Set along Namibia's spectacularly scenic coast, the seaside town of Swakopmund is known for its wide-open avenues, colonial architecture, and its surrounding otherworldly desert terrain. Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South-West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort town, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, adventure options, laid-back atmosphere and cool sea breeze make it a very popular Namibian destination. Visitors can look forward to a number of exciting activities including: quad biking, horse riding, paragliding, fishing, sightseeing and fascinating desert tours.
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.
Located just north of Windhoek, in the central Namibian Otjozondjupa region, the bustling city of Okahandja serves as the main commercial centre of the area, as well as a prominent cultural centre for the local Herero people. The name ‘Okahandja', means 'The place where two rivers flow into each other to form one wide one.' These two seasonal rivers are the Okamita and the Okakango. Known as the ‘Garden Town of Namibia’, Okahandja boasts a rich cultural heritage, numerous historical sites and excellent bird watching in the surrounding areas. Visitors can look forward to a variety of interesting activities including: browsing the colourful arts and crafts market, visiting the nearby Gross Barmen Hot springs for a soak in the rejuvenating thermal waters and enjoying an array of watersports at the nearby Von Bach Dam.
Forming the boundary between Botswana and Namibia is the Chobe River - one of the most well-known perennial rivers in Africa. The Chobe River Front encompasses vast floodplains fringed by lush riverine woodlands. The abundant wildlife inhabiting the river and its shores can be viewed from a river safari where visitors can spot elephants, hippo, water-loving antelope including the rare red lechwe and a variety of other game such as giraffe, zebra, and buffalo. Nature lovers will delight in the incredibly scenic natural landscapes and bird watchers can look forward to the wide section of bird species which can be spotted along the river banks.
