Overview
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1. Kolmanskop
26° 39′ S, 15° 09′ E
Kolmanskop is one of the most unique places in Namibia. It is a ghost town that has been completely taken over by the sands of the desert. The abandoned houses all tell the story of this once prosperous mining village, which was left behind as soon as the diamond resource ran out. Now, it is a real paradise for photographers. We highly recommend that you go early in the morning for the best light and the fewest people.
Practical
General visitors permit: 130 NAD per person
Special Tours (6 to 29 persons): 170 NAD per person
Amateur Photographer Permit: 330 NAD per person (access from sunrise to sunset)
Daily open from 08:00 am until 01:00 pm.
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2. Sossusvlei - Best Thing to Do in Namibia
24° 44′ S, 15° 17′ E
Sossusvlei is without a doubt our favorite place in Namibia, together with Etosha National Park. This incredible sand dune valley is located in Naukluft National Park. The actual Sossusvlei is the white salt and clay pan, about 66 km past the Sesriem gate. However, often the whole area, including Deadvlei and the different dunes, is often referred to as Sossusvlei. You can find out all about it in our guide to the Sossusvlei dunes.
Highlights of Sossusvlei
Deadvlei
Big Daddy Dune
Dune 45
Sesriem canyon
Practical
Park entry fee (valid for 24hrs)
150 NAD per adult per day
50 NAD per vehicle per day
The main gate opens at sunrise and closes at sunset.
The inner gate opens one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
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3. Spitzkoppe
21° 50′ S, 15° 12′ E
Spitzkoppe is a unique place with massive red peaks, protruding from the large plains and oversized, granite boulders scattered over the area. The highest peak is over 700 meters tall, more than 700 million years old, and often referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia.
It is an incredible place with some unique rock formations and fascinating caves, ideal for hikers, photographers, and climbers. You should definitely stay a night here as Spitzkoppe is home to the most beautiful campsite in Namibia. On top of that, it is also the place to be for stargazing, due to its remote location.
Practical
Day visitor: 130 NAD per person
Campsite: 210 NAD per person
4. Etosha National Park
19° 10′ S, 15° 54′ E
Together with Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park is our favorite place in Namibia. It is one of the largest national parks in Africa and it’s known for its many black rhino and lion sightings. We are sure you will spot some incredible wildlife here. Going on a safari in Etosha National Park is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Namibia.
There are several campsites within the park where you can stay. The unique thing about Etosha is that each camp has a waterhole, where you can spot animals 24/7, even when the gates are closed in the evening. So be sure to stay a few nights inside the park!
Practical
Daily Conservation Fee
150 NAD per adult per day
50 NAD per vehicle per day
The times change weekly and are based on Sunrise and Sunset. You can check the opening times at the gates and rest camps.
Make sure you get out of the park on time, or if you sleep in the park, that you get to your camp on time. Otherwise you risk a very high fine.
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5. Twyfelfontein
20° 32′ S, 14° 24′ E
Twyfelfontein is a UNESCO Heritage Site, where you can see the largest concentration of rock engravings in Southern Africa. It is a super fascinating and unique place with over 2000 rock engravings. A guide will take you along the Lions Man Trail and tell you more about the history and the engravings. There is no shelter at Twyfelfontein, so visit as early as possible to beat the heat and crowds.
Practical
Entrance fee (including mandatory guide): 250 NAD per person
Daily open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
6. Grootberg and Damaraland
19° 49′ S, 14° 07′ E
In the northwestern part of Namibia, you find the Damaraland region. It is known for its rugged landscapes, dramatic rock formations, and unique wildlife. The region is largely arid and semi-desert, with little vegetation adapted to these harsh conditions. If you are lucky, you might spot some desert-adapted elephants when you drive to the area. It is also home to some cultural heritage like the traditional ethnic groups of the Himba and the Damara. You can join different guided cultural tours to these communities and learn more about their culture and traditions.
