Places of interest

Sights in Namibia

Namibia offers an enormous range of scenic attractions and is marked by stark contrasts. Long coastlines alternate with deserts and mountainous regions. A trip to Namibia should include a visit to the deserts in the west of the country, such as the Namib Naukluft Desert. Fascinating is Namibia’s animal world. For example, Etosha National Park is home to lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Also worth seeing is the capital Windhoek with its mix of modern architecture and buildings from the colonial era.

Top 5 – the most important sights

Sand dunes in the Namib Desert

Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most famous destinations. Here, in the Namib Naukluft National Park, are the highest sand dunes in the world. With a size of up to 325 meters, they seem downright monumental. The wind always forms new shapes in the sand of the dunes. The highest among them is called “Big Daddy”. With their warm orange hues and bizarre shapes, the sand dunes are a popular subject for photographers. If you’re lucky, you’ll see springbok and desert antelope.

Elephants in Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is one of the largest game reserves in southern Africa. Visitors here have the opportunity to observe lions, giraffes, zebras and many other animals in the wild. The centre of Etosha National Park is a large salt pan, which is covered by water in rainy years and then attracts numerous animals. Antelopes and birds find refreshment here as well as elephants. Some endangered species such as the black rhino also live here. In the northern part of the national park, 200 million-year-old fossilized dinosaur footprints can also be admired.

Fish River Canyon – second largest canyon in the world

The Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia is the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in the USA. Guided hikes through the canyon lasting several days are offered to tourists from May to August. At the riverbed, which is never completely dry, antelopes and leopards gather in times of low rainfall to feast on the last available wetness of the pools.

The capital Windhoek

The capital of Namibia is Windhoek. It is characterized by African and European influences. In the city centre you can find modern architecture and buildings from the time of Wilhelmine colonialism.

You can learn about the country’s history at the National Museum. In the attached Owela Museum, an extensive collection tells about the flora and fauna of the country. There is also a national gallery and several private galleries with works by African artists.

Kalahari Desert

In eastern Namibia, the western foothills of the Kalahari Desert beckon. Spanning Namibia, Botswana, Angola and South Africa, the Kalahari is the largest sandy area in the world. Its vegetation zones are diverse and – contrary to what you might expect – rich in flora and fauna. Some private farms offer safari drives through the Kalahari, where you can see the native animals up close.

The special tip: Swakopmund seaside resort

In Swakopmund, residents of the capital and countless tourists seek relaxation on the beach. The seaside resort also has an indoor swimming pool and outdoor pool with many attractions near the beach.

Water temperatures often stay below 20 degrees at the seaside, so are comparatively cool, making it a welcome change.