Namibia showcases some of the most beautiful landscapes in Africa, from the Hoanib River Valley to the Namib, the oldest desert in the world. Tourism Update rounds up some of the destination’s best-kept secrets.
1. Namibia in October
The ideal time to travel to Namibia is in October as the dry seasoning is ending and the daytime temperature starts to increase, say Chris Laskey, Marketing Manager for Africa Adventure Consultants. The cold Benguela Current keeps the coast cool and free of rain most of the year, especially in the Hoanib River Valley. “From October onwards, visitors can see a concentration of wildlife in the ephemeral river valleys,” says Laskey. Game species such as desert-adapted elephant and lion, giraffe and kudu tend to gather along these river systems and natural springs. “The dry months force herbivores into the Hoanib River Valley and the desert lions follow. This offers a good opportunity for visitors to see these rare carnivores,” adds Laskey.
2. Kayaking at Pelican Point lighthouse
Pelican Point lighthouse, which stands over the lagoon in Walvis Bay, is one of Namibia’s most unforgettable landmarks, according to Jeanne Meintjes, Owner and Operator of Eco Marine Kayak Tours.
Eco Marine Kayak Tours offers a two-and-a-half-hour kayaking tour around Walvis Bay. The tour begins in the morning at the lighthouse, for either single kayakers or pairs. Guests will kayak past the lighthouse and head towards Pelican Point where they will have the opportunity to see seals and dolphins alongside their boats.
3. Serra Cafema Camp in the Kunene region
Chris Laskey, Marketing Manager for Africa Adventure Consultants, says the best-kept secret in Namibia is definitely Wilderness Safaris’ Serra Cafema Camp. The camp is in the extreme north-west of the country, on the banks of the Kunene River in the Hartmann Valley, and is one of the most remote areas in southern Africa.
The camp consists of eight riverside wood, canvas and thatched villas on elevated decks. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan and mosquito nets. The main area comprises indoor and outdoor dining areas, a sunken lounge, library, curio shop and swimming pool, all showcasing views of the Kunene River.
Guests can experience rushing rapids below the camp and can explore the landscape by quad bike.
On the Kunene River. They can also view small herds of gemsbok, springbok, Hartmann's Mountain zebra and the Cape fox.
4. Wild horse safaris
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Kate Coleridge from Namibia Horse Safari Company, says the best-kept secrets are seen on the sand dunes of the central Namib. The company offers adventurers a unique horse riding tour, tracing the great dunes of the central Namib to the very edge of the Sperrgebiet National Park. Riders will cover diverse desert terrain, grassy plains and the rugged mountain reserve of Tiras and Klein Aus Vista.
They will also get to see and experience the home of the wild horses of the Namib. These horses have survived for more than 100 years in the Namib Desert and can be seen from the small town of Garub, just 20km west of Aus. The horses are said to have originated from the South African cavalry, which had set up camp in Namibia. The horses, panicked by shots fired from a low-flying German aircraft at the beginning of WW1, fled into the desert.
The tour also allows riders to experience the red dunes of the Namib; Kolmanskop, the old diamond ‘ghost town’ near Lüderitz; Etosha National Park for game viewing; and Swakopmund. Swakopmund is considered Namibia’s coastal playground where guests can enjoy a variety of activities that include dolphin cruises, scenic flights over Sossusvlei, sand boarding, sea-kayaking, skydiving, desert tours and quad biking.
