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14 Most Interesting Animals in Namibia

Last updated on November 23, 2021 in Birds , Mammals

Many travelers dream of going on safari in Africa where they can view wild animals in all their glory. Namibia, formerly part of South Africa, is a good place to start making your dream come true. While you may not see all of the Big Five – lion, rhinoceros, leopard, buffalo and elephant – you should be able to cross a goodly number off your bucket list. The trick is knowing where to go. Etosha National Park is a great place to start, since its home to a wide variety of animals in Namibia.

14. Blue wildebeest

Though it resembles an American bison, because of its broad shoulders and heavy front end, the blue wildebeest is considered a large antelope, with cattle-like horns. It is an agile animal, quite aware of its surroundings. When it is spooked, it will take off running but stop after awhile, looking back to see if it’s still being chased. It lives in herds of 20 to 40 animals, preferring to live in southern Africa’s open savannahs. Etosha National Park is a good place to see them in the wild.

13. Spotted hyena

You shouldn’t have any problems spotting a spotted hyena in the wild since upwards of 47,000 exist in Africa. Also known as the laughing hyena, this animal is a native of sub-Sahara Africa, though the species roamed Europe and Asia in ancient times. Hyenas can be found mainly in Etosha and Skeleton Coast national parks, the Caprivi strip and Kaokoland. These bear-like animals are very social, running in packs that are dominated by the females. In the trivia department, the females have a pseudo penis and are the only mammal that doesn’t have a vaginal opening.

12. Ostrich

Ostriches can be found naturally in the wilds of Namibia. You’re more likely to see ostriches in the wild in the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, the Kalahari Desert or around Windhoek. Ostriches adapt well to the country’s deserts because they can go long periods without water. They prefer living on plains with short grasses and avoid rocky areas. If you don’t see any in their preferred habitat, however, you might try an ostrich farm. Ostriches are farmed in Namibia because their meat is lean and every body part can be used for other purposes besides food.

11. Brown fur seal

The cape fur seal, known as the brown fur seal in Namibia, is the largest of the seals. It is an at-risk animal that lives on the coasts of southern Africa. The seals are being threatened by loss of preferred habitat, global warming and man, including the Namibian government, which has an aggressive culling program. These clumsy-on-land graceful-in-water animals can be seen in coastal waters off Namibia, where about two-thirds of the 1.5-2 million cape fur seals live. Cape Frio, on the border with Angola, is one of their breeding grounds. If you scuba drive, don’t be surprised to find a friendly seal accompanying you.

10. African leopard

A good time to see the African leopard is early morning or late afternoon as these nocturnal cats are ending or starting their day. While leopards are hunted for sport in Namibia, they can be found in their natural environment at some conservation-oriented lodges such as Okonjima Bush Camp or Okonjima Main Lodge. These spotted animals look more fierce than kitten-cuddly. They eat everything from insects and antelopes to birds, fish and fruit. They stalk and pounce on their next meal, then may drag its carcass up a tree to protect it from other hungry animals.

9. Springbok

The springbok is the most common antelope in Namibia, where it can be found in the Namib Desert, around Windhoek, and Etosha National Park where it can be found mingling with zebras and wildebeests. The springbok is one of the fastest antelopes, making predators work for their dinner. Both sexes have horns and are prone to “pronking,” whereby, in a stiff-legged posture, they leap into the air multiple times, jumping as high as six feet. They can go several years between drinks of water, mainly because their water requirement is fulfilled by the vegetation they eat.

8. Plains zebra

The plains zebra is also known as Burchell’s zebra after the naturalist W.J. Burchell. These horse-like animals are noted for their black stripes, usually on a white ,but sometimes gold, background. Plains zebras may all look the same to the casual observer, but each individual has a stripe pattern that is unique to it. They’ll herd with other animals in Namibia, such as wildebeests and ostriches, because of the protection they provide from predators. When they flee from danger, they’ll do so at the speed of the slowest herd member. Chances are good for spotting them in the wild in Etosha National Park, since it’s one of the most common animals there with a 20,000 population.

The Kalahari offers your best chance to see meerkats in the wild, though these small mammals may also be found elsewhere in southern Namibia, including game lodges where they are used to humans. They don’t like very dry or very wet habitat. Visitors sometimes mistake ground squirrels for meerkats, even though the meerkat is a much bigger animal. It’s colored differently, too, being sandy or gray with a dark band across the back. When they sit upright on their hind legs, such as after getting up in the morning or when sunning themselves, they tend to resemble the American prairie dog.

The oryx gazelle is a species of antelope that is more familiarly known by its Afrikaans name, gemsbok. It is the national animal of Namibia, where they are found throughout the country, frequently along roadsides. The gemsbok is a hardy animal, able to live in harsh areas that are inhabitable to other antelope. Unlike other antelope, which are usually beige in color, the gemsbok is gray with black and white markings. They’re hunted for sport in Namibia, but it’s not uncommon for one gemsbok to die from fighting with another male, since the horns cause deep stab wounds.

5. South African Cheetah

The South African cheetah dominates the cheetah world in southern African, both in demeanor and numbers. Also known as the Namibian cheetah, this medium-sized cat has a vulnerable status, with only about 6,000 existing. More than half of them can be found in Namibia, especially in farming areas. They can also be found in the Kalahari Basin, Kaokoveld, Namib and the northeast, as well as the protected areas of Namib-Naukluft and Bwabwata national parks. The South African cheetah has a spotted bright yellow or gold coat with a white underside. The males are sociable and live in groups, while females prefer the solitary life.

The giraffe, the tallest of all animals, is a common sight in Etosha National Park, particularly on the road between Numatoni and Klein Numatoni. You’ll notice on this road that the acacia trees have flat tops – that was caused by giraffes snacking on them. The animals do well in dry areas because they can go a long time between drinks of water. They also have nostrils that close up when dust storms occur. The species gets its name from an Arab word, zaralah, which translates as “one who walks quickly.” Despite its gangly looks and height, the giraffe does indeed move quickly – as fast at 37 mph.

3. African Bush Elephant

If you’ve only seen live elephants in zoos or circuses before, you’re going to love seeing these Animals in Namibia in the wild. The country has a healthy elephant population. The dry winter months are the best time to see them in Etosha National Park, though any time is actually good. They can also be found in the Zambezi region where they skip customs to cross international borders into Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Often living to 70 years old, the African bush elephant can eat up to 500 pounds of vegetation and drink up to 50 quarts of water in a day. Hey! Whatever it takes to maintain that svelte 10-ton figure!

2. African Lion

The king of the beasts, the African Lion, can be found in several places in Namibia, mostly in the north: Etosha National Park, Kunene, Kaudom and Caprivi. Etosha, Kaudom and a small section of Caprivi have the highest populations. A smaller number can be found in the south at the ecotourist-oriented Kalahari Game Lodge. Your chances of seeing these magnificent creatures may only be so-so, since there are only about 800 lions in the wild, despite Namibia being a force behind lion preservation efforts. FYI, the lion is the only animal that will attack a standing giraffe.

1. White rhinoceros

Namibia is a good place to see white rhinoceros, an animal that is found mostly in four countries in Africa: Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Once nearly extinct, their population has increased sufficiently to remove them from the endangered list; they are the only rhino species not on the list. Their name is derived from an Afrikaans word, “weit,” which means wide, not white. The wide refers to their wide muzzle, not the color of their hide. Their preferred habitat is grassy savannahs. Etosha National Park is a good place to see them.

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• Wildlife in Namibia

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By Devryn Panaino

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In the north, Etosha National Park is Namibia’s unmissable wildlife destination. During the dry season, when water is scarce, the park’s animals gather around waterholes making game viewing as easy as parking your car in the right spot.

Along with herds of springbok, zebra, and blue wildebeest, you’ll see plenty of elephants and lions and, if you’re lucky, cheetahs.

