Soccer and rugby, the great popular sports
XV rugby. Although rugby is the most popular sport among the Namibian population, the national team's results are still somewhat timid at international level, especially when compared with the prowess of neighboring South Africa. Although Namibia has taken part in the last six World Cups, they have always exited at the group stage. In contrast, the Welwitschias (nickname given to the national team in reference to an endemic plant that grows in the Namib desert) dominate African rugby, with seven African championship titles including the last five editions of the competition. Not bad for a country of 2.5 million inhabitants! Although it's worth pointing out that, due to its high standards, South Africa only fields U-21 players when it takes part in this event. In May 2021, Namibia ranked 24th in the International Rugby Board (IRB) world ranking of nations.
Soccer. The world's most popular team sport has naturally won a place in the hearts of Namibians. But it has to be said that it's mainly the Premier League and the prestigious Champions League matches that regularly fire up the locals. The local league is of a low standard, and the results of the national team, the Brave Warriors, are dismal: no World Cup qualification and only three appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, with three first-round eliminations (in 1998, 2008 and 2019). At the 2019 edition, the dream was quickly extinguished with three defeats in three group matches, against Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa.
Treks and hikes of your dreams
In Namibia, many people come to practice hiking trekking. Hiking means "to hike". A hiking trek is therefore a hike, generally a rather sporting one. In fact, it's advisable to be in relatively good physical shape before attempting this adventure. But it's undoubtedly one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the country's natural environment. A hiking trail is a footpath. The Waterberg, Naukluft and Brandberg national parks, for example, offer a number of trails that can be hiked with or without a guide. Last but not least, the famous Fish River Canyon hiking trail is a must, and requires advance preparation, as a medical certificate is required to obtain authorization. Five days deep in the gorges (usually between May and mid-September) of the world's second largest canyon (with a certified guide), in total autonomy... An 85 km hike in this 550 m-deep canyon: a walker's dream!
Horseback riding. Namibia's nature and wide-open spaces are ideal for the finest equestrian expeditions. The mineral highlands of Damaraland, the vast plains of the Kalahari and the dunes of the Namib lend themselves wonderfully well to horseback riding. For horse lovers!
Beautiful mountain bike spots
A number of tours have been created, notably in the Gondwana Sperrgebiet Rand Park, to discover the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Aus Mountains in southern Namibia. Some lodges and guest farms also offer mountain bikes for exploring the surrounding area. In the immense dunes of Swakopmund, the use of fat bikes (mountain bikes with large tires adapted to sandy terrain) offers the opportunity for some great excursions.
Get out the oars!
You can canoe in the Okavango and kayak in Walvis Bay on the Atlantic coast. For thrill-seekers, you can try rafting in the south on the Orange River, along the border with South Africa, or in the north on the Kunene and Zambezi rivers.
Surfing on water or on... sand!
Surfing. Namibia isn't just about national parks and deserts. On Skeleton Bay, you'll also find a unique surf spot described by top professionals as the most beautiful left in the world. Difficult to access, as you have to get there in a 4 x 4 to negotiate the endless dunes, this spot is also highly technical. Beginners are advised to abstain. For the initiated, there are tubes lasting dozens of seconds. For this, you'll need a good wetsuit (water temperature around 14°C) and beware of aquatic fauna.
Sandboarding. Sandboarding is probably the most original and accessible of Namibia's sporting adventures. Standing on a snowboard, or simply lying on a thin wooden board, you launch yourself off the dunes of the Namib Desert. Then it's time to try a descent sitting, crouching and so on. An adrenalin rush and a good slice of fun guaranteed in an exceptional setting.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing, sports in the wind
In Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, the wind attracts windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts. In fact, every November, the Lüderitz Speed Challenge brings together champions from the four corners of the globe to break kitesurfing speed records. An impressive spectacle! Still relatively uncrowded, Namibia's spots are a delight for kitesurfing enthusiasts.
Great fishing opportunities
On the Atlantic coast (Lüderitz, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay...), on the Zambezi or the Okavango, fishing enthusiasts will find much to enjoy. There is no shortage of fishing excursions on offer. Angling, fly-fishing, surfcasting, big-game fishing - the possibilities are endless when it comes to reeling in kabeljou, steenbras, copper sharks, pike or African tiger fish.
Namibia from the sky
In the series of nature sports, skydiving is practiced in Swakopmund. Tandem jumps over the Atlantic and the Namib are a unique experience. The brave won't regret it! Paragliding is also available in the Swakopmund region. Finally, hot-air balloon flights over the desert are available in Swakopmund, Sesriem and Solitaire. Spectacular and unforgettable options for discovering Namibia's breathtaking nature.
