Namibia often called Africa for beginners needs to be on your bucket list.
A large country, yet sparsely populated, cocoons you between the wide-open spaces and the big sky. As a solo traveller, a group or a couple, the safety and cleanliness carry you along through differing landscapes, from dunes to bush to saltpans to coast. Within one country you regain your soul, recharge your life and leave in an awe of what the world has to offer. And to assist you on your journey: good linen, wonderful cuisine and great, friendly service, because there is no harm in being comfortable while you traverse Africa’s best.
The rich culture of Namibia, from the indigenous people to the long-established families of hospitality, to the wildlife, will amaze and enchant your mind on a daily basis, while your soul and body arrive at a feeling of peace you did not know possible.
PLACES TO EXPERIENCE
SOSSUSVLEI
Scorpions on a night walk? Stargazing an unspoilt milky way? Champagne breakfast after a hot air balloon ride? Visiting the oldest and highest dunes of Sossusvlei? Whichever you choose, luxury lodges are in abundance. These even come complete with private splash pools and jaw-dropping views.
A two-night stay here is an absolute must. Whether you are a novice on a smartphone or a professional photographer with a big lens, the best photography opportunities are early mornings or at sunset.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei promise the best photographs you will ever take.
ETOSHA
Whether your accommodation preference is tented or Ultra-Luxury, Etosha National Park has everything to offer, irrespective of the gate you use. During the winter months, an abundance of wildlife frequents the many watering holes. In the green summer months, the game wanders all over the park.
The lodges keep track of where the last animals were spotted by guests and locals. Alternatively, your private guide has inside knowledge on where to spot the most animals throughout the park.
Most lodges also have varying wildlife on the property, so guests can enjoy evening sunsets, and storytelling around the campfire while experiencing the glorious, safer animals around them.
SKELETON COAST, SWAKOPMUND AND WALVIS BAY
Often described as the entire Namibian Coastline from the Kunene River to the Swakop River, the landscape, the accommodation and the action varies.
Get the best of both worlds on the sand dunes between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay in the oldest desert in the world.
Swakopmund is known as the playground of Namibia, offering action and adventure. Excursions here include a private dinner in the Moon Landscape, the best fishing from the beach or sea, quad biking in the dunes, dolphin cruise excursions and so much more. The fun never ends.
Excursions into the desert satisfy old and young, speed freaks as well as historians and nature lovers. The position of the ocean and the sand dunes creates a view that has been the same for centuries, looked at by everything from beetles to geckos, to jackals, to oryx.
Take a sandboard, gliding down a dune at your own steam and gravity, with the whispering of the sand granules in your ears.
Fat bike riding in the dunes is a new attraction. Surprisingly this activity is suited to all fitness levels due to the size of the bike tyres.
Further North is a more rugged and remote coastline. Famous for shipwrecks, jackals and the occasional Oryx that makes it to the ocean through the desert. The more remote the location, the more luxurious the accommodation and beguiling the setting.
Get wet in a kayak, paddling out to see the dolphins and met halfway by inquisitive seals. They have been known to behave playfully by jumping over the prow of your kayak. Afterwards, head back to shore for hot coffee and a fabulous German roll. The seal colony and Namibia does not fail to surprise.
For the twitchers, Namibia is a paradise. Surprisingly, there are a few, rarely sighted birds in the North and 5 Ramsar sites, home to the seasonal, stately pink flamingos in Walvis Bay.
WHAT TO ENJOY
RELAX IN SCENIC SPA
Throughout the country there will be options for Spa facilities, waking up early to do your journaling with sunrise, communing with wild animals not found so easily in other countries and fine dining with the best sunsets in the world.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE ANCIENT CULTURE
Namibia has 11 ethnic groups located throughout the country, with 2 of the 5 most untouched, and there is an opportunity to meet and experience these different cultures.
The people of Namibia are known for their friendliness and hospitality. This is equally supported by landscapes, animals and cultures.
One of the most fascinating is the San people. Known for their rock engravings and hunting abilities for centuries. Due to their hunting, survival and tracking skills, they are also known as Bushmen. Visit their traditional villages, walk with them, learn about hunting, survival and tracking and be prepared to be awed.
