Namibia is a country in southwestern Africa, and it is sparsely populated, with approximately 2.5 million people spread across a large territory. For many visitors, the draw is the landscape. The country is known for the Namib Desert and for dramatic scenery that changes markedly from one region to the next.
What a visit offers
- Desert landscapes: The Namib Desert gives Namibia much of its reputation, and it is the setting most visitors have in mind when they think of the country.
- Space and quiet: Low population density means long stretches of open country, where the sense of distance is part of the experience.
- Varied terrain: The dramatic scenery extends beyond the desert, so a trip can combine very different kinds of country.
Planning your trip
Namibia suits travellers who are happy with wide distances and few crowds. Because the population is small, services can be spaced far apart, so it helps to plan routes, fuel and accommodation in advance. Visitors who come for the landscapes will find that the country rewards slow travel, giving time to stop, look around and take in the scale of the place.
Namibia is also known by its formal name, the Republic of Namibia. Whether you arrive for the desert or for the wider country, the open spaces and striking scenery are the reasons most people decide to go.