Another highlight in Damaraland is Grootberg, a mountainous area with deep canyons and impressive views, where you can drive the Grootberg Pass. This is a spectacular mountain pass at a height of 1.550m above sea level. You drive along the beautiful Grootberg Mountains, through a completely different landscape than the rest of Namibia.
Namibia
7. Cheetah Conservation Fund
20° 29′ S, 17° 01′ E
The Cheetah Conservation Fund in Otjiwarongo is an international organization dedicated to saving cheetahs in the wild. You can join a tour through the center and attend the feeding of the cheetahs, that can not be released in the wild anymore. Or you can go on a cheetah drive through the park and look for the cheetahs that are being prepared to be released back into the wild. We thought it was definitely worth a visit as we believe that this center was founded for the cheetahs and not for tourism. Here you find more detailed information on the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
8. Waterberg Plateau
20° 23′ S, 17° 18′ E
In Waterberg Plateau National Park, you find the beautiful Waterberg Plateau and table mountain. It is a unique place that is home to some rare wildlife, in order to save them. In this national park, you can do many different activities like hiking and game drives, to explore the towering sandstone cliffs and its unique wildlife. From the top of the plateau, you have a marvelous view of the area.
Practical
Park entry fee (valid for 24hrs)
150 NAD per adult per day
50 NAD per vehicle per day
The park gates opens at 6am and closes at 9pm in winter and at 10pm in summer.
Day visitors must leave the park before 6pm!
9. Swakopmund
22° 40′ S, 14° 31′ E
Swakopmund is a lovely coastal town, where you’ll see a lot of German influences in the architecture. It is one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in the country, which should certainly not be missed during your visit to Namibia. Not only is it a pleasant city, there are also many interesting and adventurous things to do, like taking a tour to the famous and unique Sandwich Harbour. The nearby sand dunes of the Namib Desert offer the perfect opportunity for desert adventures such as quad biking and sandboarding.
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Discover the best tours in Swakopmund and enjoy an unforgettable experience.
10. Cape Cross: World's biggest seal colony
21° 46′ S, 13° 57′ E
The nature reserve of Cape Cross in Namibia is home to the largest seal colony in the world, with up to 210.000 seals during breeding season! We can guarantee that you will be impressed by the number of seals you see, but also… by the smell (it’s bad!). There is a boardwalk along which you can walk through the seal colony. However, there is a good chance that there are seals also lying on the boardwalk, blocking your path.
Cape Cross is located about 1,5 hours drive from Swakopmund. However, the whole drive is along the famous Skeleton Coast, which is also an interesting place to visit. This coastline got its name from several shipwrecks that can be found along the shore. So, you can break the slightly longer journey by having a look at some of these shipwrecks. Zeila Wreck is probably the most famous one, about 60 km north of Swakopmund.
Practical
150 NAD per person + 50 NAD per car
Daily open from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM.
11. Walvis Bay
22° 57′ S, 14° 30′ E
Walvis Bay is a coastal town, about 30 kilometers from the famous city of Swakopmund, where everything is about pink. There is a flamingo lagoon with hundreds, no, thousands of flamingos standing in the water or flying around in the sky. You also find a salt refinery with multiple stunning bright pink salt lakes.
In Walvis Bay, you can participate in a wide range of adventurous activities such as birdwatching, dolphin cruises, and watersports like kayaking. Just like from Swakopmund, you can join some awesome desert adventures such as quad biking and sandboarding in the nearby Namib Desert, and go on a thrilling 4×4 Sandwich Harbour Tour.
In addition to the flamingos found in the lagoon, it is often possible to spot seals and dolphins during a tour on the water and even whales during the whale-watching season from July to November.
12. Solitaire
23° 51′ S, 16° 03′ E
When you drive from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund or Walvis Bay, you can refuel both your car and yourself in the small, cozy Solitaire along the way. It is a small but very charming settlement in the Namib Desert. There is a cute bakery where you can enjoy a coffee and a cake in a laid-back atmosphere. Despite its remote location, Solitaire is quite popular among travelers, because of its option to refuel and as a welcome stopover in a lovely setting for those journeying through the desert.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
