Top 10 Things to Do in Namibia Based on My Experience

Looking for the best things to do in Namibia? Good. Just don’t expect a list of fake hidden gems. Namibia’s best experiences are popular for a reason: Etosha, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Cape Cross, Fish River Canyon, and the desert activities are the trip.

As someone who's traveled far and wide (literally, considering Namibia's driving distances), I can tell you that tourists usually flock to the same few places simply because that's usually the actual best that there is to see in the country. 

The same is true when you visit Namibia. Don't let anyone fool you with promises of "hidden gems."There are no secret waterfalls or undiscovered hiking trails waiting to be uncovered. 

 

Sand. Just sand everywhere...
 

So, let's focus on the experiences in Namibia that are actually worth your time and that you'll be telling your friends about for years to come. Even if other people, like me, have already done them first.

Read more from my Namibia travel blog.

 

You could also be interested in reading:

• 15 Tips for Self-Driving in Namibia: Avoid Common Mistakes and Maximize Your Adventure
• 10 Tips on Discovering Namibia’s Wildlife: How to See the Animals?
• Etosha National Park Safari: 9 Tips on Planning Your Perfect Visit
• All You Need to Know About Fish River Canyon: 18 Top Questions Answered

 

 

At a glance: the top 10 things to do in Namibia

Adventure, surprises and a lot of wildlife

The things to do in Namibia I’m about to tell you about might seem crazy but I promise they’re 100% real. I lived them all myself!

1. Etosha National Park Safari—So much wildlife to explore I even started getting bored of lions and elephants. A trip to Namibia is incomplete without it.

2. Tommy’s Living Desert Tour—Geckos and snakes welcomed me to the Namib Desert.

3. Cape Cross’ seals—So many seals you might even step on one. The only place worth going in the of the Skeleton Coast.

4. Skeleton trees in Namib Desert—A classic photo op spot in Namib Naukluft National Park for you Instagrammers out there.

5. Cheetah watching at Babson House—You can’t get closer to cheetahs than this. (And you probably don’t want to.)

6. Climbing Dune 7—It’s cool to be able to say I conquered the country’s tallest dune in 20 minutes.

7. Quad biking on the sand dunes—I got my dose of adrenaline without leaving the precious ground.

8. Experience Fish River Lodge—The closest to camping I’ll get.

9. Ride a hot air balloon or skydive—I'm a land animal, but these are perfect for the true adrenaline junkies.

10. Take a night safari—Encounter creatures under the night sky you won’t get to see when the sun is out. They might even chase you!

 

Check out the ultimate 2-week Namibia itinerary here.

 

Make sure you have a full tank of gas—Namibia won’t be friendly to you if you don’t have a sturdy vehicle. Got one? Ok, let’s get into it!

 

1. Self-drive in Etosha National Park Safari

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I really enjoyed driving this beauty across the Namibian landscape
 

The safari in Etosha National Park is Namibia’s largest, and best, safari so it’s one of those must-haveexperiences in Namibia. This place is an absolute gem and offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the world's coolest animals in their natural habitat.

As a big fan of rental cars, self-driving the safari is by far my favorite option (I use DiscoverCars).  Somehow sitting in my own vehicle and having full control of when and where I explored and how close I let those ostriches get before I rolled up my window, made it all the more exhilarating.

Etosha is home to a great variety and a great number of wildlife (even though one of the Big Five took a raincheck—there’s no buffalo to be found in any watering holes). I spotted so many animals I turned into David Attenborough and started narrating my drive in an English accent. 
 

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We observed these peaceful giraffes from a safe distance and from the stable, solid, and comfortable Toyota Hilux.
 

 

What to expect in Etosha National Park

The national park covers a vast area, so you have a lot of ground to cover in the 2–3 days that I recommend you spend there. I mean, yeah, you can stay longer, but the thrill was kind of gone after a zillion and one lion spottings. Yeah, there’s so much wildlife I got over it after a while.  

