Things to Do in Namibia

About Namibia

Namibia's Namib Desert has been around for 80 million years, making it the oldest desert on Earth. The country is mostly empty—rust-colored dunes, dry riverbeds, and skies so clear you can see thousands of stars. Elephants cross the desert following seasonal watercourses that only they seem to know about. Sossusvlei is a clay pan surrounded by orange dunes and dead camel thorn trees, some nearly 900 years old. The contrast works. The Skeleton Coast earned its name from whale bones and shipwrecks scattered along hundreds of miles of beach, and inland, Fish River Canyon cuts deep into the landscape as Africa's largest canyon. The country is quiet. Genuinely quiet. You won't find crowds here—Namibia has one of the lowest population densities on the planet. That emptiness is the point. Spend enough time in the desert and you'll notice things you normally miss: how light changes the dunes every hour, how silence has texture, how much space your thoughts need. This isn't a place that tries to entertain you. It just exists, and you either get it or you don't.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Rent a 4WD vehicle with GPS and satellite phone for remote areas. Carry extra fuel, water, and spare tires. Main roads are tarred, but accessing attractions like Sossusvlei requires gravel road navigation. Book car rentals 2-3 months ahead during peak season.

Money: Use Namibian Dollars (NAD) or South African Rand (accepted 1:1). Credit cards work in Windhoek and Swakopmund, but carry cash for rural lodges, fuel stations, and markets. ATMs are scarce outside major towns—withdraw maximum amounts when available.

Cultural Respect: Ask permission before photographing Himba or other indigenous people; expect to pay a small fee. Remove shoes when entering homes. Greet elders first in group settings. Avoid pointing with your index finger—use an open hand gesture instead.

Food Safety: Drink bottled or filtered water outside major cities. Try local specialties like biltong, potjiekos, and game meat at reputable restaurants. Avoid street food in remote areas. Pack snacks for long drives—rural areas have limited dining options between towns.

When to Visit

Namibia's dry season (May-October) offers ideal conditions with temperatures ranging 20-25°C (68-77°F) during the day and 5-15°C (41-59°F) at night. This peak season sees 30-50% higher accommodation prices but provides clear skies perfect for stargazing and wildlife viewing at waterholes. Rainfall is minimal, averaging under 10mm monthly. The wet season (November-April) brings afternoon thunderstorms, with December-March receiving 60-150mm of rain monthly. Temperatures soar to 35-40°C (95-104°F), but accommodation costs drop 25-40%. February-April offers dramatic desert blooms if rains are good. For photography, visit April-May when crowds thin but weather remains pleasant. Wildlife ensoiasts should choose August-October when animals concentrate around water sources. The Windhoek Carnival occurs in April, while the Oktoberfest celebration happens in October. Budget travelers benefit from November-March's lower prices, accepting heat and occasional storms. Photographers seeking dramatic storm clouds should visit January-February, though access to some dune areas may be limited. The shoulder months of April-May and September-October provide the perfect balance of good weather, moderate pricing, and fewer crowds.