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Namibia Budget Safari Tours
Budget travelers love Namibia, thanks to its generally low prices, range of safari attractions, and excellent safety record. There’s so much to see here, including wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, Damaraland and the Caprivi Strip. Also popular are the astonishing sand dunes of Skeleton Coast and Sossusvlei, and there is Fish River Canyon – Africa’s very own ‘Grand Canyon’. The largely linear path through the country makes it easy to get around. With the makings of what could be southern Africa’s most diverse safari experience, Namibia is custom-made for your next budget safari.
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3-Day Sossusvlei Camping
$588 to $598 pp (USD)
Namibia: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Windhoek (Start), Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes), Windhoek (End)
Oshili Namibia Travel and Tours
5.0/5 – 11 Reviews
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3-Day Etosha Camping Adventure
$2,750 pp (USD)
Namibia: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Windhoek (Start), Etosha NP, Eastern Etosha, Windhoek (End)
First Light Safaris
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3-Day Etosha Camping
$590 pp (USD)
Namibia: Private tourBudgetCamping
You Visit: Windhoek (Start), Etosha NP, Windhoek (End)
Oshili Namibia Travel and Tours
5.0/5 – 11 Reviews
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Tour Operators Offering Custom Tours
Didn't find the tour you were looking for? Get a free quote for a custom tour from the tour operators below. They can arrange private tours to any destination in Namibia.
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6 Questions About Namibia Budget Safaris
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.
6 Questions About Namibia Budget Safaris
Anthony Ham
Why should I choose Namibia for a budget safari?
“Namibia is an excellent choice for a budget holiday in part because the cost of living is generally quite low and this can filter through into the costs of a safari. An excellent network of campgrounds makes Etosha National Park one of the most accessible of Africa’s top-ranked wildlife reserves. Namibian campsites are invariably fenced, unlike those in Botswana’s national parks, so nervous sleepers will get a better night’s rest. A Namibia budget safari will take you from private reserves (most have well-priced camping zones) to the rugged charm of Damaraland (with its desert-adapted lions and elephants) or the beautiful sand dunes of the Skeleton Coast and Sossusvlei. Budget safari packages ensure that these world-class attractions are accessible to the budget traveler. Hiking the precipitous gorges of the south is similarly economical. Although flying into Windhoek can be expensive, as its popularity grows, ticket prices should fall. It’s also possible to travel here by land if you’re on a longer southern African adventure. As a general rule, Namibia is usually safer than South Africa and cheaper than Botswana. This makes it a natural choice for a budget safari if you have your eye on southern Africa.”
1What is included in a Namibia budget safari?
“Most safari packages will include transport from Windhoek (or wherever the safari begins) and for the duration of your stay. Some will include three meals a day, although you may be expected to contribute to the preparation of meals. If meals aren’t included, you may be asked to provide an extra payment to cover the cost of purchasing supplies. Accommodation should also be included. If you’re on a camping safari, always ask whether you’ll need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag and cooking stove. This is usually only the case for the cheapest safari options. Drinks are almost always extra. You should always ask exactly what is included when you’re booking a safari. If some packages appear cheaper than others, remember to make sure you’re comparing like for like.”
2What are the pros and cons of a self-drive budget safari?
“The advantages for budget travelers in taking a self-drive safari in Namibia is that, having paid for your vehicle, you’ll pay very little more for food and accommodation. Buying food and preparing your own meals is inexpensive on a cheap Namibia safari. Camping fees are also low, especially when you consider that all of the camping equipment you could possibly need is included in the cost of your vehicle. That said, petrol can be a significant extra cost (depending on how far you plan to travel). The cost of a Namibia self-drive safari is unlikely to be cheaper than an organized budget safari if you’re traveling alone. Vehicles cost the same whether you are one or four travelers. If you can resolve the cost issue, there are many advantages to a Namibia self-drive safari. If you’re driving your own vehicle, you’re in control of your trip, including where you go and how long you stay there. That said, freedom isn’t absolute. Many campsites, especially those in national parks, require bookings weeks or months in advance, so you may still find yourself locked into an itinerary. If you’re the one driving, you’re the one with responsibility for making decisions and solving problems. This can be a pro or a con, depending on your perspective and level of experience. At one level, help is rarely more than a satellite phone call away, and most Namibian trails don’t require 4x4 experience.”
