Ocean and desert collide in Namibia to offer journey playgrounds of water, sand and rock, with every as huge (and wild) as the opposite.
Namibia’s landscapes are epic, each when it comes to sheer scale and pure magnificence. Think about singing sands and dunes that climb to greater than 300m (985ft) in top and look extra like artworks by Gaudí than something produced by blowing winds. Now image your self mountain climbing throughout their undulating crests and looking out throughout an ocean of mammoth waves frozen in sand. In case you really feel like boarding down a kind of waves, that’s an possibility too.
However the Namib Desert, which gave the nation its identify, is extra than simply an enormous sandbox. It’s additionally tortured mountains and rocky canyons. These fascinating environments are ripe for explorations on foot or mountain bike.
Hovering inselbergs similar to Spitzkoppe are nice locations to cling to if in case you have a penchant for mountain climbing. Flanking all the nation’s west, operating virtually 1600km (994 miles) from South Africa to Angola, is a wild shoreline with a historical past of sinking ships (it was these wrecks, plus sands suffering from whale and seal bones, that gave the Skeleton Coast its identify). However with a surfboard in hand, you’ll discover nothing however pleasure alongside these distant shores.
Namibia: a playground for certain.
Dune boarding
The Namib is arguably the world’s oldest desert, however there’s a brand new option to expertise its dunes: on a board. Not removed from Namibia’s coastal city of Swakopmund, one in all southern Africa’s capitals for journey actions, mountains of sand present excellent slopes to carve down.
While you first set eyes on the dunes rising excessive into the blue African sky, you’ll start to buzz with anticipation, although it’s sensible to preserve a little bit vitality. Your journey of pleasure begins with some onerous work: a hike as much as your launching level. With board, gloves and goggles in hand, you’re finally staring down over some severe off-piste motion. Strap in, lean additional again than you’re used to (if you happen to’re accustomed to snowboarding) and let unfastened!
When you’ve had your fill, strive the lie-down “schuss” possibility, which is able to see you hit speeds of 80km/h (50 mph). Alter Motion runs day by day dune boarding journeys from Swakopmund.
Mountain climbing
Rising like a mirage above the desert plains of southern Damaraland, the behemoth 1728m-high inselberg that’s Spitzkoppe has lengthy impressed climbers and earned it the moniker “Matterhorn of Africa.” Though first summited in 1946, its granite flanks proceed to name out to hardcore climbers bent on tackling the nation’s most difficult peak.
A number of the decrease, rounded domes supply thrilling scrambling for individuals who aren’t as eager to deal with the vertical pitches. At night time, camp under all of it for a celestial present like no different.
Skydiving
Seeing the big swells of the chilly southern Atlantic Ocean crashing into the delicate-looking desert dunes is compelling from wherever you are standing. Seeing it whereas falling towards earth at 220km/h (137 mph) is mind-blowing. The unimaginable aerial views of the desert panorama and ocean through the 25-minute flight as much as the leap zone in a tiny Cessna plane are purpose sufficient for the journey (and price ticket).
The deafeningly thrilling free fall from 3000m (9843ft) lasts for about 30 seconds earlier than your parachute (and silence) takes over at 1500m (4921ft). Swakopmund-based Floor Rush Adventures presents tandem jumps for inexperienced persons, in addition to static-line programs and jumps, and accelerated free-fall programs.
Kitesurfing
Harnessing the ability of the winds alongside the Atlantic coast with a big kite is an exhilarating problem, whether or not on land or water. Novices can first be taught the ropes (actually) with energy kiting classes, whereas these with the talents can tackle kitesurfing programs (worldwide ranges 1-3) within the Atlantic or primary landboarding classes on the Namib’s sands. Paragliding programs alongside this part of the coast are additionally on the horizon.
Mountain biking
Think about Moab, Utah. Superb, proper? Now think about it sitting empty. Welcome to Namibia! Not solely is there a profusion of compelling trails and dramatic surroundings – rollercoaster singletracks by way of the moonscapes exterior of Swakopmund, difficult jeep routes across the dry riverbed of the Huab and memorable descents down the Auas Mountains – however you may also spy unimaginable African wildlife out of your saddle, similar to uncommon desert-adapted elephant and black rhino.
With virtually no vehicular site visitors on the nation’s graded gravel roads, multiday mountain bike expeditions are a incredible possibility. A superb place to start out is Klein Aus Vista close to Aus in southern Namibia.
Scorching air ballooning
The just about 50,000-sq-km (19,305-sq-mile) Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park is house to a number of the most spectacular dunes on the planet, notably within the space round Sossusvlei. The winds have formed the brilliant orangey-red sands into elegant parabolic shapes a whole bunch of meters excessive. Viewing this distinctive desert panorama from the air is a spellbinding expertise, and early morning balloon rides are potential.
Namib Sky Balloon Safaris function the journeys each morning at dawn, climate allowing (journeys do not run from January 15 to February 15 due to warmth). Pickups could be organized from a number of lodging choices within the Sossusvlei/Sesriem space. Flights embrace a champagne breakfast upon touchdown.
Mountaineering
Between onerous rocks or atop a mushy place, mountain climbing in Namibia presents adventurous extremes. These can fluctuate from brief explorations of enormous dune fields – most spectacularly round Sossusvlei in Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park – to extra severe endeavors such because the five-day trek by way of the rocky depths of one of many world’s largest canyons.
Due to hovering summer time temperatures and the remoteness of the Fish River Canyon ground, hikes within the latter are restricted to Might by way of mid-September. The enchanting and extremely difficult 85km (53-mile) route from Hobas to Ai-Ais follows the sandy riverbed previous big boulder fields, startlingly dramatic surroundings and a sequence of ephemeral swimming pools (excellent for dips to beat the warmth).
Different notable hikes embrace four- and eight-day loops by way of the Naukluft Mountains, which provide a extra delicate allure than the Fish River Canyon. Talking of “note-able,” it’s potential to make the bottom beneath you sing (properly, hum) – often in notes E, F or G – whereas mountain climbing the crests of dunes south of Swakopmund or north alongside the Skeleton Coast. The distinctive mineral composition of Namib’s sand in these areas causes it to loudly resonate when disturbed.
How to decide on an epic hike on any continent on this planet
Browsing
With nothing standing between Brazil and the coast of Namibia, there is no such thing as a scarcity of enormous south Atlantic swell to tear it up on. Sharks, seals, sand storms and extremely distant breaks imply there is definitely no scarcity of journey both. An amazing place to get your toes moist is within the coastal city of Swakopmund. The waves of alternative are at Nordstrand close to Vineta Level – an uncovered reef break that’s notably good at excessive tide when the swell angle is from the west-southwest.
Tiger Reef, on the mouth of the Swakop River, is one other stable possibility. There’s an exceptionally lengthy left-hand level break at Bocock’s Bay, a distant spot some 160km (99 miles) north of Swakopmund. The surf right here, shaped over a mushy sandbank, is extremely constant, and also you’ll possible have all of it to your self. Cape Cross, 30km (19 miles) south of right here, has some candy waves too, although you’ll be sharing the water with tens of 1000’s of seals.
April and Might are typically the perfect months for browsing in Namibia, although any time between March and October is rewarding. Shark numbers growth within the low season when most mating happens.
