Welcome to Etosha & North Namibia!

Whilst there are a number of tourist highlights in Northern Namibia, a trip to the Etosha National Park is the reason most visitors choose to visit this region. Etosha was formerly a game park and was elevated to the status of a National Park in 1907. This amazing park is spread over an area of 22,270 sq km and boasts 114 different species of mammals, 340 different species of birds, 110 different species of reptiles, and 16 species of amphibians.

Despite its size, Etosha is easy to visit, with three main campsites/lodges located within the park, linked by a network of roads that lead to the various watering holes. There is also a number of Northern Namibia hotels and lodges found outside the park borders. You can even use our Northern Namibia map to choose your lodge or hotel in Northern Namibia based on its location.

The period from May to September is one of the best times for a tour in Etosha. Not only are there ample sightings of game, but these are also among the coolest months in Namibia. Sightings of lions, giraffes, rhinos, elephants and different species of buck are common during this period. Fortunate visitors may even get to see a cheetah or a leopard. Sightings also happen at night due to the installation of floodlights at the watering holes situated next to the three campsites.

Kaokoland is one of the pristine areas of wilderness in Northern Namibia and remains relatively untouched by man due to its remote location. Ideal for a remote Northern Namibia tour, it is home to the Himba, a nomadic indigenous tribe, and the beautiful mountains of this area are also home to the giraffe and black rhino. It is a sparsely populated, arid and desolate area with only 16,000 inhabitants, out of which 5,000 belong to the Himba tribe. This harsh landscape is best viewed during early morning or late afternoon when its beauty truly comes to life in softly lit pastel colours.

The topography of Kaokoland is also a study in contrasts. On one hand it has rugged mountains, whilst on the other, it has the beautiful Marienfluss Valley and numerous watercourses. The arid Hartmann's Valley is characterised by sea mists that drift inland due to the valley's proximity to the Atlantic. It also includes the much-photographed Skeleton Coast. Feared by ancient seafarers due to its remoteness, these waters are full of rusty shipwrecks and spectacular views.

The presence of the Kunene River combined with the rocky topography also means that the only real waterfalls in Namibia are in this area. The largest of these waterfalls, the Ruacana Falls, reaches a height of 120 m and is almost 700 m broad when in full flood. Located 135 km downstream from the Ruacana Falls, the Epupa Falls are named after a Herero word for the spray created by falling water. The Epupa consists of a number of cascades. The waters of these waterfalls travel a distance of 1.5 km, and during this course, they descend a total height of 60 m. At its broadest point, the Epupa Falls is 500 m wide. Although it is possible to swim in these waters, you should be wary of the numerous crocodiles that consider these waters home.

Another popular and extremely scenic area in Northern Namibia is Damaraland. This area is known for its beautiful landscape and rock paintings and is another highlight of a tour in Northern Namibia. It is also home to many species of wildlife including the desert-adapted  elephant and rhino, springbok and ostrich.

Those who love to scale new heights will fall in love with the Brandberg and Spitzkoppe mountains. The Brandberg also offers rhino and elephant tracking safaris and many fine examples of San art. There are also many other guided safaris and tours to Damaraland and many of them provide visitors with a lot of information combined with unique sightseeing opportunities.

The caves and ravines in these mountains are a constant source of delight to historians and artists alike due to the presence of many prehistoric rock paintings. The most famous of these is the ‘White Lady' which was discovered in Brandberg Mountain in 1917. The painting catapulted to popularity after it was copied by the French archaeologist Henri Breuil in 1948. Another unique attraction is the Petrified Forest near Khorixas. This site is home to giant fossilised tree trunks (up to 30 m in length) that were brought by flood water millions of years ago.

Known as Owamboland before independence, the Owambo Kingdoms or the 4 O's (Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto) are located in the northernmost region of Namibia. It is the most densely populated area in Namibia due to a greater access to water, and home to the Owambo - Namibia's largest ethnic group. This unique region has a large number of traditional homesteads and includes sections of the Etosha National Park.

Due to the rapid changes within Namibia, local knowledge is vital in planning a trip there. Whilst numerous operators sell tours in Northern Namibia, few are based within the region, and really know the country well. Being local we know all there is to know about the region so let us help you pick the right Northern Namibia tour and hotel in Northern Namibia for your perfect Northern Namibia holiday!