To plan your visit, read my full Etosha NP guide to figure out where to stay, how to get in and how frustratingly long it takes to buy tickets even if you’re the first one there.

Pro tip: if you go during dry season (June through October) you'll see the most wildlife.

 

 

2. Search for critters in the sand on Tommy’s Swakopmund Desert Tour

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I totally fell in love with all of the critters on Tommy’s Living Desert Tour
 

I love snakes, and the thought of going out and exploring to find some serpents right in the sand makes me squeal and do a happy dance (internally, of course, like a real man).

There are many desert tours in Namibia, but the tour I am wholeheartedly endorsing is Tommy’s Living Desert Tour specifically. It’s one of the best things to do in Namibia hands down. They work out of Swakopmund, Namibia’s adventure capital.

If road trips and coastal scenery are your thing, you’ll also love these things to do on South Africa’s Garden Route.

I don’t know what type of desert spell the animals are under, but when the guide started calling out for the critters, the geckos and snakes turned into puppies and I swear I saw them happily run up to the guide as if they were old buddies. It’s hard to describe if you haven’t been there, but you’ll have to take my word for it.

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Tommy’s Living Desert Tour is the best thing you will do in Namibia! It’s like a scavenger hunt, but with wild snakes and lizards
 

The local guides are knowledgeable and entertaining, and they really know their stuff. They have a tour every morning and sometimes in the afternoons, too, if it’s not too insanely hot. As much as I love snakes, I get it, I have my temperate limits too. ).

I was taken out into the desert south of Swakopmund in a jeep-type vehicle for 4–5 hours, and then got the chance to look for and find all kinds of desert creatures. Like real-life Pokémon hunting. After I was done exploring and searching for snakes and other little sand fellas, I got to prance around on the sand dunes a little before heading back to the city.

Pro tip: Stay in Swakopmund, a lovely coastal town that history buffs will enjoy.

 

3. Get stinky with seals in Cape Cross at Skeleton Coast

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You can see the wooden walkway that helps you walk among the seals unharmed—they can bite if you get too close, especially if you’e dealing with a mom seal
 

Ah, Cape Cross. A place where you can get up close and personal with thousands of seals and be hit with the scent of death. Fun times, right? Well, believe it or not, visiting the seal colony at Cape Cross was actually one of my favorite and most fascinating activities to do in Namibia.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. "Seals? Seals aren’t that interesting…?" But let me tell you, there's something magical about watching these blubbery sea creatures in their natural habitat, surrounded by the beautiful Skeleton Coast. 

The colony of over 100,000 seals is really something special. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The adorable little pups frolicking around in the waves were my favorites, obviously. Just don’t get too close to them, or their mothers will shoot you terrifying glares, I still get chills thinking about.

But oh boy, the smell. It's like a punch in the face that lingered in my nostrils (and clothes, and hair) for days. So if you're into unique olfactory experiences, this is definitely the place for you!

 

A flock of seals in Cape Cross
 

And if you're worried about getting too close to the action, there's a handy wooden walkway that lets you observe the seals from a safe distance—though in places where the railing is in need of repair, I found myself stepping over some seals that made it onto the walkway. Hey, it’s that much more up close and personal!

I visited Cape Cross from my base in the lovely coastal town of  Swakopmund.

Pro tip: If you want even more seals, there’s another giant colony to explore in Walvis Bay's Pelican Point. You'll find lots of pink flamingos there, too. Sandwich Harbor is another good option if you decide you want to see all the seals in Namibia.

 

4. Pose with skeleton trees in Sossusvlei (Namib Naukluft National Park)

The skeleton trees in Deadvlei
 

Luckily for all of you Instagram-happy travelers, it’s not that hard to visit the Namib Desert’s iconic lifeless trees and take snap after snap to your heart’s content.. So they're not exactly lush vegetation, but that's part of the appeal, no?

