Namibia - Africa’s Eden Tourism

Namibia

Namibia beckons with its surreal beauty – where crimson dunes meet cerulean skies in the Namib Desert, wildlife roams freely in Etosha National Park’s expansive plains, and the Skeleton Coast reveals haunting shipwrecks along its desolate shores. Swakopmund’s blend of German architecture and adventure thrills, coupled with Damaraland’s ancient rock art and desert-adapted wildlife, creates a tapestry of experiences.

Your options are endless!

Beyond The Victoria Falls and the towns of Livingstone and Victoria Falls lies a vast wilderness of untamed beauty – Africa’s Eden. Africa’s Eden includes conservancies in the four countries, encompassing several National Parks, other protected areas and wildlife estates. This continuous landscape, unified under KAZA, covers a staggering 520,000 sq. km and is home to thousands of different plants, hundreds of species of animals, fish, and birds, and comprises numerous migration routes. These combined conservancies offer a wide variety of options for wilderness, safari, conservation and adventure activities for visitors to Africa’s Eden.

Bwabwata National Park

The Bwabwata National Park is very special in that it supports a large wildlife population and a large human population. The lion does not lie down with the lamb, and there is inevitably conflict between people and animals (particularly elephants). Nevertheless, the major accomplishment of the Bwabwata National Park is that human and wildlife are now living in a status quo that offers tremendous benefits to both conservation and rural community development. Described by Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba as ‘one of a new generation of parks’, the Bwabwata National Park is pioneering ‘a live and let live’ conservation ethic.

Damaraland is a vast expanse of wilderness, dotted with free-roaming wildlife and sparse settlements. Renowned for its desert-dwelling lions, rhinos and elephants this rugged landscape is said to be the largest “unofficial wildlife area in Africa. It transitions from the dunes of the Skeleton Coast to montane desert, interspersed with high plateaus, deep ravines and seasonal rivers. Rich in archaeological landmarks and places of historical interest, Damaraland also attracts adventurers who hike and climb the countless unexplored mountains and valleys. The area has a large variety of accommodation available, ranging from the most basic campsites to luxurious 5-star lodges.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is located in northern Namibia, approximately 435km (270mi) from the capital, Windhoek. Proclaimed in 1967, the park encompasses 22,270 km2 (8,600 sq mi). The word Etosha means 'the place where no plants grow', a fitting name for this harsh desert environment that is ranked as Namibia's most popular park. Much of the park's area comprises a vast salt pan, and the mineral salts it contains ensures highly nutritious fodder for the park's abundant wildlife, with water provided by a network of artificial waterholes. Four of the Big 5 can be viewed here (lion, leopard, elephant and rhinoceros), along with unusual species like the gemsbok. The desert habitat also offers bird watchers some unusual sightings.

Katima Mulilo is a relatively small town, set amid lush vegetation on the banks of the Zambezi River. The relatively new Katima Mulilo bridge has led to an increase in development but there is much to be done to modernise the infrastructure. The town is the capital of the Zambezi region, and thanks to the local airport, there are signs of a growing wildlife tourism industry developing. The town offers a selection of guesthouses and a handful of hotels to use as a base for wildlife-related activities.

Khaudum National Park

Wilderness is indeed the Khaudum’s comparative advantage. The park, situated in north-eastern Namibia bordering Botswana, has less than 3 000 visitors annually and there are few tracks through the deep Kalahari sand. More elephants than people are seen around the park. It is a refuge for African Wild dog and Roan antelope, Lion, Cheetah and Leopard are also found here.

Mudumu National Park

Without any fences, Mudumu forms a crucial transboundary link for wildlife migration and seasonal dispersal between Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia and for seasonal migrations to and from the rivers. One of Mudumu’s main purposes is to serve as a core wildlife area, supplying wildlife to neighbouring conservancies that can then sell trophy hunting rights to professional hunting outfits and develop tourism on their own land.

Nkasa Rupara National Park

Nkasa Rupara National Park formally known as Mamili National Park was officially proclaimed on 1 March 1990, just days before Namibia gained Independence. This is the largest wetland area with conservation status in Namibia, and is a haven for wetland species. When the flood waters from the Kwando River are high, the park becomes like a mini Okavango Delta.

Skeleton Coast National Park

The Skeleton Coast National Park stretches for 500 km (310 mi) south of the Kunene River along the Namibian coast, reaching 40 km (25 mi) inland, covering an area of 16845 sq. km (6504 sq mi). It is a harsh desert environment, dependent largely on heavy fog for moisture, with the landscape rising from the Atlantic Ocean into an extensive dune field, later punctuated by semi-arid vegetation, contrasting the verdant Kunene wetlands in the far north. Vast colonies of seals line the shore, while the interior is home to desert-adapted wildlife, including lions, rhinos and elephants. Accessible only by 4x4 vehicle and air charter, the park offers both government and privately-owned lodge accommodations.

Sossusvlei is a desert attraction situated within the Namib-Naukluft National Park in southwestern Namibia. It ranks as the country's best-known destination for its spectacular panoramas and stark landscapes. The word 'Sossusvlei' means dead-end marsh, the area being a dried-out salt and clay pan caused by dunes diverting the flow of the Tsauchab River. Only in years of exceptional rainfall does the pan fill with water, otherwise remaining dry and punctuated with the skeletal remains of acacia trees. The area is also notable for the dunes, said to be the highest in the world. It is accessible year-round, with shuttles available for those with a 4x4 vehicle. The area is popular with photographers.

Commonly referred to as Swakop, the coastal resort town of Swakopmund lies on the Atlantic coast of central Namibia. Roughly five hours drive from the capital, it is popular with Namibians on their holidays, also drawing visitors from further afield. The city is marked by distinctive German architecture, a remnant of the country’s colonial past, with some quipping it is the southernmost German North Sea town. From a tourism perspective, Swakopmund is regarded as the adventure capital of Namibia and serves as the base for numerous adventure activities by air, land and water. As a result, a wide range of accommodation options caters to all market segments.

Windhoek is Namibia's capital, situated more or less in the middle of the country. It sits in a valley on a high plateau, sparing it the worst of the Summer heat. It is easily accessible by both road and air but has no public transport services, with only taxis available. Nevertheless, the city is well laid out and easy to navigate. Windhoek itself has few tourist attractions but serves well as a springboard to destinations further afield. It has a large selection of accommodation options - from budget to luxury - and there are several good restaurants and a couple of museums and galleries worth visiting if staying for more than a night.