Top 5: Sights to See in Namibia

Hippos on the Chobe River, Caprivi Strip, Namibia © Mogens Trolle | Dreamstime

Namibia is one of the world’s least densely populated countries, making it a top choice for nature lovers and photographers looking to capture its awe-inspiring landscapes. Ranging from stark deserts to lush wetlands, here is our Top 5 Sights to See in Namibia:

Fish River Canyon

The Fish River carved out this canyon around 500 million years ago. It is more than 160 kilometers long, up to 27 kilometers wide and reaches a depth of 550 meters. The southern end of the canyon is Ai-Ais, a natural hot spring oasis at the base of the mountains.

Skeleton Coast

A desolate but picturesque landscape, the Skeleton Coast garnered the ire of explorers for centuries. Fog, storms and surf caused hundreds of ships to run aground, making it the biggest ship graveyard in the world. Native bushmen named it “The Land God Made in Anger” and the Portuguese referred to it as “The Gates of Hell.” The water is cold and choppy, but people come here for the scenery and coastal fishing.

Twyfelfontein

Petroglyphs of Twyfelfontein, Namibia © Kamchatka | Dreamstime

Colloquially known as /Ui-//Ais, Twyfelfontein is a collection of more than 2,000 petroglyphs located in the Kunene region of northwest Namibia. Hunter-gatherers and Khoikhoi herders inhabited the site for 6,000 years, being used as a place of worship and shamanist rituals. UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

Caprivi Strip

Lying in stark contrast to the arid conditions of the rest of the country, Caprivi is a rich wetland bordered by rivers and containing an abundance of wildlife. This narrow strip of land is perfect for water-based safaris and bird watching, and there are even houseboats to stay in along the Ichingo River.

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei

Sossusvlei is a salt and clay pan located in Namib-Naukluft National Park of the Namib Desert. The dried-up lake bed is surrounded by many sand dunes more than 200 meters high, including Big Daddy that reaches a height of 380 meters. The name often refers to the collection of neighboring pans, namely Deadvlei. The “dead marsh” is one of the most photographed places in the world, marked by dead Acacia trees that give the place a mysteriously picturesque quality.