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 by way of 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. When you really feel like boarding down a type of waves, that’s an choice too.
However the Namib Desert, which gave the nation its title, is extra than simply an enormous sandbox. It’s additionally tortured mountains and rocky canyons. These charming environments are ripe for explorations on foot or mountain bike.
Hovering inselbergs similar to Spitzkoppe are nice locations to cling to when you’ve got 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 plagued by whale and seal bones, that gave the Skeleton Coast its title). 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 strategy to expertise its dunes: on a board. Not removed from Namibia’s coastal city of Swakopmund, considered one of southern Africa’s capitals for journey actions, mountains of sand present good 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 smart to preserve a bit of power. Your journey of pleasure begins with some arduous 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 (for those who’re accustomed to snowboarding) and let free!
When you’ve had your fill, attempt the lie-down “schuss” choice, which is able to see you hit speeds of 80km/h (50 mph). Alter Motion runs every 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 few of the decrease, rounded domes provide thrilling scrambling for many who aren’t as eager to sort out the vertical pitches. At evening, 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 soar 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 gives tandem jumps for novices, 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 fundamental 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 the moonscapes outdoors of Swakopmund, difficult jeep routes across the dry riverbed of the Huab and memorable descents down the Auas Mountains – however you may as well spy unimaginable African wildlife out of your saddle, similar to uncommon desert-adapted elephant and black rhino.
With virtually no vehicular visitors on the nation’s graded gravel roads, multiday mountain bike expeditions are a improbable choice. A great place to begin is Klein Aus Vista close to Aus in southern Namibia.
Sizzling air ballooning
The just about 50,000-sq-km (19,305-sq-mile) Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park is residence to among the most spectacular dunes on the planet, significantly within the space round Sossusvlei. The winds have formed the brilliant orangey-red sands into elegant parabolic shapes tons of of meters excessive. Viewing this distinctive desert panorama from the air is a spellbinding expertise, and early morning balloon rides are attainable.
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 embody a champagne breakfast upon touchdown.
Mountaineering
Between arduous rocks or atop a comfortable place, mountain climbing in Namibia gives adventurous extremes. These can fluctuate from quick explorations of huge dune fields – most spectacularly round Sossusvlei in Namib-Naukluft Nationwide Park – to extra severe endeavors such because the five-day trek by the rocky depths of one of many world’s largest canyons.
Due to hovering summer season temperatures and the remoteness of the Fish River Canyon flooring, hikes within the latter are restricted to Could by mid-September. The enchanting and extremely difficult 85km (53-mile) route from Hobas to Ai-Ais follows the sandy riverbed previous enormous boulder fields, startlingly dramatic surroundings and a collection of ephemeral swimming pools (good for dips to beat the warmth).
Different notable hikes embody four- and eight-day loops by the Naukluft Mountains, which supply a extra refined appeal than the Fish River Canyon. Talking of “note-able,” it’s attainable to make the bottom beneath you sing (effectively, 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 isn’t any scarcity of huge 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 ft moist is within the coastal city of Swakopmund. The waves of selection are at Nordstrand close to Vineta Level – an uncovered reef break that’s significantly 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 choice. 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 comfortable sandbank, is extremely constant, and also you’ll seemingly 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 hundreds of seals.
April and Could are usually one of the best months for browsing in Namibia, although any time between March and October is rewarding. Shark numbers increase within the low season when most mating happens.