3Can you describe a typical day on a Namibia budget safari?
“A budget safari in Namibia focuses on looking for wildlife. If you’re staying in a tented camp, hotel or lodge, the time between wildlife viewing, meals and village excursions will be your own time for relaxation. Most Namibia budget tours, however, involve a real camping experience, and this usually means that you’ll play a role in making sure that camp life runs smoothly. On arrival in each new camp, you’ll help to set up, from your own tent to the communal tents (kitchen, toilet etc.). When it comes time to move on, you’ll help to dismantle the tents and pack everything into the vehicles for the next leg of the journey. While in camp, every safari-goer is expected to help with the preparation of meals and cleaning up afterwards. Each day, you’ll likely go on an early morning and a late afternoon game drive to take advantage of the times that animals are most likely to be out and about. Lunch is usually a relatively simple meal, often taken as you move from one campsite to the next. After dinner, campfire festivities and conversation round off the safari day.”
4What type of accommodation can I expect on a Namibian budget safari?
“At the lower end of the scale, there are dome tents with room for just two and a thin mattress on the hard African earth. There are variations on the theme: sometimes those tents sit atop an elevated platform, sometimes they have more space. The next step up, at least out in the parks, reserves and wilderness areas, is the semi-permanent safari tent. Sometimes called the Meru-style tent, it has a proper bed. It might also have an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, as well as a small deck, sitting area and desk. Four-walled accommodation, either in the form of a lodge or guesthouse, is also found in most Namibian towns. These offer greater protection from insects and wild creatures wandering through camp but lack the atmosphere of being able to listen to the night sounds of Africa. Accommodation on Namibia tours varies, and where things differ is almost always a function of price – the less you pay, the simpler your accommodation. Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) is a government-owned organization that provides accommodation in a lot of the country’s parks. It usually has affordable campsites and comfortable if bland room and bush chalets. The latter pushing more into the mid-range category for accommodation.”
5What are the typical costs of a Namibia budget safari?
“Namibian budget safaris begin for as little as US$130 per person per day. This figure usually assumes that you will be traveling on a twin-share basis. The per-person cost for solo or individual travelers can be higher, sometimes considerably so, beginning around US$165 to US$195. Prices can, of course, go much higher again. For each incremental increase you should be receiving some corresponding rise in comfort levels, services or other benefits. Other variables in a budget safari package can include where you sleep, and how many people will be traveling with you in your party. Other factors are how many guides and/or drivers will be looking after you, and the quality of food, transport and the like.”
6Namibia Reviews
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
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’ –...
Mike is an award winning wildlife writer, editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.
Harsh beauty
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...
Amazing safari.....totally enjoyed it. Awesome country!!Loved
Lovely scenery with a lot of wild life and the weather was great. Most memorable accommodation with super cooking. Transportation was top notch, guide was knowledgeable and very professional. l would definitely return for another visit...
CA
A wonderfully interesting destination with lots of variety.
We spent a wonderful 10 days in Namibia with an outstanding guide (Lucky) The tour was organized by Nature Travel Namibia and the staff were responsive and helpful. We managed to see a lot of game at the Erindi Game Reserve, including...
IT
Magic experience in Namibia
This was my first time in Africa...and I couldn't have chosen anything better than Namibia!
Everything was wonderful: landscape, wildlife, sense of peace...I will bring this experience in my heart forever!
Most wonderful , exciting and adventurous 10 day Tour of Namibia
The tour company was very fast and efficient in communicating and arranging all our bookings. We were happy with most of the accommodation which were clean and comfortable. The weather was very hot but fortunately we travelled in a...