Sossusvlei
One of the most spectacular sights in Namibia!
The Namib Naukluft Park is one of Africa’s oldest and certainly one of the most spectacular National Parks on the continent. A combination of the rocky Naukluft Mountains and wide open plains that gives rise the huge towering red dunes that reach more than 1000 feet, astound the visitor with the stark beauty and makes Sossusvlei one of Africa’s most photographed destinations. The “vlei” itself is a clay pan surrounded by these dunes and on rare occasions following heavy rainfall, the floodwaters find their way to the pan to create a large body of water surrounded by extreme desolation. Most of the time the pan remains dry and is riddled with maze-like cracks caused by the baking sun. Most of the lodges in this area are set on the plains between the Naukluft Mountains and the dunes. When selecting your lodge please take into consideration that none of them are actually right among the dunes. Kulala Desert Lodge is the closest with spectacular views, while the rest of the lodges are within a short drive. This allows for diversity in activities ranging from walking trails through the mountains, to exploring and climbing the “red giants”.
Damaraland
Situated to the east of the Skeleton Coast National Park and southwest of Etosha National Park is the breathtaking mountainous region of Damaraland. Here, an assortment of unique desert-adapted animals, such as elephant, zebra and lion, seek out an existence in this near-barren landscape. Not to be missed is the beautiful Brandberg, Namibia's highest mountain, which is home to thousands of ancient rock paintings - most notably, the White Lady. Nearby, the rocky outcrops of Twyfelfontein feature exceptional Bushmen etchings, which are considered to be some of the best preserved etchings on the continent. One of the region's more unusual habitats is the Petrified Forest, which dates back millions of years and offers a haunting landscape of gigantic fossilised trees, some up to 30 metres (100 ft) in length.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Ancient rock painting of the White Lady at Brandberg
- The Petrified Forest, where ancient fossilised tree trunks can be seen
- Exceptional Bushman etchings at Twyfelfontein
- Remarkable assortment of desert-adapted fauna and flora
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park, considered one of southern Africa’s finest wildlife parks, is Namibia’s prime wilderness conservation area. Spanning a vast 22 300 km² (8 610 square miles), the Park consists of a mosaic of vegetation types that surround a huge salt pan, which becomes a lovely lake after heavy rains. Etosha, meaning "Great White Place", hosts a vast array of wildlife, including four of the Big Five, as well as giraffes and rare species such as the black-faced impala, Hartmann’s Mountain zebra or the dimunutive Damara dik-dik.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Temporary water in the Etosha pan attracts huge flocks of flamingos
- Annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, springbok and oryx
- Frequent sightings of leopard
- Floodlit waterholes
- Excellent game viewing
