Walking holidays in Namibia
It’s no wonder we’re wild about our Namibia walking holidays. A stunning land where desert sands meet the sea, this southwest African country is packed with one-of-a-kind experiences for adventurous souls. You can step foot on sky-high sand dunes, admire some of mankind’s most ancient cave paintings, and search for the world’s largest population of wild cheetahs all in a single trip.
Ancient art and timeless sands
The ancient rock paintings in the desert at Twyfelfontein are believed to have been carved by the San people over 6,000 years ago. And while the San may be long gone, today, Himba tribespeople still live in remote desert regions and keep their traditional way of life alive. The so-called ‘red people’ are famed for using ochre-coloured body paint and for taking smoke baths rather than using water.
Elsewhere there’s the Namib – the endless sandscape that gave Namibia its name. The world’s oldest desert looks remarkably good for its age (around 80 million years old) and the towering, wind-sculpted sand dunes at Sossusvlei deliver eye-popping views over Namibia’s golden landscape. Take plenty of water and tackle the aptly named Big Daddy – one of the highest dunes on earth at 325 metres tall.
Wild adventures
Expect bountiful animal sightings in Namibia, most notably in Etosha National Park. During the dry season, a zoo-worthy assortment of animals gather around the park’s small number of watering holes which makes spotting cheetah, elephant, giraffe, zebra, black rhino, and lion highly likely.
The wildlife-watching opportunities don’t end on land, either. Down by the coast, you can look forward to a catamaran cruise on the South Atlantic in search of seal, leatherback turtle, sunfish, humpback whale, and rare Benguela dolphin.
An intriguing capital
When you’re not out on safari or sailing around the coast, spend time in the Namibian capital, Windhoek. The name means windy corner in Afrikaans – and it’s a breeze to explore. Compact and well kept, this easy-to-love city wins hearts for its 19th century castles, Lutheran churches, fascinating museums, and Afro-European dining scene.
