From Desert to Coast

The capital of Namibia, Windhoek, is a city of striking contrasts that exemplifies diversity – a vibrant, contemporary metropolis with deep roots in Africa, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Join the locals on a morning walking tour of Windhoek’s must-see attractions like the Christuskirche, Alte Feste, and Tintenpalast. You’ll get a glimpse of the lives of the Herero people, who have kept their traditional clothing, rituals, and culture.

Etosha National Park offers a unique safari experience thanks to its wide-open grasslands, a salt pan that can be seen from space, and an abundance of wildlife.

The park’s shimmering horizons and abundance of elephants, wildebeest, zebra, and springbok will astound you. The lodge’s traditional shebeen (casual bar) is a great place to sip cocktails as the sun sets.

Though it’s a high desert environment, sample some delicious local wines. Go hiking with a guide or embark on relaxing sunset drives. Visit a nearby San village, and then, in contrast, enjoy the buzzing promenade of Swakopmund and sample some of Namibia’s regional cuisine. Enjoy a beautiful flight over the stunning rolling dunes and rocky shore to get a fresh perspective on the city.

If you’re looking for action, Swakopmund has a lot to offer. You can go sandboarding down the dunes, go quad biking across the desert, or take a desert tour to learn how the local wildlife survives this seemingly barren landscape. To see seals, dolphins, pelicans, or even the “Marine Big 5,” board a catamaran from Walvis Bay to Pelican Point if the ocean is beckoning.

Take your own iconic photos of Sossusvlei’s striking red sand dunes, Deadvlei’s eerie landscapes, and the petrified camelthorn trees that dot the white-clay pan. Visit Walvis Bay to see the beautiful pink flamingos and ascend the Namib Desert’s tallest sand dune to see the huge area below. Continue your adventure across the Tropic of Capricorn, and you’ll eventually end up back in Windhoek, where your Namibian adventure began.