A walk on the wild side in Namibia

Updated on February 26th, 2025

This week I’ve started to think about my upcoming trip, back to Namibia next month. It’s an exciting prospect for many reasons.

In 2017 I headed to this fascinating country to spend two weeks volunteering at Na’ankuse Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of Windhoek.

Na’ankuse is a refuge for orphaned and injured animals, offering a unique opportunity to witness Namibia’s incredible wildlife up close (and sometimes a little too personal!). The sanctuary rehabilitates cheetahs, lions, leopards, and other native species, allowing visitors to engage with conservation efforts firsthand. Whenever possible they aim to release the animals back into the wild, but if there is a reason they would not survive, they need to be protected, hence why they have a team of volunteers.

Back then, I was still to properly stretch my solo travel wings and although I was happy to go there by myself, I was not ready to fully be on my own. Volunteering gave me the chance to have a unique experience while joining a team and making friends along the way. It was perfect!

At Na’ankuse, I walked with cheetahs. And by that, I mean no cages, no guns, in fact no protection, just a stroll into the bush with a cheetah prowling at your side. And if meandering in the bush alongside a wild cat isn’t you thing, then how about baboons using your head as a fun springboard, or fighting over who’s going to sit on your shoulders? Have you ever thrown a huge chunk of meat to a very angry lion? Or protected vulnerable inmates from an impending bushfire and got bitten by a meerkat for your efforts? In the two weeks I experienced all of this and cherished every moment.

To read about my time at Na’ankuse then check out the links HERE and HERE for all the details, including how to book a similar experience for yourself. Or, if video is more your thing, then click on the picture at the end of this email to see it. In addition, if you would like to read all about the terrifying experience of getting caught in a bushfire, then check out THIS LINK.

After my tenure came to an end with the animals, I still had a list of places I wanted to see and although hitting the road on my own held some appeal, I decided against it. This was mainly because Namibia is one of the most remote countries on the planet due to its vast, sparsely populated landscapes and rugged terrain. With a population density of only a few people per square kilometre, much of the country consists of expansive deserts, like the Namib and Kalahari, which stretch for hundreds of miles with little human habitation. For a slightly nervous woman on her own with no car maintenance skills it was a challenge too far for me!

So, I joined a tour which I picked up back in Windhoek and ticked off my list of priorities:

Etosha National Park 
One of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, centred around a vast salt pan that transforms into a shimmering oasis during the rainy season. The park is home to a wide array of animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and the elusive leopard. Etosha offers some of the best wildlife viewing experiences on the continent. If I hadn’t seen enough animals, I needed to get an even bigger fix on a proper safari experience.

Sand Dunes of Sossusvlei
These dunes are among the tallest and most iconic in the world, with their deep red hues and sculpted shapes creating an otherworldly landscape. Climbing Big Daddy Dune to look down onto the stark beauty of Deadvlei’s ancient, sun-bleached trees against the backdrop of the dunes is an experience like no other. I loved it and can’t wait to get my boots filled up with hot sand again!

Skeleton Coast
“One of Namibia’s most remote and hauntingly beautiful regions, where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean in dramatic fashion. Named for the shipwrecks and whale bones scattered along its shores, the coast offers eerie, surreal landscapes that are both captivating and mysterious. Visiting the Skeleton Coast is like stepping into another world, where the desolation and rugged beauty create an unforgettable experience”. Or at least that’s what the guidebooks say! I was a little underwhelmed. On the tour we got to spend very little time exploring the area which means I have unfinished business along the coast.

To see all this for yourself, check out the video from my time on the Dunes and Wildlife Tour HERE.

Needless to say, I can’t wait to return. And this time I won’t be alone. I’ll be accompanied by someone who has a huge amount of car maintenance skills and we’ll be driving ourselves. We may be doing some camping, we’ll definitely have an adventure. Stay tuned to hear all about it!

I am currently planning a webinar for this month to share more about organising a volunteering trip like this and lots more ideas about how to travel by yourself, even if you don’t actually want to be alone. Don’t go anywhere to make sure you reserve your space once I have all my elephants in a row 🐘 😉.

So, how does this trip sound and which part would excite you the most? In addition, if you would like me to send the details of how to register for the webinar, hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn).

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Until next time, 

Safe Travels

Sue x

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​More of my Adventures…

Blog – Fantastic 6 Day Dunes & Wildlife Tour of Namibia

​Video – Volunteering in an African nature reserve – Namibia & N/a’ankuse, Africa

Video – San Tribe of Namibia – Meeting the San People

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