Sossusvlei is one of the most spectacular sights in Namibia with red sand dunes rising 300m into the air. Climb a sand dune, explore the Dead Vlei or balloon over the great Sand Sea.
A visit to the Namib-Naukluft Park usually means you are going to Sossusvlei by way of Sesriem. And with good cause as this is the start of the Great Sand Sea and the classic larger-than-life dunes that meet everyone's notion of a desert.
Star dunes with up to five crests rise 300m into the air and rank among the biggest in the world; the dune valleys are marked by vast clay pans where the Tsauchab River gave up its fight to reach the sea. More than 60,000 years ago, the encroaching dunes stopped the ephemeral river from reaching the sea with over 50km still to go.
Besides the dunes and pans of Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon, a sideshow of activities and sights has developed around the region and there are plenty of game lodges that provide additional desert-adapted activities.
Plants and birds are the dominant life form in this dessicated realm and they support a tiny world of mammals, reptiles and insects that, in the absence of coastal fog, seldom wander far from the rivercourse and its pans.
Sossusvlei is one of four pans in among the towering dunes, the others beingDead Vlei - so named because of the petrified camel thorn trees that survived for a few hundred years after the dunes blocked the river; !Nara Vlei - which has a number of endemic !Nara bushes eking an existence from the scarce water that occasionally makes it down from the Naukluft Mountains; and Hidden Vlei which is a barren amphitheatre some distance beyond Dead vlei.
Set between the rolling dunes of the Namib Desert and the icy Atlantic coastline, Swakopmund is a relaxed seaside town in western Namibia known for its German colonial architecture, cool coastal climate, and adventurous spirit. Palm-lined streets, historic buildings, and ocean fog create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country. Travellers visit for desert activities such as quad biking, sandboarding, and scenic flights over vast dunes and shipwreck-strewn shores. Cafés, bakeries, and small museums add to the town's laid-back charm, though the Atlantic waters are brisk rather than tropical. With its striking desert-meets-ocean setting and mix of adventure and history, Swakopmund is one of Namibia's most distinctive destinations.
Known by the Bushmen as the "land God made in anger" the is remoteness at its best. Thousands of miles of sandy desert dotted with shipwrecks meet with the cold waters on the Atlantic and somehow an amazing array of wildlife and flora manages to survive in this harsh but beautiful environment. The Skeleton Coast is situated in the extremely remote north-west of Namibia, formerly known as the Kaokoveld and is a study of life in extremes. The desolate coastline gives way to endless ancient valleys, rugged terrain and unbroken dune fields. The perennial Kunene River to the north is an oasis in this harsh landscape.
Highlights
The area is the most remote and unpopulated area of Namibia
The coast itself is probably the most dramatic feature of this landscape
With the help of the famous damp Namibian coastal fog, wildlife thrives here
Palmwag is a nature reserve idyllically located along a palm-lined tributary of the Uniab River, halfway between Swakopmund and Etosha, providing an ideal base from which to see the sights of the Kunene region or embark on one of the many local hiking trails. Water is scarce in this area, so the river’s presence often lures elephants closer to the camps. The reserve is notable for its unusual species of palm tree, the hyphaene petersiana, and for being home to the largest population of southwestern black rhinos in Africa. Animal lovers can also get a peek at leopard, lion, cheetah, mountain zebra, Angolan giraffe, springbok, kudu, and African bush elephant.
Bordering Angola in northern Namibia, Kunene is a region as well as the name of a river, which is one of just five perennial rivers in Namibia. The Kunene River is an invaluable source of water for the local Himba people, and it has been the mainstay of their existence for hundreds of years. For travellers, the river’s most striking feature is the magnificent Epupa Falls, which cascade over a distance of more than a kilometre downstream, with an impressive vertical drop of around 60 metres. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are both popular pursuits in these areas. Visitors can take sundowner cruises; explore sublime hiking routes; enjoy excellent bird watching opportunities; learn about local culture with a trip to a traditional Himba village; or go canoeing, kayaking, and game viewing.
Ongava Game Reserve shares its southern boundary with Etosha National Park and is widely regarded as one of Namibia’s premier private wildlife reserves. Spanning approximately 30,000 hectares, it is internationally recognised for its conservation efforts, ecological research and immersive safari experiences. The landscape is defined by open savannah plains, scattered salt pans and a rich diversity of wildlife. Its location allows easy access into Etosha through Andersson’s Gate, making it an ideal base for combined safari experiences. Ongava is also known for its luxury lodges, thoughtfully designed using natural materials to blend into the surrounding environment. A highlight of the reserve is its healthy population of black and white rhino, offering guests exceptional viewing opportunities. Activities include guided game drives, night safaris, birdwatching and walking safaris, creating an intimate and rewarding encounter with Namibia’s wilderness.
