Namibia Travel Guide

if you go to Namibiaq, see the dunes - they are magnificent and breathtaking.

My first night in Namibia I spent at The Cardboard Box Backpackers in Windhoek. It was cheap, clean, nice, had a kitchen, and a friendly staff – I highly recommend it. I can’t talk much about Windhoek because I didn’t spend much time there. It doesn’t seem like there is too much to do. Also, it is a very modern city – reminded me of home (USA). My first destination was Etosha National Park. We got there by rental car – I don’t think there are buses that go up there, just tours which are really expensive. The drive was beautiful and what is nice about Etosha is that you can use your own vehicle to do a game drive instead of paying for an expensive safari. The problem with Etosha is how expensive it was. The park entrance fee and camping prices are OUTRAGEOUS. More than staying at a hostel – it was really ridiculous, but we had no alternative. The only food options are overpriced snacks like chips or breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets all very expensive. There are not any grocery stores or other restaurants nearby so either bring your own food and cooking equipment or prepare to be spending a lot of money on food.

Etosha is very big. We spent one night at a campsite on the eastern end of it and the next night at the western end of it. We did our own game drives and saw loads of animals. Apparently, Etosha is a great place to see the Big 5, but unfortunately, we didn’t see any of them in the 2 days we were there. The problem with Ethosha is that although you may not spend a lot of money on paying for a safari (although you certainly can – we didn’t) you spend a lot on gas because the park is so massive. By the time we left Etosha I was very tierd of sitting in the car.

Overall, Etosha was great. Just know that it has pricey food and accommodation and the majority of the trip will be spent sitting in a vehicle – a safari vehicle or your own. Also, it should be noted that the campsites all had very nice, clean facilities and pools.

All the convenience of South Africa without the crowds

Namibia is a great destination for either an organised safari or a self-drive holiday. The roads and infrastructure are nearly as good as in South Africa, and everything is just as reasonably priced. Wildlife is just as good as South Africa, with all the big five represented.
Etosha is probably the most famous park in Namibia, and is where most visitors head. However, there are other good parks for wildlife viewing. I like Waterberg Plateau. It is ideally located between Windhoek and Etosha and has a resort feel with a nice pool and good self-catering rooms. Great for unwinding if you don't fancy a trip to the nice seaside town of Swakopmund. The seal colony at Cape Cross north of Luderitz is a nice little side trip.
Overall, Namibia is well worth a visit if you're into your wildlife. I like the fact that you can drive the main roads and spot unfenced wildlife all over the place. You don't have to visit the parks to see beasts.

Namibia has a desolate beauty - a land of windswept sand, wild ocean, and vast rocky canyons.

Namibia is such a unique travel experience! Remote outposts house delightful German bakeries. Desert wastes hide elusive elephant herds. Cape fur seals birth pups in a cacophony of noise and stench and life. The vast white pans of Etosha in contrast with lush wetlands of the Zambezi Region offer stunning wildlife encounters.

Community based tourism is flourishing here. Local groups are represented in management decisions, and profit directly from tourism income. There are well-appointed local camps and cultural tours throughout the country. These offer an intimate look at local habitat as well as traditional cultures, rituals and wisdom.

Namibia is definitely a place to visit soon, before his beauty attracts more people and become a "tourist destination" like South Africa. Namibia is wild and beautiful. First time I was there (in 2005) it was like we were the first persons to land here, we sometimes drove hours before seeing another car. This is what I loved about this country, the feeling of "discovering" the place.

Wildlife: Seeing huge herds of Elephant (over 300 strong) on the move through open grassland was a real highlight. At the time we visited there were only small groups of other game, but these were very rewarding viewings.
Scenic beauty: Beautiful grassland, ant mounds, the clear Kwando River and sunsets are all to be highly recommended.
Bush vibe: Highly recommended on this basis. The camping along the river really puts you amongst the game. A lot of the best viewing is right from the camping areas. The relative lack of tourists also creates a real bush vibe.
Birding: Great bird watching in general – numerous species (possibly due to such a diversity of habitats in a small area). Highlights from our trip include different species of bee-eaters, Malachite Kingfishers, Fish Eagles, Bateleur Eagles and many types of waterbirds.

Natural environment, not too many people (as are found in Chobe or Kruger), lots of birds & animals, conservation efforts are apparent

Totally superb and the holiday of a lifetime

We went on safari with Wild Dog Safaris to Etosha and Okonjima in Namibia. Our Guide was Tembo. The Wildlife, Scenery, Weather, Accommodation, Transportation and our Guide, Tembo, were all absolutely fanstastic. We could not fault anything and will definitely be returning to Namibia with Wild Dog Safaris as soon as possible.

If you are searching for diversified wildlife within different landscapes Namibia is the right place. Friendly people, exceptional accommodations and stunning sights make every visit of this beautiful country unforgettable.

Plenty of wildlife and gorgeous scenery, and few people. Roadways are easy to navigate.

Namibia is a stunning place, extraordinary landscapes, safari parks and people!