Located in southwestern Africa, Namibia boasts a well-developed infrastructure, some of the best tourist facilities in Africa, and an impressive list of breathtaking natural wonders. Visitors can explore the capital of Windhoek and discover the lovely coastal town of Swakopmund, which boasts remnants of the country’s German influence, reflected in its 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; the vast Etosha National Park teeming with abundant wildlife, such as lions, desert-adapted elephants and the Hartmann's Mountain Zebra; the hauntingly beautiful Kalahari Desert; and, ofcourse, the Namib Desert stretching for over 2000 km along the magnificent Atlantic Coast. Namibia is an ideal destination for travellers seeking an unforgettable African experience in a uniquely beautiful, untamed wilderness.
Deep within Namibia’s Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is a striking landscape of towering red sand dunes, among the highest in the world, pale salt pans and immense open skies. Part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park, it has a remote, almost otherworldly atmosphere shaped by silence, shifting light and extreme desert conditions. Visitors can climb famous dunes such as Big Daddy or Dune 45 at sunrise, when the sand glows orange and shadows stretch dramatically across the valley floor. Nearby Deadvlei, with its blackened camel thorn trees standing against white clay and rust-coloured dunes, offers one of southern Africa’s most distinctive desert scenes. The dry heat, the soft crunch of sand underfoot and the vast sense of space create a powerful atmosphere, though early starts and challenging temperatures are part of exploring this remarkable region.
This vast desert landscape is known as one of the most beautiful regions in Namibia. Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful, Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape featuring open plains, ancient valleys and spectacular rock formations. The major attractions are the sacred Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein, Vingerklip and the otherworldly Petrified Forest. Visitors can take in the dramatic vistas, catch a glimpse of the rare desert-adapted elephant, and enjoy spectacular stargazing in crystal-clear night skies from one of the many safari camps dotting Damaraland. Other popular activities include: guided drives, nature walks and visiting the local communities. Don’t miss the opportunity to view Damaraland's world-famous ancient rock art.
Ongava Private Reserve is a 45,000-hectare wildlife reserve in northern Namibia, at the southern boundary of Etosha National Park. Dolomite hills give way to mopane woodland and open savanna, and waterholes draw a steady procession of wildlife through the day and into the night.
This is rhino country. Ongava is home to both black and white rhino and was one of the first custodians in Namibia’s Black Rhino Custodianship Programme. Over 100 species of mammal and more than 300 bird species share the reserve, and conservation here is guided by the Ongava Research Centre, based on the reserve.
Ongava’s four lodges each offer a different way to stay: the elegant Ongava Lodge, the intimate Horizon, the contemporary Anderssons at Ongava and the immersive Encounter by Ongava. All draw on the materials of the land around them, rock, thatch, stone and timber.
Guests can spend their days on Ongava, with guided walks, night drives and long hours at the waterhole hides, or venture into Etosha next door.
