Namibia
Namibia
Soul of the Earth
About Namibia
Namibia was the first country in the world to write the protection of its environment into its constitution.
This single fact reveals its soul: where nature, in its most brutal and ancient form, is revered.
But this is not a land of gentle landscapes; rather, Namibia is a land of extremes, of struggle for survival. It is a journey through surreal, cinematic vistas. It is the towering, apricot-hued dunes of Sossusvlei, among the highest in the world, guarding the skeletal trees in the silent, sun-baked pan of Deadvlei.
It is the haunting beauty of the Skeleton Coast, where those dunes meet the violent waves of the Atlantic, littered with the bones of whales and rusty shipwrecks. It is the colossal gash of the Fish River Canyon, second only in scale globally to the Grand Canyon.
And it is the vast, glittering salt pan of Etosha National Park, where desert-adapted elephants, lions and critically endangered black rhinos congregate at life-giving waterholes.
Top travel tips for Namibia
Did you know
Namibia has the largest free-roaming population of black rhinos and cheetahs in the world, proof of its successful conservation efforts.
Namibia’s distances are vast, and the majority of roads connecting key sites are gravel, which some people are unaccustomed to. People also drive on the left, which may be unfamiliar. Speak to your Travel Architect on how you’re going to get around efficiently, comfortably and safely
Book everything in advance: because of the remote nature of the lodges and the limited number of rooms, it is essential to book your accommodation many months, or even a year, in advance, especially for travel in the peak season (June to October)
Stay hydrated and supplied: you can drive for hours without seeing another car or a shop. Always travel with a large supply of drinking water and snacks. It’s always a good idea to also have a first-aid kit and a physical map, so as not to rely on mobile phone service for navigation
Embrace the early mornings: the light of the desert is most magical at sunrise and sunset. This is also the best time for photography and when animals are most active
Prepare for a digital detox: barring major centres such as Windhoek and Swakopmund, Wi-Fi is often slow, intermittent or completely unavailable. This is your opportunity to truly disconnect from the world and connect with your surroundings
For me, Namibia represents not only ties of family and friendship but also the effort to find the balance between humans and the environment so crucial to our future. ”
