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Deadvlei Safaris

A safari in Namibia is as much about the wildlife as the country’s scenic beauty. It is home to Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves, but there’s so much more to discover. The national parks of the Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) are finally getting the attention they deserve, while the dune-scapes of the Skeleton Coast and its hinterland are simply extraordinary. These are just the starting points for exploring a country rich in experiences and safari opportunities.

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8 Questions About Namibia Safaris

 
 

8 Questions About Namibia Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

When is the best time to visit Namibia?

“If I had to choose one month for a Namibia tour, it would be June (followed by May). Although June temperatures can plummet overnight, you get the best of both worlds: high-season prices have yet to kick in, but the weather is ideal for outdoor exploration. If you don’t mind high-season prices and higher numbers of visitors, July to October is also excellent with generally dry, clear weather and good visibility. By October, temperatures are starting to rise toward uncomfortable levels. The rains are less of an issue in Namibia than they are elsewhere in southern Africa. But rain does occur, especially from December through to March or April. At this time, birdlife is abundant. However, some off-road trails may become difficult to navigate and wildlife tends to disperse and be harder to find (because of the additional water sources scattered around).”

More about the best time to visit Namibia 1

What are the major attractions in Namibia?

“Wildlife is a major draw for visitors on Namibia safaris. Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s most popular safari destinations, and rightly so. Its combination of hallucinatory salt pans and large wildlife populations (including lions, elephants and plains animals) give it a distinction found in few other parks. Less commonly visited, but for many travelers equally rewarding, are Damaraland and the reserves of the Zambezi Region, such as Bwabwata and Nkasa Rupara (Mamili) National Parks. Landscapes are another highlight. From the Waterberg Plateau and Namib-Naukluft National Park to Kaokoland and Fish River Canyon (Africa’s answer to the Grand Canyon), stark beauty takes on many forms here. Namibia has long been a popular destination for self-drive safaris. But a Namibia safari is now just as likely to be characterized by luxury lodges, both exclusive and remote, that bring class and comfort to the whole experience.”

2

How much does a Namibia safari cost?

“It is possible to do a Namibia safari on the cheap, by renting a 4WD vehicle and heading out into the wild. Although vehicle rental costs are generally high and fuel is never cheap, your vehicle will also be your home, and camping and national park fees are not as expensive as in some other countries. At a minimum, expect to pay US$175 per person per day. If you’re looking for higher comfort levels and someone else to take care of the arrangements, Namibia safari packages also reach for the high end rather well. Although there are degrees of comfort and cost, the price can go as high as US$1,075 per person per day.”

3

What is the wildlife viewing like in Namibia?

“Wildlife generally occurs at lower densities in Namibia, so you sometimes have to work harder for your sightings here than you do elsewhere in southern Africa. The best places to see wildlife on a Namibian safari are in the country’s north. Etosha National Park is especially good for lions and elephants, but you’ll also see giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and all manner of antelope species. After dark, black rhinos gather at waterholes, including those alongside some of the main camping areas. It was here that the BBC first filmed this unusual behavior. African wild dogs are a possibility in the northeast, while sable, sitatunga and red lechwe antelope are highlights in Bwabwata National Park. In the northwest, Damaraland and Kaokoland are famed for desert-adapted lions, rhinos and elephants, and brown hyenas can be seen scavenging around seal colonies on the coast. Farther south, wildlife is scarcer and the main reason to visit is the scenery.”

More about the wildlife of Namibia 4

How safe is Namibia for tourists?

“Namibia is generally safe and politically stable. You’re unlikely to experience any problems in safari areas, such as parks, reserves and wilderness areas. Most Namibian cities and towns are considered safe and very few travelers run into trouble. But you should be careful in larger cities, especially the capital Windhoek, where petty crime is a growing problem. Road conditions are generally excellent along the main road network. However, off-road conditions can be challenging, from the deep sands of Namib-Naukluft and Khaudum National Parks to the axle-breaking rocks of Damaraland and Kaokoland. If you are self-driving in these areas, make sure you are prepared. The only risk of malaria is in the north: along the border with Angola, in and around Etosha, and in the Zambezi Region.”

5

How do I select a reliable Namibian tour operator?

