Destination Fly4free: Namibia

The spectacular Namibian landscapes attract people from all over the world. With stunning deserts, towering dunes, savannahs, fascinating wildlife and abandoned diamond mining towns, this country is the perfect destination for a trip of a lifetime!

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Skeleton Coast

The northern part of the Namib Desert coast is quite inhospitable for ships. The cold water of the Atlantic’s Benguela current colliding with dry, warm air causes dense ocean fogs and heavy surf. The coastline of the oldest desert in the world is littered with whale bones and more than a thousand crumbling shipwrecks. Most of them lie buried deep in the sand but some can be seen up close. Only 800 people a year are allowed to visit Namibia's Skeleton Coast.

One of the coast's best-known wrecks is a German cargo ship, the Edouard Bohlen, which currently rests half-buried inland after crashing in 1909. Through the years, the coastline changed and the desert began to encroach on the ocean. Now the shipwreck is located about 500 meters (1640 feet) from the shore. Check the exact location on a map >>

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Start planning your next trip with Lonely Planet’s travel guide >>

How to get there:
Check out the flight deals to Namibia we’ve found for you:

• Flights from Portugal for €272 >>
• Flights from Spain for €402 >>
• Flights from Germany for €471 >>
• Flights from the UK from £390 >>

Where to stay:
In Windhoek we encourage you to stay at Rivendell Windhoek for only €29/night with excellent reviews and free cancellation.

In Etosha National Park the three main camps (Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni) offer various types of accommodation from camping to chalets overlooking floodlit waterholes. Situated deeper in the park are the more exclusive camps (Dolomite and Onkoshi). In Namutoni you can stay at 4* Mokuti Etosha Lodge for €112 per night with excellent reviews

The waterhole at Okaukuejo has the reputation of attracting rhinos and elephants and visitors who spend the whole night here will probably see one. We recommend you to book 4* Toshari Lodge for €91 per night. This well-reviewed property is situated 25 km south of the Anderson Gate into Etosha National Park.

In Namib Naukluft Park the best starting point to Sossusvlei desert camp is Sesriem, a tiny settlement in the Namib Desert. You can stay at Hammerstein Lodge & Camp Sesriem for €92 per night with good reviews.

What to do:
Get behind the wheel and set out on the open road in a self-drive safari. If you don’t like to do the driving yourself, you can easily join a tour group and explore the country assisted by an experienced tour guide. A fly-in safari is an interesting alternative to cover the great distances in Namibia, especially if you are short of time.

Land, air and water-based adventures include 4×4 trails, birdwatching, skydiving, kayaking, windsurfing and kite boarding along the coast. Ride a quad bike through the desert to admire the spectacularly-mountainous dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Feel the splash of the Okavango Delta from a dugout “mokoro” canoe. You can also discover local traditional culture and rituals. If you dream of immersing yourself in another culture, Namibia offers a variety of volunteer programs focused on wildlife conservation, health care and teaching.

The Fish River Canyon is a popular hiking destination. The monumental five-day hike is 86 km in length. The trail traverses half the length of the canyon, and tests the limits of your physical and mental endurance. It requires good health and can only be undertaken during the cooler months (May – September). A permit from Namibia Wildlife Resorts in Windhoek must be obtained. Much easier hikes are offered in the Canyon Nature Park and Gondwana Canyon Park.

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Namibia from Studio_M on Vimeo.