A classic Namibian self-drive journey

Like a little slice of Europe in surreal, wildly-beautiful Namibia, Windhoek is a place to catch your breath in the midst of a busy itinerary. The hotels are ideal for putting your feet up, while the pretty streets are a history lesson on their own with Germanic castles, aged churches, and museums in every direction. And on any given corner, you’ll likely find a tempting pastry shop to keep you sustained...

There’s no doubt that the pumpkin-hued dunes of Sossusvlei are utterly captivating and a dream to experience. That means the real question is: how to enjoy them? Climbing and walking activities depart either at sunrise or sunset to avoid the baking heat. Climbs range from the epic Dune 45 (the tallest) to moderate hikes and strolls along smaller dunes, and the best part is always the descent! 4x4 drives are also an option, covering larger areas and visiting a variety of dunes. They usually involve nature lessons in the incredible flora of the desert and wildlife-watching – oryx, zebra, meerkat and mongoose are all present, if rare.

For many, seeing the dunes from the sky is the ultimate in bucket-list travel, and hot air balloons and scenic flights are a fantastic option. Usually provided by third-party operators, there’s not much choice in departure location and a (very) early start may be required, but oh boy, is it worth it. Other experiences include trips to the iconic Deadvlei, e-biking, quad biking and an iconic star sleep-out.

Namibia’s self-titled ‘adventure’ capital, Swakopmund certainly has its fair share of heart-thumping, adrenalin-pumping activities for those so inclined. But it’s also a picturesque coastal town with a distinct German flavour (think apple pies and Art Nouveau architecture) and there’s much to offer for a sedate few days by the sea.

Falling into the former category are dune-related activities on the outskirts of town. From quad biking to sand boarding to fat biking, the sand dunes are king and helmets are key, and the sheer number of operators will leave you spoilt for choice. Sky diving trips also depart from here, and you’ll fall out of the sky over the spectacular Swakop River mouth.

Otherwise, there are walking tours to enjoy, catamaran cruises to indulge in, and shops and restaurants to peruse, all of which lend themselves to a peaceful morning or afternoon. If you’re spending longer in the area, try a day trip to Sandwich Harbour and marvel at the enormous dunes and vast wetlands, or enjoy a birds-eye view of the coast on a scenic fixed-wing flight.

This vast expanse of desert is one of Africa’s last unofficial wildernesses and the landscape is so colossal and so completely, eerily different to anything else, it’s hard to imagine until you’ve visited. A unique feature are the rocky outcrops, which are often home to exceptional San paintings. Twyfelfontein has some of the best and most well-preserved, but the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, also has beautiful examples. Why choose, both are certainly worth a trip.

When you’re not ogling the scenery, keep your eyes peeled for desert-adapted wildlife. Gemsbok and oryx are common, as are zebra and elephant, but black rhino are the stars of the show and with Save the Rhino Trust based in the area, sightings are excellent. Game drives are key for wildlife-spotting (you’ll cover larger distances) but walking safaris are also a must to discover the finer details of the desert and even track these rare rhino and elephant on foot. In some areas, horseback safaris are possible, as are trips to see the fascinating Petrified Forest, a 260-million-year-old phenomena.

The largest salt pan in Africa and a magnet for wildlife, it’s safe to say that Etosha is about one thing, and one thing only: safari. Game viewing is centred around the waterholes. In this dry environment, the water attracts animals from far and wide and spending a few hours at the edge in a 4x4, binos at the ready, is a sure-fire wildlife win. You’ll more than likely spot elephant, rhino (white, and perhaps black), warthogs, and giraffe, with lions not far behind. Waterhole-watching isn’t limited to the daylight hours either with spotlights illuminating the water allowing you to catch the elusive night species.

Game drives depart twice a day (morning and afternoon), and occasionally, night drives may pop up, but when the sun goes down, you’ll probably want to be stationed at a waterhole. If you’re used to driving through grassy savannah, it’s a treat to bounce across the silver salt in search of desert species including black-faced impala, Hartmann’s zebra and the Damara dik-dik. A highlight is, of course, seeing black rhino, and Etosha’s population is famed as one of the most stable in the world.

At the heart of the Otjiwarongo area is a commitment to conservation. Focused on cheetah protection, research and rehabilitation, there’s also a strong emphasis on education and community development, and to stay in the area is to witness meaningful work in action.

The main attraction is the Okonjima Reserve, home to the AfriCat Foundation, where cheetah are rehabilitated before making their return to the wild. Game drives with the cats, visits to the information centre, and meetings with the researchers are designed to help you understand a little more about their objectives. Also possible on the 49,000-acre private reserve are game drives (both morning and evening) to see the Big Five, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra, and birding safaris dedicated to spotting the 250-plus migratory and native species.

Also in the area but on the eastern side of the region is The Cheetah Conservation Fund. They also welcome visitors at their research and information centre, while offering the chance to interact with resident cheetah on game drives and more close-up activities. You’ll never look at these regal predators in the same way again.