Namibia is not usually the first country people plan to visit on a trip to Africa, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful countries in the region and has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler. The country gets its name from the stark, and hauntingly beautiful Namib desert, an essential stop on a visit to Namibia.

Our recommendation for an unforgettable experience, is to spend a couple of nights in Sossusvlei to experience sunset over the unmistakable red sand dunes of Dead Vlei. The next morning, take an energetic, predawn hike up the enormous Dune 45 in time for the most magnificent sunrise. The Namib is an excellent destination for stargazing, with it’s dark and clear night skies.

A few days in one of the region’s best game reserves, the largely unfenced Etosha, will reward you with sightings of highly adapted wildlife and birds. Add the historic, German influenced seaside town of Swakopmund and the remote and uninhabited Skeleton Coast to complete your Namibian adventure.

Recommended length: 12-18 nights