Deadvlei
Namibia is Africa’s most underrated gem. While Kenya and South Africa get more attention, Namibia stuns with otherworldly dunes, ancient clay pans, the Atlantic colliding with the desert, and colorful coastal towns. Planning a trip isn’t easy. Distances are vast, logistics tricky, and lodging limited, but the payoff is unmatched.
Entry is simple with an online eVisa (about USD 90). Bring a valid passport, travel insurance, accommodation details, return tickets, and proof of funds. Extra documents apply for travelers from yellow fever countries.
On my trip, I explored Windhoek, stayed inside Namib-Naukluft National Park to see Sossusvlei and Deadvlei at sunrise, and ended with coastal days in Swakopmund. Each stop showed a different side of this unforgettable country.
WindHoek Old Train Station
Windhoek: A Capital with History and Charm
I began my journey in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, where I stayed two nights at the Avani Windhoek. The hotel made the perfect base, with modern rooms, a rooftop with city views, and an easy walk to many of Windhoek’s key landmarks.
The city itself is compact and easy to explore, with a fascinating mix of German colonial architecture, lively markets, and contemporary cafés. Highlights included:
Christuskirche (Christ Church): Early-1900s red-roofed Lutheran church, Windhoek’s top landmark with glowing stained glass.
Alte Feste (Old Fort): Former German HQ, now part of the National Museum with history exhibits and city views.
Old Train Station: A beautifully preserved colonial-era station that now houses a small railway museum, offering a glimpse into Namibia’s transport history.
Centuries-old trees at Deadvlei
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei: The Desert Icons
From Windhoek, I traveled by transfer about 5–6 hours south to Dead Valley Lodge, located inside Namib-Naukluft National Park near Sesriem. Staying inside the park was key. It meant I could access the dunes before sunrise and avoid the long lines at the gate
Dead Valley Lodge
Over three days, I explored Namibia’s most famous desert sights:
Deadvlei: A dry white clay pan dotted with blackened, centuries-old camelthorn trees. It’s surreal, like a natural art installation.
Sossusvlei Pan: A vast salt and clay pan that stretches endlessly in every direction.
Elim Dune: Towering dunes offering panoramic views if you’re ready for the workout.
Afternoons back at the lodge were for cooling off by the pool or simply enjoying the silence of the desert. The scale and beauty of this region are impossible to capture fully in photos, you have to see it yourself.
Sandwich Harbour
Swakopmund: Where the Desert Meets the Atlantic
After the desert, I headed to the coast for five nights in Swakopmund, staying at an Airbnb. The town feels like a piece of Germany dropped onto Namibia’s Atlantic shore, with colonial-era buildings, ocean breezes, and sandy beaches.
The Lighthouse and the Mole: Swakopmund’s iconic waterfront landmarks.
The Railway Station: Now a hotel, it’s one of the city’s architectural gems.
Sandwich Harbour Tour
Sandwich Harbour Tour: From Swakopmund I joined a 4×4 tour to Sandwich Harbour, one of the only places on earth where massive desert dunes drop straight into the Atlantic Ocean.
Swakopmund also offers plenty of adventure, quad biking, sandboarding, boat tours, but I used this stretch to relax, and explore at a slower pace.
Panoramic views from the Elim Dune
Final Thoughts
Namibia isn’t the easiest destination to plan. The distances are vast, the logistics can be tricky, and getting the right accommodations takes effort. But that’s part of what makes it special. Fewer tourists mean you often feel like you have these incredible landscapes to yourself.
From the history of Windhoek to the otherworldly dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, to the relaxed charm of Swakopmund, Namibia delivers a mix of culture, adventure, and natural beauty that’s unlike anywhere else in Africa. For me, it was one of the most rewarding trips I’ve ever taken and proof that sometimes the hardest journeys are the ones most worth doing.