Namibia
In terms of natural beauty, Namibia boasts some other-worldly landscapes such as the Skeleton Coast, the great orange dunes of the Namib Desert and the Fish River Canyon which is only beaten in scale by the Grand Canyon.
In the North of Namibia the Caprivi Strip, a classic example of colonial politics determining country borders, juts into the African interior where it meets the Zambezi Falls. This part of the country is a real contrast to the arid lands to the South, being well forested and riddled with rivers and wetlands that are host to some fantastic wildlife.
The bleak western Skeleton coast houses wind-whipped shipwrecks and bones of whales and seals left behind from the now inactive whaling industry. Thick ocean fogs plague this ghostly scene, and thundering surf makes it impossible for any boats to launch from the shore. It is a unique, legendary area and an essential part of any Namibia itinerary.
In contrast, the mountainous dunes of the searing Namib desert are a fascinating sight in the warmth, and provide unusual walking terrain with incredible views out over the Sossusvlei. The wind streams through these towering sand hills, carving sharp-tipped peaks which create the dramatic shadows at sunrise and sunset which Namibia is famous for.
Rich in extraordinary landscapes, desert-adapted wildlife and some incredibly comfortable wilderness camps, Namibia is guaranteed to capture the imagination of every visitor.
Wild Frontiers offers unique Tailor Made Holidays and Private Journeys to Namibia.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Namibia
What to do in Namibia
Balloon over Sossusvlei Dunes
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
The great sand dune chain of Sossusvlei rises from the desert like a red barrier to the sea, but the best way to encompass the dunes' pure majesty is from the air. The ever shifting dunes are themselves made of the hot Namibian winds, so why not rise with those soaring thermals, swapping the flame-jet thrill of balloon take off, with the heart-stopping silence of drifting high across an unfolding tapestry of Namibian wonders.
Climb the Red Dunes
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of the natural wonders of Africa, home to some of the highest sand dunes in the world, towering at over 300 metres. The remoteness is punctuated by the gaze of the Oryx and Gemsbok standing beneath acacia trees and the apricot-coloured sand dunes stretch out infinitely into the distance. It's the perfect sundown and sunrise spot to enjoy breath-taking views and a photographers paradise. There are few more uplifting ways to start the day than with a dawn walk across Dead Vlei to the base of 'Big Daddy', one of the tallest dunes, to make the ascent before the sun rises too high in the sky. After climbing Big Daddy, explore the sandstone gorges of the Sesriem Canyon with their towering sides and rock pools, perfect for a dip in the desert heat.
Cruise with Dolphins
Swakopmund
Experience the thrill of dolphins leaping out of the water, seals fed by hand, fresh oysters and cold champagne on the calm waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon. This three hour boat trip is a must for nature lovers visiting Swakopmond and is great for the whole family. An inquisitive colony of seals splash metres from you, schools of playful dophins follow along side the boat and whales have been spotted in season. For bird lovers, apart from flamingos, cormorants, and pelicans, there are common sightings of the White Chinned Petrel, Wilson's Storm Petrel, Cape Gannet, Black Oystercatcher and even the Jackass Penguin. Often as a bonus there can be sightings of huge Leatherback Turtles feasting on jelly fish, the massive 'Mola Mola', more commonly known as the Sunfish, as well as schools of dusky dolphins. To round off the trip you will be spoilt with fresh Walvis Bay oysters, snacks and cold sparkling wine served on board the boat.
Explore ghostly shipwrecks
Skeleton Coast
Explore the ghostly shipwrecks of the Skeleton Coast and discover the most famous wreck, the Dunedin Star, that ran aground in 1942 on its way to the Middle East, loaded with ammunition to be used in World War II. This intriguing story ends with the survivors trekking through the desert to Windhoek, arriving on Christmas Eve. See the remains of the self-same cargo scattered on the Skeleton Coast and visit the memorial to the victims of the tug boat used in their rescue. A trip to the Skeleton Coast is rounded off with sightings of whales, seals, sea lions, elephant, cheetah, gemsbok, springbuck, giraffe, brown hyaena, ostrich, jackal, honey badger and birds.
