7 Unmissable Places To Visit in Namibia in 2022

From famous tourist attractions to lesser-known gems, the fascinating, unmissable places to visit in Namibia will amaze you.

When thinking safaris, South Africa and Tanzania often come to mind. For cultural interactions, Kenya contributes generously, leaving you mesmerized is the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world. Conversely, Namibia offers minimal attractions with all the above and more.

And that’s why travellers love to embark on Namibia tours. Its diverse wildlife and stunning deserts make Namibia a great choice for an adventurous destination.

Namibia’s extraordinary landscapes are among the top reasons it is so unique. From the sand seas of the Namib desert to the exciting Fish River Canyon, Namibia is home to some of Africa’s most remarkable natural attractions.

Be it the amazing architecture, the rich wildlife, the breathtaking landscapes, or the mighty dunes; there are many unmissable places to visit in Namibia that will sweep you off your feet. 

What is Exciting about Namibia

There is no doubt Africa is both diverse and breathtaking, with countries like Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco among others. But if you want a perfect place to begin your African expedition, you must start with Namibia.

Namibia is not like other countries in Africa. It is home to the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world. Namibia has the largest population of wild cheetahs and also has the biggest gravesite for ships and whales.

It is a land of contrast—a place with unique adventures in bizarre places. It doesn’t matter if you go for a game drive, a cultural tour, or simply to drive around, the country will amaze you.

In Namibia, you don’t expect to find lions on a game drive, but end up crossing a pride of thirty. It is a country where sunsets will make you wish the day is not over yet, and where day trips easily turn into adventures.

From elephants roaming freely in the desert to abandoned towns and petrified trees, these are some of the unique and unmissable places that make Namibia exciting. 

Damaraland

Damaraland offers a different ‌safari experience. Forget the green savannas, and Lion King sceneries, Damaraland is dry, rocky, desert, and raw. However, these harsh conditions have not stopped life from existing, as the region is full of fauna and flora that adapted centuries ago.

Damaraland is a place for survivors. It is one of the few places in the world where desert lions survive. It is an unmissable place where herds of desert elephants can also be seen climbing rocks and roaming freely next to dunes.

More to discover at Damaraland is the San Bushmen, the first race on the planet. You can also spend some time with the Damara people, one of the many African ethnic groups at the edge of distinct.

Skeleton Coast National Park

Stretching along the 500 km northwestern coast of Namibia is Skeleton Coast, one of the unmissable places to visit in Namibia. This is definitely not your traditional national park.

This is not exactly the place to view wildlife or incredible vegetation. Skeleton Coast National Park is flat, inhabited, and empty. It is an endless field of sand and mud on the right, the ocean on the left, and a single road to drive throughout.

However, this desolation is also what makes Skeleton Coast an unmissable place. Expect to see several wrecks along the coast that got stuck because of the thick fog and the sea conditions. 

According to the residents, whales and seals come to die at the skeleton coast park, as it is very common to encounter remains of gigantic whales or seals decomposing while walking along the shore.

On your way from Skeleton Coast, don’t forget to pass by Cape Cross Seal Reservoir, one of the largest seal colonies in Africa. It is the best spot in the region to spot thousands of seals giving birth just a few steps away from you.

Kolmanskop Ghost Town

Located 10 km east of Lüderitz, a coastal town in southwestern Namibia, Kolmanskop’s dark and complex history seems to be the perfect introduction to this bizarre and spooky place. This is a former prosperous German diamond mining town that is now sinking slowly into the Namib Desert sand dunes. 

What today are abandoned buildings covered in sands and debris of mansions and villas, were once the German wealth during the mining boom.

Pink Salt Lake in Walvis Bay

If you are planning a road trip around Namibia, a visit to the pink lake can be a cool place to add to your itinerary. Just like most pink lakes, the pink salt lake in Walvis Bay resulted from the combination of salt, the green algae “dunaliella salina” and the climate of the region. The lake is one of the Unmissable places to visit in Namibia for a unique picture in an amazing place.

The region also offers fun outdoor activities for those who enjoy wildlife and adventure. You can either visit one of the many flamingo colonies in the area, do a catamaran tour to the seal colony or explore some dunes with a quad. Walvis Bay will not bore you.

Namib

Namibia is home to the oldest desert in the world, The Namib desert. The desert is over 40 million years old and it spreads across Angola and South Africa. With an ever-changing palette of gold, vermillion, crimson, and deep rusts, Namib is one of the most fascinating Namibia attractions.

Keep in mind that although the desert is beautiful, it is also hazardous. Almost uninhibited and pristine, the desert offers unmissable sites like Dune 45, Sesriem Canyon, and the Bonfegels, the arches that branch off over the ocean.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is one of the unmissable places to visit in Namibia for wildlife viewing. The park is a beautiful home to lions, cheetahs, elephants, and gemsboks, among other countless animals.

Being a special place to visit with families and your loved ones, there is no place like Etosha National Park to get a closer glance at Africa’s world-renowned wildlife.

Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is the most popular and unmissable place to visit in Namibia. With its untouched landscapes and enormous dunes, Sossusvlei is one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth.

Sossusvlei is also home to some of the highest dunes in the world, some reaching almost 400 m. If you feel fit for the task, you can climb the famous dune 45, big daddy or big mama, the highest dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.