You’ll also see desert animals such as oryx, meerkat, ostrich, and bat-eared foxes.

The park is the best place in Africa to spot black rhinos, while black-faced impala and Damara dik-dik are two other remarkable species. They’re only found in one other place – across the border in Angola.

Wildlife surrounding Etosha National Park

To the south of Etosha, Waterberg Plateau Park is home to some rare species, such as sable and roan antelope and black and white rhino, and Namibia’s only breeding colony of Cape Vultures.

Wildlife in Damaraland

Among the rugged mountains of Damaraland, in Namibia’s northwest, are free-roaming populations of desert elephants (which are incredibly rare – the only other place in the world you’ll find them is Mali) and desert-adapted black rhinos and lions.

Namibia’s most rewarding wildlife experiences include tracking black rhinos and elephants against spectacular desert backdrops.

Wildlife in the Zambezi Region of Namibia

In far north-eastern Namibia, the Zambezi Region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip) offers a different wildlife experience to the rest of the country, thanks to its heavy summer rainfall, rivers, and water sources.

This is where you can see hippos and crocodiles, and it’s one of the only places in the country where buffalo occur. A highlight of the Zambezi Region is water-based wildlife viewing from boats or a mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe).

Wildlife on the Skeleton Coast of Namibia

Stretching along Namibia’s northern coastline, the Skeleton Coast National Park has one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of Cape fur seals at the Cape Cross Seal Reserve.

There are around 100,000 seals here year-round, and if you visit the reserve in November and December, you’ll see their tiny pups – and perhaps a stalking jackal.

Wildlife in Central Namibia

In central Namibia, there’s marine wildlife to see from a boat and kayaking trips from Walvis Bay to spot seals, whales, and dolphins.

Central Namibia also has two places to take part in animal tracking. Search for cheetahs and leopards at Okonjima Nature Reserve near Otjiwarongo and track rare and extremely elusive pangolins at Erindi Private Game Reserve .

Wildlife in Southern Namibia

Southern Namibia isn’t a prime big-game region. However, if you want to see the animals of the Namib Desert (oryx, springbok, kudu, zebra, giraffe, hartebeest, leopard, hyena, jackal, and fox), the NamibRand Nature Reserve , a vast conservation area with spectacular scenery and a low density of visitors, is your best bet.

An unusual wildlife highlight of southern Namibia is the herd of around 150 wild horses that roam freely in the desert between Aus and Lüderitz – the world’s only desert-dwelling wild horses.

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Safari-Guide: Das ist die Tierwelt von Namibia!

Welche Tiere du auf deinem Roadtrip durch Namibia beobachten kannst!

Die Tierwelt von Namibia ist einzigartig, unheimlich abwechslungsreich und einfach nur spannend. Zwei Wochen waren wir in Namibia unterwegs. Unsere Route kurz und knapp:

• Mount Etjo (* Mount Etjo Safari Lodge )
• Waterberg Plateau (* Waterberg Wilderness Lodge )
• Erogne Gebirge (* Erongo Wilderness Lodge )
• Swakopmund (* Organic Square Guesthouse )
• Kalahari (* Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch )

Flamingos in der Mount Etjo Safari Lodge

Wir haben viele Tiere in Namibia gesehen. Haben bei unserer Planung aber auch einen Fokus auf das Thema Tierbeobachtung gelegt. Oft haben wir uns beispielsweise für ganz bestimmte Lodges entschieden, weil damit gute Chancen auf Tiersichtungen verbunden waren. Die Tierwelt von Namibia ist eher zurückhaltend. Euch werden nicht an jeder Ecke wilde Tiere entgegen kommen – diese wollen schon gesucht und entdeckt werden.

In diesem Beitrag möchte ich euch einmal einen Eindruck davon vermitteln, wo wir welche Tiere gesehen haben. Unter jedem Bild in diesem Beitrag befindet sich daher auch der Ort der Tiersichtung.

Riesige Robbenkolonien am Pelican Point in der Nähe von Walvis Bay

Die Tierwelt von Namibia ist vielleicht nicht ganz so schnell und offensichtlich zu entdecken wie in Ländern wie Tansania oder Botsuana, aber wir hatten trotzdem viele unvergessliche Tiererlebnisse . Nahe Walvis Bay waren wir beispielsweise zwischen hunderten von Robben mit dem Kajak unterwegs. Ein wirklich unvergessliches Erlebnis:  Namibia Rundreise: Abenteuer pur – Kayaking mit Robben

Die meisten Tiere haben wir im Etosha Nationalpark und in der Mount Etjo Safari Lodge gesehen. Wenn ihr irgendwie die Möglichkeit habt in der Mount Etjo Safari Lodge zu schlafen- unbedingt machen. Eine ganz tolle naturnahe Unterkunft , die wir uneingeschränkt empfehlen können. Zu unseren 3 schönsten Safari Lodges in Namibia geht es hier!

Springbock in der Mount Etjo Safari Lodge

Kann ich Tiere nur im Etosha sehen?

Ein klares NEIN . Tiere lassen sich in Namibia fast überall beobachten. Etwas tierärmer ist alles Richtung Sossusvlei und südlich von Windhoek. Die meisten Tiere haben wir zwischen Windhoek und Etosha und im Etosha Nationalpark selbst gesehen.

Welche Region ebenfalls noch sehr tierreich sein soll, ist der Caprivi Streifen . Leider hatten wir aber keine Zeit mehr um diese Region zu erkunden.

8 Uhr morgens im Etosha Nationalpark

Wobei ihr die wirklich großen Tiere wie Nashörner, Löwen, Elefanten etc. vermutlich tatsächlich nur im Etosha ( Etosha Nationalpark Guide ) sehen werdet. Das macht aber nichts, denn oft sind es die  unerwarteten Tiersichtungen am Straßenrand, die wir besonders spannend fanden. Auch wenn das meistens eher die kleineren Tiere waren.

Riesige Echse am Wegesrand auf der D2483 Richtung B1

Wichtig ist, dass ihr so oft es geht, die großen Hauptstraßen verlasst und eher die kleineren oft sandigen und nicht asphaltierten Nebenstraßen fahrt. Aber Achtung, das kostet oft viel mehr Zeit! Aber es lohnt sich – heißt aber auch, dass ihr eure Tagesroute nicht allzu üppig auslegen solltet. Bei uns waren das maximal 300 km an einem Tag . Durchschnittlich sind wir an unseren Fahrtagen ca. 200 km gefahren.

Es macht auch keinen Sinn jeden Tag von Lodge zu Lodge zu hecheln. Die Tierwelt von Namibia werdet ihr hauptsächlich über Ausflüge entdecken, die von den Lodges angeboten werden. Zu 70 Prozent haben wir in jeder Lodge 2 Nächte verbracht. Nur so habt ihr die Möglichkeit das Ausflugsprogramm der Unterkünfte auch wirklich zu genießen. Schließlich soll euer Namibia Urlaub ja nicht in Stress ausarten.

Was du bei deinen Tierbeobachtungen beachten solltest!

Namibia ist kein Zoo . Die Tiere sind meistens wild und teils auch unberechenbar . Wenn ihr auf Straßen unterwegs seid, an denen ihr auf gefährliche Tiere treffen könntet, wird in der Regel darauf hingewiesen. Dann heißt es schön im Auto bleiben und nicht aussteigen. Und es versteht sich natürlich von selbst, dass ihr insbesondere im Etosha Nationalpark euer Auto nicht verlasst.

Einmal wurde es für uns richtig gefährlich!

Ein Erlebnis im Etosha Nationalpark war für uns bezüglich Sicherheit sehr prägend. Wir sind am späten Nachmittag vom Halali Camp aus noch mal los mit unserem Mietwagen. Schließlich sieht man besonders in der Abenddämmerung im Etosha viele Tiere. Nashörner wollten wir sehen – und haben sie auch gefunden.

