6 Questions About 7-Day Namibia Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many Bradt guides. She also contributes to travel and environmental magazines and tourist brochures. She has visited Namibia several times and she hopes to go back sometime soon.

› More about Ariadne

What can I expect from a 7-day Namibia safari?

“A Namibia safari is as much about the landscapes as the wildlife. The striking desert environment doesn’t support the wildlife densities of some other safari destinations. However, with such sparse vegetation, sightings tend to be excellent. The one exception is Etosha NP in the Dry season. Here you can see lots of wildlife together at the waterholes. The highlights of Namibia are spread out and you should expect a fair amount of driving time on a 7-day safari. That is, unless you opt for a fly-in safari where you hop between destinations by small aircraft. Driving time in Namibia is never wasted though. You’ll get to appreciate the vast open spaces and endless horizons. The daily routine of a 7-day Namibia safari consists of getting out and about early in the morning and late afternoon. Especially when looking for wildlife on game drives. The middle of the day is hot and animals become less active and hide in the shade. When staying 2 or more nights in a lodge, you get a chance to relax when you get back from your morning excursion. Afternoons are usually spent exploring again. You might get back to the lodge before dusk or even after dark if you are doing a night drive where you look for nocturnal animals by spotlight.”

Where should I go on a one-week Namibia safari?

“A popular 7-day itinerary includes stays at Windhoek, the capital city, Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, the coastal town of Swakopmund and Etosha NP. On this tour you can also visit Walvis Bay for its flamingos, pelicans and other birdlife, and Cape Cross for its seal colony. You can add a stop in Damaraland, especially on a fly-in safari. Here you can see some of the best rock art in southern Africa at Twyfelfontein. If you get a chance to go deeper into this magnificent wild area, you’ll have the opportunity to see desert elephants. Another option is to head south from Windhoek to one of the most impressive viewpoints in the country, the Fish River Canyon. This can be combined with stops in Tsau //Khaeb National Park, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund. There are obviously lots of different options and you’ll have to make some hard choices when going on a 7-day Namibia safari. If you’re going on a road trip (self-drive or guided), you should avoid trying to cover too much distance.”

What kinds of tours are available for a one-week Namibia safari?

“There are different ways to travel in Namibia on a one-week safari. You can book a private tour or a shared tour. If you’re not a group person, private might work best for you. It also gives you the most flexibility. Your guide won’t have to consider other travelers, so they can discuss the daily program with you and accommodate your wishes where possible. However, shared tours are great fun and a good opportunity to meet people sharing your love for travel. And group tours are usually more cost-effective than private tours. When booking a shared tour, always check the maximum number of people and the vehicle used. Larger groups often travel in overland trucks, while groups of up to six or eight people usually get around in a minivan or 4x4 vehicle. If you feel adventurous and you like more independence on your travels, you can consider booking a self-drive safari. Namibia is a very safe country and self-drive holidays are popular here. While it is possible to rent a vehicle and make your own travel arrangements, many visitors prefer to leave the planning to the experts. This doesn’t only save you time, it also ensures that travel distances are realistic and bookings are confirmed. This kind of package usually includes 24/7 road assistance in case of a breakdown or any other problem.”

When booking a 7-day Namibia tour, should I choose a fly-in or road safari?

“When booking a 7-day Namibia tour, you should think about whether a fly-in or road safari is most suitable for you. Both have pros and cons to consider. There are many 7-day road safaris available in Namibia. One week isn’t a lot of time for a Namibia safari and you can expect to be spending quite a lot of time driving between destinations. The long drives can be tiring, but covering distance gives you a chance to appreciate the scenery and the emptiness of this beautiful country. However, the main advantage of a road safari is that it is cheaper than a fly-in safari. If you want to save valuable time on a 7-day Namibia safari, a fly-in safari is a good choice. It allows you to spend more time at prime locations without having to schedule overnight stops between highlights. Fly-in packages are usually tied in with luxury accommodation. In some cases these lodges are in remote locations and offer a high level of exclusivity. Even if you can’t afford a full fly-in safari, you can consider combining a road safari with a stay in one of the country’s remote fly-in lodges.”

