Namibia

Namibia is a vast country of otherworldly landscapes, wide blue skies and countless opportunities for adventure.

Sossusvlei’s surreal twisted trees backed by the towering rust-red dunes are Namibia’s most famous sight and the night skies above the desert here are some of the clearest in the world. A haven for both photographers and oryx.

In Damaraland, climb rugged mountains and find artworks carved into the rock by the San people thousands of years ago, or track hardy desert elephant herds and black rhinos alongside expert local guides.

Etosha National Park’s lunar salt pan is another highlight for many, with giraffes, zebras, lions and more appearing out of the dusty haze to gather around precious waterholes. The Skeleton Coast, where the cool Atlantic meets the dunes on a coastline dotted with shipwrecks, is another wild place. Best appreciated from the air, follow it north to the Angolan border and a rare oasis of green on the Kunene River, where you’ll find one of Africa’s remotest lodges and a chance to meet the semi-nomadic Himba.

Namibia is the least densely populated nation in Africa, but the people you do encounter are warmly welcoming and the country has a strong record of protecting wildlife and land as national parks, private reserves and community-owned concessions. A safari here with Niarra supports conservation work, sustainable businesses and livelihoods in remote but important areas.