Namibia

Namibia brings scale and silence to a Southern African itinerary — red dunes, gravel plains, and a wildlife experience quite unlike the river-and-bush safaris further east. It works as an extension from Victoria Falls via the Caprivi, or as a leg of a longer regional journey.

Where you will go

• Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) — the easiest link from Victoria Falls, with river lodges, wetland birding and elephant along the Kwando and Chobe rivers.
• Etosha National Park — game viewing around floodlit waterholes on the edge of a vast salt pan; exceptional for rhino, lion and elephant.
• Sossusvlei — the towering red dunes of the Namib, best climbed at sunrise.
• Swakopmund — a coastal stop with desert activities, useful for breaking up long drives.

When to come

May to October is dry, cooler and best for wildlife, with game drawn to waterholes in Etosha. The green season, roughly December to March, is hotter with occasional dramatic storms, but the landscapes photograph beautifully and rates are lower.

Practical notes

Namibia rewards time — distances are long and the driving is a large part of the experience. We would generally suggest a minimum of five days for the Caprivi and Etosha, or fly-in options if your schedule is tight.