NAMIBIA: HIMBA TRIBES, NAMIB DESERT, KOLMANSKOP GHOST CITY, WINDHUK, ONGAWA PRIVATE RESERVE, ETOSHA
Namibia - the oldest landscapes of the earth

Namibia's famous desert elephants can be seen in the Hoanib Valley, Damaraland as well as in the Kunene region. The rivers here are almost always dry, and elephants use their trunks and tusks to dig holes and reach the water under the sand. In addition to elephants, here you can see dune lions, hyenas, jackals and many small and rare animals. Safari here is unlike any other in Africa.

Nearly one third of Namibia's coastline is not accessible by car, so Skeleton Coast is traditionally viewed from the air on a scenic flight. The reserve takes its name because of the many wrecked ships that were wrecked in the local insidious, resembling the skeletons of sea monsters. Seals and birds are the diet of jackals and hyenas. Even lions live in some parts.

Etosha National Park is without doubt one of the greatest in Africa. Private reserves share the territory with it, where the safari is more exclusive and only for guests living in them. There are salt marshes on the territory of Etosha, so the landscapes of the park are special, and the watering places are very lively. The park is home to lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes and a huge number of antelopes.

Just to quote a post from our clients:
Overnight in the desert, when the nearest town is 50 kilometers away, and there is not a soul around in the full sense of the word. We were lucky to have a team of organizers who took care of luxurious tents and a great dinner with wine and ice cream ... There are no words to describe what the desert looks like at night under the light of the moon. By the way, it was a family VIP tour!

Another magical place, in Namibia it is considered a place of power. Spitzkope, rock carvings, bushmen, and an overnight stay in a hotel carved into the rocks. The best place to take pictures of the night sky.

Again the desert, but now swallowing the city. In 1908, diamonds were found in Kolmanskop for the first time in Namibia. They were found right in the sand, even in the light of the moon. Thanks to this, the city instantly grew, but after 28 years an even larger diamond deposit was found on the Orange River, and Kolmanskop was thrown at the mercy of the desert, which gradually absorbs it. ... Today it is an open-air museum.

Swakopmund is a small resort town at the junction of the Atlantic and the desert, hence its unusual mild climate, when it is + 25C all year round. 10% of the population are native Germans. Here you can have a great rest after an active travel in the desert or find new adventures: fishing, cruises, adrenaline wheelchairs along the dunes, and other excursions. Here you can taste the most delicious Namibian oysters.

Drive off near Svakomund. The Lagoon at Wolfish Bay is home to many birds, including pelicans and flamingos, cormorants and seagulls. Dolphins and seals live in the bay. All this can be seen by going on a cruise. Most catamarans serve lunch with oysters and champagne.

A trip to Africa would not be complete without getting to know the local culture and people. There are dozens of different peoples, nationalities and ethnic groups in Namibia. But the most colorful and distinctive are Himba, Bushmen, Herero and Damara. It is very rare to see such people in the 21st century. In Namibia, you can do this, and not only see, but also immerse yourself in their life from the inside.

If you are into active, adrenaline-pumping and sporty, there is plenty to do in Namibia. Riding from high dunes with a board, riding quads, bikes or walking safari is not the whole choice.

The next stop is space. Namibrand Private Nature Reserve is huge and unusual in that it is considered a nature reserve of the night sky without a pole. It is sooooo dark at night, because hundreds of kilometers away there is not a single settlement and a source of artificial light. All astronomers and space lovers here!

The harsh natural environment has given rise to many amazing and unique plants and trees in Namibia. The most unusual representatives of the flora are the welwitschia and the quiver tree (kokerboom), which are already tourist attractions in themselves.

The greenest corner of Namibia - the Caprivi strip is located in the northeast of the country and borders Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It has the highest rainfall in Namibia. The rivers Kavango, Kwando, Zambezi, Chobe attract numerous animals - elephants, crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and others. The tropical climate attracts many birds.

Namibia is a country of cheetahs, home to one third of the world's population. In addition to those in the wild, you can see and touch cheetahs at the Cheetah Conservation Center and learn amazing facts about the life of these unique animals. You can stay in Naancuse, this is near Windhoek, where they usually offer a night on arrival or before departure with a program on cheetahs, caracals, rhinos, meerkats.

Some people are shocked by life in townships, while others are interested in seeing different aspects of life in Namibia.

The main attraction in southern Namibia is Fish River Canyon, the second largest in the world after the American Grand Canyon. Hold your jaw because the views are breathtaking. The canyon can be viewed in transit, you can stay at one of the lodges, you can visit the hot springs nearby, or take a scenic flight. For active there are 4-day tracking

Irindi Private Reserve is the second largest in Namibia after Etosha. Like most lodges in Etosha, there is also a lake with night lights. Guests can enjoy dinner and watch the animals come out to the night watering hole right in front of the hotel's terrace. In half an hour we counted 3 rhinos, one lion and many antelopes. This is a very unusual feeling.

Shark fishing. Perhaps the most "adrenaline" fishing in Namibia. The weight of your possible trophies can be up to 150 kg. Fishing is mainly carried out according to the “catch and release” rules, which means that the caught fish is released into the ocean.

After long hauls through the vast expanses of Namibia, a leisurely canoe ride on the Orange River is perhaps the best way to relax. And for those who like to be on the move all the time, there are 4-6 day canoe tours with overnight stays in camps under the stars, food is cooked over a fire. No technical training is required, you can take children from 6 years old. During the rafting, you can do fishing.

The last of the free black rhinos roam the Kunene River region, just like the desert elephants, rhinos have adapted to arid habitats. They drink every 3-4 days and can climb rocky hills to catch the refreshing breeze. If you come here, you will see not only rhinos, but also cheetahs, big-eared chanterelles and elephants

Cape Cross is home to the largest fur seal colony on the planet. Some colonies have more than 100 thousand individuals. It's interesting to watch their behavior. Babies and mothers, males defending the territory. There is a loud din on the shore, and the only thing that requires effort is to overcome the pungent smell.

Okonjima is another private nature reserve in Namibia half way between Windhoek and Etosha. Here you are sure to see all the big cats, as well as rare species of animals, including the striped and spotted hyena, and the secretive pongolin. You will also learn about several projects to preserve them. The reserve has several lodges and camps from where you can stay in a modest tent or in a luxury villa

All of them are remarkable for their unique design and the way they fit into the surrounding nature. Since there are no large cities in Namibia except Windhoek and Swakopmund, the specifics of hotels in nature reserves are in seclusion. When you arrive at the hotel, you realize that you are in wild and unspoiled places.