available in Namibia
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Overview
Situated in south west Africa, Namibia is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and the Atlantic Ocean. This remarkable country is packed with safari gems and huge contrasts in its 11 national parks, ranging from the incredible red dunes of the Namib Desert and breathtaking Fish River Canyon to the white salt pans shimmering in Etosha National Pan and the sprawling coastline of the Skeleton Coast. Home to an abundant and diverse wildlife population including unique desert-adapted species it also boasts a large cheetah population.
At the heart of Etosha National Park lies Etosha pan. Meaning ‘great white area’, Etosha formed part of a huge, shallow lake until two million years ago when it dried up after the major river that fed it changed course. Despite its dryness, this area has an abundance of wildlife which gather around waterholes, the perfect place for incredible game sightings. Home to lion, elephant, black rhino and giraffe, it is also the ideal breeding ground for flamingos. Visitors on a Namibia safari can enjoy leisurely game safaris, boma dinners under the stars, night watches at waterholes and much more.
The Namib Desert, stretching for 1,570 km along the Atlantic coast, is one of the oldest deserts in the world. Sossusvlei is the most accessible part of the Namib, an area known for its magnificent, ochre-coloured dunes, some of highest in the world, which turn stunning colours as the sun rises and sets. A safari around Sossusvlei is a must, either drive yourselves or join a tour. Look out for gemsbok, mountain zebra, springbok and ostrich here and climb up the dunes for incredible views. Other activities include quad biking, sandboarding, 4×4 safaris and hot air balloon trips.
One of the most scenic wilderness areas of Namibia, Damaraland, is a place of vast open plains, dry river beds and massive granite koppies. Highlights of this area include Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg, a massif of pink granite that originated inside a volcano; Twyfelfontein, a fascinating rocky outcrop with thousands of bushman engravings; and Spitzkoppe, a group of peaks which are over 120 million years old. Incredibly a number of desert-adapted wildlife have made this desolate landscape their home, including elephant and black rhino – going on a tracking safari is an experience of a lifetime with the chance to get close to these endangered animals.
The longest river in Namibia at 650 km, the Fish River meanders through Fish River Canyon near the end of its course. One of the natural wonders of Africa and the second largest canyon in the world, this spot has become a popular hiking destination. The hike is 86 km in length, takes about five days and leads to Ai-Ais Hot Springs spa. Easier hikes are also offered in adjacent parks. Keep your eyes peeled for mountain zebra, kudu, steenbok, rock dassie and baboon.
Best Time to Visit Namibia
- Jun–Oct –High Season. Dry weather, from June to August, can get cold at night and in early morning, but the days are not too hot. By September the temperatures are starting to hot up, with October being the hottest month. Thus, it is best to book a Namibia safari tour early to ensure availability.
- May & Nov – Shoulder Season. May temperatures are mild, the rains have finished so the scenery is beautiful and green in many areas. In November there can be intense but short lived downpours.
- Dec–Apr – Low Season. In December it’s hot and humid, January is the hottest month in the south and February on the coast, the rains continue usually as thunderstorms in the afternoons.
General Information
- Capital city – Windhoek
- Currency – Namibian Dollar and South Afrian Rand
- Languages – Himba, Afrikaans, English and German
- Size – 824,269 sq km – twice the size of Germany and slightly larger than Britain and France together
- Population – 2.607 million (2017)
Namibia Travel Safety and Health
- Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:
- The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for Namibia: hepatitis A and typhoid. Check with your doctor which other vaccinations you might need and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
- Malaria is present in the northern and eastern parts of the country – get medical advice on which prophylaxis to take.
- Yellow fever is not a risk but if you are travelling from an infected region you will need a yellow fever certificate as an entry requirement.
Pros
- One of the perks of a safari in Namibia is that the tourist numbers are pretty low.
- There are 11 Namibia national parks with huge protected areas.
- Namibia Africa safari is also a great choice for self-drives, as it as good roads and little traffic.
- Namibia safari tour is a perfect choice for a family holiday, as it has amazing geology and diverse culture.
- Namibia wildlife safari is also easy to combine with other destinations in Southern Africa.
- On a Namibia safari holiday, you’ll also get to see some of the most unique desert-adapted species.
Cons
- Animals can be sparse in certain areas
- Long distances between safari areas
- Some popular Namibia safari tourist spots can be busy in high season
Arriving in Namibia
- Most visitor arrive by air, often via the regional hub Johannesburg, from here there are flights to Windhoek.
- Hosea Kutako is Namibia’s international airport, from here there are taxis to the city centre and most major hire car brands are represented.
