Namibia: I was smitten when I first set foot in this vast coastal country in southwest Africa over twenty years ago. A land characterised by juxtaposed terrains – a sea of sun-drenched ferric dunes stretches into what seems like infinity alongside the bracing shore of the azure Atlantic Ocean. I recalled my times in Namibia with fondness, as well as chatted to Rhino Africa's Travel Experts about what makes this country so remarkable...
Unplug in Namibia’s surreal serenity, where fiery desert dunes meet the cool embrace of the Atlantic Ocean
Digital Detox in Namibia
In this blog, fellow Namibia enthusiasts and Rhino Africa Namibia Travel Experts Anja Kemp, Manuela Wilfart, and Jan Suhr tell me what makes travellers' hearts sing louder than the roaring dunes of the Namib.
Beyond their shared German heritage, they've worked at Rhino Africa for 18 years, and naturally, all visited Namibia, a German colony before South Africa ruled it for most of the 20th century.
German influence and heritage are prevalent in Namibia, with colonial architecture like this hilltop church
Life in All Its Larger-Than-Life Glory
I've been lucky enough to have visited Namibia a few times. Each time I do, I feel a seismic shift as the undeniable soul-shaking effect that this ancient place has on me takes hold.
If you seek perspective, Namibia is where it's at. Few places throw your place on our planet into such stark relief than this serene, soulful country dominated by the world's oldest desert, the ancient, indomitable Namib.
There is nowhere else in the world like it where, at once, you feel as insignificant as a grain of sand and tall as 'Big Daddy', the loftiest of the Namib Desert's sienna-hued dunes.
Feel small and infinite all at once atop Big Daddy – Sossusvlei’s tallest dune
Why Choose Namibia for a Digital Detox?
Manuela says, "Nambia sets itself apart because of the landscape, and it's easy as a first self-drive destination."
"Namibia is a vast country with only three million residents (officially), making it one of the most remote and tranquil destinations," enthuses Anja. "Sometimes, you might not see a car passing by for an hour or longer. Namibia boasts unique landscapes, offering peaceful experiences rooted in nature – perfect for a digital detox."
Endless horizons, no traffic in sight – Namibia’s open roads offer the kind of stillness that makes unplugging feel effortless
Anja’s Top Destinations in Namibia for a Digital Detox
She shares her favourite destinations to get ahead from it all.
Etosha National Park
Known as the flagship of Namibian wildlife sanctuaries, Etosha National Park is home to elephants, rhinos, lions, and elusive leopards, among other iconic species of wildlife like zebra, giraffe, oryx and springbok.
Sossusvlei
Located in the Namib Desert, Sossusvlei is famous for its towering red dunes and the striking sunbleached canvas Deadvlei below, punctuated by dead trees reaching their beseeching branches up to the sky. It's a photographer's dream and a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the beauty of Namibia's desert landscapes.
Watch the sunrise over the dunes
Swakopmund
A coastal town that offers a mix of adventure, relaxation and renowned Bavarian hospitality. In Swakopmund, you can enjoy sandboarding, quad biking and boat trips to spot playful dolphins, seals and the famous Mola Mola, or sunfish.
Damaraland
Sandwiched between the Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park, Damaraland's scenic swathes of heritage ground support desert-adapted wildlife, including elephants and rare black rhinos. It's a great place to explore Namibia's natural beauty, ancient landmarks and cultural legacy. The Petrified Forest, the Bushman painting, and the White Lady are notable attractions in the area.
Waterberg Plateau
A unique destination with lush vegetation and diverse wildlife, Waterberg Plateau is perfect for hiking and exploring.
Fish River Canyon
This eponymous canyon's rugged beauty takes its name from the Great Fish River, Namibia's natural border with South Africa. Big skies, towering gullies and challenging hikes make for an adventure-filled nature-based holiday in the Fish River Canyon.
The Fish River Canyon will move you deeply
My Recommendation: Skeleton Coast
Adding to Anja's recommendations, I suggest you add the Skeleton Coast to your digital detox itinerary. This rugged coastline is known for its shipwrecks and dramatic scenery. It is an epic destination for those seeking an expedition-style adventure.
There are various ways to explore this area: fixed program fly-in safaris, glamping, stays in remote outposts, or urban Cape Cross-based lodging. Each option offers a unique base from which to explore this mystical region.
