now three filling stations (Engen, Shell and Caltex) close together on the outskirts of Nata at the junction with the Maun road Shops in Nata are limited with North Gate filling station being the only decent option - there is a Southern Fried Chicken takeaway here as well as a shop selling basic food stuff and cold drinks. The Engen filling station, on the left before the Maun junction, also has a Wimpy fast food restaurant. Nata is the best place from which to explore the eastern section of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Nata Sanctuary is only 10km away and self-drive trips here can be rewarding at the right time of year with large flocks of Flamingos and Pelicans which breed here each year.
Fringing the world-renowned Chobe National Park, the Kasane Forest Reserve is located in the Lesoma Valley of the Central district in Botswana, approximately 800 kilometres north from Gaborone. A large portion of the terrain around the reserve is flat with plenty of wildlife, such as elephants, giraffes and even warthogs, roaming around undisturbed. Visitors can look forward to scenic boat cruises along the beautiful Chobe River, spot nocturnal animals in the forest on a thrilling night safari and enjoy bush camping under the African night sky.
With its well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders, touring Namibia is truly a pleasure. Visit the capital of Windhoek and the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund to discover remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine and the annual Oktoberfest celebrations. To properly appreciate this extraordinary country, you will have to venture out of the cities to explore the remarkable natural landscapes Namibia has to offer. These include: the impressive Fish River Canyon Park; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with local subspecies, such as desert lions, desert elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and of course the Namib Desert stretching for nearly 1000 km along the magnificent Atlantic coastline. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful untamed wilderness.
Meandering through the spectacular Caprivi Strip in northwest Namibia, the Kwando River rises from the central Angolan highlands forming the boundary between Namibia, Zambia and Angola. The area surrounding the Kwando River is known for its protected game reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It offers excellent game viewing with the perennial waters of the river attracting plentiful wildlife including large herds of elephant, hippos, crocodiles, red lechwe, turtles, zebra, impala, spotted-necked otters and over 400 species of bird. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing stay at one of the many lodges set on the banks of the river and soak up the spectacular views of wild Africa. Popular activities include: game viewing, bird watching, fishing, and camping.
Bordering Angola, on the banks of the Okavango River in northern Namibia, the town of Rundu serves as the capital of the eastern Kavango region. Rundu is renowned for its local woodcarvers market as well as the numerous woodcarvers' huts dotting the side of the road. The town provides a great stopover to refuel for visitors heading to Katima Mulilo as well as an excellent base from which to explore the magnificent surrounding areas. Visitors to Rundu can enjoy the beautiful surrounds including the magnificent Popa Falls and Mahangu Game Reserve. Other popular activities include: great game viewing, excellent bird watching as well as kayaking on the spectacular Kavango river.
Situated 450 kilometres from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, within the Otjozondjupa Province of Namibia, Grootfontein (meaning ‘Big Fountain’) is famous for being home to the largest meteorite ever discovered on earth (located roughly 25 kilometres from the town centre). Hoba is believed to have occurred around 80,000 years ago, and its enormity is a true sight to behold. The town is also unique in that it is extremely lush and fertile during the summer months. Purple Jacaranda trees create a riot of colour around the town. Other must-see attractions include the fascinating Grootfontein Museum, and the Abenab and Berg Aukas Mines. From here, a fantastic network of hiking and biking trails lead into the wild.
Named for the springs that emanate from its foothills, the Waterberg Plateau National Park is a fascinating geological site of compressed sandstone crags, 200-year-old dinosaur footprints, and petrified sand dunes. The area’s natural water sources make it far more fertile than its environs and the park is blessed with a plethora of plant and animal species, including leopards, rhinoceros, vultures, cheetahs, bush babies, ferns and fig trees.
Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
