By Michael English, Cape Town, South Africa
Why would you travel halfway around the world to spend your holiday in an arid country that is 16% covered by desert? The unique appeal of Namibia lies in its combination of history, culture, and breath-taking open spaces which offer untold photographic opportunities.
The Savannahs and desert have a calm beauty which is unparalleled. It can be a challenging country to visit, as the distances between destinations are vast. In summer, the temperatures can soar well past cooking an egg on your car bonnet.
That said, the winter months are a wonderful time to visit and the allure of tranquility, space and arid beauty draws many tourists every year. It is well worth the journey, especially if you are a photographer. Without further ado, here are 10 Reasons to Visit Namibia….
Deadvlei Photo Credit rmferreira from Pixabay
1) The Sand Dunes at Sossusvlei
Lying on the south-west of Africa is the World's oldest desert – the Namib. Here in a region called Sossusvlei, you will find the tallest dunes in the World. Rusty-red with iron, the dunes have been sculpted for millennia by the wind into sand mountains that many associate with the image of desert.
Many a traveller has scrambled up the spine of the dune called Big Daddy. Dune 45 is the most photographed dune on Earth. The skeletal remains of trees stand in stark contrast to the red sand at Deadvlei are justifiably famous among avid photographers. To get the best photos it is necessary to get to the park at sunrise to capture the morning light before the harsh light washes the colours pastel.
It is important to note that even the closest accommodations are 30 minutes’ drive from the gate. Most are between 1 – 2 hours drive from the gate. You cannot drive to Deadvlei and must walk over 1 kilometre. So, this is why its wise to do Sossousvlei before the daily heat sets in.
Etosha Photo Credit Peter Jupke from Pixabay
2) Etosha National Park
In this vast arid region, the salt pan waterholes of the Etosha National Park provide oases for thousands of animals which congregate here in search of water. The contrast of African Wildlife against the pale background of the Kalahari sand makes for beautiful photo opportunities. These iconic images in turn makes this Namibia’s most popular Safari area.
The park is home to four of the Big Five, with Buffalo being the only exception. You can see rare species such as Oryx and Black-Faced Impala. The park is also home to one of the largest populations of the remaining endangered Black Rhino.
Accommodation within the park is rustic but there are several luxury private lodges near the park to choose from.
Fish River Canyon Photo Credit JPierre Desvigne from Pixabay
3) Fish River Canyon
Africa’s answer to the Grand Canyon, the Fish River Canyon stretches 180 kilometres (105.6 miles) between Sesriem and the Orange River in the Ais-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park. The most popular viewpoint for day visitors is at Hells Bend at the Hobas Rest Camp.
There is an extremely popular but challenging 4 -5-day hiking trail through the canyon, where you sleep out under the stars. This can be booked in advance during the Winter months between April and September. In Summer, the trail is closed due to the extreme heat experienced in the region.
Swakopmund Photo Credit by katja from Pixabay
4) Swakopmund
Namibia was colonised by the Germans and their influence is still very much felt today. German is widely spoken, and traditional German food also prevalent, especially in the town of Swakopmund.
Another legacy in Swakopmund is the pastiche of Bavarian Art Deco style architecture which characterises this coastal town. The town has a seaside holiday resort feel and locals are friendly with a laid-back attitude.
The town is also the launching point for many extreme adventure sports in the area such as Dune Sandboarding, Quad Bike Adventures, and Sky Diving. Tours to seek out unique desert creatures that live in the dunes also depart from here.
Cheetah Namibia Photo Credit gschreiner0815 from Pixabay
5) Okonjima and N’aankuse
Namibia is home to the largest population of the world’s remaining Cheetahs, the fastest land predator. Cheetahs are not often seen on normal Safaris as they are often in conflict with Lions so are not often found in the same areas.
Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation which seeks to ensure the survival of Namibia’s predators in their natural habitat. The private reserve is also known for sightings of some of Africa's most elusive species – Aardvark, Brown Hyenas, and Pangolins.
Another conservation initiative at the N’aankuse Foundation has grown from focusing on Namibia’s predators to wildlife conservation, cultural, and community rehabilitation programs. N’aankuse also offers many eco-friendly accommodations and tourist activities.
Kolmanskop Ghost Town Photo Credit Jo Wiggijo from Pixabay
6) Kolmanskop Ghost Town
An age-old tale of immeasurable wealth and ruin is what awaits visitors to the town of Kolmanskop. The town is located near Luderitz in Namibia’s Forbidden Zone. A railway worker found diamonds while shovelling sand off the railway tracks at the turn of the last century. A diamond mining boomtown sprang up. At its height, the area produced 11% of the world’s diamonds.
Mansions sprang up in the middle of the desert as fortunes were made. But, the German government declared the area a “Forbidden Zone” to control the mining. By the 1930’s the prospectors had moved on to richer fields. The desert air has preserved the sand-filled mansions as monuments to man's pursuit of wealth and folly. The haunting houses draw thousands of photographers who want to capture the eerie grace of the scene. Here tourists come who want to hear the heady stories of the eccentricity of a bygone era.
Himba Woman Photo Credit D Mz from Pixabay
7) Himba People
The Himba people of Namibia are an ancient semi-nomadic pastoralist ethnic group who are arguably the most well-known tribe in Namibia. The Himba are renowned for their cultural practice of covering their skin in a mixture of ochre and fat, as well as matting their hair with red clay.
The Himba live in the north of the country in the remote Kunene region. To see the authentic Himba people you will have to drive long distances. Those interested in Sustainable Tourism may fly to remote luxury camps, who work in partnership with the local community to have this once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.
Namibia Sunrise Photo Credit thomaspedrazzoli from Pixabay
8) Rock Art
The desert air has preserved many sites of the art of Stone-age hunter-gatherers and Khoi peoples throughout Namibia. The most well know of stone engravings, etchings and rock art paintings are the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontien.
Other famous sights which form part of the conservation area include the rock art, The White Lady at Brandberg. In addition are geological formations such as the Organ Pipes, Burnt Mountain and a petrified forest.
Sossusvlei Dunes Photo Credit juls26 from Pixabay
9) Damaraland
The remote region of the north is referred to as Damaraland. Here is home to the Damara and Himba ethnic groups.
The region has a rugged beauty and there are many reserves and lodges . These conserve the habitat of special Desert-adapted Elephants, Desert Lion and Desert Rhino. These magnificent creatures have adapted and evolved into separate sub-species which can exist and thrive in harsh desert conditions.
Skeleton Coast Namibia Photo Credit juls26 from Pixabay
10) Skeleton Coast
What name could be more evocative than that of the Skeleton Coast? This vast region of the desert on the north-west of Namibia is aptly named. Looking out you will see ghostly outlines of ill-fated ships, which were wrecked of its shores, littering the coastline.
There are also the ghostly white bones of whales in the sands from many stranded whales. The rough seas and thick fog that is usually found off the coast has claimed many lives. The area has a huanting scenic beauty which holds allure for those looking to get far away from it all.
The northernmost part of the region is the most beautiful and is only accessible to certain tour operators. The region has abundant desert-adapted wildlife such as Lion, Elephant, and Oryx among many others.
This allusive part of Namibia is also home to the unique phenomenon of the ‘Roaring Dunes’. Here a unique combination of wind and moist air whipping over the dunes, cause a roaring moan. The moan has been compared to the sound of a low flying plane or the cries of all the lost souls.
Etosha Wildlife Salt Pan Photo Credit Uwe Günther from Pixabay