Where? The adventure starts in the Sossusvlei area of Namib Naukluft National Park, accessible from the Sesriem entrance gate. In the heart of the oldest desert in the world I found several dried-out salt and clay pans (or “vleis”), each with its own (but honestly really similar) charm.

The most iconic of them all is Deadvlei, where the white clay ground contrasts perfectly with the surrounding sand dunes. I don’t know what I was more excited about—the cool trees, or the fact I was seeing a color other than orange for the first time in ages. Yep, one of my favorite things to do in Namibia was see colors. The desert starts to feel like a ghost town after a while.

 

Follow the signs to the individual destinations in Sossusvlei
 

These petrified trees used to be camel thorn trees, and they've been dead for over 600 years. They have been scorched so badly by the sun that they aren’t even decaying as you’d usually expect from a dead plant. For centuries, they’ve been still stand tall and proud, posing endlessly for your photos. Talk about dedication to their craft!

Pro tip: Be sure to pack plenty of water and sun protection, or risk turning into a scorched zombie just like the trees. This goes for your entire trip to Namibia.
 

This is me, posing for my photo
 

And speaking of being prepared, self-driving is definitely the way to go. If you're feeling brave enough to tackle the sands all the way to Deadvlei, you'll definitely need a 4x4. There’s a reason sinking into the sand did not make the top 10 list of things to do in Namibia. It might be free, but it’s the opposite of fun  (thank you, Mr. Ranger sir, once again, for preventing our certain death).

Want to add Sossusvlei to your bucket list? Check out my Sossusvlei guide to see how to get there, where the trees are at, and how not to get stuck in the sand. You can also book a guided tour online.

 

5. Spot cheetahs right from your veranda at Babson House

You can even see cheetahs right from the veranda of the Babson House!
 

There’s one fabulously fast feline that I had difficulty spotting anywhere else in Namibia: the Flash of the animal kingdom, the cheetah. But a visit to the Babson House all but guarantees a front-row seat: here, cheetahs literally come so close to the house that you can just relax on your veranda and see them.

But overlooking the Waterberg Plateau are several game farms with private lodges that have come together to form the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The result? You can spot cheetahs from the comfort of your own terrace, and sometimes even from your own bed! (They won’t snuggle up with you, though, sorry to say.)

 

Other amazing options for cheetah sightings

If you don’t manage to get a room at the Babson, I recommend staying at any of the other lodges that fall under the Cheetah Conservation Fund for extra good karma points, since they are doing excellent work for the protection of the spotty animals. It’s one of the most wildlife-friendly things to do in Namibia.

Alternatively, at Okonjima Plains Camp, you’ll be able to sit in bed and stare out your window to see a variety of game just hanging out on the property (no cheetahs though). They even do leopard tracking trips that sound amazing.

Pro tip: Whichever lodge you choose, always make sure that you are supporting true conservation efforts and not shady businesses. Some aren’t as altruistic as others. 

 

6. Climb Africa’s highest sand dune (Dune 7)

Dune 7
 

If you know anything about this country, climbing sand dunes will not sound like a unique thing to do in Namibia. And I agree that once you’ve climbed one or two, you've seen them all. But no matter what you’ve climbed before, you can’t miss Dune 7.  It's the tallest dune in Africa, standing at a whopping 383 meters (1250 feet) tall.

It's absolutely insane to me that this much sand is on Namibia's western coast, not far from the Atlantic Ocean. A giant dune near giant water? Something you'll only find in the southern hemisphere. The nice thing—for lazy people—is that you can drive right up to it. No need to trek anywhere, there’s a parking lot at the foot of Dune 7.

The nice thing—for lazy people—is that you can drive right up to it. No need to trek anywhere, there’s a parking lot at the foot of Dune 7.

But Climbing Dune 7 is no easy feat. Even though this isn’t the tallest dune in the world (that would be Duna Federico Kirbus in Argentina at 1,230 m/4,000 ft), it still required a solid dose of determination and a willingness to push myself forward even as the sand pushed me back. 