- If you are already in the region then you can drive, or bus in.
Getting Around
- Namibia is a large country with very specific tourism areas and distances between them can be lengthy.
- There is a well maintanined road network connecting the main safari areas and Namibia is rated highly as a self-drive safari destination.
- Internal charter flights can be arranged between al the major areas.
Visas
- Visas are not required by most visitors. but please check before travel – Namibia Visas >>
Namibia Safaris
Namibia Wine Tour
- 12 Days
Namibia offers space, silence and the chance to really get away from it all, and is not usually associated...
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Country:Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Windhoek
Elephant Mobile Safari
- 15 Days
Camp in some stunning wilderness areas on this safari adventure, including scenic spots on the Chobe...
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Country:Zambia, Botswana, Namibia,
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Departures:Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
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Length:15 Days
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Start/end:Start in Kasane, end in Livingstone or Victoria Falls
Namibia, Travel With Purpose
- 10 Days
On this 10-day safari take this opportunity to travel through Namibia's epic ever-changing landscapes...
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Country:Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Walvis Bay
Safari to Namibia
- 16 Days
On this self-drive get to know Namibia, with its unforgettable experiences and landscapes; it has the...
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Country:Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:16 Days
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Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek
Classic Namibia Safari
- 8 Days
The country of Namibia is not only a huge expanse of sand, it has so much more to offer! This popular...
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Country:Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:8 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Windhoek
Namibia Dunes & Wildlife Experience
- 6 Days
For those with limited time, this combination of Sossusvlei and Etosha is the perfect choice to experience...
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Country:Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:6 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Windhoek
Self-Drive Tour 4 Countries
- 22 Days
This epic self-drive adventure takes you to four countries; South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia....
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Country:Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:22 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Johannesburg
15-Day Three Country Safari
- 15 Days
Explore three of the greatest safari countries on this guided all inclusive safari. Explore Namibia's...
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Country:Botswana, Namibia, Zambia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:15 Days
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Start/end:Start in Windhoek, Namibia, end in Livingstone, Zambia
29-Day Luxury African Fly-in Safari
- 29 Days
A luxury safari giving you the very best that Africa has to offer while in ultimate comfort. Visit Zanzibar,...
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Country:Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:29 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Nairobi
Namibia Guided Lodge Safari
- 13 Days
One of the most fascinating countries in Southern Africa, a guided safari is the very best way to get...
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Country:Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:13 Days
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Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek
Partners offering Safaris in Namibia
Countries in the same Region
Botswana
- 110 Partners
- 74 Tours
Botswana safaris are sought after for those seeking incredible untouched wilderness; the beautiful Okavango Delta, elephant paradise Chobe National Park, green savannah of Savuti and much more.
South Africa
- 83 Partners
- 35 Tours
Home to some of the richest biodiversity on earth, South Africa has a wealth of scenic gems for visitors to experience, from mountains, lakes and oceans to winelands, national parks and deserts.
Zambia
- 63 Partners
- 32 Tours
With vast tracts of remote wilderness and few tourists, a visit to Zambia offers genuine adventure with high quality guides sharing their knowledge on game drives, night excursions, walking and canoe safaris.
Zimbabwe
- 83 Partners
- 35 Tours
Zimbabwe still rates as one of the greatest Southern African safari destinations. Despite its recent troubles, it offers a superior safari experience and is home to some of the very best guides in the business.
Swaziland
- 5 Partners
- 7 Tours
Despite being the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, the Kingdom of Swaziland packs a punch with everything it has to offer, brimming with colourful rich culture, laid-back friendly locals, natural beauty and amazing wildllife.
Mozambique
- 24 Partners
- 7 Tours
Mozambique is a tropical paradise that has so much to offer visitors; soft, dune-covered beaches and turquoise-coloured oceans, rich coral reefs and uninhabited archipelagos. Inland the vast wilderness is recovering from years of civil war. Situated in the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, the Gorongosa National Park lies in the wild heart of central Mozambique.
Malawi
- 13 Partners
- 3 Tours
Malawi’s varied landscapes include green plains, mountainous areas, forests and river valleys. Despite its relatively small land mass for an African country, Malawi boasts a large number of national parks and open spaces making it ideal for a safari holiday.
Madagascar
- 23 Partners
- 10 Tours
Lying off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and a unique ecological environment. The island split off from the ancient landform of Gondwana some 88 million years ago and has since remained an isolated landmass. This has resulted in the spectacular biodiversity for which Madagascar has become known, with an astonishing 90% of its wildlife unique to the island.