Soar over the Skeleton Coast
Skeleton Coast
Namibia's wildly dramatic Skeleton Coast takes its name not from human or animal bones, with perhaps some unfortunate exceptions, but the myriad shipwrecks that litter Namibian shores, in what was once German West Africa. Here, from the air and at speed, you can take in the astonishing sweep of land and sea, man and animal; dessert to dunes, dunes to treacherous reefs.
Gallop the Namib Desert
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Ride into a extraordinary lunar landscape dominated by enormous sand dunes; etched with deep craggy canyons and punctuated by gigantic rock formations and the skeletons of giant camel thorn trees. Thunder along in an amazing landscape of plains and dry water courses. Both novice and experienced riders can enjoy the thrill and you can choose between day time rides in the cool early morning and again in the late afternoon, or an overnight sleep-out horse trail, where you'll awake to amazing sunsets, enjoy coffee and tea in the wilderness and saddle up to explore the desert. After a day in the saddle, enjoy cocktails at sunset atop mighty sand dunes and sleep in tents or beneath the open sky. With not a vehicle in sight, this is a great way to experience the untouched, rugged landscapes of Namibia.
Interact with Big Cats
Central Highlands
When considering Africa's Big Cats, for most a big male lion springs to mind - 'King of the Jungle' - yet there is nothing more exciting than seeing a cheetah in full flight. The world's fastest animal, yet the sad reality is that numbers have declined to an estimated 10,000 in the wild. The largest population is found in Namibia and here at Okonjima you can see the tireless work of AfriCat, a non-profit organisation set up to conserve and protect threatened cheetah, leopard, and other wild carnivores of Namibia. This is not a regular safari but a fascinating insight into wildlife conservation and the reality of human/predator conflict found throughout Africa. To present Africat have rescued more than 850 cheetahs and leopards from farmland and over 85% have been released back into the wild, and they are also involved in key scientific research and educating local communities. Visitors get the opportunity observe these magnificent endangered predators that are 'radio-tracked' from game-view vehicles and also to track rehabilitated cheetah on foot.
Sand-Board the Namib Dunes
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is undoubtedly Namibia's adventure playground. The constantly shifting towering dunes of the Namib Desert are extraordinary and the sand dares you to come and conquer the slopes. Once on top of the dunes, your heart pounding with mixed emotions of fear and excitement, catch your breath for this exhilarating experience not to be missed. Lie face down or take the surfing stand-up position on your waxed piece of plywood, fondly named a "Kalahari Ferrari", and zoom down the curving rolling slopes. Thrill seekers will love these guided excursions and with expert tuition all the family can enjoy the fun. The Desert wilderness is truly spectacular, plus it's guarenteed to get the pulse racing!
Spot Big Five Wildlife
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park boasts 5,000 square kilometres of some of the most unusual landscapes on earth, dominated by the Etosha Salt Pan, the remnant of a dried up lake thousands of years old. Sitting in silence around the waterhole in Etosha and sighting wildlife is at once a spiritual and a thrilling experience. The salt-pan desert is home to innumerable species of African wildlife such as lion, elephant, rhino, giraffe and Black-Face Impala. Awake to fresh mornings with early morning coffee and long game drives followed by picnic lunches, cocktails in the cool evenings and roaring campfires under a starry sky. All of these magical elements combine powerfully to make Etosha one of the most magical, exotic and evocative places on earth.
Track Desert Black Rhino
Damaraland
For more than 20 years, the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has worked to protect the last free-ranging rhino population on Earth: the endangered desert-adapted black rhino. In the remote, rugged Palmwag Concession in Northern Damaraland, local trackers use camel trains to help research and monitor this animal. Here's a chance to become a tracker yourself, an expert in spore spotting, feeding grounds and desert signs, as you experience the true thrill of the 'chase'. It is remarkable enough to venture into the harsh and utterly astonishing landscape, but to go in search of desert Rhino offers that wildest of satisfactions -nosing up to one of the rarest species in the world. If you don't, there's the chance of encounters with rare desert snakes, and even those adapting elephants, but there are few wild encounters as moving as seeing the rhino survivng in a world it has had to make its own.