Kulala Wilderness Reserve: Experience the Namib Naukluft National Park from this vast private reserve home to awe-inspiring landscapes and unique desert-adapted flora and fauna. There are many ways to explore this natural wonderland. Look at the skies and enjoy a bird's eye view via a hot air balloon safari.
Float above the rugged Skeleton Coast in a hot air balloon
Travel Tips for a Successful Digital Detox in Namibia
- Embrace the Silence: Enjoy moments of solitude and reflection
- Stay Present: Engage in mindful activities like journaling and meditation
- Explore New Hobbies: Try photography, sketching, bird watching, stargazing or learning about local flora, fauna and anthropology
A moment of stillness in feathered form – you never know what a new hobby might reveal when you slow down and truly look
Is Namibia for First-Time Travellers?
While contemplating a visit to the world's second least populated country, a furtive thought may cross your mind, such as, "How can such a seemingly barren place flood my soul with overflowing appreciation for life in all its colourful abundance?" Ask anyone who has been, and they'll tell you.
Jan shares, "Namibia is suitable for first-time travellers and repeat clients. It all depends on what the client wants to focus on. Namibia offers diverse landscapes with predominantly dry and deserted areas (dunes, rock formations) and, in many parts, scenery that you would not find elsewhere. First-time travellers can enjoy this contrast and experience a different feeling of Africa."
Spitzkoppe’s dramatic rock formations are just one of Namibia’s unique surprises
Planning Your Digital Detox Adventure
Here are some things to bear in mind when planning your quest for reconnection and inner peace in Namibia.
Choose the Right Time to Visit
Consider the best times to travel to Namibia. The desert is a land of contrasts. Being mindful of the extreme temperatures during summer and winter is vital so that you can pack accordingly.
Set Boundaries
Inform friends and family about your digital detox plans.
Pack Smart
Unplug to recharge. Bring a good book, binoculars, a journal and layers of clothing to protect you from the elements.
Unplug to recharge, and let the silence do the talking in Namibia's wilderness, Image Credit: Onguma
Remember to Look Up
With such few human settlements, this land is an astronomer's dream. From a sky bed in the desert, beneath the inky firmament, the winking stars look so close you might feel you can pluck the stars from Orion's belt. Instead of warily watching orbiting satellites, count shooting stars and make a wish. Here, your cares are lightyears away.
When the sun sets in Namibia, the stars take centre stage
The Land of Dreams, Daring and Discovery
The bewitching, spartan environment is like nowhere else on Earth. Namibia achieved commercial acclaim for its priceless diamonds growing deep within Mother Nature's riling belly below the sun-drenched surface.
Meanwhile, the elements are at work: singing winds shape the towering, ancient dune fields of Sossusvlei, the baking wildlife-rich plains of Etosha National Park shimmer in the midday heat, the shipwreck graveyard of the Skeleton Coast sounds a muted warning to seafarers while harbouring a thriving colony of Cape Fur seals.
Up north, the glassy, waterlily-clad pools of the landlocked Caprivi strip juts out like a hand extended in greeting to its neighbouring countries, Angola, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. Namibia is a unique blend of adventure, tranquillity, and cultural richness.
The Caprivi Region is a lush contrast to the country’s arid landscapes
The Sound of Silence
A strange thing happens when humans encounter absolute calm; only a few precious places offer this in today's developed world. Out here, the silence can deafen when balancing atop a dune crest in Sossusvlei, suspended in a hot air balloon or standing on a sweeping plain pockmarked by mysterious fairy circles.
A sensory deprivation of sorts, a safari in Namibia offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature.
There's more than meets the eye in this uncompromising land shaped by the elements through the ages. Here, life thrives on a knife's edge; its diverse terrain is home to some of the world's most unique desert-adapted fauna and flora as they eke out their life in the margins. Indeed, in such harsh conditions, surviving each day is nothing short of heroic.
Small-scale, close-to-nature camps and lodges bring visitors into the dreamlike realm, which reveals a place that abides in nature's bosom and has many activities for you to re-wild your soul.
Here, life plays out on a scale so epic it is challenging to take in all at once. And that's why I find myself returning time and again. There's always more to explore.
In Namibia’s stillness, even a lone oryx becomes a moment worth pausing for
Your Dream Digital Detox in Namibia Starts Here
Are you keen to escape the humdrum of modern life and slip away to commune with nature? Reach out to Rhino Africa's Travel Experts to start planning your digital detox today.
Featured Image: Wilderness
