This is an area for people who love wide open spaces, dramatic scenery and places that feel more off the beaten track. During our trip, we travelled from the Fish River Canyon to Lüderitz, Kolmanskop and Aus before continuing north towards Sossusvlei.
Along the way we watched the landscape change from canyon views to red dunes, rugged mountains and rocky outcrops to enormous open plains. Southern Namibia is also ideal for active travellers, with walking trails, mountain biking routes and has some of the clearest night skies in the country.
While not a classic safari experience we saw plenty of animals that belong in these dry landscapes: ostrich, springbok, oryx, bat-eared foxes, birdlife and even the occasional hyena.
Our first stop was the Fish River Canyon area where we had a chance to visit a few lodges we would happily recommend depending on budget and travel style.
But for those wanting the most spectacular views of all, Fish River Lodge is hard to beat - and we were lucky enough to stay there. Perched right on the edge of the canyon, it felt as though the views went on forever. We watched the sun rise and set over the canyon and honestly couldn't stop talking about how much the colours changed. One minute everything was soft pink and gold, then suddenly the rocks were glowing deep red and orange. The lodge itself has a relaxed feel and the rooms make the most of those incredible views. Waking up and looking straight out over the canyon is something we will not forget in a hurry.
The nearby Ai-Ais area is also worth considering, particularly for photographers. The combination of dramatic canyon scenery, rocky formations and changing light makes this one of the most photogenic parts of Namibia.
From the canyon we headed west towards Lüderitz and it ended up being one of our favourite drives of the trip. The scenery seemed to change around every bend – from wide open plains and rugged mountains to strange rock formations and desert landscapes that felt like another planet.
Lüderitz is full of colourful old buildings and little reminders of its German history and, combined with its windswept and slightly nostalgic atmosphere, we found it really intriguing. We loved wandering through the streets and taking it all in.
One of the highlights for us was visiting nearby Kolmanskop - the old ghost town is slowly being taken back by the desert, with sand drifting through the abandoned houses and piling up in the doorways and windows. It feels surreal walking around and trying to imagine what it must once have been like when it was a bustling town. We went early in the morning and would definitely recommend doing the same. The soft light made the whole place look even more beautiful and it was fantastic for photos.
This region is great for people interested in geology and history. The landscapes tell the story of ancient deserts and changing coastlines, while Lüderitz and Kolmanskop reveal an historic chapter of Namibia’s diamond-mining past.
On the way inland, we visited Aus and the Garub area, home to the wild desert horses. Seeing these horses against the vast open plains is another uniquely southern Namibian experience.
For accommodation in this region, we recommend:
This is a great area for travellers who enjoy walking, cycling and being active as there are trails around Aus and Klein-Aus Vista. The open spaces, quiet roads and dark skies make it a wonderful place simply to slow down and enjoy the scenery. At night, the stars are extraordinary - with almost no light pollution you will experience some of the clearest night skies in Africa.
We stopped at Nooishof on the way between Lüderitz and Sossusvlei and were so glad we did rather than just driving straight back to Swakopmund (where we live).
The setting is beautiful and we felt a real sense of peace and quiet. We could easily have spent longer here. It is the sort of place that would really suit anyone who enjoys being outdoors -there is plenty of space for walking, mountain biking or simply sitting back and enjoying the scenery.
As everywhere in southern Namibia, there is always the chance of spotting wildlife. We saw oryx, springbok, ostrich and plenty of birdlife, and if you are lucky you might even spot a bat-eared fox or hyena.
Travellling through the south is not about rushing from one famous sight to the next. It is about taking your time, enjoying the journey and discovering some of the quieter corners.
What makes it so special:
For travellers who have already experienced a traditional safari elsewhere in Africa, southern Namibia offers something completely different – a journey focused on landscapes, atmosphere and unforgettable scenery.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