Visit the Himba People
Skeleton Coast
The Himba are semi-nomadic pastoralists who live in Kaokoland in the North West Namibia. This is unforgiving terrain, rugged, mountainess and incredibly wild, and the Himba are one of the last African tribes living their nomadic lives in their traditional way. Visiting a village displaying such a simple tribal lifestyle is an uplifting experience. Half naked children adorned with bangles and necklaces sits around the unpretentious mud, stick and skin huts, beautified bare breasted woman sells authentic jewellery, men watches over the herds; all these characteristics paints an accurate picture of the intriguing Himba tribe. For the most part, the modern world hasn't yet intruded on their traditional way of life but that is not to say that the Himba are a relic of the past, no tribe on earth lives in a time capsule. But rather, they have held on to their traditions and adapted to outside influences in their own way. Our guided excursions are organised with great care to ensure the quality and authenticy of the experience, so that you learn about their culture and life and the Himba directly reep the benefits for your visit.
Wonder at Epupa Falls
Skeleton Coast
At Namibia's north-western border with Angola, one will find the Epupa Falls on the Kunene River. We know Wild Frontiers travellers like to get away from the crowds and its does not get more remote that this. It's so unspoiled it almost seems as though time has stood still in this little peice of paradise. Whilst it's can't compete with Victoria Falls in terms of sheer size, the richly coloured rock walls and a dense variety of trees make it extremely picturesque and the rushing water has a seasonal peak flow of 500 000 litres per second. One our guided nature walks you get to see the main falls up close as well as the little and hundreds of little rock pools provide relaxation and a oneness with nature.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Namibia
Where to stay in Namibia
Central Guesthouse
Swakopmund
This owner-run guest house, a short walk from the heart of town, provides a welcoming and friendly base to explore...
Desert Rhino Camp
Damaraland
Desert Rhino Camp is set in the one million acre Palmwag Reserve in rugged Northern Damaraland. The camp is run as a...
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
Central Highlands
Erongo Wilderness Lodge is a relaxed camp perfectly situated for those travelling north, south and west. Nestled in...
Etendeka Mountain Camp
Damaraland
Located in the foothills of the Grootberg on the edge of the rocky Namib Desert, Etendeka offers a highly personalised...
Mushara Bush Camp
Etosha National Park
Situated on the eastern edge of Etosha National Park, just 8kms from the entrance, Mushara Bush Camp is a down-to-earth...
Okonjima
Central Highlands
Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a unique non-profit organisation whose goal is the long-term conservation...
Olive Grove Guesthouse
Windhoek
This small, up-market property is ideally located in a peaceful area close to the centre of Windhoek. Whilst catering...
Onguma Tented Camp
Etosha National Park
This classic tented camp offers a beguiling mixture of sophistication and relaxation on the Eastern border of famed...
Skeleton Coast Camp
Skeleton Coast
Nestled in one of the planet's most inhospitable yet hauntingly beautiful places, Skeleton Coast Camp lies within the...
The Stiltz
Swakopmund
This highly unusual hotel overlooks the mouth of the Swakop River with spectacular views over the dunes and the rugged...
Wolwedans Dune Lodge
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Situated in the heart of the NamibRand Reserve, Wolvedans is nestled amidst the red desert dunes against of backdrop of...
Desert Homestead
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Desert Homestead lies in a sheltered valley south east of Sesriem and Sossusvlui, with far reaching views of the...
Grootberg Lodge
Damaraland
Perched on the rim of the Etendeka Plateau, Grootberg Lodge stands sentinel over the Klip River Valley. 12 rock and...
Schoeman's Skeleton Coast Safaris
Skeleton Coast
Skeleton Coast Safaris is a small, family-run operation that have organised flying safaris to this remote corner of the...
Serra Caferma
Skeleton Coast
Hidden within the enormous Hartmann Valley, overlooking the rapids of the Kunene River, Serra Caferma is one of the...
Okaukuejo Camp
Etosha National Park
Okaukuejo Camp stands near the southern entrance of Etosha National Park, at the western end of the famous Etosha Pan....
Camp Kipwe
Damaraland
Camp 'Kipwe' is designed creatively into large granite boulders, facing out onto the rugged landscape of Southern...
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Namibia
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Namibia
Namibia Travel Guide
Central Highlands
Running down Namibia's spine the Central Highlands separate the Kalahari from the dunes of the Namib. Here the mountains jut into the sky in earthly magicience begging exploration. The rolling hills are the home to many of Namibia’s huge farms and ranches, many of which offer wonderful ‘guest farm’ experience where you stay and experience first hand what it is like to farm in such a vast terrain. To the east lies the Waterberg Plateau National Park, a flat-topped sandstone plateau rising 150 metres above the surrounding plains. The park is home to a number of endangered species including eland, sable and roan antelope and both white and black rhino and offers some fabulous hiking in pristine surroundings.
