Nine reasons why you need to go on a Namibia safari in 2018

Namibia is situated on the south-west coast of Africa, covering more than 318,000 square miles. Namibia borders the Atlantic Ocean, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south.

Wildlife has managed to thrive in Namibia. From African icons such as the lion, elephant and giraffe, to smaller hoofed game including Black-faced impala and oryx, these mammals have overcome their harsh environment to adapt perfectly well to the unyielding terrain. 

Meanwhile, the Etosha Salt Pan hosts rare desert-adapted Black rhino, White rhino, cheetah, leopard, wildebeest and hartebeest. However, Namibia’s second largest predator population also thrives here - with approximately more than 100 lions, cheetahs, leopards and hyena. Namibia is also home to birdlife such as ostrich, raptors, and various Southern Africa's endemic species.  

See the nine reasons why we believe Namibia is the safari destination of 2018: 

 

Happy Friday! One more for the road as we just can't get over Namibia's pink sunsets. #namibia #namibiasafari #damaraland #landscapephotography #scenery #landscape #mountains #sunset #pinksunset #wanderlust #happyfriday #defender #landroverdefender #roadtrip #tripofalifetime #a2asafaris #josecortesphotography

A photo posted by A2A Safaris | A2A Journeys (@a2asafaris) on Nov 17, 2016 at 11:11pm PST

2. Predator haven

 

Those eyes.... @ongavalodge sun downer game drive with an unforgettable lion experience. #ongava #ongavalodge #ongavagamereserve #gamedrive #namibia #nature #naturephotography #namibiasafari #namibiaholiday #wildlife #lion #waterhole #namibialove

A photo posted by steps (@stepseze) on Nov 12, 2016 at 10:45am PST

Try this once-in-a-lifetime self-drive road trip here: 

3. Some of the most beautiful sunsets on earth

 

"A Namibia safari is more about scenery and landscapes than wildlife". A2A Traveller Niel totally debunks that myth with this gorgeous image of a little journey of giraffes at sunset. In case you are wondering Niel got to see his elephants and rhinos and big cats as well. #namibiasafari #namibia #giraffe #journeyofgiraffes #sunset #wildlife #etosha #etoshanationalpark #safari #wildlife #thisisafrica #iloveafrica #amazingnamibia #sunsetphotography #sunsetporn #a2asafaris #a2atravellers

A photo posted by A2A Safaris | A2A Journeys (@a2asafaris) on Nov 8, 2016 at 12:16am PST

4. Dramatic animal interactions

 

Oryx fighting #namibia#oryx#wildlife#fight#africa#afrika#etosha#safari#namibiasafari#safarinamibia#etoshasafari#gamelife#fighting#etoshanationalpark

A photo posted by Michael Schwarz (@mipho69) on May 2, 2016 at 2:05am PDT

5. Desert-adapted elephants in large numbers 

 

The old Bulls heads swing back and forth as they walk down a path they have walked down so many times before. The days heat has finally begun to abate allowing these giants a chance to start up their approach. Their thirst must be insatiable but still they remain calm and move on with order. Their heads are the pendulums that keep track of their timing, to the moment when they can finally quench their thirst. This is a daily occurrence at the Okaukuejo waterhole. During winter the parks water slows to a trickle, springs run dry and perennial water sources become the hub of all action. Everything in Africa still keeps its place. It seems at times it is as if all of the animals sat down at a round table and discussed their needs, their wants & greatest desires. It was then that a plan was drawn up and is stuck to, to ensure their is enough water to go around for all. The springboks move in of a morning followed by zebras and wildebeest. Oryx, giraffes and jackals slide in amongst the commuters, while herds of Eles dominate the afternoons only to move on when these big guys roll in. At night though it seems all bets are off and a time for the big, brave and ugly. Only the fearless rhinos and eles stick around as they are not too worried about what lurks in the dark. The Elephants through their wisdom and size seem to be the time keepers of it all. Keeping track with their internal clocks and years of learning. Their footsteps and motion all works together counting down again untill their next winter march towards the #Okaukuejo waterhole.

