The world’s tallest sand dunes. Africa’s biggest canyon. Amazing and unique safari options. Beautiful, interesting coastline. Namibia has all of this and much more. More than being jam-packed with natural wonders, though, Namibia is a fascinating country worthy of exploration by anyone with an adventurous spirit.

Safari here is unlike other parts of Africa because of the arid climate of the spectacular Etosha National Park. Water is often scarce in Namibia, so the magnificent animals you have to seek out in other countries all gather around various watering holes to get their fill, and all you have to do is park, wait, and watch as dozens of species congregate and share the water. It feels as though animals are living under an unspoken peace treaty for the sake of life’s most precious resource, and it’s a fascinating dynamic to watch in person.

Namibia feels like an out-of-the-way place, somewhere Mad Max might call home. However, even though it is technically off the beaten path, it is sandwiched between two major destinations, beautiful Cape Town and incredible Victoria Falls, and is easily explored in a one-way path between those two points.