Der Weg war schmal. Die Nashörner grasten gemütlich am Straßenrand. Wir wollten irgendwann weiter. Und trafen eine echt dumme Entscheidung : Wir wollten an den Nashörnern vorbei fahren. Und dann passierte es. Ein Nashorn griff uns direkt von der Seite an – lief wütend und aufgeregt direkt seitlich auf unser Auto zu. Zwischen dem Nashorn und unserem Auto waren wirklich nur noch Millimeter. Das aggressive Schnaufen des Nashorns dröhnt noch heute in meinem Ohr.

Sie sehen gerade einen Platzhalterinhalt von Youtube . Um auf den eigentlichen Inhalt zuzugreifen, klicken Sie auf die Schaltfläche unten. Bitte beachten Sie, dass dabei Daten an Drittanbieter weitergegeben werden.

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Das war echt eine knappe Nummer . Meine Hände zitterten und mein Herz pochte. Da sind wir noch mal mit einem Schrecken davon gekommen . Auf jeden Fall war uns das eine Lehre. Fazit: Auch im Nationalpark sind die Tiere wild und können gefährlich werden.

Außerdem haben wir noch folgende Tiere in Namibia beobachten können!

Natürlich haben wir noch viel mehr tolle Tiere gesehen. Deshalb gibt es hier noch eine Übersicht aller weiteren Tiere .

Ein knuffiges Kapborstenhörnchen in der Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch

Impala im Etosha Nationalpark

Mungo in der Mount Etjo Safari Lodge

Die giftige Spinne White Lady im Namib Naukluft Park

Zebramangusten im Etosha Nationalpark

Gepard in der Okonjima Africat Foundation

Klippschliefer in der Erongo Wilderness Lodge

Kronenducker direkt an unserem Zelt in der Mushara Outpost Lodge

Spießbock (Oryx Antilope) im Etosha Nationalpark

Wie ihr seht, ist die Tierwelt von Namibia unheimlich abwechslungsreich . Viele dieser Tiere werdet ihr aber nur sehen, wenn ihr euren Fokus auch ein Stück weit auf Tierbeobachtung legt.

Das bedeutet:

• Ihr müsst auf jeden Fall in den Etosha Nationalpark. Dort erlebt ihr die Tierwelt von Namibia besonders vielfältig und abwechslungsreich und könnt vor allem auch auf die Suche nach den Big Five gehen.
• Bei der Hotel- bzw. Lodgeauswahl solltet ihr euch vorher im Internet anschauen, ob auch Tiere unterhalten werden bzw. zur Lodge ein privates Game Revier gehört
• Plant an euren Fahrtagen Zwischenziele zur Tierbeobachtung ein. Wir haben beispielsweise einen 2 stündigen Ausflug in der Okonjima Africat Foundation eingeplant um Geparden zu sehen. Es gibt aber auch viele Safari Lodges, die für Tagesbesucher geöffnet sind. Dort könnt ihr dann an Safari Ausflügen teilnehmen, ohne dort übernachten zu müssen.

Wir hoffen, dass wir euch einen ersten guten Eindruck von der Tierwelt in Namibia geben konnten. Falls ihr Fragen und/oder Ergänzungen habt, freuen wir uns riesig über eure Kommentare unter diesen Beitrag.

Steffi von Reiselife

Ach, und übrigens: Falls ihr überlegt in Namibia einen Ballonflug zu machen. Hier ist unser Erfahrungsbericht dazu:  Ballonfahrt in Namibia: Erlebnis oder Enttäuschung?

Falls ihr euch diesen beitrag auf pinterest merken möchtet, könnt ihr das hier tun:.

Die mit Sternchen ( * ) gekennzeichneten Verweise sind sogenannte Provision-Links. Wenn du auf so einen Verweislink klickst und über diesen Link einkaufst, bekomme ich von deinem Einkauf eine Provision. Für dich verändert sich der Preis nicht.

Merken Merken

2 Kommentare

Tolle Zusammenfassung! Ich habe noch keine perfekte Route zusammengestellt, aber Dank deiner aufgelisteten Parks lässt sich bestimmt etwas schönes planen.

Liebe Grüße

Hallo Saskia,

ja, Afrika ist wirklich toll. Egal für welche Route ihr euch entscheidet, es wird sicherlich toll werden. In Afrika gibt es eigentlich an jeder Ecke irgendetwas zu entdecken!

LG, Steffi von Reiselife

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• Namibia safaris

Namibia safari guides – where & when to go, and what to see & do

Wedged between the Atlantic coast and the Kalahari Desert, Namibia is one of Africa’s hidden gems that is slowly emerging as a popular tourist destination, with safaris in Namibia high on the to-do list. A sense of freedom is generated by an epic, empty landscape with wide horizons, unpolluted skies and one of the world’s lowest population densities. These facts, combined with a plethora of large game animals and a frontier feel make Namibia the ultimate photography or self-drive safari destination , and not too bad either if you’re looking for an indulgent luxury safari experience.

The Namib Desert is the oldest and one of the largest deserts in the world , and a predominant feature of the country, extending all the way up the Atlantic coast on the western side of the country. The desert is scored by a number of rivers coming down from the Central Plateau – most of which are now permanently dry, or only flow during the rainy summer months.

The north of Namibia is dominated by the huge, permanently flowing rivers of the Kuene, Kavango and Zambezi, which make up the borders with Angola, Botswana and Zambia respectively. This part of the country is lush and green with dense woodlands most of the year, and home to several small national parks that teem with wildlife and birdlife. The rest of the country is made up of scrubby bushland of the higher Central Plateau, trailing off into the Kalahari desert in the east.

Wildlife in Namibia is varied, and taking a safari in Namibia will allow you the opportunity to see all of Southern Africa’s mammals. As well as the big five , the Namib Desert is home to the exceptional and endemic desert-adapted elephant and rhino. In the Namib Desert and elsewhere in Namibia a truly extraordinary fact is that the country has one of the densest congregations of animals in the world, combined with one of the sparsest human populations, making for fantastic wildlife viewing.

Unlike much of the rest of Africa, habitat destruction is not generally an issue in Namibia, and you can expect to see large mammals roaming the wilderness as you drive between Namibian national parks or towns. This means you need to be ready for a safari experience in Namibia at any time you’re not in a well populated area!

Useful resources

Book a Namibia safari

Namibia wildlife

Namibia Tourist Board

Namibia Wildlife Resorts

Weather in Namibia

Namibia guidebooks

Namibia safari highlights

Sossusvlei’s stunning dunes.

Discover the sand dunes of Sossusvlei with a dawn game drive and hike to top of a dune to watch the sun rise over the Namib desert. The dunes and surrounding area are truly specatular, reaching almost 400 metres high and providing inspiration to any budding photographer.

Self-drive safari in Etosha

Take a self-drive safari tour around accessible but wild Etosha National Park – one of the world’s premier national parks. 763 km of open roads around the park make for the ultimate self-drive safari. The park is based around a huge salt pan, and seems inhospitable to life, but a string of watering holes brings herds of antelope species and their prey from the surrounding scrub.

Fish River Canyon views

Visit the jaw-dropping 100km long, 26km wide Fish River Canyon in  the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park . It world’s second largest canyon after the Grand Canyon in the US, though with far less tourists visiting, as with all destinations in Namibia it’s both beautiful and serene.

The Walvis Bay ‘marine big five’

The cold waters off the Namibian coast harbor a wealth of marine life, no location more so than Walvis Bay. Styled as the ‘marine big five,, it’s possible to see whales, dolphn, sunfish, turtles and seals on a boat – or even canoe – safari .

