Desert-scapes, dunes and wildlife galore!
Namibia, located in South West Africa, is truly unique, and whether this is your first time or a returning visit, it will never cease to inspire you!
Here everything is vast; the skies, the deserts, the dunes, the coast, add in a world-class collection of wild animals and excellent national parks – and you will have an experience like no other.
One of Africa’s safest, easiest, and most visually striking destinations; from the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei to the wildlife-rich saltpans of Etosha and the dramatic Atlantic coastline, Namibia is an absolute feast for the senses and the sketchbook. Flamingos, sea lions, shipwrecks, and desert-adapted wildlife all become your subjects as you explore this beautiful country.
Namibia is not a country you rush through. It invites you to slow down, to breathe, to listen.
It’s a place where the world feels bigger and your thoughts feel smaller,
and where each landscape leaves a quiet imprint on you long after you’ve gone.
View our Namibia gallery
Namibia’s wildlife isn’t just seen; it’s felt. It shapes the mood of every place you visit. It moves through silence, through heat, through starlight. It reminds you that life can flourish in the harshest places, and that beauty often hides in resilience. Here, animals don’t simply exist in the landscape—they define it.
In the vastness of Etosha National Park live lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, zebra, springbok, kudu, oryx, and eland. Here, the animals gather at waterholes in quiet, unhurried rhythms. First zebra, restless and alert, their stripes shimmering against the pale white crust of the salt pan. Next the giraffe descending awkwardly to drink, folding themselves into shapes. Elephant wander in from the horizon, materializing through the heat like memories returning. If we’re lucky, we may see black rhino lounge around lazily, bathing where they can. Even lions relax nearby, confident in their place in the rhythm of things; when they rise, everything else steps back in quiet agreement.
At night, the desert comes alive with soft footsteps—bat-eared foxes, porcupines, and the quick, bright eyes of nocturnal cats.
Namibia is also home to the largest population of cheetahs in the world, thanks in part to the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF). Founded in 1990, the CCF’s International Research and Education Centre is internationally recognized for its excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their ecosystems. Observing and sketching the cheetahs here is a highlight of our tours. You’ll also take a drive to see the ambassador cheetahs, gaining valuable insight into the conservation efforts of this world-renowned project. This experience offers a unique opportunity to learn more about cheetah conservation and the work being done to protect these remarkable animals.
Wildlife in Namibia feels inseparable from the land itself—shaped by the desert, defined by the silence, and moving with a kind of ancient patience. In a place where rain is a rumour and shade is a luxury, every creature seems to carry the wisdom of survival.
Namibia feels like a country carved out of silence and space. As you travel through it, the landscapes unfold slowly – colour, earth and shape.
The Namib Desert, the oldest in the world, greets you first. the towering dunes of Sossusvlei, rising out of a sea of red sand. At dawn they glow like embers, and by midday they flatten into soft shapes under a white-hot sky. Deadvlei sits quietly among them, a bleached clay pan dotted with the blackened trunks of trees that died hundreds of years ago—still standing, untouched, as if time forgot them. The contrast of the towering red dunes against clear blue skies, the ever-changing light, and the shimmering sands make this one of Africa’s most breathtaking natural wonders.
Further on you will find the spectacular Skeleton Coast, named for its array of whale and seal skeletons and famed for its shipwrecks caused by blinding fog. The bushmen refer to it as The Land God Made in Anger while it is said that the Portuguese refer to it as The Gates of Hell. Here Cape fur seals crowd the beaches in restless, noisy gatherings, their calls rolling in with the surf.
Here you will find an ever-changing landscape that see sweeping sand dunes melt into vast salt pans that give way to dry riverbeds that, in turn, lead to rocky mountains creating a surreal and haunting beauty akin to another planet.
Namibia’s otherworldly terrain coupled with the limited human presence makes this region one of the most remote and unspoiled places on Earth.
Another extraordinary feature of the Namibia experience are the huge, clear skies. And at night, is home to some of the darkest and clearest night skies on Earth, offering a world-class stargazing experience unlike any other.
The Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, is renowned for its vast open spaces and stunning vistas, but it’s at night when the desert truly comes alive. As the sun sets and the sky darkens, the stars begin to emerge, revealing the breath-taking beauty of the Milky Way, planets, and even distant galaxies.
For travellers seeking a deeper connection to nature and the universe, stargazing in Namibia is an unforgettable experience.
Namibia only became a fully independent country in March 1990. Prior to this, it was a German colony from the late 19th century to around 1915 when it came under the rule of the South African government during the First World War. Today the country is a secular presidential democracy with a multi-party system, dominated by the South-West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) – a former liberation movement.
Namibia has a very low population, only around 2 million people. Nonetheless, Namibia is still home to around 13 different ethnic groups. The largest, the Ovambo (or Ambo) makeup about 50% of the population and are made up themselves of even smaller groups. The majority of all groups and peoples are mostly engaged in agricultural practices and continue to live lives very detached from external influence.
One example of this is the Himba, a nomadic people with a culture incredibly untouched. Interestingly, they rarely bath with water but instead apply red ochre to their skin and partake in a daily smoke bath in order to maintain good hygiene. They are famed as the ‘red people’ due to the staining of the red ochre and there is an incredible beauty in their intricate hairstyles, traditional jewellery and warm welcoming of strangers
Local cuisine: Namibian cuisine features a rich blend of German and South African influences, with a focus on grilled meats and fish. Dishes like Biltong (dried, spiced meat), Kapana (grilled meat from street vendors), and Potjiekos (slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew) are popular. Seafood is also abundant along the coast.
Drinks: Popular local drinks include Windhoek Lager and Tafel Lager, locally brewed beers.
Whether you’re seeking a desert adventure, a more traditional wildlife safari, cultural immersion or a mix of all these, Namibia always delivers. Come with us to Namibia, and explore a country like no other, you will leave part of your heart there.
Timezone: GMT+2
Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD)
Languages: English, Afrikaans, German, local dialects
Electrical items: Plug Type: Type D, M, and G Voltage (V): 220 V
UK Visas: International travellers require a Visa to enter Namibia- you can find out more information here
Vaccines: Check the latest vaccine advice here
Come join us on our next Art Safari in February 2026 – The Cheetah Republic – a fantastic 14 day tour exploring and painting the natural wonders of Namibia .
You can view our interactive full itinerary of this tour here.
You can also contact us for more information;
By phone: +44 (0)1394 382235
By email: [email protected]
Via social media: https://www.instagram.com/artsafari/ or https://www.facebook.com/artsafari