Email Pauline Ryan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Namibia has some of the best and varied scenery and Etosha had amazing wildlife
After a luxury, customised Safari across Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, we did a 19-day self-drive Safari around Namibia. All of this was organised through Wayfairer Travel, who were fabulous. They also worked inside Namibia with ATI Travel who organised the car rental, customised map and navigation directions for us. All of this worked really well.
We drove around the bulk of Namibia in a clockwise direction starting from Windhoek. We chose mostly luxury accommodation and we can recommend the following (with occasional relevant comments):
Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge Tented Chalet was the most beautifully appointed place we stayed at in all of Africa. No expense had been spared here. The attention to detail was extraordinary and the facilities were extensive; including a pool, huge, luxurious bar and dining areas (indoor and out). All chalets look out over waterholes and feed areas for the animals that come in for this. (Don’t stay only one night)
Fish River Lodge Chalet is situated on the very edge of the massive canyon which gives you an extraordinary view of it. (It is however, an extremely long drive over some rough gravel and sandy roads to get there. The optional activity of driving around the canyon is actually a day trip to the bottom of the canyon, and is not worth the price or the five hours of discomfort to get there).
Klein Aus Vista is hard to find, but the pool area and relaxation areas around and overlooking it were terrific; and great for sunset watching. (The rooms next to this may be okay, but the Eagle's Nests Chalets we stayed in were almost 9kms of gravel road away from the above amenities, and they are built almost directly under a cliff face of massive boulders that have obviously rolled down from above at some time in the past, and will logically continue to do this again at some point. The cabins are also almost side by side, so you can’t enjoy the isolation you might expect that far out. Unless you like climbing large rocky hills, I don’t see the point of these remote and very basic chalets).
Desert Hills Lodge Chalet near Sossusvlei is an amazing architectural feat. The chalets and huge main buildings have the most beautiful thatched roofs, and there is a large pool area and extensive dining deck; all with an expansive view overlooking a huge, beautiful, vast and rocky desert area. Each chalet has a private and uninterrupted view of this.
Okaukuejo Camp is conveniently located well inside west Etosha National Park. Whilst the cabins are not by any means luxury accommodation, staying in the chalets right beside the waterhole meant that you were immersed at any time of day or night in the experience of almost every type of animal up close and personal.
Mushara Bush Camp Tent near east Etosha National Park was very nice and quiet, and it had a pool, and a beautifully designed lobby, bar and dining area. Unlike Okaukuejo Camp, it is just a little way out from the park though, so you need drive about half an hour to get to any of the waterholes.
Ai-Aiba Rock Painting Lodge Chalets are beautiful and cleverly built. The chalets and huge main building have beautiful thatched roofs, and there is a pool area and an extensive glassed-in dining area; all with an expansive view towards the Erongo Mountains. Each chalet has a private and uninterrupted view of this.
There is however, about 48 kms of winding, hilly, gravel road just to get there from the main highway, so unless you love climbing around rocky outcrops and intend to stay at least two nights, I don’t know that it is worth it.
Also the chalets here are also built almost directly under a cliff face of massive boulders that have obviously rolled down from above at some time in the past, and will logically continue to do this again at some point)
Activities that I can recommend include:
Climbing to the top of Big Daddy sand dune near Sossusvlei (be aware it is too tough for some)
Lie-down sand boarding down huge sand dunes (at speeds up to 70 kph) at Swakopmund
Most of the highways in Namibia are very good. The bitumen roads can legally be driven on at up to 120 kph, but most of them have no dividers between each side of the road, so some may prefer to drive at lesser speeds.
There are some very long stretches of gravel roads which are mostly being constantly graded, but it can be tiring watching almost every section of road for potholes, small ditches or loose edges.
Regardless of the road types, much of the scenery is just stunning in terms of geology, mountains, gorges, desert area and changes in vegetation. Depending on where you are, there is often a lot of wildlife to see along the way.
The weather was perfect the whole way around, and we felt quite safe everywhere; even at night. Of course, there are some national parks where you cannot wander around at night, due to the proximity of wildlife.
The country had been suffering from drought for some time before we arrived, but we still saw quite a lot of animals around. Many waterholes are fed by water 24/7 from boreholes, and some lodges bring in feed for the animals. Etosha was by far the best location for large herds of elephants, zebra and wildebeest, and we saw many giraffes and a few rhinos. We even saw cheetahs here, and we hadn’t seen these anywhere else.
Swakopmund and Okaukuejo at west Etosha were the best places we found for some great souvenirs.