Best time to go on safari in Namibia

As with the rest of Southern Africa, Namibia experiences summer between November and March and winter from May to August. From August temperatures keep rising until October when the first rains start to arrive in the northern areas, followed by large amounts of rain and occasional flash-flooding.

The best time to go on safari in Namibia depends on where you’re going, and what you’d like to see. October to March is the best time to visit Namibia’s coast around Walvis Bay and Sossusvlei as the climate provides a pleasant respite from the heated interior. If you’re travelling through the Skeleton Coast region the climate is similar year-round, with regular mist and winds.

For the inland areas of Namibia – including the Namib desert, Etosha and Kavango regions, the cooler months from April September provide temperatures far more bearable than summer months. Between May and September, thirsty animals gather at diminishing waterholes, making it the best time to go to Etosha for game viewing.

Flights To Namibia

Search, track and book flights to Namibia , from anywhere in the world.

Namibia Accommodation

Find safari accommodation in Namibia – from budget campsites to luxury lodges.

Namibia Car Hire

Considering a self-drive safari? Research and book car hire in Namibia .

Activities in Namibia

Search and book things to do in Namibia – tours, excursions and activities.

National parks in Namibia

All national parks in Namibia are administered by the extremely efficient Namibia Wildlife Resorts.

Namibia is an enormous country, and one with large tracts given over to national parks. This gives Namibia the impressive status of being the country with the highest ratio of animals to humans in the world: In short, Namibia’s national parks are fantastic places to visit for safaris and wildlife watching.

A word of warning – the distances between national parks can be huge, and very few roads are tarmacked. A 2WD will serve most of the year in most parts of the country, but rainy season will see even 4WDs struggling in some areas on a driving safari in Namibia.

Top Namibia national park picks

Etosha national park.

 A classic African national park – with excellent visitor facilities – housing the ‘big five’ and much more in plains surrounding a huge central salt pan. Herds of elephants, black-maned lions and the world’s largest population of rare black rhinos gather at the 86 waterholes, springs and fountains found around the edges of the pan.

Skeleton Coast National Park

With a reputation as one of the most desolate places on earth, the 20,000 km sq park is one of the most inhospitable and least visited places on earth. Shimmering white dunes, martian rock, beautiful sand beaches and treacherous, rough seas dotted with hulks of shipwrecks make up the park scenery.

Namib Naukluft National Park

The oldest desert on earth, and quite possibly the most beautiful. Namib Naukluft National Park is easily accessible from Sossusvlei, where giant dunes tower 400m into the air, and pockets of long ago dried-out lakes serve as sporadic homes to forests of thousand year old dead trees. In a word, epic!

Cape Cross Seal Reserve

All national parks in Namibia

Use the map to locate all national parks in Namibia. Click the icons for more info.

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Babwata National Park: Small national park in Caprivi Strip, unique in that it houses both a large animal and human population.

Cape Cross Seal Reserve: More seals breed at Cape Cross that anywhere else in the world, so if you like seals you’re in for a treat.

Etosha National Park:  A classic African national park – with excellent visitor facilities – housing the “big five” and much more in plains surrounding the huge central pan.

Fish River Canyon National Park:  A rugged desert wilderness home to the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon – the world’s second largest canyon.

Khaudum National Park: Remote and wild national park hidden away in the Kavango Region is home to large elephant herds and packs of the endangered wild dogs. A visit here is not to be taken lightly.

Mamili National Park: Little visited .national park in Namibia’s northern Caprivi Strip, offering plenty of classic African wildlife a true wilderness experience.

Mudumu National Park: A riverine national park with undisturbed mopane forest, flood plains and swamps. Unsurprisingly, water-living creatures feature large – crocodiles, hippos, elephants, otters, turtles.

Namib Naukluft National Park: Namibia’s largest park, and one of the world’s oldest and most intensely studied deserts.

Skeleton Coast National Park: Take a drive through one of the world’s most inhospitable spots, with alien landscapes and ancient shipwrecks adding atmosphere.

Sperrgebiet National Park: Recently established desert national park on Namibia’s “forbidden coast”, home to ghost towns, Atlantic coast and hyenas.

Waterberg National Park: Rising 200m above the dry African savannah, the lush green Waterberg Plateau is unique in terms of vegetation and geological makeup.

Other Namibia safari resources

Namibia safari companies.

Whilst self drive safaris are a definite option in Namibia – given most national parks in the country allow this – there are still a number of quality safari tour companies in Namibia that you may want to speak to before arrival in the country. With a fairly well developed regional and international inbound tourist market, Namibia has lots of wildlife activities and safaris on offer. These are supported and promoted by a broad range of  safari tour targeting budgets of all sizes and trips of all lengths – from half days trips from the capital Windhoek to two or four week driving expeditions.  Check out our reviews of safari tour companies in Namibia .

Namibia safari lodges

Much like it’s neighbour Botswana, Namibia doesn’t see huge tourist numbers and has a focus on either low-impact, high-end safaris, or self-drive safaris. Safari accommodation on offer in Namibia reflects this, with a broad range of  high-end safari lodges around the national parks, and excellent camping facilities for self-drivers attached to most safari lodges. If you want accommodation in a national park, this must be booked in person or by phone with Namibia Wildlife Resorts, who take care of all of Namibia’s national parks. Search and book accommodation in Namibia .

Read safari guides to all countries

Botswana safaris , Namibia safaris , Rwanda safaris , South Africa safaris , Tanzania safaris , Uganda safaris , Zimbabwe safaris

Do you have any experience of planning or going on safari in Namibia?

We’d love to hear any feedback or tips you may have – please get in touch , or add to the comments below.

Top countries for safaris

• Botswana safaris
• Kenya safaris
• South Africa safaris
• Tanzania safaris
• Uganda safaris

Safari basics

• Safari animals
• How to find the right safari company
• When to go on safari
• What to take on safari
• Safari clothing – what to wear
• Safari rules & etiquette
• Wildlife spotting tips

Most read articles

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Africa’s best game reserves

• Chobe National Park, Botswana
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• Kruger National Park, South Africa
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• Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
• Okavango Delta, Botswana
• Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

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Namibia Safaris

Wildlife safaris in the living desert.

Welcome to the most unique wildlife destination on Earth. Along with our friends at AfriCat, Save the Rhino Trust, and Dr. Flip Stander, we have developed world-class safaris that support critical conservation efforts. Search for desert-adapted elephant, oryx, rhino, and lion, have a chance to assist with behind-the-scenes vet checks at AfriCat, and scale the world’s largest free-standing dunes of Sossusvlei! These adventures encapsulate the best of this top-tier safari destination.

All Trips to Namibia

Small Group Adventure

Namibia Expedition

From $9,195

Namibia: Giraffe Conservation Safari

From $9,595

Namibia: Green Season Safari

From $9,795

Ultimate Namibia and Botswana

Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana

From $11,595

Namibia: Desert Lion Conservation Safari

From $8,795

Private Journey

Namibia Private Safari

Call for Pricing

What Makes Our Namibia Safaris Special?

• The Most Extensive and Diverse Namibia Itineraries — We get you off the beaten track, with an unmatched range of activities including visiting with Himba tribes, climbing the epic dunes of Sossusvlei, and hiking the Tok Tokkie trail.
• Accommodations as Enchanting as the Landscape — Chosen to give you unrivaled comfort in Namibia’s most remarkable locations, our accommodations include private tented camps sited for access to rare wildlife, and charming lodges inside parks and game preserves.
• Custom-Built Vehicles & Guaranteed Window Seats — Our air-conditioned Land Cruisers guarantee each passenger a window seat and ample room for camera gear. We also include a private charter flight with dramatic views along the Skeleton Coast.
• Small Groups &  Expert Trip Leader — With a maximum of 12 travelers per departure, we ensure you never feel crowded or rushed, and our world-class Trip Leader accompanies you throughout your entire safari.
• Be Part of the Greatest Conservation Story on Earth — Namibia took the extraordinary step of writing conservation into its constitution, and now has over 40% of its land preserved. It is the only growing wildlife population in all of Africa!