Damaraland
Damaraland is a barren wilderness in north western Namibia, where ancient valleys are filled with rocky deserts, petrified forests and the towering Brandberg mountains. Caves here still contain original Bushman paintings and desert elephants roam, having adapted to the dry environment over centuries of evolution. One of the main attractions of Damaraland is the concentration of Black Rhino. This is the only place on earth where these rare animals survive without support, making it an unlikely arena for extraordinary wildlife, differing to the rest of the country.
Windhoek
The main observation most visitors to Namibia’s capital city make is that it feels surprisingly European. Colonised by Germany in 1890, it has remained heavily influenced by German style, food and architecture since, despite gaining independence in 1990. Set right in the centre of the country, Windhoek is surrounded by mountains, and it contains a mixture of modern and colonial architecture and wide, sun-drenched streets. The city centre is just 45 kms from Windhoek International Airport and 5 kms from Eros airport, making it easily accessible, too.
Etosha National Park
Dominated by a giant salt-encrusted pan, Etosha is Namibia’s largest national park and a prime game viewing location. Visitors are more than likely to see many different buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lion at the edge of the natural and man-made watering holes, and further afield, elusive leopard and cheetah stalk the plains and woodlands. When the salt pans flood temporarily during the rains, pelicans and flamingos fill the shallow waters before they quickly seep away.
Namib Desert & Sossusvlei
Dating back 55 million years, the Namib is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. Sitting in western Namibia and reaching over the border into Angola, it is home to towering dunes, rocky desert, dramatic canyons, and valleys containing salt and diamond mines. Undoubtedly the most iconic area of the Namib Desert is the Sossusvlei: a region of huge red and orange dunes which are whipped into razor-sharp peaks by the strong cross winds, surrounding a salt and clay pan. Constantly in transition, these dunes are also inhabited by antelopes, gazelles and desert elephants.
Swakopmund
Where the desert dunes sweep down to the ocean on Namibia's western flank, lies the coastal town of Swakopmund. Namibia’s second largest town lies 280 Km west of Windhoek and is typical of the German culture found in all major settlements in Nambia, with colonial architecture, atmospheric streets and delicious seafood.
Fish River Canyon
Plunging gorges, raging torrents, and sheer cliffs edges which drop 550 metres vertically: the Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world and no less dramatic than its big brother, America’s Grand Canyon. This gigantic ravine follows the Fish River, which winds its way past the sulphurous Ai Ais hot springs in the south, known locally as ‘burning water’.
Skeleton Coast
Stretching from the northern Kunene River to the Ugab River in the south, the Skeleton Coast national park is best known for its shipwrecks. A ghostly atmosphere fills the foggy shoreline, where dried-out bones of whales and seals, left over from the whaling industry, line the sands. The constantly crashing waves are so powerful, it’s almost impossible for ships to launch off this coast into the Atlantic Ocean, but in the past vessels have been marooned here by the offshore rocks hidden by the treacherous seas.
Caprivi Strip
A narrow arm of land jutting out east from Namibia’s north east corner, the Caprivi Strip stretches out between Botswana to the south and Angola to the north. A cultural pick n mix of Namibian tribes, it has been the sight of recent civil wars, and remains a unique example of tribal politics and controversy over boundaries. An essential area for the preservation of the endangered Wild African Dog, it consists of forest, grassy plains and wetlands which have been divided into four national parks.
Luderitz
A small harbour town on the southern stretch of Namibia’s Atlantic coastline, Luderitz is said to be positioned in one of the least inhabitable positions in Africa. The resident seals, flamingos, ostriches, African penguins and dolphins don’t seem to agree, as they inhabit the coastline all year round. It’s sister town, Kolmanskop, was once a successful diamond-mining village, but has now become a ghost town filled with eerie buildings constantly battered by the swirling coastal winds.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Namibia
Namibia Travel Information
Visa Information:
UK Passport holders do not require a visa to visit Namibia.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip and it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Namibia, but you must have a yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. You should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend protection against Malaria and Yellow Fever. You are strongly advised to seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Namibia
