NAMIBIA: HIMBA TRIBES, NAMIB DESERT, KOLMANSKOP GHOST CITY, WINDHUK, ONGAWA PRIVATE RESERVE, ETOSHA
Namibia - the oldest landscapes of the earth

Namibias famous desert elephants can be seen in the Hoanib Valley, Damaraland, and the Kunene region. The rivers here are almost always dry, and the elephants use their trunks and tusks to dig holes and reach water beneath the sand. Besides elephants, you can see dune lions, hyenas, jackals, and a host of small and rare animals. A safari here is unlike any other in Africa.

Almost one-third of Namibias coastline is inaccessible by car, so the Skeleton Coast is traditionally viewed from the air with scenic flights. The reserve takes its name from the numerous shipwrecks that sank in the local treacherous waters, reminiscent of the skeletons of sea monsters. Seals and birds are the diet of jackals and hyenas. Lions even inhabit some parts.

Etosha National Park is undoubtedly one of the largest in Africa. It shares territory with several private game reserves, where safaris are more exclusive and only available to guests staying at the reserves. Etosha boasts salt pans, giving the parks landscapes unique features and lively watering holes. The park is home to lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and a vast number of antelope.

Lets just quote our clients post:
An overnight stay in the desert, when the nearest town is 50 kilometers away, and theres literally not a soul around. We were lucky with the organizing team, who provided luxurious tents and an excellent dinner with wine and ice cream... Words cannot describe what the desert looks like at night by moonlight. Incidentally, this was a VIP family tour!

Another magical place, considered a place of power in Namibia. Spitzkope, rock paintings, Bushmen, and an overnight stay in a hotel carved into the rocks. The best place for photographing the starry night sky.

Once again, the desert, this time engulfing the city, returns. In 1908, the first diamonds in Namibia were discovered in Kolmanskop. They were found right in the sand, even by moonlight. Thanks to this, the city grew instantly, but 28 years later, an even larger diamond deposit was discovered on the Orange River, and Kolmanskop was abandoned to the mercy of the desert, which is gradually consuming it. Today, it is an open-air museum.

Swakopmund is a small resort town at the junction of the Atlantic and the desert, hence its unusually mild climate, with temperatures hovering around 25°C (77°F) year-round. Ten percent of the population is German. Here you can relax after an active desert adventure or find new adventures: fishing, cruises, adrenaline-pumping dune bashing, and other excursions. Here you can sample the most delicious Namibian oysters.

Well depart near Swakopund. The lagoon at Walvis Bay is home to a variety of birds, including pelicans and flamingos, cormorants and gulls. The bay is also home to dolphins and seals. You can see all this on a cruise. Most catamarans offer guests a lunch with oysters and champagne.

A trip to Africa wouldnt be complete without experiencing the local culture and people. Namibia is home to dozens of different peoples, nationalities, and ethnic groups. But the most colorful and distinctive are the Himba, Bushmen, Herero, and Damara. Seeing such people in the 21st century is a rare occurrence. In Namibia, you can do just that, and not only see them, but also immerse yourself in their lives from the inside.

If you enjoy active recreation with adrenaline and sports, Namibia has plenty to offer. Sled-sliding down high dunes, quad biking, motorcycling, or hiking safaris are just some of the options.

Next stop: space. The Namibrand Private Nature Reserve is vast and unique in that its considered a polar-free night sky reserve. Its incredibly dark at night, with no settlements or artificial light sources for hundreds of kilometers. This is a must-see for all astronomers and space enthusiasts!

Namibias harsh natural conditions have given rise to a multitude of amazing and unique plants and trees. The most unusual flora is the welwitschia and the quiver tree (kokerboom), which are tourist attractions in their own right.

Namibias greenest corner, the Caprivi Strip, is located in the northeast of the country and borders Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It receives Namibias highest rainfall. The Kavango, Kwando, Zambezi, and Chobe rivers attract numerous animals—elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffalo, and others. The tropical climate attracts a variety of birds.

Namibia is cheetah country, home to one-third of the worlds cheetah population. Besides seeing cheetahs in the wild, you can see and touch them at the Cheetah Conservation Centre and learn fascinating facts about these unique animals. You can stay in Naankuze, near Windhoek, where they typically offer overnight stays upon arrival or before departure, with a program featuring cheetahs, caracals, rhinos, and meerkats.

Some people are shocked by life in the townships, while others are interested in seeing different aspects of life in Namibia.

The main attraction in southern Namibia is the Fish River Canyon, the second largest in the world after the American Grand Canyon. Hold your jaw, because the views are breathtaking. You can explore the canyon by driving through, staying at one of the lodges, visiting the nearby hot springs, or taking a scenic flight. For the more adventurous, there are four-day treks.

Irindi Private Game Reserve is the second largest in Namibia after Etosha. Like most lodges in Etosha, it also has a lake illuminated at night. Guests can enjoy dinner and watch animals come out for a midnight watering hole right in front of the hotel terrace. In half an hour, we counted three rhinos, one lion, and numerous antelope. It was a truly unique experience.

Shark fishing. Perhaps the most adrenaline-pumping fishing in Namibia. Your potential trophy can weigh up to 150 kg. Fishing is generally conducted according to catch and release rules, meaning the caught fish are released back into the ocean.

After long canoeing trips across the vast expanses of Namibia, a leisurely canoe ride down the Orange River is perhaps the perfect way to unwind. For those who enjoy constant movement, there are 4-6-day canoeing tours with overnight camping under the stars, and meals cooked over a campfire. No technical experience is required, and children ages 6 and up are welcome. Fishing is also available during the rafting.

The last remaining free-ranging black rhinos roam the Kunene River region. Like desert elephants, rhinos have adapted to the arid environment. They drink once every three to four days and can climb rocky hills to catch a refreshing breeze. If you visit, youll see not only rhinos but also cheetahs, bat-eared foxes, and elephants.

Cape Cross is home to the largest colony of fur seals on the planet. Some colonies number over 100,000 individuals. Its fascinating to observe their behavior: cubs and mothers, males defending their territory. A cacophony of voices fills the shore, and the only effort required is overcoming the pungent smell.

You can add a hot air balloon ride to your trip. You can fly from Sossusvlei or Swakopmund. Flights take place at dawn.

Okonjima is another private game reserve in Namibia, halfway between Windhoek and Etosha. Here youre sure to spot all the big cats, as well as rare species, including striped and spotted hyenas and the secretive pongolin. Youll also learn about several conservation projects. The reserve offers several lodges and camps, where you can stay in anything from a modest tent to a luxurious villa.

All of them are remarkable for their unique design and how they integrate into the surrounding nature. Since Namibia has no major cities other than Windhoek and Swakopmund, the hotels in nature reserves offer a unique experience of seclusion. When you arrive at the hotel, you realize youre in a wild and untouched place.