I could almost hear Dune 7 laughing at me as I tried to make my way to the top, going one step forward and two steps back. But with each step, I felt a sense of accomplishment, and you should make it to the top in 20 minutes max.
 

Taking a look back at the “parking lot” at Namibia Dune 7
 

If you’re worried about all the slipping and sliding, get to Dune 7 early in the morning, when the sand is when the sand is still cool and hard (the Namib Desert is hot in the day, but freezing at night!). OR head out for sunset, when the cold is creeping back in, cooling that sand mound the heck down. 

Dune 7 is located close to the beachside resort town of Swakopmund.

 

7. Quad bike on giant dunes in Swakopmund

I recommend trying quad biking in the Namib Desert
 

I got my adrenaline fix by tearing through the Namib Desert on a quad bike. Yes, it's the oldest desert in the world, but that just means it's had plenty of time to perfect its dune game.

I did quad biking in Swakopmund, and would do it again in a heartbeat. It’s an exhilarating experience that doesn't involve the risk of a botched parachute or other similar certain-death experiences (you can tell I’m more of a land animal, like my beloved snakes).

Plus, I saw snakes and lizards flopping around in the sand while I drove along the surrounding dunes! It was like a real-life safari on wheels, making it one of the most unique things to do in Namibia. You can book tickets online for this awesome adventure.

Pro tip: For more sandy off-road adventure activities, try out dune buggies or fat biking in  Swakopmund , the adventure capital of Namibia. Just be prepared to eat a little sand along the way. Even though it's next to the Atlantic Ocean, it's still a desert—always bring water wherever you go!

 

8. Sleep right on the edge of Fish River Canyon at Fish River Lodge

Fish River Lodge—the best accommodation you could choose!
 

If you're looking for an activity that's equal parts exhilarating and comfortable, you'll definitely want to check out Fish River Lodge in southern Namibia. Because tents are a no for me, and I assume they’re a no for many of my readers, too.

A little tent rant: Personally, I prefer to appreciate the great outdoors from a safe and comfortable distance—you know, with walls, a roof, and a bed that isn't made of rocks and twigs. Call me crazy, but I just don't understand the appeal of crawling into a tiny fabric box and hoping that a bear doesn't mistake me for a chew toy. But hey, to each their own. 

BUT, a tent pro tip: The better camping site at Fish River Canyon is in Ais-Ais, just in case you ARE that type and were wondering

 

The perks of staying at Fish River Lodge

Not only does Fish River Lodge have cozy bungalows with huge windows, perched literally on the edge of one of the world’s largest canyons, but the amazing staff was happy to take my bed outside onto the veranda for me. I do like the campy feeling, you know—just without the camping part. 

I was also able to swim on the canyon’s edge in the onsite swimming pool with a great view of those dramatic cliffs and eat on the canyon’s edge in the superb restaurant (like the food is actually really good, not just “good” as in it’s ok to eat since there’s nowhere else to go anyway).

Another huge point for staying at Fish River Canyon is that they're also the only ones authorized to take visitors into Fish River Canyon for day trips. Self-guided trips into the canyon aren’t allowed, and for some of the cooler trips that are on offer, you’ll need to be a guest at Fish River Lodge. Plus, they’re also the only ones that can take you on a drive on the canyon floor.

 

Fish River Canyon
 

To learn about all the hike alternatives (including the daunting 4–5-day full hike with, yikes, camping!), how to go about getting permits, getting a guide and where to find the best viewpoints, check out my full review:

 

 

9. See the whole beautiful country via a hot air balloon or skydiving

Namib Desert from a helicopter—like a wild, orange ocean
 

After the biking experience, I craved even more heart-pumping things to do in Namibia. And where better to look than the literal sky? There are safer ways to see the Namib Desert via a scenic flight. like gliding quietly through the air in a hot air balloon, but where's the fun in that? Why not jump out of a perfectly good airplane instead?