Herero women in their Victorian-style dresses with cow-horn hats are colourful and are often worn throughout the country. The townships in Swakopmund and the capital Windhoek often have women of the Herero culture proudly wearing their dresses.
Himba culture, another untouched group, is identified by their red ochre body paint. One of Namibia’s last semi-nomadic people. They live in Damaraland and visits to the villages can often include elephant spotting.
CUISINE
Namibian cuisine is as diverse as its cultures. Experience traditional food in the townships at traditional restaurants. Eat a scorpion or cricket if you are brave enough.
The coast is known for its seafood and farms some of the best oysters, one of Namibia’s best-kept secrets. Seafood barbeques on the beach enhance the flavour, a must-do if you visit Swakopmund.
Namibia has a strong German influence and German-influenced cuisine can be found throughout the country, creating a fusion of European and African flavours, well presented.
Wines from neighbouring South Africa, historic and award-winning, as well as German beer made under the Reinheitsgebot complement the food and activities.
WHERE TO STAY
MOON MOUNTAIN LODGE (Sossusvlei)
Moon Mountain Lodge is an ultra-luxury tented lodge ideally located at the foot of the Naukluft Mountains. Large, airy rooms offer all the comforts of a luxury hotel suite with infinite views from your bed or private splash pool. The lodge is situated 56km from Sesriem — the gateway to Sossusvlei, home to the world’s highest dunes and close to the quaint little village of Solitaire.
LITTLE ONGAVA (Etosha)
Designed for privacy, luxury and intimacy with the land, Little Ongava is arguably Namibia’s most luxurious accommodation with pristine views across the Ongava plains.
Little Ongava is perched on the crest of a hill commanding magnificent vistas of the plains stretching for miles to the horizon, offering an extraordinary experience as the focal point of an Etosha journey.
SHIPWRECK LODGE (Skeleton Coast)
The swipwreck lodge is located in the famous Skeleton Coast Central Concession between the Hoarusib and Hoanib Rivers in the Skeleton Coast Park, only 45 km north of Möwe Bay. The lodge is situated on the southern bank of the Huarusib River Mouth, nestled between the dunes with a view of the Atlantic Ocean where the cold Benguela current pushes a refreshing breeze over the shipwreck-shaped cabins.
STRAND HOTEL (Swakopmund)
With its extensive, unique and creatively entertaining Restaurants, Bars, Deli, Lobby-Lounge, Sea Facing Terraces, Beach Kiosk and state-of-the-art Conference & Banqueting Center, all set on the Mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by Ocean on three sides, the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a social epicentre and destination in itself for all visitors to and residents of Swakopmund.
Its architectural inspiration finds its roots deep in Namibian-German history and reflects this in a tasteful contemporary manner and as they say in German: “gemütlich” providing a genuine “sense-of-place” atmosphere adding to any Namibian visit.
GETTING ABOUT
Travelling in Namibia is an attraction on its own. Whether you chose to self-drive, use local transport or have guided tours, ways and means to get around can offer their own pleasures and benefits.
By Air, to cover vast distances quickly and appreciate the vast expanses carved by water over millennia. Or spend time enjoying the passing remoteness, the change in colours, and the incredible emptiness as solace for your soul as you drive through.
Your choices are chartered aircraft as well as helicopter rides. A definite must-do activity in the Fish River Canyon. Hot Air balloon rides can take you for hours over the dunes in both Sossusvlei and Swakopmund.
Water travel can include anything from a Kayak amongst the seal colonies, Mokoro rides (traditional wooden canoes) on the Kunene River in the north or houseboats overnight.
YOUR RELIABLE PARTNER IN NAMIBIA
To get the best out of this you need uniquely tailored itineraries.
Your personal representative will create a tailored package for your needs to meet your dreams within record time.
The family-run business has been around for many years, passing down generations of knowledge and Namibia’s best-kept secrets. Our staff travel Namibia extensively, always on the search for new and exciting activities and routes which are both exhilarating and safe.
Our best quality is our listening skills.