“Your first stop when planning a Namibia holiday should be SafariBookings.com, where you can see the widest range of safari options in one place. The insights that you’ll get from expert reviews of the parks and from travelers’ experiences with operators offering Namibia tours could prove invaluable. Beyond that, talk at length to any company you are considering for your travel plans. No question should go unanswered. A visit to Namibia can be expensive and you want to be well informed about what you’re paying for. Safaris are a dream trip for many, so be sure to ask questions of the company you book with to avoid any unpleasant surprises or preventable disappointments while on the adventure of a lifetime. Be clear about your expectations and the finer detail. Is it wildlife or the landscapes that you most want to see? What wildlife is on your bucket list? What’s your daily itinerary? How many hours can you expect to spend each day in the car? If a company is unwilling or reluctant to answer these questions, you should look elsewhere.”

6

What type of accommodations can I expect?

“If you’re self-driving, as many visitors on Namibia vacations do, you’ll likely sleep in a tent: either on the ground or on the roof of the vehicle. Camping areas in Namibia are often crowded, especially in popular wildlife areas such as Etosha National Park, but they’re also fenced (unlike in neighboring Botswana). Most have facilities that include showers and toilets. Some even have restaurants, kiosks and swimming pools. Elsewhere, Namibia has a full range of lodges and hotels, usually on the fringes of wilderness areas. These span all cost and comfort levels. Inside the parks, reserves and remote areas, you’ll mostly find luxury lodges and tented camps designed to blend into their surroundings. They often have just 8 to 10 tents, ensuring an exclusive experience. Tents are large, with comfortable beds, writing desks, private bathrooms and private decks or terraces. The night noises of Africa and cooling evening breezes make the safari tent one of my favorite places to sleep anywhere on earth.”

7

What can I expect from a safari in Namibia?

“If your Namibia tour is all about wildlife, you can expect a similar experience in Namibia as you would elsewhere in Africa. This means a pre-dawn wake-up call, followed by game drives in the early morning and again in the late afternoon, and perhaps even a night drive. On these drives, you’ll be accompanied by a guide, a driver and sometimes a local tracker. The tracker will be perched on a seat on the hood of the vehicle looking for animal spoor (marks or substances left behind as animals move through their environment). You can also expect a full breakfast after the morning drive, along with lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, with plenty of relaxation time in between. If your visit is more about exploring wild landscapes, your focus may be different. But the daily rhythms (formed in part to avoid being out during the hottest times of the day) are likely to be similar.”

8

Namibia Safari Reviews

4.6/5 252 Reviews
Expert
Lizzie Williams  –  
South Africa ZA

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Unspoilt wilderness and unique and stunning landscapes offering a variety of contrasting safari expe
5/5

A hauntingly beautiful country that stretches along the west coast of southern Africa, with wide open spaces, big skies and some of the earth's most mystical and vivid sunsets, any visitor is blown away by the way Namibia ‘looks’ –...

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Expert
Christopher Clark  –  
United Kingdom UK

Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.

Sand, salt pans and stars: Southern Africa’s wild west
5/5

With the exception of the verdant Zambezi Region, most of Namibia is comprised of harsh and inhospitable desert, but I’ve always found it staggeringly beautiful. Namibia was the first place I really travelled in Africa; I’ve been back...

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Mark  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Nov 7, 2024
Brilliant Contrasts
5/5

Our recent journey to Namibia ranked as one of our best international trips. It is a country of great contrasts and scenic beauty, especially for those who appreciate stark features of nature. Namibia is an outstanding destination for...

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Andrew Reynolds  –  
South Africa ZA
Reviewed: Nov 5, 2024
We experienced a raw, scenic beauty driving through the deserts and wildlife rich regions of Namibia
5/5

From entering Namibia at the Orange River, to The Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Grootberg, Etosha and Kalahari, we enjoyed unique landscape and wildlife experiences. I can highly recommend Namibia as an incredible country and destination.

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Maxie Oosthuysen  –  
South Africa ZA
Reviewed: Nov 2, 2024
Beauty untold
5/5

My trip to Namibia was absolutely a fantastic experience from the word go. The tour was well planned and we had an excellent, informative guide. We stayed at really wonderful guestfarms and lodges and the food was really great. Namibia is...

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Tania  –  
Portugal PT
Reviewed: Oct 26, 2024
A beautiful, safe and interesting country with a variety of places to visit and friendly people.
4/5

Namibia is a safe and interesting country with great highlights. The sand dunes, Soussusvlei and the desert offer an unforgetable experience. The people are very friendly and prond to share their culture with turists.

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