Everything You Need to Know

We plan our adventures for Namibia’s best seasons, when wildlife viewing is at its peak. The “dry” season (April-September) is the most popular time of year, when daytime temperatures are in the mid-70sºF and wildlife viewing is at its peak as waterholes attract a vast array of animals. We also highly recommend the “green” season (January-March) when the crowds are gone and sporadic rains bring the desert to life to reveal carpets of flowers and calving season begins for plains game such as springbok and zebra.

Namibia’s varied landscapes and unique wildlife viewing offer seemingly endless opportunities for exploration—we’ve highlighted our favorite activities below!

Our purpose-built Land Cruisers are ideally suited for Namibian road conditions and ensure the best possible ride comforts on the many miles traveled; and Namibia’s awe-inspiring landscapes are the ideal destination for road adventures! With a maximum of 5 passengers per vehicle, everyone is ensured a window seat and plenty of room to stretch out their gear and legs.

All of our vehicles feature:

• Pop-top roofs for better photography and game vantage points, located at both driver’s front and back cabin
• Air conditioning
• Onboard fridge and freezers with plenty of water
• Library, including guide books, maps, stationary and check lists
• 220 volt electrical outlets to recharge batteries on the go
• VHF radios to allow group communication while on the road
• “Magic Boxes” for en-route catering from bush breakfasts, coffee and tea stops, to sundowners!

Not sure which Namibia adventure is best for you? See below for a side-by-side comparison of each of our itineraries to help make your decision easier. Still unsure? Our Africa Area Specialists are happy to answer any questions and explain the journeys in greater detail.

Experience Namibia

Extend Your Trip

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Extension

From $3,690

Shipwreck Lodge Extension

From $5,895

Sossusvlei Dunes Extension

From $4,395

REVIEWS FROM OUR CLIENTS

From our arrival to departure everything fell into place perfectly: the hotels, lodges, and food were all first rate. Being able to track the cheetahs on foot at AfriCat was absolutely amazing. What an experience!

This was my ninth Wilderness Travel trip and one of my very favorites. This trip had it all, great animal viewing, stunning landscapes including dunes and deserts, fascinating cultural exchanges with the Himba, and a real appreciation of Namibia past and present.

This is a wonderful trip. I was reluctant to leave just about every place we were. The place, the animals, the landscape, the accommodations, the people were all outstanding. The devotion of all to preserving their unique environment was impressive and enviable.

I love Wilderness Travel. You select the best guides, a variety of special places to stay, the food is always plentiful and cultural, and the adventure is top drawer! This trip to Namibia met all my expectations and more. Thank you for offering a trip that expands one’s knowledge of other cultures while making it enjoyable and fun.

Namibia is a fascinating and varied country. I feel privileged to have seen it. The quality of a trip often rests with the quality of the guides, and both were excellent!

This is an astounding trip to a really beautiful country. I really liked the itinerary. The Tok Tokkie desert hike is what caused me to choose the Wilderness Travel trip over some others and it was great. I was surprised by how many animals you see on that hike and how close they let you come to them.

Couldn’t have asked for a more interesting trip and two outstanding guides, accommodations, and meals. This was our fourth trip with Wilderness Travel and one of the best (although we say that about every trip we have been on!).

Community & Conservation

Our trips directly donate to Save the Rhino Trust, Desert Lion Project, Giraffe Conservation Foundation, and AfriCat Foundation. They are all actively working to establish protected habitats and create a sustainable future for endangered wildlife.

Talk to an Expert

Our Africa Specialists know every detail about our Namibia safaris. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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• INTELLIGENT TRAVEL

Namibia’s Landscape Safari

It’s hardly controversial to say that one of the biggest   draws of traveling to sub-Saharan Africa is the prospect of seeing wildlife.   But, if you’ve ever been on a traditional safari, you know they   can involve a lot of sitting around in an off-road vehicle, waiting for animals to reveal themselves. During the longer stretches, I often   find myself itching to whine, “Are we there yet?”

However, in Namibia , my patience was rarely tested. That’s because the country’s wildlife isn’t its greatest attraction. Though there are plenty of animals   to observe—especially in Etosha National Park where lions, giraffes, zebras, and more roam in all their glory—in Namibia, it’s the topography   that takes center stage.

“The landscape changes every ten minutes,” I tell my guide, Michael, as we bump along in   a Toyota Land Cruiser.

On a custom trip I’ve arranged with CW Safaris , we are to travel northwest from Namibia’s centrally located capital, Windhoek, to the rugged wilds of the Damaraland region . Despite the option of   a direct, mostly paved route, I settle on   a longer course that will get us there via   the coast.

A   couple dozen miles west of   Windhoek, the asphalt abruptly gives way to   a dirt road that snakes through the Khomas Highland , whose rolling amber mounds of metamorphic   schist   wouldn’t look out of place   in a spaghetti western. I start snapping away at   the countryside before Michael interrupts me. “This is nothing,” he warns.

Within the hour, he pulls off the main road so I can get a glimpse of what, in his mind, is   truly “something”: the Gamsberg Plateau, a hulking sandstone table mountain known for being one of the best places to stargaze in southern Africa.

As we continue moving west, the dusty brown mountains of   the central Highland are replaced by   one of Namibia’s most iconic   topographical elements: sand   dunes the color of a harvest moon. (Who hasn’t seen a postcard emblazoned with the much-photographed “Dune 45”?)

The greatest hits keep coming as   we encounter the Deadvlei, a   white-clay pan spiked with the dark silhouettes of long-dead   camel thorn trees ,   in   the heart of   Namib-Naukluft National Park .   Surrounded by red dunes, the landscape here is nothing if not   surreal—it’s no wonder the region has been used in dream sequences on the silver screen.

Red sand continues to dominate the landscape   as we approach the coast. In   Swakopmund , a resort town that retains the architectural style of its German colonial past, we fill up the tank with gas—and our bellies with oysters—then head   north   to explore Namibia’s   Skeleton Coast.

We pass vast   sandy plains splashed with   brightly colored   lichen (which can “smile,” if you know how to make them ) and the jagged outlines of ships that have long ago met their fate on rocks hiding beneath the surf. Massive rib cages and other bones,   remnants of the coast’s whaling boom, also punctuate the shore.

At Cape Cross, the macabre landscape takes on a livelier tone, as hundreds of very living seals go about their business on the beach. I’m told the   area, now protected as a reserve by the Namibian government, is home to one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in the world. Judging by the stench, I believe it.

We veer   away from the coast and the terrain undergoes yet another   dramatic transformation, the   ancient basalt of the Etendeka Mountains rising up in front of us. We make a brief detour for the chance to admire the Klip River Valley, a vast rift where Earth’s crust had split open over millions of years to spectacular effect, before tackling the final leg of our journey.

When at last we arrive in heart of Damaraland, we are greeted by a collection of ocher boulders that are   positioned in such a peculiar manner   that they almost   seem staged.   “Is that a sculpture?” I ask Michael, pointing toward a giant pile of rocks en route to Mowani Mountain Camp , our home base for the night.

“No, it’s natural,” he replies, though he admits that he, too, first thought the collection was the result of deliberate   intervention. “I call it Ape Man Rock.”

I can see where he got the name; depending on the angle,   the pile resembles   a human—or his simian forebear. Though there are no apes to be found in Namibia, our   conversation reminds me of all the wildlife we have encountered on our trek—desert elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildcats, even a lone black rhino.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

But even if I   hadn’t seen any animals at all, my trip to Namibia still would have been exhilarating.

When landscapes are the main attraction, there’s no need to ask, “Are we there yet?” because you’re already there, wherever you are.

