8 Questions About Namibia Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the most recent guide to Botswana & Namibia.

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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. As long as you don’t mind high-season prices and higher numbers of visitors with whom to share the wilderness, July through to October is also excellent with generally dry, clear weather and good visibility; by October, temperatures are starting to rise towards uncomfortable levels. The rains are less of an issue here 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, but some off-road trails may be difficult and, with more water sources scattered around, wildlife tends to disperse and be harder to find.”

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Why visit Namibia, and what are the major attractions?

“Wildlife is a major draw for visitors on Namibia safaris. Etosha National Park, in particular, is one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations – and rightly so. Its combination of hallucinatory salt pans and large wildlife populations (including lions, elephants and plains animals in abundance) give it a cachet found in few other parks. Less commonly visited but for many travelers equally rewarding are Damaraland and the reserves of the Caprivi Strip (such as Bwabwata and Nkasa Rupara National Parks). Landscapes are another highlight, from the Waterberg Plateau Park and Namib-Naukluft 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.”

What does a Namibian holiday cost?

“It is possible to do a Namibia safari on the cheap, by renting a 4WD and heading out into the wild. While 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. As a minimum, count on paying US$175 per person per day. If you’re looking for higher comfort levels and for someone else to take care of the arrangements, Namibia safari prices also reach for the high-end rather well. Although there are degrees of comfort and cost, the cost of a Namibia safari package tour can go as high as US$1075 per person per day.”

How is the wildlife viewing in Namibia?

“The best places to see wildlife on a Namibia 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 congregate at waterholes, including those alongside some of the main camping areas, and it was here that the BBC first filmed this unusual behavior. African wild dogs are a possibility up in the northwest, while sable, sitatunga and red lechwe are highlights in Bwabwata National Park. The northwest, too – especially Damaraland and Kaokoland – is famed for its desert-adapted lions and elephants, with leopards and spotted hyenas also possible. Further south, wildlife is scarcer – the scenery is the main reason to visit, rather than the wildlife.”

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How safe is Namibia for tourists?

“Namibia is generally safe, and you’re unlikely to experience any problems in safari areas, such as parks, reserves and wilderness areas. Although most Namibian cities are considered safe and very few travelers run into trouble, you should be careful in larger cities, especially Windhoek, where petty crime is a growing problem. Road conditions are generally excellent along the main road network, although off-road conditions can prove difficult, from the deep sands of the Namib-Naukluft and Khaudum National Park to the axle-breaking rocks of Damaraland and Kaokoland. If self-driving in these areas, make sure you are prepared. Political stability is another hallmark of Namibia. The only risk of malaria is in the extreme north, along the border with Angola and in the Caprivi Strip.”

How do I select a reliable Namibian tour operator?

“Your first stop when planning Namibia holidays should be SafariBookings.com. Apart from seeing the widest range of safari options in the one place, the insights that you’ll get from expert reviews of the parks and from travelers’ impressions of, and experiences with, those offering Namibia tours could prove invaluable. Beyond that, talk at length to any company with whom you are thinking of traveling. No question should go unanswered – a visit here can be expensive and you have a right to be well informed about what you’re paying for. Safaris are dream destinations for so many, and avoiding a nasty surprise or an avoidable disappointment while on the trip of a lifetime should be more than enough motivation for asking questions of the company you book with. Make sure that you spell out your expectations of your Namibia safari – 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 in the car each day? If a company is unwilling or even reluctant to answer these questions, you should look elsewhere.”

What type of accommodation can I expect on a safari?

“If you’re self-driving, as so many visitors to Namibia 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 like Etosha National Park, but they’re also fenced, unlike in neighboring Botswana. Most also have facilities that include showers, toilets and sometimes even restaurants, kiosks and swimming pools. Elsewhere, Namibia has a full complement of lodges and hotels, usually on the fringes of wilderness areas. These span the full range of costs and comfort levels. Inside the parks, reserves and remote areas, luxury lodges and tented camps, often designed to blend into their surroundings, dominate. They often have just eight to 10 tents, ensuring an exclusive experience at all times. Tents are large, with comfortable beds, writing desks, private bathrooms and private decks or terraces; the night noises of Africa are a wonderful lullaby, while cooling evening breezes also make the safari tent one of my favorite places to sleep anywhere on earth.”

What can I expect from an African safari in Namibia?

“If your Namibia tour is all about wildlife, expect a similar experience in Namibia as you would elsewhere in Africa – a pre-dawn wake-up call, safari drives in the very 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 perched on a seat on the hood of the vehicle, looking for animal spoor. You can also expect a full breakfast after you return from the morning’s drive, plus lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, all interspersed with ample relaxation time. If your visit is more about exploring wild landscapes, your focus may be different, but the daily rhythms, built in part around avoiding being out and about during the hottest parts of the day, are likely to be similar.”

Namibia Safari Reviews

4.5/5 146 Reviews

Expert

Lizzie Williams –

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’ –...

Full Review

Expert

Christopher Clark –

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...

Full Review

Steve Wong –

Reviewed: Dec 25, 2018

Wild Wind Safaris is truly amazing. Etosha Safaris is better compare to Kruger and Botswana!

5/5

Excellent. The best compare to Botswana, Kruger or Motoba. Lots of wildlife and the park is what I perceive Africa Safari to be. It was supposed to be the beginning of Spring with rainfall, but our 3 days at Etosha had amazing weather...

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Helen –

Reviewed: Dec 24, 2018

Very poorly organised; disappointing.

5/5

Namibia, the people and the wildlife is great; but do NOT use Discovery tours. Different friends and family members have used them and they all say that their tour organisation stinks. I was a single female and on the return from Etosha...

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Ewan Robertson –

Reviewed: Nov 22, 2018

Holiday of a lifetime

5/5

An extremely well organised itinerary by the Cardboard Box Company with varied accommodation. Local guides were excellent and informative. Scenery was spectacular and the weather behaved itself! We saw a lot of very varied wildlife...

Full Review

Hugues –

Reviewed: Nov 17, 2018

Rich in beauty, wildlife and people.

5/5

While there are a lot of gaming farms and national parks to see the rich Namibian wildlife, going into the more arid areas of the country will show you as well many animals (Oryx, Baboons, etc.). November the right period to see seals off...

Full Review

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13-Day Go Big Self Drive 4x4

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6-Day Namibia Short and Sweet Adventure

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3-Day Etosha Adventure Safari Namibian (Camping)

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6-Day Botswana + Namibia Safari Experience

11-Day Romantic Safari Get-Away

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9-Day Secluded Luxury in Northern Namibia

8-Day Classic Namibia Safari

3-Day Sossusvlei Tour

12-Day Namibia Classic Accommodated Safari

10-Day Best of Namibia - Small Group Tour

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7-Day Best of Namibia Fly-in Safari

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8 Questions About Namibia Safaris

Answered by

Anthony Ham

8 Questions About Namibia Safaris

When is the best time to visit Namibia?

Why visit Namibia, and what are the major attractions?

What does a Namibian holiday cost?

How is the wildlife viewing in Namibia?

How safe is Namibia for tourists?

How do I select a reliable Namibian tour operator?

What type of accommodation can I expect on a safari?

What can I expect from an African safari in Namibia?

Namibia Safari Reviews

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

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

Wild Wind Safaris is truly amazing. Etosha Safaris is better compare to Kruger and Botswana!

Very poorly organised; disappointing.

Holiday of a lifetime

Rich in beauty, wildlife and people.