Namibia
Dramatic. Immense. Incongruous. Namibia is a whispered promise of pure adventure.
If one place deserves the gong for best deserts and dunes, it’s Namibia. Hemmed in between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, its seascapes, gargantuan dunes, and shimmering white flats are rightly some of the most photographed landscapes on earth. But don’t assume it’s lacking in nature’s riches: tumbling surf, dense bush, and deep rivers make it one of southern Africa’s best places for wildlife, from big cats and elephants to rare black rhinos.
Experiences
Race over the dunes in 4x4s and on quad-bikes; meet indigenous Himba nomads, one of the last authentic nomadic tribes in Africa; take an exhilarating low-level flight along the Skeleton Coast; explore mammal skeletons, shipwreck sites, roaring coastal dunes, windswept plains and seal colonies, coming home to luxurious camps; dance around the camp fire; cruise the Kunene River scanning for crocodiles; hike dry riverbeds and encounter extraordinary desert creatures from rhino and elephants to gemsbok, springbok, and zebra; hike the craters of extinct volcanoes and meteorite impact sites; fish for sharks off the beach; soar in a hot air balloon over the burning red dunes of Sossusvlei at sunrise.
Where to Stay
Remote camps accessible only by light plane; traditional thatched chalets; authentic indigenous mud-huts lavishly upgraded; harmonious luxury lodges in the Namib desert.
When to Go
Almost always dry, July to October is arguably the best albeit busiest time.