This rugged region of granite mountains, dry riverbeds and open plains contains some of Namibia's most compelling desert scenery. Visit Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing thousands of ancient rock engravings, and look for desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos in the surrounding wilderness.
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Namibia things to see and do
Damaraland
Fish River Canyon
In southern Namibia, Fish River Canyon cuts dramatically through an arid plateau, creating a vast landscape of layered cliffs and deep ravines. Viewpoints near Hobas offer impressive panoramas, while the challenging multi-day canyon hike is available seasonally and requires advance arrangements.
Skeleton Coast
Stretching along Namibia's remote Atlantic shoreline, the Skeleton Coast is a haunting landscape of fog-shrouded beaches, shifting dunes and shipwrecks. Cape Cross, south of the national park, is home to a vast colony of Cape fur seals, while the more remote northern sections are generally explored on organised expeditions.
Windhoek
Namibia's compact capital, Windhoek, blends German colonial-era architecture with the energy of a contemporary African city. Visit landmarks such as the distinctive Christuskirche and Independence Memorial Museum, browse local markets and sample Namibian cuisine at the city's restaurants. The capital is also the starting point for many journeys into Namibia's vast desert landscapes and wildlife reserves.
Etosha National Park
Etosha's vast salt pan and numerous waterholes make wildlife viewing particularly rewarding, especially during the peak months (August to October). Elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and antelopes are frequently seen, while the park is also an important refuge for black rhinos.
Lüderitz and Kolmanskop
The coastal town of Lüderitz is known for its colourful German colonial-era buildings and stark desert surroundings. Nearby Kolmanskop, once a prosperous diamond-mining settlement, is now a photogenic ghost town where sand has swept through abandoned houses and public buildings.
Sandwich Harbour
South of Walvis Bay, immense Namib Desert dunes plunge towards the Atlantic Ocean at Sandwich Harbour. Access is generally via a guided 4WD excursion, with routes crossing sand dunes and tidal beaches depending on conditions.
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
Deep in the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is surrounded by immense red-orange dunes that change colour with the shifting light. Climb one of the accessible dunes for sweeping desert views, then explore nearby Deadvlei, where centuries-old camel thorn trees stand against a white clay pan framed by towering sand.
Swakopmund
Set between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean, Swakopmund combines German colonial-era architecture with a relaxed seaside atmosphere. It is also a base for activities ranging from sandboarding and quad biking to scenic flights over the desert and coast.
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