The capital
Windhoek sits on a highland plateau in the middle of the country. It has the main international airport, German era buildings beside modern Namibian museums, Katutura's markets and the best restaurants in the country. Most trips start and end here, and a night or two helps you adjust before the long drives.
The desert
Sossusvlei is the image most people carry of Namibia: towering red dunes, the white clay pan of Deadvlei and its dead camel thorn trees, and the deep Sesriem Canyon. It sits inside the Namib Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Sand Sea World Heritage Site, around five to six hours' drive from Windhoek.
The coast
Swakopmund is Namibia's seaside town, cool and misty even in summer, with palm lined streets, German architecture, seafood and adventure activities in the dunes. Next door, Walvis Bay offers lagoon flamingos, dolphin and seal cruises and the drive to Sandwich Harbour.
The north west
Damaraland is wild, rocky country of red mountains and dry riverbeds. Here you find the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein, Namibia's first World Heritage Site, desert adapted elephants and rhino, the Brandberg and community run conservancies.
Wildlife
Etosha National Park is one of Africa's great game parks, built around a vast white salt pan. In the dry season animals crowd the waterholes, and the floodlit waterholes at the rest camps let you watch rhino and elephants after dark.
How to combine them
A classic ten to fourteen day loop runs Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha and back to Windhoek. If you are short of time, pick two: Sossusvlei with Swakopmund, or Etosha with Damaraland. Use our places to visit list for where to eat and stay, and the free trip planner to set realistic driving days.