Namibia’s capital of Windhoek, in the geographic center of the nation, is a city of less than half a million people and is the economic and cultural center of the country. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides and, due to its location near the Kalahari Desert, has fairly high temperatures and over 300 days of sun each year. 

If you’ve seen photos of Namibia, chances are you can picture the iconic, rusty-colored sand dunes of Sossusvlei, located inside the Namib-Naukluft Park. Whether climbing the world’s tallest dune or viewing the landscape from above in a hot air balloon or helicopter, this is an essential Namibian destination. 

For a more classic safari experience but with the unique Namibian setting, Etosha National Park provides the chance to see a variety of wildlife, many of which flock to natural water holes throughout the park. The Skeleton Coast on the Atlantic Ocean is where sand dunes meet the sea and provides an outlet for the most adventurous thrill seekers, with skydiving, paragliding, and other recreational activities available. For awe-inspiring views and the chance to feel like a very small part of a very big world, Fish River Canyon easily competes with the potentially more well-known geologic wonders of the world.