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Email Parita | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unique
Gorgeous country with unique geology and super friendly people. The lodges/resorts we stayed at were lovely, the food and service-excellent. We flew to each destination within namibia and that not only saved time, but also gave us beautiful views from the planes that we would have otherwise missed.
KR
Email Kyongmook Lim | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Perfect honeymoon!
We went namibia expedition for 4days and it was a wonderful choice! Breathtaking scenery and perfect guiding(w. Veron) was amazing to be with.
Highly recommend this tour!
NL
Email Eric de Milliano | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Magnificent
Beautiful country with a great variety of landscapes and nice people. The country is clean, the roads are well maintained, the accommodation we stayed in was well kept and greatly designed, the food we ate was of good quality.
Email Karen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A land of contrasts? Landscapes change as you move around the country.
We did a fly-in Safari, visiting Sossusvlei where the Sand Dunes and hot air ballooning were the highlights, then Swakopmund with a 4WD trip along the sand dunes to Sandwich Harbour. Next Damaraland to a gorge, cultural visit and bush paintings. Also spent an amazing day looking for rhinos and approaching them. Then Etosha, where at Andersons at Ongava we got to watch rhinos up close at the waterhole from the hide and the dining area. At Etosha National Park we saw Elephants, Springboks, Giraffe, Zebras, Oryx, Ground Squirrels and even Lions. Also saw a variety of birds. A wonderful visit!
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Email Kyle Fiddelke | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Truly Magical!!!
This was my second time to this beautiful country. The people, the place, and the stunning scenery are unmatched in my travels. You cannot go wrong with a visit through the variety of landscapes, cultures, flora and fauna!
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Email Andrew J | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The raw beauty of the country is striking.
Doing a self-drive in this country is an experience like no other. It is the most rugged, desolate, and hauntingly beautiful place I have ever been. The dunes, the sea, the wind, the rock, the vast emptiness. We saw stars at night with clarity like nowhere else. One can't accurately capture the beauty of Namibia in words. We felt entirely safe and secure while on the road in our vehicle and the drives from city to city, park to park, were not too long, though the hours spent on gravel roads were wild! I expect Etosha National Park can't hold a candle to wildlife parks in other parts of Africa, but combined with time spent in the desert and at the coast, a trip to Namibia gives variety no where else could match.
Email Annie | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Beautiful country, people and nature!
We saw amazing sceneries, from deserts to ocean, from savanna to mountains, insane wildlife including rhinos fighting, leopards and all the expected animals and more! The roads were excellent, the lodges had character and luxury and the price tags were very reasonable! Can't wait to go back!
NL
Email Panagiotis Giannopoulos | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellen
Incredible trip of 10 days all around Namibia. The travel agency organised everything and personalised it. All the lodges were excellent. Can't decide what was better, the dunes in Sossusvlei, or the wildlife in the North.
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Email Aaron Roberts | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Namibia was one of the most enchanting, fascinating, and beautiful countries I've ever been to!
My recent trip to Namibia was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I set foot in this captivating country, I was greeted by a landscape that seemed to stretch endlessly, offering a mesmerizing blend of natural wonders and cultural richness.
One of the highlights of my journey was the opportunity to witness Africa's magnificent wildlife in its natural habitat. Guided by the knowledgeable and charismatic Rudolf, every excursion into the wilderness felt like a chapter from a wildlife documentary come to life. From majestic lions prowling the savannah to graceful giraffes and elephants roaming the plains, every encounter left me in awe of the sheer diversity and beauty of Namibia's fauna.
The dunes of Sossusvlei painted a surreal picture against the canvas of the desert, while the rugged terrain of Damaraland offered a glimpse into the ancient history of this land. Whether it was the ethereal beauty of the Skeleton Coast or the serene tranquility of Etosha National Park, Namibia's landscapes never ceased to amaze me.
And then there were the sunsets! Words fail to capture the sheer magic of watching the sky set ablaze in a symphony of colors as the sun dipped below the horizon. Each evening felt like a celebration of nature's artistry
But perhaps the true gem of my Namibian adventure was my guide, Rudolf. His passion for his homeland was infectious, his knowledge boundless, and his commitment to ensuring an unforgettable experience for his guests unwavering. From sharing fascinating insights into Namibia's history and culture to regaling us with tales of his own adventures in the wilderness, Rudolf was more than just a guide – he was a friend, a mentor, and a source of endless inspiration.
I carry with me memories that will last a lifetime – memories of Africa's wildlife, its landscapes, its sunsets, and the remarkable people like Rudolf who make Namibia truly special.
