Discover Luxury Namibia Holidays

It is hard to explain the mysterious allure of Namibia. To the eye it can seem formidable: huge and barren landscapes, wind-swept deserts burnt by the sun and parched valleys, arid from no rainfall. But the secret to Namibia lies within this wildly beautiful land that will fascinate and enthrall. One of the most sparsely-populated countries in the world, and one with true conservation at its heart, Namibia challenges the mundane and champions the extraordinary. You won’t come home unchanged. 

Namibia is a country of remarkable experiences. Explore the oldest desert in the world, the Namib, which translates as ‘vast place’. Ascend a towering mountain of grey sand, with only the stars for light. Then watch as the sun peeks over a distant sand dune and bit by bit, the landscape changes colour, from grey, to yellow, to flaming orange and finally to a deep burnt red. Let the fiery grains of sand trickle through your fingers and take in the mesmerising view of the tallest sand dunes of the world, undulating and shifting around you. 

See how the desert is home to fascinating creatures who exist in this driest region on earth. Watch how beetles capture condensation on their backs, or observe the smaller desert elephant which have thinner legs from walking further for food and water. Although Namibia is not as densely populated with game as neighbouring Botswana and South Africa, the Damaraland region and Etosha National Park, which has some lush pockets of vegetation, offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to track desert-adapted black and white rhino on the dusty salt pan, see zebra and giraffe congregate at watering holes and have a good chance of spotting cheetah (Namibia has the largest quotient of free-roaming cheetahs in the world).

In the north, you can learn about native tribespeople who inhabit this area. With a sensitive introduction to the semi-nomadic Himba people, you can find out more of their traditional lifestyle including clothing made from calfskins, the ochre paste used to protect skin from the harsh sun and the intricate handcrafted jewellery they make.

Toward the coastline of Namibia the landscape gradually merges from desert into the Atlantic Ocean, on the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast, so named because of the bones of sailors, explorers and whales that once littered this stretch of coast line. Today you’ll see the stark skeletons of 18th century shipwrecks that met unfortunate ends in this misty region, where hot desert winds meet cool Atlantic waters and currents churn the sea. Look out for throngs of seals that gather on the beaches and further inland you may see oryx, springbok and flamingos dot the landscape. 

As your visit unfolds, you’ll discover a poetic stillness to the sparse scenery, and quiet moments of reflection start to come easily amongst the wide-open spaces.  The emptiness around you becomes fulfilling and like the animals of Namibia, you’ll adapt to this solitude, and realise that with isolation comes a serene feeling of peace. That’s the real secret of Namibia.

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