Namibia Private Safari Tours

4.6/5 – 191 Namibia Reviews

Namibia is an amazing safari destination, and it’s perfect for those looking for a memorable private safari. It’s a country that combines all the necessary ingredients for an incredible trip, ranging from charismatic wildlife and spectacular landscapes to the possibility of soulful encounters with local people. On a private safari (where you’ll have the guide, driver and vehicle all to yourself), your trip will be ideally suited to Namibia, a country where its big, empty spaces are best explored in small groups. Namibia’s safari operators are highly professional and this is one of the safest safari destinations anywhere in Africa, making it the ideal choice for your private safari.

1-20 of 24 private tours, packages and holidays to Namibia

7 Questions About Namibia Private Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony is a specialist writer about Africa, with extensive experience of safaris across the continent. He writes for Lonely Planet (including the Botswana & Namibia guide), SafariBookings and other magazines and newspapers around the world. He is also the author of The Last Lions of Africa.

› More about Anthony

What are the pros and cons of a Namibia private safari?

“There are so many advantages to going on a private safari in Namibia, not least among them is that it’s a fantastic way to enjoy this remarkable country. For a start, a private safari means that your tour is all about you and the kind of safari you want. The guide, the vehicle and almost everything else about the trip is just for you. You don’t have to factor in anyone else when planning a private safari with the operator of your choice. There aren’t many downsides to a private safari. Cost may be one: private safaris are more expensive than group or self-drive safaris. And unlike on a group safari, you won’t share safari trails with anyone else, which means you don’t get the same camaraderie that you can enjoy on a group safari.”

What is the recommended length of a Namibia private safari?

“Any time you spend on a Namibia private safari will be time well spent, and there is no set recommended length: it all depends on how much time you have. As a simple rule, the longer you spend on safari the better. Although you can travel for shorter periods (in which case you’ll want to zero in on just a handful of Namibian destinations), an ideal minimum length for your safari is one week. That should give you time to visit Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei, as well as perhaps one or two other places. Ten days would be even better, and two weeks in Namibia will mean you can really see the best of what the country has to offer. If your time is limited, consider flying between destinations. That way you can enjoy splendid views and cut the amount of time you spend traveling, leaving you more time to enjoy the wildlife and people.”

Will we spend all our time with our guide on a Namibia private safari?

“If you’ve paid for a private safari, you will almost certainly have a guide who meets you at the beginning of your tour and stays with you until your safari is over. He or she may be joined by other local guides from time to time, but your guide will most likely be there throughout. Having this much time with a guide is one of the best things about a private safari, and it could end up being a real safari highlight. That’s because it allows you to form a relationship (possibly even a close friendship) with your guide. Such a relationship can be a precious gateway into a deeper understanding of local culture and will open many doors to meeting locals. It can also be a starting point for so many wonderful insights that you’ll gain about wildlife and Namibia in general.”

Which parks should we visit on a private Namibia safari?

“Which parks you visit can depend on how long you plan to be on safari. Most packages for a Namibia private safari include a visit to Etosha National Park and this world-class wildlife destination should definitely be number one on your priority list. Namib-Naukluft National Park, which includes the renowned sand dunes of Sossusvlei, should also be at the top of your list. Other possible parks include Bwabwata and Nkasa Rupara National Parks in the far northeast, while some of the private reserves, such as Erindi, can also be fantastic for wildlife. Remember, too, that some of Namibia’s top attractions don’t fall within park boundaries. These include Damaraland; Fish River Canyon; parts of the Skeleton Coast with its shipwrecks and sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic; and the incredible rock art of Brandberg and Twyfelfontein.”

How much do Namibia private safari packages cost?

“The cost of a private safari in Namibia can vary greatly. Partly that depends on the season in which you travel. In high season, which runs from July to October, prices can be almost double those that you’ll pay in the low or shoulder seasons. Another consideration when it comes to the cost of your holiday is the level of luxury you plan to enjoy and can afford. Will you be flying between destinations or traveling by road? Will you be staying in luxury lodges and tented camps, or camping and staying in simple hotels? How you answer these questions will play a big role in determining the price you’ll pay. The number of people in your traveling party can also affect the per-person cost of your safari. As a general rule, expect the cost of your Namibia private safari to start at around US$200 per person per day, although it could go much higher if you opt for a top-end luxury experience.”

