Etosha National Park is one of the largest national parks in Africa, and it’s famous for its “Noah’s Ark” game viewing.
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This national park is entirely desert, which means there is limited water for the wildlife. During the dry season (May-October), hundreds of animals of many different species gathered around the water holes, reminiscent of Noah’s Ark, bringing many types of animals together in one place.
You should split your time in Etosha to spend one night on the Western side of the park and at least two nights on the Eastern side of the park.
A luxury safari lodge on the Eastern side of Etosha National Park with an on-site watering hole and great accommodations for families or friend groups.
A stunning safari camp on the Eastern side of Etosha National Park. You'll love the amenities, incredible food, and on-site watering hole where wildlife comes to you!
Morning is the best time to visit the salt pan and dunes because it will be cooler, and the lighting will be better for photos and views.
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Sossusvlei is the most iconic destination in Namibia. This white salt pan surrounded by red dunes is one of the most incredible deserts you’ll ever visit. Plan to spend at least half a day exploring the area.
Big Daddy and Dune 45 are the highest and most famous dunes for climbing, but these are long, strenuous hikes. I recommend hiking to the top of a smaller dune for those on-top-of-the-world shots with the higher dunes surrounding you.
Get ready to fall in love with one of my favorite accommodations EVER! This stunning property has multiple pools, incredible dining, spacious private bungalows, and an on-site watering hole for wildlife viewing. Plus, you’ll be close to the famous Sossusvlei salt pan and dunes.
Caprivi has incredible wildlife viewing because it’s a migration corridor for elephants and other wildlife moving from Botswana and Namibia into Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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The Caprivi Strip is a lush wetlands region that starkly differs from the rest of the desert country. This area of Namibia is bordered by Angola, Zambia, and Botswana and is home to three rivers – the Okavango, Cuando, and Zambezi. This is why the Caprivi area is so lush and verdant.
The three national parks in the Caprivi Strip are Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, and Nkasa Rupara National Park.
This area is a hiker and rock climber’s paradise. There are some designated climbing and hiking routes, but mostly you just free-wander and explore.
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Spitzkoppe is a group of granite peaks called the “Matterhorn of Namibia.” This was one of my favorite places to visit in the country, and it’s a relatively off-the-beaten-path destination, so it’s perfect for escaping the crowds.
I highly recommend doing a Bushman’s Paradise Tour. This is where a local will guide you to ancient, archaeological cave paintings. This is a free activity, but it has to be done with a guide, and you should tip your guide N$50 per person. You should also visit the famous Spitzkoppe Arch.
Spitzkoppen Lodge is built on and around Spitzkoppe's iconic giant boulders! The all-glass dining space and bar make you feel like you’re on top of the world, you’ll have a private luxury bungalow, and the pool is designed to look like a natural rock pool.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see lions stalking seals and elephants wading into the sea. You can also explore lots of shipwrecks because the Skeleton Coast is one of the largest boat graveyards in the world.
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The Skeleton Coast is a remote section of Namibia’s northern coastline that’s often referred to as the “end of the Earth.” Here, you’ll see one of the most beautiful natural juxtapositions in the world – massive sand dunes dropping into the ocean.
The Skeleton Coast is virtually uninhabited, and you can go an entire day without seeing another vehicle.
Your game drives here will focus on leopard sightings, but you’ll see many types of wildlife. I also highly recommend doing a walking safari to search for the rare pangolins.
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The Okonjima Nature Reserve is famous for its leopards, brown hyenas, pangolins, and The AfriCat Foundation, an organization that protects large cats. Visiting this nature reserve directly supports the critical work being done by The AfriCat Foundation.
A seaside town in Namibia that's a great home base for exploring the neighboring sand dunes.
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Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are neighboring port towns known for their surfing, beaches, laid-back “vibe,” German architecture, and massive dunes. You only need a day in these two towns – half a day to do a 4×4 tour of Where The Dunes Meet The Sea and half a day to lounge on the beach, shop, and eat in Swakopmund.
Twyfelfontein is an area in north-western Namibia that’s home to one of Africa’s largest concentrations of petroglyphs and desert-adapted elephants.
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Seeing Twyfelfontein's ancient petroglyphs is a must-do activity when you're here. When you visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll buy a ticket (N$80 per person) at the visitor center. Then, a local guide will walk you through the engravings. The engravings walk is a leisurely loop that lasts about an hour, and the light is best in the afternoon to see the petroglyphs. You'll also want to tip your guide at least N$50 per person.
The other must-do activity in Twyfelfontein is searching for the desert-adapted elephant. Your safari guide will take you off-roading down dried riverbeds in search of these incredible animals.
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