Namibia things to do

Scattered shipwrecks along the shoreline are an immediate indication of how the Skeleton Coast earned its forbidding name. Even though it's one of the world's most inhospitable waterless areas, a nature trail along the Ugab riverbed will reveal plant species such as welwitschia, Lithops ("living stones"), and delicate lichens that have adapted to their environment.

Not what you'd expect to find in Namibia, the town of Lüderitz is awash with German Art Nouveau buildings, and the fact the settlement is sandwiched between the Namib desert and formidable South Atlantic coast makes Lüderitz even more intriguing. Any trappings of the 21st century are forgotten, as early-20th century churches, bakeries, and cafes dominate the charming streets.

Covering more than 8,500 square miles, Etosha National Park is arguably Africa's most quirky wildlife-viewing territory. With unrestricted views across the unspoilt landscape, you might see lions, elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffe, and springboks. And for a few magical days each year, the vast Etosha Pan turns into a shallow lagoon, drawing flamingos, storks and pelicans.