Erik Trinidad   spends most of his time crisscrossing the globe in search of exotic food, high adventure, and scientific curiosities. Follow his travels on   Facebook ,   Instagram , and   Twitter   @theglobaltrip.

> Related:

• Nat Geo Travel’s Guide to Namibia
• VIDEO: How to Make Lichens “Smile”
• Gorillas in the Mist, Amidst Gorillas in the Mist
• Travel on Safari to Namibia With National Geographic Adventures

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Safari in Namibia

An expert guide to the best safaris in namibia.

Melanie van Zyl

• In this guide

Namibia safari

• Where to go
• Need to know

How it works

Researching travel guides, reviewing campsites and finding new ways to photograph its sublime scenery, I've been going on safari in Namibia for over a decade and have visited virtually every corner of this vast and little-known country.

Namibia shares borders with some of Southern Africa’s safari heavyweights: South Africa , Botswana and Zambia . But the Namibia safari experience has little in common with its neighbours. Yes, there are all the “big five” and other blockbuster megafauna, but all in much lower densities. There are few open savannahs and vast river deltas. Here, the desert reigns supreme. Namibia is Sub Saharan Africa’s driest country, where the elephants have evolved into their own subspecies to adapt to the scarcity of water. Going on safari in Namibia is more about marvelling at the staggering desert scenery and the weird micro-scale wildlife that can withstand this extreme environment.

You can go on safari in South Africa or Kenya to chase the big five. You go on safari in Namibia to see something that is truly, often startlingly, different.

If there's one place that's truly about the journey, not the destination, it is Namibia. Read on for my expert guide to the best safaris in Namibia.

A lone oryx in the vastness of the Sossusvlei clay pans, Namibia

featured namibia safaris

Namibia Unbound

10 day small group tour to the highlights of namibia.

Namibia Under Canvas

10 day small group tour, where to go on safari in namibia, namibia's most popular – and some lesser-known – highlights.

Namib-Naukluft National Park

Hike landscapes straight from a surrealist painting.

Probably my favourite places in all Namibia are the pale clay pans of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Set in the sprawling Namib-Naukluft National Park, this is one of Earth's oldest and most captivating deserts.

The odd oryx, springbok antelope and ostrich dot the scrubland but don't expect any big five sightings here, this place is more about unshowy wildlife and its visually arresting landscapes. (For game sightings I’d recommend Namibrand or Etosha instead.) Here you'll find a surreal playground of towering dunes in ombre spice-coloured shades, from paprika to turmeric to cinnamon and hauntingly beautiful fossil valleys.

As you venture deeper into the park, you can get out of the vehicle and touch the sands. Come at dawn, and you'll feel the mist from the Atlantic Ocean settling on your arm as you climb the dunes, before it dries out in the warming morning sun.

There are no adventure activities like sand boarding on offer here, it's about climbing the sand dunes (in designated areas), ambling across the pans, and stopping for a picnic to soak up the scenery.

Etosha National Park

Namibia’s most famous safari park.

Its name means 'the empty place' but with Namibia's highest concentration of wildlife, Etosha is anything but empty of safari sightings – the only big five animal not found here is the Cape buffalo.

Etosha National Park is well-known for its waterholes, best visited during the dry season when wildlife flocks to these oases dotted throughout the park. In Etosha I have spotted lions chasing springbok, dozens of bird species (including many pairs of elegant blue cranes), imposing white-crusted elephants, oryx herds, giraffes, and much more. But the real safari treat is to sit still. Pack a picnic and spend some time at the waterhole to appreciate the astounding diversity and density of the game.

Bwabwata National Park

Namibia’s safari hidden gem.

Escape the mainstream safari itineraries at Bwabwata National Park. Often overlooked in favour of Namibia’s more famous safari parks, I like to think of this area as a more affordable Okavango Delta .

With lush landscapes and riverine forests, the wetlands of the Zambezi Region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip) in northernmost Namibia offer a striking comparison to the stark coastline and desert interior. It's part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, covering an area of 444,000 square kilometres. Bwabwata National Park sits at the heart of this region and is home to hippos, crocodiles, roan, sable, impala and red lechwe, and lions and leopards. The Buffalo Core Area is notable for its buffalo herds in the east. The Kwando Core Area to the west is primarily known for its elephants and sometimes African wild dogs pass through.

ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park

Trek the iconic fish river canyon.

Namibia's Fish River Canyon is a staggering geological masterpiece in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, shared by Namibia and South Africa.

The main viewpoint and information centre are worth a visit for an epic sunset if it's on your route, but to truly escape the tourists, your best bet is to embark on the epic five-day trek along the canyon floor. Sights in this area include quiver trees and cute klipspringer antelopes. It's a straightforward trek as you can’t leave the canyon walls, but you’ll be totally self-sufficient and it’s not to be underestimated – I had a friend who had to be helicoptered out due to heat exhaustion and dehydration. An organised trek accompanied with a guide is recommended, if not essential.

See Namibia’s rare desert dwelling elephants

You might only see a few animals here, but tracking Damaraland's desert-dwelling wildlife is a highlight in this fascinating region sandwiched between Etosha National Park and the Skeleton Coast.

Desert-adapted elephants, rhinos, and lions roam rocky terrains, dry riverbeds, and gravel plains dotted with the weird, twisted welwitschia mirabilis plants.

Although it can be challenging to see the wildlife here, I find this scarcity makes each sighting all the more memorable. Spotting one elephant in the desert is somehow more special than seeing an entire herd in a lush reserve.

Desert-dwelling elephants are considered an endangered subspecies and occur in five rivers usually devoid of water: the Ugab, Huab, Uniab, Hoanib and Hoarisib. These elephants have larger feet to walk on sand and travel in smaller herds. They only need to drink once every few days, using their long trunks to dig for water in the dry river beds.

Also here is Twyfelfontein, home to one of Africa's most significant collections of rock art, with over 2,500 engravings dating back some 6,000 years.

Birding on the Atlantic Coast

Although more industrial, these coastal towns harbour great wildlife opportunities coupled with creature comforts (don’t miss oysters and cold Namibian beers from the seaside restaurants in Swakopmund).

The expansive tidal lagoon south of Walvis Bay is primarily a birding attraction, hosting thousands of flamingos, pelicans and cormorants. Boat tours along the coast also provide a front-row seat to colonies of seals, and sometimes dolphins cruise the bow waves.

Inland, you can walk the coastal dunes searching for desert critters, such as the comical palmato gecko with its transparent skin, beautiful colours, and sand-disguised sidewinding snakes.

Namibia’s safari highlights

Our expert's top picks, namibrand nature reserve, gondwana namib park.

Stargazing and walking safari in NamibRand

If you have the bucks, the NamibRand Nature Reserve is where I like to escape the masses that can crowd Sesriem at the entrance to Namib-Naukluft National Park. There are luxury lodges here, such as Kwessi Dunes or &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, which are well-regarded if pricey. I prefer the organised overnight walking safaris: light pollution is minimal here and the skies are among the darkest and clearest on earth. Immersed in the silence of the desert darkness, I experience a humbling connection to the cosmos.

Balloon ride over the Namib Desert

While you might be disappointed that the balloon doesn't actually cross over the Sossusvlei or Deadvlei claypans, there is freedom in being beholden to the desert winds. Dramatic views from a balloon basket offer an eerie sense of the vastness and solitude of the Namib Desert, evoking a deep appreciation for this untouched wilderness. We even spotted a brown hyena scuttling across the sands below during my flight. Be prepared for a rudely early wake-up call. It's best to stay close to the launch site at Kulala Desert Lodge, or the kitschy Le Mirage Desert Lodge and Spa.

