A land of dramatic contrasts — towering red dunes, shipwreck-strewn coastlines, desert-adapted elephants, and some of the most photogenic landscapes on Earth.
Namibia is a year-round destination. The dry season from May to October offers the best game viewing in Etosha as animals concentrate at waterholes. June and July are the coolest months (cold desert nights). The "green season" from November to April brings occasional rain that transforms the landscape, attracts flamingos to Etosha Pan, and produces dramatic thunderstorm photography. Sossusvlei's dunes are spectacular year-round. The coast has a cool, foggy climate regardless of season.
Namibia is one of Africa's best-value safari destinations, particularly for self-drivers. Car rental (4x4 with camping gear) costs $80-150/day. NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) rest camps in Etosha cost $50-150/night. Campsites throughout the country run $10-30/night. Mid-range lodges cost $150-400/night. Luxury desert lodges (Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast) range from $400-2,000/night. A 14-day self-drive circuit covering Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, and Etosha costs $2,000-4,000 per person budget or $4,000-10,000 mid-range including car rental, fuel, accommodation, and park fees.
Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) near Windhoek receives flights from Johannesburg (2hrs), Cape Town, Addis Ababa, and Frankfurt. South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Eurowings provide the main connections. Most nationalities receive 90-day visa-free entry. Namibia has excellent road infrastructure and left-hand traffic. A 4x4 is recommended for gravel roads in Damaraland, Kaokoland, and some Etosha areas, though a standard sedan handles the main routes (Windhoek-Sossusvlei-Swakopmund-Etosha). Internal flights connect Windhoek to key destinations (1-2 hours).