Fine, so I wasn’t quite ready to take the leap (pun intended), so I took a private helicopter ride for a more James Bond-esque experience. All I was missing was a martini (shaken, not stirred). I got to see what felt like endless horizons and breathtaking views. It was a great way to appreciate the sheer scale of this country's wide open spaces.

A few tips for operators that are well reviewed (not by me, but still): Sossusvlei Lodge offers hot air balloon trips, and Kulala Desert Lodge has helicopter tours for those looking to up their cool factor (it’s also one of the lodges directly within Sossusvlei, giving you the unique opportunity to see incredible views of the sun rise over those skeleton trees!).
 

I’m more of a land animal
 

For the truly adventurous (or crazy), there are skydiving options available in Swakopmund. If you're feeling lucky, why not try your hand (or feet) at falling through the sky and hoping your parachute opens? And if it doesn't, well, at least you went out with a bang (literally)! I always say that the desert sucks the life out of me, so this would be a morbidly hilarious way to die.

 

 

10. Going out after dark for a night safari (Etosha, Caprivi, Damaraland)

You might get a chance to see these guys actually do something 

 

I didn’t travel all the way to southern Africa to not experience the most truly wild and unique things to do in Namibia—namely, a night safari. It's like a regular safari, but without the sun or light pollution and with more danger. Just kidding (sort of).

Seriously though, night safaris are a unique and thrilling way to experience Namibia's wildlife. I spotted animals rarely seen during the day, like hyenas, leopards, porcupines, and the elusive aardvark, and some that I also saw during the day, like lions and giraffes, but with the added dramatic nighttime backdrop. Let's be honest, who doesn't love a good, evening aardvark sighting?

 

 

How to take a night safari tour in Namibia

If you’re like me, you prefer to manage your own trips and steer clear of tour operators unless absolutely necessary. Well, the danger of getting chosen as some wild animal’s midnight snack is one of those times when you’ll want someone to show you the ropes. , I asked anyway, but nope, it’s not possible  to self-drive to any safari destinations at night

Tour operators often operate out of lodges and campsites, and night safaris are possible in places like Etosha National Park, the Caprivi Strip, and Damaraland. I was taken in a vehicle and, using strong lights, the guides pointed out animals in the distance, and some even up close. Seeing the silhouettes of a group of giraffes walking slowly against the night sky was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen.

 

You also get to see the calmer animals 

 

We ended up stalking a lion for over half a kilometer as he walked on the side of the road right next to the car. It was wild, I felt like a complete and total loser thanks to the absolutely zero fucks given by Mr. Lion King about the stupid humans staring at it from the windows. It an unforgettable experience, I’ve never been more excited to be ignored in my life.

So go ahead, embrace your wild side when you visit Namibia, but remember—you don’t want to dangle your limbs outside of the car, as apparently those could look yummy enough to the lions that they would break their promise to ignore human tourists. Or at least get travel insurance first.

 

Final thoughts: the top 10 most unique things to do in Namibia

Namibia proves that popular places deserve the hype

 

I’m no crowd follower, but the top 10 most unique things to do in Namibia are definitely among the most popular. But cut me some slack. I wouldn’t tell you to go to Namibia and NOT take a night safari or skip Tommy’s Living Desert Tour. It wouldn't be a dream trip otherwise.

Namibia doesn't have a ton of places to visit in the first place—it's one of the world's most sparsely populated countries—so trying to create a list of just truly unusual experiences would end up with me listing something like "taking a selfie with a giant rock" as a must-do activity.

Which is just ridiculous. Stick to the tried-and-true things to do in Namibia instead, and I guarantee you’ll have an epic trip to Namibia. Just try not to get eaten by a lion as you go.

 

 

Pro tip: If Namibia makes you fall in love with southern Africa, don’t miss the best things to do in Cape Town next.

 

 

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