Namibia
On the Gamsberg Pass route west of the Khomas Hochland, Kuiseb Canyon contains the ephemeral Kuiseb River, which is no more than a broad sandy riverbed…
Must-see attractions in Botswana & Namibia
Namibia
The Living Museum is a unique opportunity in Namibia to interact with, and learn about, the San people, one of the oldest traditional hunter and gatherer…
Namibia
The wild Waterberg is highly recommended – there is nothing quite like it in Namibia. It takes in a 50km-long, 16km-wide sandstone plateau, looming 150m…
Walvis Bay
Southwest of the lagoon is this 3500-hectare salt-pan complex, which currently supplies over 90% of South Africa's salt. As with the one in Swakopmund,…
Chobe National Park
The rocky monoliths that rise up from the Savuti sand provide more than welcome aesthetic relief amid the flat-as-flat plains. The outcrops’ caves, rocky…
Botswana
In the south of the park are the famous Baines’ Baobabs, which were immortalised in paintings by the artist and adventurer Thomas Baines in 1862. Baines,…
Okavango Delta
The grassy savannah of this 100-sq-km island, a long extension of the Moremi Tongue, contrasts sharply with the surrounding landscapes and provides some…
Living Hunter’s Museum of the Ju/'Hoansi
Namibia
About 25km out of Tsumkwe, heading towards Khaudum National Park, is the Living Hunter’s Museum of the Ju/’Hoansi, which is run and managed independently…
Damaraland
Numas Ravine, slicing through the western face of the Brandberg, is a little-known treasure house of ancient paintings. Most people ask their guide to…
Damaraland
One of the very few wineries in Namibia, this is a lovely spot to come for lunch. In the afternoon you can enjoy light meals – cheese and cold-meat…
Botswana
This odd-looking tree, near a small pool at the start of the Rhino Trail on Female Hill, was described to Laurens van der Post as the Tree of True…
Swakopmund
If you're on a quest to see welwitschias, continue east along the Welwitschia Drive to the Moon Landscape, a vista across eroded hills and valleys carved…
Horned Serpent Natural Cistern
Botswana
Cliff Trail passes an amazing natural cistern (in a rock grotto near the northwestern corner of Female Hill), which has held water year-round for as long…
Okavango Delta
With one of Africa’s largest heronries, Xakanaxa Lediba is renowned as a birdwatchers’ paradise. In addition to herons, potential sightings here include…
Okavango Delta
One of the prettiest corners of Moremi, the area known as Paradise Pools is as lovely as the name suggests. In the dry season, trails lead past forests of…
Damaraland
Southeast of Twyfelfontein rises a barren 12km-long volcanic ridge, at the foot of which lies the hill known as Burnt Mountain, an expanse of volcanic…
Fish River Canyon
Sulphur Springs (more commonly called Palm Springs) is an excellent campsite with thermal sulphur pools (a touch of paradise) to soothe your aching…
Botswana
Directly across from the hollow on the southeastern side of Female Hill, one of the few Tsodilo paintings containing human figures depicts a dancing crowd…
Namibia
This often visited red dune, 5km north from the Sesriem Camp Site, can be reached with 2WD vehicles, but also makes a pleasant morning or afternoon walk…
Damaraland
The 170-million-year-old dinosaur footprints were made in what was then soft clay by a three-toed dinosaur that walked on its hind legs – probably a…
Otjinjange & Hartmann’s Valleys
Namibia
Allow plenty of time to explore the wild and magical Otjinjange (better known as Marienflüss) and Hartmann’s Valleys – broad sandy and grassy expanses…
Fish River Canyon
This viewpoint has probably the best – and most photographed – overall canyon outlook, with views that take in the sharp river bend known as Hell's Corner…
Namibia
The most accessible of the large red dunes along the Sossusvlei road is Dune 45, so-called because it’s 45km from Sesriem. It rises over 150m above the…
Fish River Canyon
Hikers’ Viewpoint, a few kilometres north of Main Viewpoint (at the start of the hiking trail), is one of the most stunning lookouts in the area, with…
Botswana
On the southeast corner of Female Hill, and accessible along the Rhino Trail, look for the amazing whale and penguin paintings that suggest an intriguing…
Fish River Canyon
From atop this pass, you’ll have a superb view of Four Finger Rock, an impressive rock tower consisting of four thick pinnacles (though they more closely…
Fish River Canyon
An impressive rock tower consisting of four thick pinnacles (though they more closely resemble a cow’s udder than fingers) that can be seen from…
Fish River Canyon
The view from this lookout is one of the best along the route. It's a fine place to rest and to contemplate Fish River Canyon's massive gash in the earth.
Namibia
In May 1851, explorers Charles John Andersson and Francis Galton stumbled across the unusual Lake Otjikoto. The name of the lake is Herero for 'deep hole'…
Botswana
This 230-sq-km community-run wildlife sanctuary was formed when local people voluntarily relocated 3500 cattle and established a network of tracks…
Namibia
A curious neo-baroque structure located about 70km south of Maltahöhe smack dab in the middle of the barren desert, this European castle is smaller than…
Namibia
This small but diverse 25 sq km reserve occupies a broad flood plain north of the Botswana border and west of the Okavango River. It attracts large…
Botswana
In 1932 a group of San showed Gcwihaba (meaning ‘Hyena’s Hole’) to a farmer named Martinus Drotsky, who humbly decided to name the cave after himself…
Chobe National Park
For decades since the early 1980s, this vast open area in southern Savuti consisted less of marshes than sweeping open plains, save for occasional…
Lüderitz
The sheer scale of Goerke Haus and the way it blends into the rock face is very impressive. Originally the home of Lieutenant Hans Goerke, and designed by…
Swakopmund
This ornate railway station, built in 1901 as the terminal for the Kaiserliche Eisenbahn Verwaltung (Imperial Railway Authority), connected Swakopmund to…
Botswana
This 30-sq-km private reserve was established in 1994 and is home to giraffes, elephants, zebras, baboons, warthogs, rhinos, hippos, kudus, impalas,…
Windhoek
This beautiful wildlife park sits in the Khomas Hochland about 18km west of Windhoek. You can walk to your heart’s content through lovely wildlife-rich…
Namibia
Near the Hoba Farm, the world’s largest meteorite was discovered in 1920 by hunter Jacobus Brits. This cuboid bit of space debris is composed of 82% iron,…
Botswana
About 20km southeast of Palapye, amid low-lying scrub, thinly scattered stone walls mark the site of the former Bangwato capital. Spread over a large area…
