Windhoek
Welcome to Namibia’s capital city. This is the place your journey through this fascinating African country begins. For many, Windhoek is just the first stop on their trip, but you should definitely spend a couple of days in this city. You’ll really get to know the country’s culture and get some great first impressions of Namibia. The most popular attractions include the historic Christ Church, the Ink Palace and many other museums that will tell you more about the history of Namibia. Windhoek is the ideal place to start your journey. While in Windhoek, you can get your route through Namibia organised. In case you haven’t already found a suitable car rental place, someone will surely point you in the right direction.
For the first few nights, you can stay in a hostel. When converted, the costs will amount to roughly €10 per night.
Etosha National Park
Are you ready to see a picture-perfect Namibia? Then set off on a journey up north. You’ll soon reach Etosha National Park, the by far most popular park in the country. If you’ve been dreaming of taking a safari tour, this is your chance to see some of Africa’s fascinating wildlife up close. Etosha National Park is home to 110 different species of mammals and, as such, is the ideal location for a safari trip. The landscape is typical of a steppe, though it is interspersed with small watering holes. Due to this fact, the area is the ideal habitat for many animals. Tourists who have visited Etosha National Park often gush about the fantastic safari experiences they had while there, so the park is sure to also meet your expectations!
For around €18, you can camp at an allocated campsite in the park itself. A guided safari costs around €35. You have the choice between a morning, afternoon or night-time safari.
Swakopmund
Your journey now takes you to the coast. In the seaside city of Swakopmund you can still sense the traces of Namibia’s colonial past. Because the country used to be a German colony, you can still find bakeries and a brewery. There are also many German pensions and even most of the street names are German. At the Woermannhaus, you can feel like you have been transported back in time and straight to Namibia’s colonial past.
Swakopmund is a real magnet for tourists. This fact is also underlined by the city’s numerous restaurants and cafés. Swakopmund further provides its visitors with the opportunity to try out different activities, including skydiving, paragliding and desert drives.
You can stay in a 6-bed dorm at a hostel for around €7 per night. It’s easy to reach the beach, as well as many of the city’s other attractions, on foot.
We also really recommend taking a quick detour to Walvis Bay. The trip takes only around 30 minutes, but you’ll feel like you have been transported to an entirely different place. Leave behind the hustle and bustle of Swakopmund and, with a bit of luck, you’ll even be able to spot whales and dolphins out in the bay.
Lüderitz/Kolmaskop
Lüderitz is another coastal town. It is smaller than Swakopmund, but still has several inviting cafés and restaurants for you to rest and recharge in. Lots of water sports fans come here for kiting, surfing and more. At one of the hostels, you can stay in a 6-bed dormitory for around €6 per night.
The most exciting attraction in the surrounding area is the ghost town of Kolmaskop. It used to be home to a diamond mine, but now only the empty barracks remain.
Sossusvlei
If you’ve ever received a postcard from Namibia, it probably had a picture of the dunes at Sossusvlei. This area truly lets you experience how it feels to be in the middle of a desert. During the day, the heat is often almost too much to handle and, once the sun sets, night-time temperatures will make you freeze. For around €25 per night, you can stay the night at one of the many campsites near the popular Dune 45. We recommend booking a tour that sets off early at 4 am and will take you not only deeper into the desert but also closer to the dunes. By hiking up the tallest dunes in the Sossuvlei Desert, you’ll be able to get a stunning view of Dead Valley. In case you haven’t yet had enough of all the sand, this is the place where you can try out activities such as sandboarding.
Fish River Canyon
Let’s stay in the desert for a little while longer. The Fish River Canyon is located in the far south of the country. Stretching on for over 160 km and reaching a depth of up to 55 m in certain areas, this canyon is the second largest in the world. Just step out on Hell’s Bend, one of the many viewing platforms, and enjoy the truly indescribable view. If you want to take a tour through the canyon, you will need to find an official organiser. Heading down into the canyon by yourself is dangerous and strictly forbidden. You can spend the night at one of the campsites near Ais-Ais. A night there will cost you around €20.
In case this is the last stop on your route, it is now time to return to Windhoek. If you don’t feel like heading home quite yet, do be aware that South Africa is just over the border. Why not head over and just start your next adventure?
