The Top Things to Do in Namibia on Safari

From gazing across the incredible depths of the Fish River Canyon, to exploring the vast and majestic salt pan of Etosha National Park, Namibia- affectionately referred to as the ‘Soul of Africa’- offers a captivating and truly unique safari experience like no other.

Whether you’re a solo traveller, a family looking for inspiration for your next vacation or a loved-up newlywed couple looking for the ultimate post-wedding getaway, book a safari tour to this stunning Southwest-African nation and you are guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime.

With so much to do in Namibia on safari it can be difficult to know where to start. Should you cosy up to some Cape Fur Seals at Cape cross? How about sampling the nation’s rich heritage by visiting a Himba village?

Here’s our guide to the top things to do on a safari in Namibia…

Explore Etosha National Park

No trip to Namibia would be complete without visiting the nation’s most popular and iconic national park. Etosha national park, which spans more than 20,000 km2, is home to an abundance of spectacular wildlife that can only be seen up close to be truly appreciated.

Head out on a self-drive or private guided safari and explore many of Africa’s ‘big 5’, as well as Zebras, Springbok, and a whole host of other desert-dwelling mammals and birds, including the endangered Black Rhino.

Etosha also boasts some of the most stunning lodges and camps in the entire country; there’s no better place in Namibia, or perhaps on the entire continent, to view a magical and mesmerising African sunset!

Visit a Himba Village

For those seeking peace and solitude, accompanied by a splash of local culture, make sure you journey up to the north of Namibia, particularly to the areas surrounding the Kunene River on the Angolan border. Although this region is remote, and the human footprint is minimal, you will encounter a number of traditional Himba residents, a semi-nomadic settlement whose lifestyle has barely changed in more than three centuries.

Engage with the Himba, try out their food and customs- it may just change the way you think about the world!

Visit the Flamingos in Walvis Bay

Commonly regarded as one of the most important wetland areas in all of southern Africa, Walvis bay is home to a huge sanctuary of migrating birds. In fact, this natural lagoon boasts more than 120,000 birds, including most notably pelicans and pink flamingos.

Hop in a 4x4 and ride along the 10km stretch of Sandwich Harbour to see these birds up close or take a boat trip along the coast to view seals and dolphins spring into life. If you’re lucky you may encounter some huge whales too-look out for their massive tail fins!

Gaze over the Fish River Canyon

Without doubt, The Fish River Canyon is one of the most impressive places to visit in the whole of Namibia. Ranking as one of the largest canyons in the world, whether you visit day or night it’s a sight to behold so make sure you have your camera fully charged and at the ready!

For the more adventurous traveller, you can embark on a 90km multi-day hike which will enable you to establish a better sense of the canyon’s size. For couples, take a romantic hot air balloon ride and glide over this magnificent landscape with a glass of champagne to hand.

Discover the Sossusvlei Dunes

Awe-inspiring, exhilarating, and unforgettable- it’s easy to run out of superlatives to describe the majestic Sossusvlei. Roam through endless spans of mighty sand dunes that contrast perfectly against the backdrop of a large salt pan island.

Visitors to Namibia will be pleased to know that you are able to walk freely and without restriction across the salt pans and it’s a great place to visit all year round. Be sure to check out Dune 45, the most iconic dune of the lot, characterised by its harsh crescent line.

Greet the Seals at Cape Cross

Home to over 200,000 seals, Cape cross is another of Namibia’s largest tourist attractions. Drawn to the area by the perfect nutrient-rich waters of the Benguela current, the seal colonies gather on the shore all year-round, with bull seals arriving in large numbers towards the Autumn where they prepare to battle for their territories and the right to mate with females.

If you want to see seal pups, the best time to visit is in November-December, but Cape Cross is a great place to visit, regardless of the season. Lose yourself in the noisy hubbub of seal chatter and learn more about the lives and history of these amazing pinnipeds by stopping to read the information points scattered around the shoreline.

Ancient History at Twyfelfontein

For history buffs, head to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO world heritage site famed for its many rock paintings and ancient rock engravings.

Estimates about the age of these ancient Bushman markings vary but historians generally agree that many of them range from between 1000 - 10000 years old.

Remarkably, the engravings were made without the use of metal tools. Instead, it’s believed that quartz tools were used given that many quartz chips have been discovered in the area over the last couple of centuries.