5 Off-the-Radar Namibia Travel Experiences for Explorers

Namibia is a fascinating country located in the South African region. Many tourists are aware that Namibia is one of those rare countries that has been able to preserve its historic culture and landmarks from time. Some landmarks are exactly the same as they were centuries ago. This is probably due to the fact that Namibia is the second least densely populated country on earth (after Mongolia). Whether you want to get away from home or people in general, we put together a list of five Namibia Travel experiences that will get you packing your bags and booking that flight to Namibia. Get out of your comfort zone and jump on the journey of a lifetime!

Leo’s at the Castle

When you arrive in Namibia, you’ll most likely land in the capital, Windhoek, searching for a tasty meal after a long flight. Do not worry, we got you covered with Leo’s At The Castle, a fine dining restaurant next to the Hotel Heinitzburg. Located on top of a mountain overlooking the city, Leo’s provides a mixture of classic tableware and modern furniture to create a high class setting. The menu offers a wide variety of Namibian and international cuisine and the food is freshly prepared and seasoned to perfection. You cannot go wrong choosing the chicken breast filled with fresh thyme and kaffir-limes as an entrée. The Namibian Trio of Game dish that offers flavorful and tender wild game meat is also destined to leave your mouth watering upon first glance. If you are not staying at Hotel Heinitzburg, make sure to make a reservation here as it may fill up quickly. Ask to be seated at the edge of the terrace outside of Leo’s to get a fantastic view of the sunset while you enjoy your delicious and authentic dinner!

Kolmanskop Ghost Town

The Kolmanskop Ghost Town is ideal to visit after you pay homage to Windhoek because it is located in the Namib Desert which is known to be the world’s oldest desert. In 1908, a German man found a diamond while working in the area and showed it to his supervisor. They quickly discovered that the whole area was a vast diamond mine and subsequently used the diamonds to invest in building a town. The town originally offered several institutions like a hospital, ballroom, school, theatre, casino, sports hall, and power station, but the inhabitants slowly started leaving after the first World War when there were not many diamonds left. By 1954, the town was completely devoid of people. Visitors may purchase a pass to explore this eerie location if they dare. Due to weathering and strong forces of the desert, tourists must walk in knee-deep sand to get an intimate look of this well preserved piece of history.

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are arguably the highlight of Namibia and why most visitors choose to fly there. They are giant, salty clay pans encircled by sand dunes that have a red hue. It is a common mistake to assume that Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are one in the same attraction but they are separated by 5.9 km (approximately 3.6 miles). The road to Sossusvlei ends 5 km  (approximately 3 miles) before reaching Sossusvlei’s base which means that you will have to walk the distance or take the shuttle service there. Try to arrive early in the morning to catch the sunrise and because it is a 1.5-2 hour hike, which is easier to do when the weather is cooler. We suggest you visit both Sossusvlei and Deadvlei since they are so close together and finish the excursion climbing the Big Daddy at the edge of Deadvlei. Big Daddy is known for being the largest sand dune in the world and is bound to give you an adrenaline rush on the way down as well as great quality photos!

Twyfelfontein Rock Art

Can you imagine roaming the planet six thousand years ago and living to tell your story? These stone age hunter gathers from the Wilton Stone Age culture group were able to do just that and left behind paintings of what they experienced. Visit the Twyfelfontein landmark located in the Huab Valley in the southern region of Kunene, Namibia. Once there, you will find fourteen smaller sites that feature rock engravings from the Wilton Stone Age hunter-gatherers that lived about 6,000 years ago, as well as from the Koikoi ethnic group who also left behind rock art about 2,000-2,500 years ago. Some of the animals represented in these engravings include giraffes, rhino’s, horses, lions, and deer. Come to Twyfelfontein and experience this otherworldly phenomenon for yourself, you will not be disappointed!

Etosha National Park

There is no better way to end your trip then by visiting the Etosha National park located in northwestern Namibia. It spans 8,600 square miles and is home to a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and some endangered species such as the black rhino. There are over a handful of camps and safari groups that for a price, provide you to a firsthand tour walking amongst the wildlife. The lovely aspect about this national park that stands out from the rest is that you do not need much of an expert’s opinion to find the wild animals. Simply go near the water holes and the animals will come to you as they seek to quench their thirst. Animals that are commonly seen while on your expedition include, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, giraffes, leopards, honey badgers, zebras, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, and many more!

We have provided a list of the best things to do, foods to try, and animals to sight-see while traveling in Namibia. Whether it was the 6,000 year-old wall paintings in Twyfelfontein or the uncanny mood given off by the Kolmanskop Ghost Town, let us know which one of these sights convinced you to book a flight to Namibia the most!