NAMIBIA

While the typical Namibian tourist brochure might not instantly convey this variety, nor would it inspire the same thrill as, say, neighbouring South Africa, Namibia is a land filled with natural beauty few other places on earth could duplicate. From crowded small towns, to impossibly large deserts, to stunning mountain ranges, Namibia is a destination that you absolutely need to consider visiting while you are in the Southern Hemisphere of Africa. Visits are truly an authentic experience, and some of the best places in Namibia that can be experienced. Swakopmund is one of the only places in Namibia you will be able to find a nice coffee shop, so make sure to spend a couple days here.

Fish River Canyons is a breathtaking spot for exploring the largest concentration of rock petroglyphs (rock carvings) in all of Africa — totally worth visiting while in Namibia. The succulently rich Karoo is a Unesco world heritage site, and gets its importance from being the only coastal desert in the world to have its dunes affected by fog. It is not surprising that the Succulentlent Karoos savagery makes it the second-most visited tourist attraction in Namibia.

Namibia is home to some of the most unique and incredible landscapes you will ever experience, from the Mars-like landscapes of Sossusvlei to the parched plains of Etosha National Park, from rugged, dramatic coastlines to frozen-in-time cities. If there is a single image from Namibia that sticks most strongly in the minds of those who have seen it, it is the one of the dead trees standing frozen in time, stacked up against the towering dunes, at Sossusvlei, the nations most Instagrammed natural landmark. Namibia has gorgeous national parks and reserves — wild, land-based places where, as night falls, it feels natural to leave your window blinds open, sleep under the stars, and wake up to the blinding sunrise. Namibia has beauty anywhere you look, and if you go with an artists eye, you are guaranteed many stunning natural wonders every step of the way.

When visiting Namibia, one of the first things you will notice is its unique landscapes — and you will be treated to many of their contrasts — photographer nirvana. It is difficult to think of any other country in the world which matches Namibia, landscape by landscape, and this is only to begin with. Of course, Africa is a varied, and unbelievably beautiful continent; places like Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, and, of course, Namibia are all properly gorgeous countries worth visiting. Namibia is a land of immense natural beauty, vast expanses, constantly changing landscapes, unique wildlife, rich cultural experiences, and warm, welcoming people.

When you finally get to spend some time in Namibia, you discover a place where you can fully unplug from the world, learn, experience, and explore a piece of the world that is really like no other. A Namibian road trip allows you to take a step back from your regular, busy pace of life, detach yourself from the digital, online world, and slow down and reconnect with nature. When spending time in Namibia, be sure that visiting the world-famous Namib Desert is non-negotiable. Even with the growing popularity of Namibia, one may also find oneself totally isolated on the distant lands.

Namibia might be considered the ultimate destination for a weeks-long four-wheel-drive adventure — but even brief visits to such diverse destinations as the NamibRand Reserve offer impressive rewards. While Namibia is not an undiscovered gem, wilderness-rich destinations such as South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana often tempt those looking for volume. Declared as the countrys national monument, the Quiver Tree Forest is one of the only known natural sites of its kind in the world.

Located along the countrys Atlantic coast, the Namib Sand Sea, covering more than three million hectares, is one of the worlds only coastal deserts. With its gorgeous red sand flowing directly into actual waves in the ocean, the Namib is an area of exceptional natural beauty, consisting of two sand dunes systems, the older one overlaid with a younger, more active one. With towering, Vermillion Sand dunes that are weathered by elements, Sossusvlei is one of the most beautiful, and impressive, places that you should visit in Namibia (and that is saying something). Nowadays, shifting desert sands and majestic dunes are entwined with abandoned buildings, making Kolmanskop a rather haunting place to visit in Namibia.

Let us be honest, driving from Windhoek is nothing when you have views like this…Kulala Desert Lodge is truly one of Namibias best places to view the constellations.