• World's oldest desert
• Highest sand dunes in the world 

The 2 000km long Namib Desert is simply breathtakingly beautiful. It is approximately 80-million-years-old, making it the oldest desert in the world and its rolling seas of red dunes stretch hundreds of metres into the skies. In the north, the landscape at times becomes more rocky with sparse vegetation, but is equally impressive. Within the desert lies the Namib-Naukluft Park, the country's largest protected area at 50 000km², and the location of favourite tourist destinations Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon.

• One of Africa's great game reserves
• Over 100 mammals species and 340 species of birds 

Etosha is one of the world's famous game parks, a huge wildlife reserve of over 22 000km², with a great, dried up salt pan at its centre. The park is a haven for wildlife and the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) can be seen as well as rare and endangered species like the Damara dik dik and roan antelope. The flat, open landscape is ideal for game viewing and the roads throughout the park are good too - perfect for self-drives.

• The second largest canyon in the world
• Stretches for 161km 

The Fish River Canyon is an awesome sight to behold in the southern end of the country. The arid landscape suddenly drops away hundreds of metres into the narrow gorge, at the bottom of which winds the Fish River. This is also where the well-known 86km hiking trial is set over five gruelling days. The landscape is harsh and austere, but there is a strange beauty about the red and purple rock faces and the incredible dramatic effect of this huge fissure in the earth.

• Scenic colonial town
• Popular seaside resort 

This lovely town is situated on the edge of the Namib Desert and on the Atlantic Ocean's famous Skeleton Coast. Still heavily influenced by German culture, it is a picturesque place full of beautiful old buildings and lively entertainment venues. Swakopmund features an interesting mix of peoples and cultures and the the towering dunes just outside the town are perfect for a range of exciting activities like sandboarding and quad biking. During the summertime, Swakopmund becomes a popular destination for locals and foreigners.