Wake early for sunrise at Deadvlei

The Sesriem junction is the starting point for trips to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei claypans. To experience sunrise (or sunset), beat the heat and get ahead of the crowds, spend the night at one of two lodges located within the park gates (Sossus Dune Lodge and the pricier, more private Kulala Desert Lodge). Alternatively camp at the very basic Sesriem Camp for the perk of an hour-early entry to the park. It's a 60-kilometre drive to the Sossusvlei and Deadvlei sites (many visitors stop at Dune 45 instead, but I recommend you forge on). Deadvlei is then a further one-kilometre hike from the car park (not everyone is fit enough for this trek, especially in peak sunshine) and is where you can climb the spine of the Big Daddy Dune.

Watch migrating elephants

Bwabwata National Park has limited accessibility and few self-drive routes, but the wildlife is no less dramatic than other popular parks.

My favourite area is Horseshoe Bend in the Mayuni Conservancy zone, with its abundant plains animals. Elephants congregate here in their hundreds on their migration route between May and September, and it's where I snapped my first magazine cover shot. Nambwa Campsite and Nambwa Lodge (a treetop stay with high walkways for elephants to wander freely below) are the nearest accommodations.

The park can get busy in peak seasons, impacting the sense of wilderness. Also, consider exploring the less-visited Nkasa Rupara National Park nearby.

Horse ride (or ebike) past fairy circles at Wolwedans

Wolwedans is one of the most established lodge collections in the country, with enviable locations dotted across the NamibRand Nature Reserve. I loved how committed this operation is to treading lightly, and I had tremendous fun gliding along, up and down, over the dunes of the Namib Desert by horseback and bike.

Whether a flat-out gallop or a sedate trek, all levels of riders are welcome to wind between the “fairy circles”, mysterious barren patches amid the desert flora that have long perplexed scientists. Theories range from plant self-organisation to toxins from euphorbia bushes. Still, my favourite story is the Himba explanation that they are the footprints of Mukuru, their supreme being.

Spy on elephants at the waterhole

Etosha's waterholes provide an excellent David Attenborough-worthy opportunity to witness wild animals up close. Watch elephants slake their thirst under the scorching sun or detect the sounds of rustling leaves and animal calls as giraffes, zebra and impala tentatively gather during the evening.

The Okakuejo's floodlit waterhole is a great spot to glimpse the critically endangered black rhino.

I recommend you book accommodation in advance during peak season, weekends, and festive December. Alternatively, visit during the wet season when the landscape is greener, but water availability causes animals to disperse.

Etosha is surrounded by other private game reserves and luxurious places to stay, including Anderssons at Ongava (I have my heart set on visiting the Ongava Discovery Centre next) and Onguma Camp Kala.

Track the critically endangered black rhino

Head out on a game drive or an immersive (though sometimes hot and long) walking safari to track the world's last remaining free-roaming population of the critically endangered black rhino.

I always find Rhino tracking a heart-pounding adventure. A dance of anticipation and caution as you trek the rugged landscape. Palmwag Concession is the best area, and top sightings generally occur between April and November, but stay at least two days to up your chances of seeing the rare animals.

Well established, the Desert Rhino Camp is high-end, but Damaraland Camp, Camel Top Community Campsite, Palmwag Lodge and Sesfontein Guesthouse are affordable alternatives.

Learn about the living desert

So many people visit the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei but don't notice the phenomenal creatures that eke out an existence in this extraordinary landscape. Unlike other deserts, critical ocean mists feed the Namib sands and sustain fog-sipping beetles, nude-coated lizards and handsome snakes that bury themselves in the sand. They’re tricky to find by yourself, so get a guide to share their tips and tricks for seeking out the small stuff.

Sea kayak with seals

Enjoy a unique desert sea safari by kayaking amidst playful marine companions. Departing in the morning when the waters are calm, this three-hour tour has you paddling towards the Walvis Bay Cape fur seal colony, where it's common for them to swim close and sometimes even hop onto the ends of the kayaks! I also spotted dolphins, pelicans, flamingos, and Damara terns on the Pelican Point sandbar. Be sure to dress warmly. If kayaking isn't your thing, you can also opt for sedate boat tours.

Retreat to the Desert Whisper pod

Perched on the rim of a gravel-strewn hill, a 4X4 abandoned me at a remote villa in Gondwana Namib Park. This secluded stay feels like a Mad Max spaceship landed in the middle of nowhere. Designed for couples as a one-of-a-kind honeymoon hideaway, the open-plan apartment has a pool, plush reading lounge, and cocktail nook. The view – and everything besides – is yours alone, with nobody else for miles around. There are few places where you are left entirely to your own devices. Enjoy the breathtaking perspective and soak up the silence.

Namibia safaris: Need to know

Everything you wish you'd known before you booked, when to go on safari in namibia.

Namibia has diverse landscapes that shine at different times of the year. Typically, the best time for wildlife viewing is the dry season (May to October), while the wet season (November to April) transforms the desert into a blooming wonderland ideal for photographers and birdwatchers.

You can of course book an organised tour of Namibia with any number of safari operators. The standard itineraries typically include Etosha, the Sossusvlei claypans, Swakopmund and the Fish River Canyon. There are a few advantages of booking an organised tour, not least convenience and the extra reassurance of help and support while you navigate an unfamiliar country.

That said I’d encourage more independently-minded visitors to consider a self-drive trip. This way you can get well off the standardised itineraries and spend as long as you like in some of Namibia’s hidden gems mentioned in this guide. You can rent a 4X4 in Windhoek or Walvis Bay, and book your own accommodation directly. Hotels and lodges generally offer their own guided excursions and tours (for an additional fee.) But don't rush: fight the urge to cram too many sights into a short trip, or your trip will be exhausting. And be prepared for the challenge of driving. The distances between the various safari areas and national parks are huge, but the roads are often decent gravel. Plan a buffer day into your itinerary in case something goes wrong with the vehicle and ensure you have sufficient fuel. Some routes are 300 to 400 kilometres without gas stations. In my experience, most rental companies have great insight, so ask away! They will know the best routes and ask if they offer satellite phone rental or emergency assistance.

About the author

Melanie is a travel photojournalist and guidebook author based in Johannesburg. A qualified field guide, scuba diver and budding birdwatcher, she is an expert contributor on Southern Africa and has written for Lonely Planet, Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller and Fodor's, and photographed some of the continent's beloved travel lodges.

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Namibia safari – The complete guide for first-time visitors

Namibia isn’t known for safari . This is Africa’s natural art gallery, a country of superlative landscapes and breathtaking silence.

Most people don’t even think a Namibia safari is possible. How can wildlife thrive in the desert? Why visit Namibia when Botswana and South Africa are next door?

Yet desert-adapted elephants make epic journeys across the sand. Rhinos gather around salt pans. Black-maned lions survey their dusty kingdoms. Gemsbok are everywhere, their majestic horns a symbol of Namibia.

A safari in Namibia can be as good as a safari anywhere else in Africa. It’s just a little different and you don’t have the same multitude of destinations.

This article guides first-time visitors through Namibia’s best safari destinations . It covers when to go, what to do, how to reduce costs, and how to make the most from the experience.

5 Compelling Reasons to Visit Namibia For Safari

1. Africa’s natural art gallery

Namibia requires time . It’s one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries and it’s difficult getting around. There’s virtually nothing other than wilderness. Even a town that’s signposted for 500 kilometres passes by in the blink of an eye.

Most of the land is inhospitable . Western Namibia is covered by the world’s greatest sand dunes, a barrier too inpenetrable for even the rampaging colonialists.

Eastern Namibia is dominated by the Kalahari Desert , barren plains that bake beneath the sun. Scattered through these deserts are some of Africa’s most surreal sights.

The Fish River Canyon , stark and evocative as it cuts a path through Africa’s crust. It’s the world’s second largest canyon and you can read our guide here .

