Namibia's Best Hikes
On foot you are able to appreciate even the subtlest changes in nature’s colour scheme, in the undulation of the terrain, and to feel the breezes on your face. It’s also one of the best ways to appreciate the plants and wildlife; without the noise of an engine, you can often get remarkably close.
With vast and dramatic desert landscapes, Namibia offers its visitors superb hiking opportunities surrounded by some of the world’s most magnificent scenery. Whether you want to enjoy a more traditional safari adventure with a few days of gentle walking or spend a several weeks hiking challenging trails with a specialist guide, we can design an itinerary to perfectly suit your requirements.
Read on to explore five of the best destinations for hiking in Namibia:
- The Fish River Canyon
- The Namib Desert
- Skeleton Coast
- Etosha National Park
- Damaraland
1. The Fish River Canyon
Carved by the once mighty Fish River, the canyon is a maze of twisting gorges and impressive rock formations. Due to high temperatures, it can only be explored between May and September, either as part of a group or privately.
We would recommend that you take a specialist hiking guide who will be able to set up camps and carry supplies along the way.
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Along with fascinating and spectacular hiking trails, Fish River Lodge is also the only lodge that has 4×4 access into the heart of the canyon. Experienced guides will show you the varied, unique geological features as you journey into the depths of the rift where you can enjoy lunch at the permanent rock pools — perfect for a swim during warmer days. Late afternoon, you may visit scenic viewing locations along the canyon rim from where you can enjoy sundowners as the sinking sun reveals a kaleidoscope of glowing colours across the landscape.
2. The Namib Desert
Centre your walks on Sossusvlei, where the red sand dunes are surrounded by salt pans, creating a fascinating landscape.
Underground rivers feed a surprising amount of vegetation, and consequently, there’s a food source for small animals and birds, plus some larger creatures such as antelope.
In the sand it is easy to spot the footprints of jackal, springbok, and ostrich, and the animals themselves stand out, too.
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There can be few more idyllic places to stay in Namibia than at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge — an oasis overlooking the dunes — so base yourself here. After a long day of hiking and taking in the beauty of the desert, come back to this luxurious lodge to completely relax with a swim in the pool or an in-room massage.
3. Skeleton Coast
The shipwrecks are interspersed with the bones of whales, which have also washed ashore, and tree trunks bleached white by the sand and the salt of the sea. Local people call this place “The Land God Made In Anger”. But though there is a harshness to this landscape, there is also a spectacular, wild beauty.
The Skeleton Coast National Park is the least visited park in Namibia, so you might well have miles and miles of rugged coastline to yourself. Led by a guide, you can scramble where no vehicle can go to watch the pods of whales off the coast or the colonies of fur seal resting on the rocks. There are plenty of seabirds here, too.
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If you stay at Shipwreck Lodge, in the heart of Namibia's sun-bleached coastal dunes – its unique design inspired by that of a shipwreck – the view from your deck will be straight towards the ocean.
4. Etosha National Park
For most of the year, the land is dry and cracked, however, when the rainy season arrives, the whole place transforms beyond belief into a luscious, green paradise.
At Journeysmiths, we’re particularly fond of the private game reserves surrounding the park. They tend to be quieter, offering a more intimate safari experience, and the walking guides are particularly good.
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Little Ongava – one of the most exclusive small lodges in Namibia – is a particular favourite. The reserve itself covers 66,000 acres but also has easy access to the national park, so you get the best of both worlds. The birding on foot is superb, and you can also expect to see black and white rhino, rare black faced impala, and even an occasional lion.
5. Damaraland
At the end of each day you’ll arrive at a beautiful tented camp tucked carefully into a rocky kopje.
You’ll spend the evening here enjoying delicious cuisine and breathtaking views before retiring to a comfortable bed for the night.
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Etendeka Mountain Camp was founded over 25 years ago in partnership with the local Omantendeka and Anabeb communities. Many of your guides are expert naturalists from local villages, who will share with you their incredible passion for the natural world they call home. The camp offers a unique, pristine wilderness experience which will appeal to the photographer, naturalist, astronomer and geologist alike, as well as trailblazers who love peace, quiet and open space.
Why Travel with Journeysmiths?
You can take an easy half-day hike from your lodge to spot birds and small mammals, or commit to something longer and more strenuous; perhaps that includes a night or two of fly camping to really make the most of the experience.
Whatever your interest or level of fitness, our travel designers will create for you a bespoke itinerary that shows Namibia at its best.
Start planning your desert adventure in Namibia today. >
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