ADVENTURE TRAVEL

Adventures in Namibia

This country has more to offer than just sand

It’s been now six years since I first stepped onto Namibian soil; ever since then, I couldn’t leave the country behind me anymore. At least not for long. Too many memories of countless adventures in the vastness of Namibia stole my heart.

Namibia stands for various landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, ever-changing scenery, and extreme weather conditions. Landscapes are ranging from ever-dry desert vastness to almost evergreen forests in the north. You’ll find it all.

And while the country has so much variety to offer, I will present to you some of the adventures I went on while living in Namibia. Just to give you an idea of what is possible.

Climbing Spitzkoppe

Mentioning this highlight first has to do with the fact it was one of the first expeditions I went on. At the same time, it is also a place I’ve visited multiple times afterward.

Spitzkoppe.

The mountain reminds one of a famous peak in the alps and is also called the “Matterhorn of Namibia.” I devoted an entire article to the landscape feature.

I was just about three months in the country when friends took me for the first time to see and explore the mountain.

We arrived in the afternoon, sitting together at the bonfire at night and going to sleep on a bare mattress on the ground and not worrying about scorpions, snakes, or leopards, which are all home to this place.

Around 3 or 4 a.m., we got up and started to hike. Only three of the six of us had a torch in their hand or on their head. I still can’t believe we weren’t better equipped. One of the guys has been up there once before. Another one twice. That was all the experience we had in the team to conquer this mountain.

And just to be clear. This is nothing like the well-marked trails in Europe or the States you are familiar with. This is one hell of a mountain and lots of boulders blocking your way to the top.

We climbed over steep rock faces where we just told each other not to slip. I was grateful for doing this in the night with so little light, or else I might have freaked out and turned around.

The feeling of finally standing on top of the mountain during sunrise was indescribable. The relief. The admiration for nature. The amazement about the view. All in all, it was just superlative.

Getting down the mountain while the sun was burning down on us was a different story. But we all made it safely.

There are options to climb up the mountain on a multi-pitch route that is only recommended to experienced climbers. Hikers can hire a local guide to find the less technical but by all means not less exhausting hike to the top.

Namib Naukluft trail

Another hiking adventure in the country is located in the famous Namib Naukluft National Park. There are several hikes laid out, ranging from a gentle 2-hour hike to a several-day tour excursion.

Depending on your experience level, available time, and preparation, you will pick the one fitting your needs. These hikes are marked even if not as well marked as one wishes. But there are markers along the trail.

When I went down there with a friend of mine, we chose the 17-kilometer long “Waterkloof-trail.” It took us around seven hours to return to the camp and brought us across the majestic mountains of the Namib desert.

The views from on top were beyond breathtaking. Making the sweating worth all the effort. Being forced to carry the drinking water for the entire trip with yourself, it is recommended not to plan too short on water. After all, it is hot out there.

If I have the time and fitness to do it, I want to go back one day and do the eight-day Naukluft trail, which is known to be one of Africa’s toughest hikes.

Tiger fishing

Going away from all the strenuous hiking, I get to present a different kind of adventure. Tiger fishing is offered all along the river of the Okavango. The north of the country is green year-round and invites fishing friends for adventures on the river.

Although I’m not much of a fishing person, I never say no to new adventures, and there I found myself together with my husband on a small boot cruising against the current of the Okavango River on the search for the scary-looking tiger fish.

We didn’t seem to be there at the right time of the year, or maybe we were just unlucky. The fish didn’t seem to bite. Not at my husband’s fishing rod nor the guide’s one.

I’ve never really fished before, and it showed. Instead of trying to cast next to the shore where those fish usually hide, I was throwing mine on the other side of the boat into the open water. I was too scared getting stuck in the reeds with my hook to cast on the shoreline side.

And as they say about beginners’ luck, karma, or whatever, I was the only one catching a tiger fish on the trip. It wasn’t a big one. But it was a tiger fish after all!

Sandboarding

This is one of the adventures I could end up writing a novel about. Having worked as a sandboarding instructor in Namibia for several years, it is rather obvious I enjoyed this activity the first time when arriving as a tourist.

Sandboarding is exactly what it sounds like. It is snowboarding on the sand. Instead of gloves, a skiing jacket and warm pants you just need shorts, a t-shirt, sunglasses and lots of sunscreen.

Riding down the dunes of the oldest desert in the world is a pretty sentimental and exhilarating experience at the same time.

First of all, you do not have to be a snowboarder to try out sandboarding. Due to the sand being much slower and softer than snow (or especially ice), it is a great way to get a feeling for the boarding.

There is an option, after all, for those who aren’t keen on strapping both feet to a board to just slide down the dune. Laying head first on simple cardboard, one can reach speeds up to 80kph, making it the faster discipline of sandboarding.

Adrenaline enthusiasts like myself and families love the change in routine after a weeklong road trip of just sitting in the car. The climb up the dune after the ride down is a welcoming exercise to stay fit while on holiday. And in case you still can’t get your head around this discipline, don’t hesitate to ask me any questions. I’ve got all the answers for you. I think.