A photo posted by Ben McRae (@benmcraephotography) on Dec 7, 2015 at 12:26pm PST

6. A haven for photographers

 

5:11 pm. EF Canon 300mm f/2.8 @ f/2.8 1 / 3200 ISO 500 Doves flutter on to the waterholes edge. It has been their arrival that the Jackals have waited for. The Jackals take sniping shots at the birds. Suddenly one is caught and the Jackals chase the successful hunter hoping to steal his catch ______________________________ Each year I lead my Namibian Photographic Experience I think it is important to lead by example when we are sitting around a waterhole. First time visitors to Africa really do not know that it takes hundreds of hours to capture great wildlife images. When some clients are lead to a waterhole they expect things will just happen. They do but there is a lot of waiting that goes into getting the action. This is why I love to set myself a goal. I will spend 12 hours by the waterhole. From 12pm to 12 am I will wait it out. There are a few toilet breaks and a chance to grab a quick bite to eat but I am after 12 images from this session and I hope to have a slight point of difference in each image. I need to push myself, I need to think outside the box and change up my gear. Doing this will help me grow and it is an approach that has seen me take some of my best wildlife images. This year in August I sat down during my Namibian Photographic Experience to show what results are possible if you sit, wait and watch. Over the next twelve days I will share an image a day of what I captured as part of my 12 to 12 for 12. If you would like to join me in Etosha in May 2016 to see my approach and to receive some hands on tuition, please see www.benmcraephotography.com for more details on my 14 Day Namibian Photographic Experience.

A photo posted by Ben McRae (@benmcraephotography) on Nov 22, 2015 at 10:34am PST

7. Astonishing and unexpected species

 

In the Walvis Bay lagoon in Namibia you will see two types of Flamingo's, the Greater Flamingo and the Lesser Flamingo. Most of the time it is very easy to tell these guys apart as their names suggest, if their height is not helping you out their plumage normally tells the story. Greater Flamingo's are a pinkish white while the lesser flamingo's are a little pinker due to the algae they eat. Both flamingoes live in the shallow water of the lagoon, they nest right in front of multi million dollar houses and are not bothered by the pedestrians or runners that constantly cruise the promenade a few meters from their foraging grounds. This from an outsiders point of view is easy to pick the differences when you are perched on the promenade but this images shows that sometimes things can be a little skew. These two flamingo's are actually both Greater Flamingo's, what I mentioned above is great in theory but at certain times of year the younger chicks come out to see what life is really all about, either that or they are just checking out what millionaires row in Walvis bay is all about. At the time of shooting I was just stoked to get some interesting shots but later whilst reviewing the images I noticed their beaks. I was not paying much attention at the time as I was over exposing these shots like crazy to achieve the results I wanted but on later inspection I noticed that both beaks were pink with black tips and that is how I realised these were both Greater Flamingo's as the lesser have full black beaks. If you would like to photograph the flamingo's of Walvis with me, how about joining me on my 14 day Namibian Photographic Experience. This trip will have you travelling to all of Namibia's Photographic Highlights whilst learning a ring or two. For more info please see www.benmcraephotography.com for more details.

A photo posted by Ben McRae (@benmcraephotography) on Nov 10, 2015 at 10:39am PST

8. Endangered rhinos thrive here

 

#africa #thisisafrica #namibia #thisisnamibia #namibiatrip #namibiantrip #namibiasafari #etosha #etoshanationalpark

A photo posted by Martie Raaths (@martieraaths) on Jun 28, 2014 at 12:42pm PDT

9. Surprises at every turn, no matter where you go 

 

#Repost @cedarbergafrica with @repostapp. ・・・ It is completely surreal how wildlife can survive in the arid conditions of #damaraland where you may not get rain for two years (prior to our arrival - more on that later...) The desert rhino camp concession is vast yet it supports a variety of wildlife such as zebra, gemsbok, klipspringer, elephant, giraffe, rhino, hyena and even lion. #namibiasafari #damaraland #namibiadesert #igscwildlife #africanamazing #inspiringtravel #safari

A photo posted by Kate Bergh (@kateatcedarbergafrica) on Oct 13, 2015 at 12:03am PDT

Namibia offers an adventure of a lifetime in a different take on a traditional safari. From the culture to the quaint towns, to shipwrecks and endless stretched of coastline, a Namibia safari is highly recommended. If you'd like to know more, let us know here and we'll gladly advise you.