Situated in Central Namibia, the cosmopolitan city of Windhoek serves as the capital of the country. It is 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 an old fort, the 1896 Christuskirche Christ Church, and the more contemporary Supreme Court.
Spanning an area of 172,200 hectares and encompassing four distinct ecosystems, the NamibRand Reserve of southern Namibia is among the largest privately owned game parks in Southern Africa. Founded to conserve the unique environment and wildlife species of the Namib Desert, the park’s mix of dunes, mountains, rocky outcrops, sandy flats, and gravel plains provides habitats for a diversity of mammals, including hyenas, jackals, foxes, antelopes, and various wild cats. A plethora of bird species, reptiles, insects, and frogs also have their home here, alongside an array of plant species. Discover the mysterious ‘fairy circles’, unexplained bare patches in the sand, or enjoy a night of sublime stargazing - having been named Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, it is one of the least light-polluted areas in the world.
Where Kaokoland meets the Skeleton Coast, in western Namibia, the 270-kilometre-long Hoanib River is one of the last water oases in the country, providing a haven for numerous animals. Home to 75% of Namibia’s endemic species, including the largest numbers of desert-adapted, free-roaming elephants, lions, and rhinos in the world, as well as zebra, kudu, and giraffe, this is a truly exceptional and awe-inspiring place. Visitors can enjoy taking a wonderful four-wheel-drive route, going on adventurous hiking trails, running down enormous sand dunes, or climbing massive, strangely shaped rock formations as well as several guided nature walks.
Stunningly remote, the Hartmann Valley is a desolate yet entrancing moonscape of sand and rock. Located in the extreme northwest of Namibia, the region offers a profound sense of wilderness and unusual juxtaposition of habitats, as the Kunene River nurtures a band of lush vegetation amidst one of the driest deserts on earth, while sea mists creep in from the coast, and waves upon waves of dunes beckon to be slid down. The valley is home to the Himba, one of the last true nomads in Africa.
Sharing the southern boundary with Etosha National Park, the prolific 30 000-hectare private Ongava Game Reserve is considered one of the top private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, groundbreaking research and exciting safari experiences. The landscape is characterised by vast open plains dotted with salt plans and abundant wildlife. Visitors can easily access Etosha through Andersson’s Gate in the south.
Known for its luxury lodges made out of natural materials, Ogava is a popular destination for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. The reserve offers visitors the perfect combination of wildlife safari experiences within and around the Etosha National Park. One of Ongava’s top attractions is its rhino population and guests can experience the thrill of getting close to these majestic creatures. Popular activities include: night game drives, guided nature walks, bird watching and 4x4 guided game drives.
