A visit to Namibia is incomplete without a wildlife safari. Some of the best game viewing can be done at the country’s premier safari destination, Etosha National Park. On the Caprivi Strip, bird watching is the main thing to do, but in both of these places, visitors can enjoy luxury accommodation in the midst of the wilderness.
If the Etosha National Park and the Caprivi Strip don’t quench your appetite for adventure, hiking through the spectacular landscapes of the Fish River Canyon or exploring the Namib Desert via four-wheel drive might just do the trick. Volunteering with any of Namibia’s environmental conservation organizations is an alternative holiday activity that is also worth considering.
Arguably the most popular thing to do in Namibia is go on a wildlife safari, something that visitors can do in any of the national parks. Marvel at elephants, lions, zebras, wildebeests, ostriches, and other creatures of sub-Saharan Africa. The premier destination is Etosha National Park, centered around the natural desert-like depression known as the Etosha Pan. The waterholes here become gathering areas of animals during the dry season. Lodges such as Okaukuejo Camp, located within Etosha itself, provide modern accommodations and comprehensive safari tours.
The Caprivi Strip in Namibia’s northeast extends to the great Zambezi River of central Africa. This strip of land, often called the panhandle, is the country’s premier spot for bird watching due to the tropical nature of the wetland paradise. Islands in Africa is a well-known luxury property in the area that provides visitors with top-notch amenities and tours along the Chobe and Kwando Rivers.
Visitors to Namibia are usually beckoned by country’s spectacular landscape. One of the best hiking destinations in perhaps all of southern Africa is Fish River Canyon. Hikers can walk the Fish River Canyon Trail which takes a number of consecutive days to complete. The most popular lodge in the area is Canon Lodge, located about 12 miles from the main viewpoint. Meanwhile, tours can be arranged via Fish River Lodge, which offers a full-on camping experience.
The Namib Desert is a playground for thrill-seekers and taking in the spectacular sand dunes of the Sossusvlei on the southern edge of the Namib via four-wheel drive is an activity not to be missed. The dunes are some of the highest in the world and best seen at sunset when the light casts vivid orange, red, and brown colors across the inhospitable desert. African Budget Safaris is a reputable and knowledgeable Cape Town-based travel company that provides all-inclusive tours to all major destinations en route.
Once visitors are done enjoying the rich wildlife of Namibia, they can give something back by volunteering with local charities. There are many organizations to take part in, which usually involve environmental preservation. People and Wildlife Solutions, or PAWS, is one of the better-known groups dedicated to sustaining the natural ecosystem of the area. PAWS also works with the AfriCat Foundation, one of the world’s largest animal welfare organizations, which advocates the conservation and release of Africa’s big cats, particularly cheetahs and leopards.