You may have heard (or even read) that Namibia spans thousands and thousands of square Kilometers with unsurpassed sand dunes of the Namib desert featuring prominently on the country’s landscape. What you may not know is that there’s more to this Sothern African country nestled between the Kalahari and the Atlantic Ocean than the sand dunes. Here’s why you need to embark on a Namibia Safari for an African experience like no other.

The Damaraland Safari

Damaraland may be arid, but this vast, uninhabited area has much more up its sleeve. The mountainous backdrop is indisputably breathtaking, and the night sky is a carpet of stars. The northern section of Damaraland is not only less arid but is bursting with magnificent flat-topped mountains, meandering rivers and acacia woodland as well as rolling grasslands.

One of the sites that you should not miss is the rock art at Twyfelfontein, Damaraland’s main claim to fame. Touted as the greatest outdoor art gallery on the planet, this World Heritage Site boasts of close to 5000 carvings and paintings, created nearly 6 to 10 centuries age by the Khoikhoi hunter-gathers. If you want to have a taste of what Africa has to offer in terms of spell-binding landscapes, Damaraland is the place to be.

The Etosha Safari

Regarded as one of the greatest wildlife safaris in Africa, the Etosha National Park is arguably one of the safest, easily navigable and most gratifying big game destinations in Southern Africa. If you’re on a self-drive safari, you will enjoy seeing a wide range of animals besides having the opportunity to take spectacular photos at game packed waterholes. Some of the animals you’re likely to come across in Etosha include the endangered cheetah and the black rhino. Zebras, leopards, giraffes, elephants and rare species of antelopes such as the black-faced impala and the Damara dik-dik also roam the Etosha.

Kaokoveld Safari

Lying between the Etosha National Park and Kunene River along the Angolan border is a region known as Kaokoveld. Kaokoveld is possibly the largest unexplored wilderness area in Namibia. The land has extreme weather, interspersed only occasional torrential downpour. However, this is the best place to indulge in the culture of the Himba, a nomadic and pastoral community famed for their ability to endure the unforgiving arid weather. Birdwatching along Kunene River may be a great experience while taking game drives may take you to see the rare and desert-adapted wildlife. The way of life in Kaokoveld is changing rapidly due to the encroachment of tourism in the area, thus if you want to see the Himba in their true environment, you need to take a Namibia safari sooner rather than later.

A safari holiday on Namibia is a great idea especially if you’re a wildlife enthusiast. The infrastructure is decent, and the destinations are easy to access. If you’re and independent traveler, self-drive safaris could be an option too. There’s plenty of remote, exclusive and luxurious accommodation to meet everyone’s needs. Irrespective of whether you’re traveling with your family, alone or your spouse, a Namibia safari will meet and perhaps exceed your expectations.