What type of vehicle can I expect on a private Namibia safari?

“For getting between your various safari destinations, you’ll either travel in a private vehicle or a small plane. If you’re traveling by road, the type of vehicle will depend on the level of comfort, luxury and cost of your safari. Most often it will be a modern 4x4. On game drives, you’ll probably be driven around (with a guide, driver and possibly an additional spotter) in an open-sided 4x4 vehicle with a canvas roof and tiered seating. The best seat is usually in the row just behind the driver. Game-drive vehicles can be very cold in the cooler months, but your safari operator or accommodation should provide blankets to ward off the early morning or early evening chill. If you’re flying between destinations, you’ll either have a small private plane, or you’ll be on a small plane that carries other travelers or safari workers to their destinations. Either way, try for a window seat when you board and enjoy the views.”

Which animals are we likely to see on a private Namibia safari?

“The animals you’ll see while on safari in Namibia will, of course, depend on where you go. In Etosha National Park, lions, elephants and black rhinos are the undoubted highlights. Other commonly seen animals including zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, brown hyena and cheetah. In desert regions, the extravagantly horned gemsbok is an icon of the sands. Along the Skeleton Coast, watch for the Cape fur seal; there’s a loud, noisy and rather smelly colony. The birdlife is good across the country, with flamingo often seen near Walvis Bay. But the best birding is in the far northeastern Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), which borders the northern edge of Botswana’s Okavango Delta.”

Namibia Reviews

4.6/5 191 Reviews

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

Expert

Emma Gregg –

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.

A place to bond with the desert and marvel at the stars

5/5

It’s rare for travellers to return from Namibia with anything other than glowing praise. I’m always impressed by the spacious drama of its desert landscapes, where oryx pick their way over towering, apricot-coloured dunes or stare out...

Full Review

Deeksha Rathi –

Reviewed: Dec 21, 2022

Epic landscape and lovely people

5/5

We did an 11 day wildlife, dunes and canyons trip, booked by Indigo safaris and organised locally by Chameleon safaris. From the time we landed to the time we left, we saw amazing landscapes - it’s really a breathtaking variety of...

Full Review

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...

Full Review

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...

Full Review

All 191 Namibia Reviews

Cookie Settings

Manage Cookie Settings

Functional cookies

Analytical cookies (anonymous)

Advertising and social media cookies

Your Safari

Tour Length

Rates in USD $ – Change Currency

Starting From

Comfort Level

Private or Shared Tour

Safari Type

Operator Rating

Specialized Tours

Other Tour Features

Filter by Operator

Filter by Accommodation

Operators From

Namibia Private Safari Tours

8-Day Etosha, Namibia Self Drive Adventure

12-Day Namibia, Chobe & Victoria Falls

9-Day Classic Namibia Trip

3-Day Oshili Etosha Tour

11-Day Self Drive 4x4 Tour Camping or Lodge Accommodation

7-Day Self-Drive Around Namibia Mid-Range Tour

11-Day South Africa and Namibia Self Drive Adventure

3-Day Sossusvlei Camping

16-Day Namibian Diversity: Wildlife, Scenery, Cultures

9-Day Namibian Highlights Exploration

12-Day In and Around the Heart of Namibia

11-Day Namibian Highlights

5-Day Affordable Sossusvlei Short Stay

18-Day Wildlife, Landscapes and Cultural Experience

3-Day Etosha Camping

7-Day Luxury Namibia Journey

7-Day Oshili Himba and Bushmen Culture Tour

10-Day Damaraland, Etosha and Swakopmund Oshili Tour

10-Day Oshili Namibia Highlights Tour

8-Day Oshili Southern Namibia

Related Searches

7 Questions About Namibia Private Safaris

Answered by

Anthony Ham

7 Questions About Namibia Private Safaris

What are the pros and cons of a Namibia private safari?

What is the recommended length of a Namibia private safari?

Will we spend all our time with our guide on a Namibia private safari?

Which parks should we visit on a private Namibia safari?

How much do Namibia private safari packages cost?

What type of vehicle can I expect on a private Namibia safari?

Which animals are we likely to see on a private Namibia safari?

Namibia Reviews

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

A place to bond with the desert and marvel at the stars

Epic landscape and lovely people

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