Namibia

With its dry desert landscape and archaeological points of interest, Namibia is somewhat unlike its competing African safari destinations. Here, you’ll encounter stunning national parks teeming with wildlife, ancient rock art sites that shed a light on the country’s fascinating history and a natural beauty so unique you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit here sooner.

If wildlife-spotting is high on your travel bucket list, you’ve come to the right place. Namibia is home to the AfriCat Foundation, an organisation that promotes the conservation of wildlife in the country. Based in the Okonjima Nature Reserve, AfriCat welcome visitors and show them majestic animals in their natural habitat, all the while protecting them and helping them to thrive. In Namibia, you can observe big cats, black rhinos and even elephants.

For the archaeology enthusiasts, this destination is surprising. The story of this country can be found carved into its rocks, in engaging museum collections and in its people. The rock art of the Khoisans is a tradition that has continued over thousands of years and the sites are incredible. Visit the Spitzkoppe, where the rock art describes patterns of hunter-gatherer settlements and subsistence that occurred in the area until the introduction of farming practice. At the rock shelter of Ekuta, stand before detailed depictions of animals and people carrying equipment, such as bows and arrows.