Skydiving

An activity that never crossed my mind before I ended up in Namibia and called the country my home. Since all or let’s say most of my friends in town were either skydivers themselves or indirectly connected with the skydiving business, it was only a question of time until I got taken up in the air as well.

Doing a tandem skydive is definitely not something for everyone. But if you are looking for this kind of adventure, you won’t be disappointed when coming down to Swakopmund. The adventure capital of the country.

With views across the desert, over the famous sand dunes, and the blue Atlantic ocean, you will be left speechless. There aren’t many places in the world where you can skydive, which would beat this view.

And in case you want to prepare yourself for your upcoming jump, give this article a read.

Climbing one of the highest sand dunes in the world

It’s an activity which also isn’t for everyone. Not because of the adrenaline it causes, but because of the exhaustion many people get when climbing dunes in a desert.

Climbing a sand dune isn’t easy. It often feels like one step forward and two steps back. But the reward you get when making it to the top is priceless.

One of the most famous dunes in the country is called “Big Daddy” and is estimated to be one of the highest sand dunes in the world. Climbing it up for sunrise will leave you speechless when reaching the top.

The views across the endless valleys of the desert are breathtaking. Dunes as far as the eye can see. And all of it during the first rays of sunshine. If you’re looking for this kind of experience, then get up early.

The sand on the dunes can heat up to 70 degrees Celsius. Your feet will burn. Not even one or two pairs of socks on top of each other will protect you from that heat. So instead get up early and make it up before the first rays of sunshine appear.

River tubing

Compared to most of the mentioned activities, which are only possible with or can at least be done with a guide — this one is different. It’s going to happen at your own risk.

River tubing. Not sure if you’ve ever done it before or even heard of it. You simply need a tube of a car or truck tire, pump it up and sit in it while drifting down the river.

But before doing so, you should get some information on the water you are entering. If there are dangerous animals in the water and if any rapids are coming ahead of you.

When we did river tubing, we entered the Orange River upstream from our camp. Knowing there aren’t any dangerous animals in the water and only letting us drift as far as we could see the water made it a safe experience.

The river’s water level was relatively high, so there was no risk of getting hurt on rocks or unforeseen rapids. The speed of the flowing water wasn’t too fast but fast enough once we were sitting in the tubes. It was fun, I must say.

Kayaking on the Orange River

And while I am already in the very south of the country, I have another activity for you to explore on the very same river. Kayaking. There are plenty of lodges and campsites offering kayak rentals down there.

We opted for the half-day excursion where the camp owners dropped us 15 kilometers upriver, and we drifted and paddled downriver back to our campsite.

Paddling on the border between South Africa and Namibia, you pass lots of birds living in the reeds on the shore and riverbanks of the Orange River. If it gets too hot, simply jump off the kayak and cool yourself down in the water.

I loved the excursion, but the next time, I will take more time with me and opt for the four or five-day excursion where we’ll be paddling downriver from Noordoever, sleeping each night in a different wild camp on the riverbanks. That must be an incredible experience.

Horse riding in the desert

I’m not much of a horse person, but I’ve done once a short excursion on a horse in the Kalahari. Together with my mom, we were exploring the red dunes on horseback.

Many horseback safaris are offered throughout the country. A ride into the moon landscape, on the beach, or multiple-day tours through the open plains of the desert are just a few of them.

Anyone who’s a horse lover will find the right option for them and fall in love with the country while sitting on a horse.

Talking about horses, I also have to mention Namibia is one of the only countries in the world that still has wild horses. Around the town of Aus in Namibia’s south, a small but strong herd of wild horses is roaming the open fields. This year’s rainfall was essential for their survival since they suffered from hunger after several years of drought.

Rock climbing in the wilderness

For all adventure sport lovers, rock climbing is a great way to explore nature and be active at the same time. Spitzkoppe is the most popular spot to go rock climbing. Several single and multi-pitch routes are marked and offer a wide variety of options.

But there are plenty more options for climbing those challenging slab faces in the country. One of those places is on the steep cliffs of the dried-out riverbed of the Swakop.

You most likely need a guide to take you out there, but you’ll love the experience. Especially if deciding to stay for a bonfire after dark or even sleeping over in the wilderness. Together with the exhausting but fun climbs possible on those rocks, the experience of being far away from civilization is something you won’t forget.

Final words

Namibia has to offer a massive variety of adventures across the country. Many more than what I have been on or mentioned to you. There is something for everyone. Many adventures are only a few hours long, while others are spread over several days.

Depending on the time you have available and the type of adventures you want to go on, you can create your very own, unique holiday experience.

If planning is not for you, you can put this part of the holiday into tour companies’ hands, creating a customized trip for you and your loved ones. I’ve done most of these activities without a guide but was always surrounded by locals, which is kind of like having a guide. Or I turned into the guide myself. After living for so many years in the country, I collected a decent amount of knowledge about the outdoors and the adventures possible in Namibia.

This title was one of the unwritten Travelogues published from the World Traveler’s Blog. If you are running out of topics to write about just click on the article and go through the endless list of titles. I’m sure you will find one.

More about my travel writing on Namibia…

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Anne Bonfert is a traveler. Photographer. Writer. Teacher. Skydiving instructor. Adventure enthusiast. Nature lover. And fell in love with the African continent.

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