What is the best time of the year for a one-week Namibia safari?

“Namibia has a dry desert climate and can be visited throughout the year. Overall the best time for wildlife viewing is from June to October, the middle and end of the Dry season. Etosha NP, in particular, is a very seasonal park. During these months, animals gather around the waterholes and sightings tend to be phenomenal. Once the rains start, animals disperse and the viewing is more hit-and-miss. The Wet season, especially from November to February, is usually very hot and humid. April and May are lovely months in Namibia. As the rains subside, temperatures are mild and the scenery is green and crisp. Even when traveling in the Wet season, rainfall is sporadic. It usually comes in afternoon thunderstorms, which can be refreshing as the temperatures drop temporarily. December to April is the low season and you might get discounted packages during these months.”

How much does a 7-day Namibia safari cost?

“You can expect a starting price of US$1,000 per person for a 7-day shared camping tour, going up to US$3,000 per person for a mid-range private tour. Fly-in tours start at around US$4,500 per person. There are a lot of factors that determine the cost of a safari in Namibia. The most budget-friendly option is to join a group camping tour. These are a lot of fun, but there is some lovely accommodation to choose from, and staying in safari lodges can be part of the experience. There are lodges in different price brackets offering different levels of luxury and comfort. Most popular is mid-range accommodation at competitive prices. Whether you’re going for a mid-range or luxury tour, you should consider traveling out of the high season. You’ll probably get a better deal at this time; the scenery is lusher and the parks are less busy. Be warned though that animals in Etosha NP are scattered and harder to find at that time. Once you’ve narrowed down your priorities, get a few quotes before making a final decision. ”

Namibia Reviews

4.5/5 189 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’ –...

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Expert

Mike Unwin –

Mike is an award winning wildlife writer, editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

Harsh beauty

5/5

Namibia breaks the mould. Its rugged rock and desert landscapes provide a quite different backdrop – and thus different visitor experience – from any other African safari destination. For many, the country’s attractions are as much...

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Pedro A. E. Duarte –

Reviewed: Nov 19, 2022

Namíbia Is the most civilized country and also one of the most beatifull from the ones i know.

4/5

Namibia is a country with very beautiful landscapes.
It is also a country with excellent natural parks where we can observe its abundant fauna and flora.
all this in a country with a very friendly, civilized and welcoming population.

Full Review

Pauline –

Reviewed: Oct 13, 2022

Spectacular

5/5

We choose to visit Southern Namibia including the Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon, Kolemanskop, Luderitz, the colossal dunes of Sossusvlei. Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe and Windhoek. Each destination offered great scenery, wildlife, beautiful...

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Phil Atkinson –

Reviewed: Oct 4, 2022

A wonderful few weeks in an extraordinary country. We will be back as much more to see

5/5

We booked very late really, early August but our tour organiser, Lilly of Great Explorations Namibia, pulled out all the stops to ensure we had our agreed car and accommodation which was great. Time is always an issue with trips as there is...

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Richard Boyle –

Reviewed: Sep 16, 2022

Camping Safari around Namibia 2022

5/5

I booked a 12 day camping Safari around Namibia with Chameleon which was an excellent experience as the unknown group of 10 people from around the globe, all joined in together to make it an excellent memory for all. The group was made of...

Full Review

All 189 Namibia Reviews

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6 Questions About 7-Day Namibia Safaris

Answered by

Ariadne van Zandbergen

6 Questions About 7-Day Namibia Safaris

What can I expect from a 7-day Namibia safari?

Where should I go on a one-week Namibia safari?

What kinds of tours are available for a one-week Namibia safari?

When booking a 7-day Namibia tour, should I choose a fly-in or road safari?

What is the best time of the year for a one-week Namibia safari?

How much does a 7-day Namibia safari cost?

Namibia Reviews

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

Harsh beauty

Namíbia Is the most civilized country and also one of the most beatifull from the ones i know.

Spectacular

A wonderful few weeks in an extraordinary country. We will be back as much more to see

Camping Safari around Namibia 2022