Desert Safaris

Welcome to the only true desert in southern Africa, where red sands and towering dunes span over 160,000 km2. Indigenous peoples have roamed its arid expanses for millennia, taking cues from desert-adapted wildlife and finding sustenance in a place where very little grows.

The Namib-Naukluft National Park protects much of the Namib Desert, creating a safe haven for wildlife like lions, oryx, and elephants. Some of the desert’s more curious inhabitants include aardvarks, brown hyenas, and Namaqua chameleons.

Not only is it a unique wildlife destination, but the Namib Desert also offers visitors the chance to explore the dunes through a range of immersive activities, including hot air balloon safaris, quad biking, and dune climbing.

Why Should You Go on This Experience?

Surreal Scenery

Explore one of the world’s oldest and most visually stunning deserts, filled with towering red dunes and ancient riverbeds peppered with evidence of wetlands long since disappeared.

Desert Safaris

Get more than a glimpse of unique landscapes that play host to some of Africa’s strangest wildlife, from elusive desert-adapted lions and elephants to side-winding snakes and aptly-named darkling beetles.

Feel Rested

Experience absolute tranquillity and remoteness at some of Africa’s finest desert lodges, where your only concern will be where to enjoy your well-deserved sundowners.

Get Active

Engage in thrilling activities like dune climbing and walking desert wildlife tours, or start your engines and explore the desert by quad bike.

Best Destinations for Desert Safaris in Namibia

Namib-Naukluft National Park

Home to iconic sites like Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, the Namib-Naukluft National Park is one of Namibia’s premier attractions. Here, some of the tallest dunes in the world cast shadows over ancient riverbeds and hardy wildlife.

Skeleton Coast

Known for its striking desert-meets-ocean scenery, the Skeleton Coast is so named for the countless shipwrecks that jut from the sand and the long-forgotten seal and whale skeletons that once littered the beaches.

Damaraland

Namibia’s northwestern region offers a blend of desert landscapes and unique geological formations, as well as some of Africa’s oldest rock art at Twyfelfontein.

Five Tips for Desert Safaris

1. Timing is Key

Visit during the cooler months (May to September) for comfortable temperatures. In summer, Namibia can be hotter than anything you’ve experienced before.

2. Choose Guided Tours

Opt for expert-guided desert safaris for safety and insights. Whether you’re after large animals or Namibia’s tiny desert curiosities, an expert guide will take your experience to a new level.

3. Wear Layered Clothing

Pack for both warm days and cool nights. Temperature swings in the desert can be dramatic, so you always need to be ready for any conditions.

4. Stay Hydrated

Carry ample water during desert explorations and remember to keep drinking throughout the day.

5. Make Time for Photography

Bring a camera to capture the dramatic landscapes, especially at sunrise and sunset. You might even go home with shots worthy of framing!