- Ais Ais
This is a great place to head for if you're finishing or starting a trip, or wanting a base to explore the Fish River Canyon. There are no backpackers here although there is camping.
- Sesriem/Soussusvlei
The wonderful sand dunes you see in all National Geographic pictures are located here. There is no backpacker but you can camp.
- Luderitz
Slap bang in the middle of the Diamond Coast, Luderitz is a sweet little town.
- Swakopmund
Germany in the middle of the desert.
- Windhoek
Windhoek is probably the best place from which to organise your backpacking trip around Namibia as pretty much everything either starts or ends up here. There are some fantastic backpacking lodges in this city.
- Tsumeb
Tsumeb is the gateway to Etosha National Park and Northern Namibia.
- Etosha National Park
This is a fantasic wildlife park that shows a different face with every season. There are no backpackers here although there is camping.
- The Caprivi Strip
Rich in game, the Caprivi Strip is the shortest route between Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Namibia means different things to different people. But there's no doubt that the common thread through everyone's feelings is based on the awesome natural phenomenon of the country. The vast tracts of unpopulated land that stretch forever. The incredible Soussusvlei dunes. The ghostly coastline. The harshness. And of course, man's insignificance.
With a land surface nearly four times the size of Great Britain, Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa with an
estimated population of just 1.7 million people.
Situated along the south-western coast of the African continent, it is a land of remarkable contrasts. From the spectacular Namib dunes at Sossusvlei to the teak woodlands and waterways in the north.
From the Fish River Canyon descending into the depths of the desert to the top of a towering red Sossusvlei sand dune. From the ghost towns which haunt the countryside to the vast animal herds which roam the Etosha National Park plains.
Space. Sky. Sun. Sand. More than you’ll know what to do with. So if you’ve ever dreamt of driving alone, dust billowing, across a moody desert a la movie-style, here’s your chance.
The searing desert heat dissolves at the coast as it meets the cold Benguela current which surges up northwards from the icebergs of the Antarctic. This plankton rich flow from the South attracts fish, seals and sea-birds and supports a healthy fishing industry based at Luderitz
Diamond discoveries around Luderitz in 1907 sparked a massive diamond rush that eventually resulted in the discovery of the source at Oranjemond at the mouth of the Orange River in early 1920’s. Today diamonds are still recovered from the sea in what is the largest sea-reclamation mining site in the world.
The diamond rush of 1907 resulted in the building of Kolmanskop, a ghost town that is gradually being devoured by encroaching sand.
Travelling through the Skeleton Coast National Park you’ll stumble over loneliness, and perhaps a skeleton of one of the ships or whales that have succumbed to the harshness of this infamous stretch of coastline.
Is this where Alice popped up after climbing down the rabbit hole?
Herds of desert elephants migrate along river valleys in the Northwest Kaokoveld while gemsbok and springbok roam the plains. But the greatest concentration of all is in the Etosha National Park - one of Africa's greatest parks.
Places to Stay
- Chameleon Backpackers Lodge
Chameleon backpackers is a stylish, funky backpackers lodge in the centre of Windhoek.
- Paradise Garden Backpackers
You might meet Adam... Or not. But have a dip in the pool and eat an apple anyway…
- Rivendell Guest House
This Windhoek accommodation is a civilised stop on the edge of the wilderness.
- Villa Wiese
Villa Wiese backpackers is a short walk from the centre of town, cinemas and the beach, this historic building has been converted into a practical and friendly backpackers.
What to do
- Magic Bus Safaris
S 23° 00” 000’ E 016° 52” 500’ is where it all starts.
- Travel Bug Safaris
Here's a bug you'll want to catch.
- Wild Dog and Crazy Kudu Safaris
Tours require no minimum numbers and leave once or twice a week, depending on the season.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
These guys offer great adventure on the Garden Route.
(Nature's Valley,Garden Route)
An African themed Backpackers close to all the action in Grahamstown and its environs
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
Want to surf, drum, kayak, have fun? It's all here.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
You can see the shark boats launch from here. From your armchair, actually.
(Gansbaai,Overberg )
Established in 1994, Bundu has now joined Intrepid Travel and offers safaris and tours worldwide.
(Various,)
A comfy, fun spot.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
Small group tours 4-days to 3-weeks
(Cape Town Suburbs,Cape Town)
Mandela Bay is a pozzie to make Madiba proud
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
The lodge is within walking distance of pubs, shops, banks and taxis.
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
Marc's Camp is set in a private game reserve
(Hoedspruit,Limpopo)
