Set along South Africa's rugged and beautiful west coast, the small seaside fishing village of Lambert’s Bay is best known for Bird Island, delicious seafood, white-sand beaches and rolling dunes. Rich in history and famous for its moderate climate and miles of pristine beaches, Lambert's Bay provides a tranquil retreat, particularly alluring to city slickers who venture up here from Cape Town. During their stay, travellers can explore the quaint harbour with its fleet of colourful fishing boats or enjoy a boat tour to Bird Island to view the numerous gannets and cormorants. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and seals frolicking in the surrounding waters. Those wishing to delve into the indigenous Khoi culture can view ancient rock paintings, while adventure seekers can head out on a 4x4 drive, a dive or a hike. A foodies dream, the town centre offers a great selection of restaurants, coffee shops and pubs that suit every type of budget. Don't forget to feast on fresh crayfish during your stay.
Stretching for over 1000 kilometres along South Africa’s scenic West Coast, the Namaqualand is known for its stark, arid beauty. Once a year in early Spring, the Namaqualand landscape explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour. The dusty plains are transformed into a blanket of thousands of flowering wildflowers. International and local visitors flock here to see this seasonal natural splendour. Aside from the endless photogenic landscapes, visitors can look forward to viewing a wide variety of wildlife and exploring the quaint seaside towns dotting the coast as well as the various historic towns scattered in the hinterland.
Encircled by dramatic, rust-coloured cliffs and arid plains in the southern reaches of Namibia's Fish River Canyon, Ai-Ais, which translates to "burning hot" in the Nama language, is renowned for its sulphurous hot springs. A single road runs through the town, flanked by comfortable lodges and campsites designed for adventurous visitors. At the heart of Ai-Ais lies the iconic Hot Springs Resort, where steaming sulphurous pools invite travellers to relax following a thrilling hike down the Fish River Canyon Trail or to simply enjoy a scenic soak under the expansive Namibian sky.
Carving out an epic rocky wonderland in the south of Namibia, the Fish River has created Africa’s largest and the world’s second-largest canyon. Hot, dry and stony, the Fish River Canyon measures a whopping 160 kilometres in length, at times 27 kilometres in width and 550 metres in depth. The awe-inspiring natural beauty of this ancient geological marvel draws visitors from around the globe. For those looking for adventure, the intense 85 kilometre Fish River Hiking Trail through1.5 billion years of geological history will definitely thrill avid adventure enthusiasts, and for visitors looking to relax, head over to the canyon's southern end to enjoy a soak in the mineral waters of the renowned hot springs of Ai-Ais, or take in the spectacularly scenic views from Hobas Restcamp as well as numerous other viewpoints along its rim. Other popular activities include: scenic chartered flights, horse riding, nature drives and seasonal kayaking.
Perched above the plains of the Namib Desert in the rocky Aus Mountains, the small village of Aus lies at the heart of phenomenal botanic diversity. Aus serves as an excellent base from which to see the area’s major attraction: the feral horses of the Namib Desert, which run wild and free in the sparsely vegetated plains. The best place for viewings is at the water trough at Garub, which lies just twenty kilometres away from Aus. Visitors can gain insight into the Succulent Karoo by visiting beautiful Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, home to the most biodiverse desert in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to camp under the famously clear Namibian night sky and experience the desert landscape on horseback.
Located in the scenic Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is where you will find the iconic red sand dunes of the Namib. The clear blue skies contrast with the giant red dunes to make this one of the most scenic natural wonders of Africa and a photographer's heaven. This awe-inspiring destination is possibly Namibia's premier attraction, with its unique dunes rising to almost 400 metres - making them some of the highest in the world. These iconic dunes come alive in morning and evening light and draw photography enthusiasts from around the globe. Sossusvlei is home to a variety of desert wildlife including oryx, springbok, ostrich and a variety of reptiles. Visitors can climb 'Big Daddy', one of Sossusvlei’s tallest dunes; explore Deadvlei, a white, salt, claypan dotted with ancient trees; or for the more extravagant, scenic flights and hot air ballooning are on offer, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime champagne breakfast amidst these majestic dunes.
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.
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.
Spreading across Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, the Kalahari meaning 'the great thirst' is an exceptionally beautiful living desert. The landscape is characterised by a large semi-arid sandy savannah draped over a gently rolling inland sea of sand covering most of Botswana and large parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is also the last bastion of the indigenous San people with the modern world having enveloped all the other areas they once roamed. The Namibian portion is made up of red sands covered in thin, wispy, mostly golden grass and dotted with acacia trees and wide-ranging wildlife including gemsbok, impala, jackals and cheetah.
Set on the Trans-Namib Railway in the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia, the town of Keetmanshoop is known as the capital of southern Namibia. Founded in 1860, the quaint oasis is a living slice of history. German colonial architecture is dotted around the town and the local museum, housed in an old church, provides interesting insight into the town’s heritage. Just a short drive out of town, the Quiver Tree Forest is a sea of spikes and twisted trunks, while the neighbouring ‘Giant’s Playground’ is an evocative expanse of strange rock formations. Both offer superb opportunities for photography, particularly at sunset.
As previously described
Located in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, the Augrabies Falls National Park encircles the mighty Augrabies Falls. The Orange River plunges down 60 metres in absolute splendour, through the 18-kilometre ravine of the Orange River Gorge. The landscapes are characterised by rocky outcrops, scrub-dotted plains, and clusters of 'kokerboom', also known as quiver trees. This sanctuary provides a home for an array of animals including springbok, gemsbok, klipspringer, various bird species and the endangered black rhino. Other commonly spotted species include giraffe, steenbok, kudu, eland, leopard, African wild cat, jackal, and caracal.
Impeccably preserved Victorian and Edwardian buildings mark the idyllic landscape of the delightful town of Calvinia is embraced by the Hantam Mountains to the north and the Rebunieberg and Keiskeiberge to the south. Hantam House, a restored 1854 edifice, now extends a warm invitation as a refined bed and breakfast. The Neo-Gothic elegance of Calvinia NG Kerk, consecrated in 1899, adds a timeless allure. Notably, this town boasts the world's largest post box, a remarkable conversion of a former water tower, standing at a stature of 6.17 metres. The museum, housed within a meticulously restored Jewish Synagogue, offers a rich tapestry of historical and cultural exhibits. For nature enthusiasts, the Akkerendam Nature Reserve unveils exclusive flower trails, while the annual Hamtam Meat Festival in August further elevates the town's charm.
