Why Namibia Deserves a Spot on Your Safari Bucket List
Namibia may not be the first country that comes to mind when Americans think of an African safari — but I’m here to tell you, it absolutely should be.
I’ve had the privilege of traveling across Africa for over 30 years, and Namibia remains one of the most remarkable, surprising, and unforgettable places I have ever encountered. There is truly nowhere else like it on the continent. Dramatic deserts, vast empty wilderness, and wildlife thriving in landscapes that feel like the very edge of the earth. And best of all? Still no crowds.
Namibia Is a Country the Size of Texas... With Just Over Two Million People
Yes, you read that right. Namibia is roughly the size of Texas but has only about two million residents. That means big skies, endless horizons, and space — glorious, soul-refreshing space.
The Skeleton Coast stretches for miles with eerie shipwrecks and crashing surf. The Namib Desert, the oldest in the world, rolls on with towering dunes and Martian-like scenery. And amid all that wilderness? Thriving wildlife and some of the most exclusive safari camps and lodges in Africa.
Wildlife That’s Truly Wild
Namibia is home to one of the largest populations of free-roaming cheetahs on Earth, as well as flourishing numbers of rhino (both black and white), elephants, lions, leopards, oryx, wildebeest, and zebra. It's also one of the only countries in Africa where wildlife numbers are increasing, thanks to smart conservation and community-based tourism.
More than 40% of Namibia is under conservation management, and it was the first country in the world to include conservation in its constitution. That’s not just a fun fact, it's a travel philosophy you can feel when you're there.
Luxury or Rugged Adventure? You Can Do Both
Namibia works beautifully whether you're looking for a high-end, tailor-made experience or a more adventurous self-drive journey. There are spectacular luxury lodges, accessible mostly by light aircraft — and also incredibly good-value farm stays, campsites, and mid-range lodges that are clean, comfortable, and full of character.
The Namibian dollar, tied to the South African rand, is a very weak currency, which makes it one of the best-value safari destinations compared to Botswana, Kenya, or Tanzania.
My Namibia Story
I first visited Namibia over 30 years ago — driving a Land Rover with a roof tent and a paper map. I’ve been back many times since, sometimes guiding and hosting clients, sometimes just exploring. Most recently, I spent a month traveling the country with my wife Emma, in a newer 4x4 (thankfully!), mixing stays in stunning luxury lodges — thanks to my friends at Natural Selection, ATI Travel, and Ongava — with a few nights of classic roof-top camping under the stars.
And you know what? Namibia is better than ever. The lodges are world-class, the food and service are excellent, the guiding is top-notch, and — despite all the talk of over-tourism elsewhere — Namibia still feels like Africa as it once was.
Must-See Places in Namibia
If you're planning a trip, these are the regions I recommend building around:
Sossusvlei & Deadvlei – For those iconic red dunes and surreal white clay pans
Damaraland – Dramatic desert landscapes and desert-adapted elephants
Etosha National Park – One of Africa’s best game reserves, with animals drawn to its shimmering salt pans
Kaokoland – Wild, remote, and home to the semi-nomadic Himba people
Skeleton Coast – Haunting beauty, shipwrecks, and vast seal colonies
Walvis Bay – Flamingos, dolphins, and windswept coastal adventures
Did You Know...?
The Namib Desert is 80 million years old — the oldest desert on Earth
Big Daddy is one of the tallest dunes in the world (325m — and you can climb it!)
Namibia’s Caprivi Strip exists because of a 19th-century colonial land swap gone wrong
The Skeleton Coast has been dubbed “The Gates of Hell” by Portuguese sailors — yet it’s also home to over 100,000 Cape fur seals
So, Should You Go?
If you’re asking me — absolutely. Whether it’s your first safari or your fifth, Namibia offers something different. Something real. Something raw and spectacular.
And the best part? Namibia pairs perfectly with neighboring South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. You can build an extraordinary journey that includes the best of southern Africa, with Namibia as either the highlight or a stunning side chapter.
Want to Know More?
If Namibia has you curious, let's talk. I’d love to tell you more — from where to go and what to combine, to who I trust most to help plan your adventure. I’ll connect you with the right Expert, whether you’re after a private guided tour, a luxury fly-in safari, or a self-drive trip under desert stars.
Do yourself a favor — put Namibia on your list.
You won’t regret it.
–John Spence