Namibia "in a nutshell"

Namibia is located in the southwestern part of Africa and shares borders with Angola, Botswana, and South Africa. Characterized by the Namib Desert along the Atlantic coast, the Kalahari Desert in the south, and the water-rich north, Namibia is one of the most beautiful and pleasant travel destinations in Africa. The mix of African cultures and European influences shaped by German colonial rule is unique. Namibia is well-suited for self-drivers who have little or no experience in Africa. The country offers so much stunning nature and friendly, helpful people that one visit usually isn't enough.

Our tip for connoisseurs: Take your time upon arrival. It's worth stopping by the MTC shop in the arrival hall of Windhoek Airport to get the right prepaid SIM card and then taking a taxi or transfer to your hotel. After that, you can contact the car rental company and allocate about 2 hours for the vehicle handover, either on the afternoon of your arrival or the next morning. In the evening, you can enjoy Joe’s Beerhouse with its original but touristy ambiance, or the Stellenbosch Wine Bar with excellent steaks in a romantic courtyard.

From Windhoek, you can traverse the Namib Desert on various gravel roads ("pads") and inevitably end up at the Atlantic coast, near the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Despite the stark and rugged landscape, the sheer dimensions and vastness will undoubtedly leave a strong impression. The sand dunes almost all have names or numbers and are a MUST for all Namibia travelers.

Our tip for connoisseurs: Right at the park entrance, you'll find the Sossusvlei Lodge. Although quite large, the lodge offers appealing accommodations and provides great tours to the dunes. Bungalow 145 is the only one with a whirlpool in the middle of the desert - so decadent that it becomes cool again. And in the evening, a lovely barbecue is offered under the starry sky.

From Sossusvlei, we recommend heading north towards Swakopmund (a German town in the middle of Africa) and the Erongo Mountains to the Etosha National Park. The Etosha National Park is Namibia's most significant wildlife conservation area. It encompasses the Etosha Pan, a periodically filled salt pan so vast that it's visible from space. Etosha originates from the Ovambo language and means "large white place." Once you're in the Etosha Park, you'll realize how fitting this name is, as the fine white dust finds its way into everything. Finally, here, every Africa newcomer can experience his first safari.

Our tip for connoisseurs: Early risers should cross the Etosha Park from east to west to have the sun at their backs. Avoid staying in the state-run camps inside the park; the infrastructure and service there are not on par with the lodges outside the park.

Northwest of the Etosha Pan, in the Kaokoveld and Kunene Region, lies one of the most remote and wildest regions of Namibia. This is the home of the Himba, a pastoral people who maintain their millennia-old traditional way of life almost unchanged. The men tend to their cattle or sheep, while the women, in addition to maintaining the huts and children, must also prioritize their appearance.

Our tip for connoisseurs: If you want to encounter the most important Namibian ethnic groups in one place, visit the weekly market in Opuwo - a sensational experience. We also recommend the drive from Opuwo to the Epupa Falls and then along the Kunene River to Ruacana. However, this is only recommended for experienced off-road drivers with a good 4x4 vehicle.

Northeast of the Etosha Pan lies the water-rich north with the Kwando, Okavango, and Zambezi rivers. Here, the Namibia travelers truly immerse themselves in Africa, hearing frogs and hippos at night and waking up to a bird concert in the morning. Until 2013, this area was called Caprivi Strip (named after Leo von Caprivi, the successor of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck at the end of the 19th century); today, it's known as the Zambezi Region.

Our tip for connoisseurs: Set aside 7-10 days for a tour through the Zambezi Region, including a visit to the Chobe Riverfront in Botswana and a side trip to Victoria Falls. For Victoria Falls, it's worth entering Zimbabwe; the falls are truly impressive from there. If you're into colonial vibes, we recommend staying at the world-famous Victoria Falls Hotel - a journey well worth it.

"I never wake up in Africa and do not feel happy."
(Ernest Hemingway, Writer)