Then the Namib Desert , where Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are just the famous attractions in a landscape of kaleidoscopic dunes. Read our complete Namib Desert guide here .

Damaraland is all strange rocks and massive mountains, an ethereal assortment of shapes and silence.

The desert has even taken over towns. Luderitz and Kolmanskop are a poignant reminder of nature’s power, where old wooden houses are now buried in sand.

These highlights make for an inspiring adventure. In Namibia there is more than safari and that is one of the big highlights. The vacation is more diverse and it’s also a lot cheaper when you don’t need to pay park fees every single day.

2. Animals are easy to find

Although it sounds counter-intuitive, such an inhospitable environment makes the safari incredibly easy .

Life in the desert revolves around water . Animals must cluster close to where water remains. So every Namibia safari focuses on waterholes, pans or rivers. Find the water and you find the animals.

Vegetation is sparse . There are very few places for wildlife to hide. Again, this makes wildlife encounters easy. Just gaze across the desert and you can spot herds from miles away.

3. Living with giants

You must be tough to survive here . So step forward desert-adapted elephants, white rhinos, Angolan giraffe and some of Africa’s most elegant antelope species .

In terms of actual numbers there are less large mammals in Namibia than Botswana , South Africa , Kenya or Tanzania . However, as these animals gather in similar places it’s possible to experience a superb wildlife diversity in one place.

Most importantly, Namibia is where you get close . It’s where you feel the battle for survival and experience life on the edge. It’s one thing to see an elephant in a lush forest. It’s quite another to see the emotion on an elephant that has travelled five days to reach water.

Evocative scenes play out. Enchanting gestures communicate how these animals feel. There’s joy and energy. And then there is the brutal reality of life .

Perhaps a carcass being picked at by African vultures . Maybe a wounded animal stumbling away from a battle to mate; or lions tossing bones from a zebra carcass.

4. Africa’s cheapest safari

Probably the biggest reason for choosing a Namibia safari is the cost . Here you get the most intense encounters for the best price.

Park fees are lower than other Southern African countries and significantly less than in East Africa.

The camps and lodges are usually modest , without the thrills and luxuries of some in South Africa. Most of them are at the lower end of the price scale, which is very different from Botswana where camps could be USD 1000 per person a night.

Namibia’s public campsites are excellent . They are simple and well maintained, located in areas that can be rich in wildlife. Anyone who is self sufficient will find these camps accessible and cheap.

While Namibia is an enormous wilderness country the safari destinations are relatively easy to reach . A four-wheel drive vehicle is required.

But it’s not like in Botswana where flights are necessary to reach parts of the Okavango Delta , or in East Africa where it’s almost impossible to visit without a local tour.

Namibia is so vast that you don’t need to escape the crowds . You can have a private concession-style safari experience, full of exclusive natural encounters, without needing to pay a premium.

5. The best country for a self drive safari

Excellent camps , easy to find wildlife , and accessible destinations . That adds up to a great self drive destination. You do the safari and this is cheaper than a tour.

The classic way to explore Namibia is to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle that is equipped with a popup roof tent, a camp kitchen, and everything that’s needed for multiple days in the wild.

Visit the national parks , spend the days on safari, then set up at one of the campsites. It’s raw and rugged , an adventure in elephant country with no guides to protect you.

Self drive safaris are not advisable in East Africa – rules and regulations make them expensive and dangerous. One Africa Freak contributor encountered two backpackers in a Toyota hatchback stuck in the Serengeti mud, leaning out of the window taking photos of lions.

South Africa is good but doesn’t have the same wilderness factor , not when the Kruger now has a paved road through the middle of it.

Much of Botswana’s best safari destinations are inaccessible, either because the roads are washed away or the area has been gazetted as a private concession.

Then there is Namibia: freedom , beauty , safari and a connection with your wild side.

Guide to Namibia Safari Destinations

Etosha is one of Africa’s ultimate safari destinations. The rest in Namibia is good and exciting. Visit Namibia and Etosha has to be at the top of the list. If you can, add on the Caprivi Strip for an experience in contrasts.

Etosha National Park

Etosha has an eternal paradox . Like all of Namibia there is an incredible sense of wilderness and exploring a distant piece of old Africa. Yet Etosha is also very accessible and the game viewing is so simple.

There’s comfort and simplicity here, even when gazing across the shimmering Etosha salt pan. Within Etosha there’s the only water for hundreds of miles. That attracts a great succession of migratory mammals during the dry reason.

Often there’s a mystical collection of animals at a waterhole, a kind of animal party featuring hippos, gemsbok , impala, elephant, zebra and giraffe. Then the lions come and transform the dynamic.

The Etosha savannah is scorched yellow and red. Vegetation shrivels and a lot of the park appears lifeless. At the park’s heart is the Etosha Pan , a mammoth salt bed that the park is named after (Etosha literally means great white place ).

Antelope splash about the pan after the rains. Elephants and buffalo dig for the nourishing salt. Gaze across the pan and rhinos emerge from the mirage, the image like something from a work of fiction.

After the pan shrivels and dries, life revolves around the park’s different waterholes . Most camps overlook one of these waterholes so a lot of the safari can be spent sat on a balcony, drinking a beer as wildlife also takes a drink.

The Etosha camp accommodation is very cheap in comparison to South Africa and Botswana, usually less than USD 150 per room for a very comfortable tented camp in a prime location (it may be USD 1000 in South Africa).

Public campsites aren’t next to the waterholes but are among migratory channels so you will see animals nearby. And every night the Etosha animals create their own noisy lullaby.

Animals to see and planning an Etosha visit

Etosha is home to four of  the big five . It’s one of the best places in Africa to see white rhinos and their abundance is quite remarkable here.

Elusive species like black-faced impala are common. Tense predatory scenes are witnessed around the waterholes.

There’s just about everything you could ask for in a safari destination and the ease of the game viewing is elevated by Etosha’s openness . Spotting wildlife is straightforward, even without a guide.

Etosha is located in northern Namibia , roughly a four-hour drive from capital city Windhoek and seven hours from the Caprivi Strip.

Allow at least three full days . The park is big and there is more than enough wildlife for three days. Ideally consider four nights, allowing for two nights in two different sides of the park.

Ongava Game Reserve

A private concession in southern Etosha, Ongava is a luxurious and expensive destination. It’s typically included on high-end safari itineraries that use light aircraft to hop around the country.

The key highlight is the walking safaris , in particular walking safaris with white rhinos. Nighttime game drives and photography hides add to the intimacy.

Wildlife is similar to Etosha and there are only a dozen guests at a time , so it does feel very personal. Still, it’s debatable whether Ongava is worth the price when Etosha next door is so good.

Okonjima Nature Reserve

Halfway between Windhoek and Etosha, Okonjima can be a good Namibia safari introduction . The park is small and fenced but does provide good wildlife encounters, particularly with the cats.

Okonjima is home to the Africat Foundation that helps to rescue and rehabilitate Africa’s carnivores. These cats are in addition to free roaming wild predators. You will need to stay at the lodge in the reserve and one night is sufficient.

Caprivi Strip

Namibia’s fertile panhandle is a surreal contrast to the country’s desert wilderness. Forests and grasslands flourish as four of Africa’s great rivers take root: the Okavango, Zambezi, Chobe and Kwando .

These rivers attract migratory herds throughout the dry season, from various antelope to many thousands of elephant. Many animals stop by the Caprivi as part of their journey to the Okavango Delta or Chobe.

Animals and villages must coexist in the Caprivi. This makes sense: in a desert country almost everything wants to be near a river . There is no single national park but a series of small national parks interspersed with villages and a paved highway heading towards Victoria Falls.

Some of these have been established by local communities and the Caprivi Strip is a celebration of locally organised conservation .

Here there’s an acknowledgement that local people have been integral to conservation since the dawn of time. They’ve found a modern solution that satisfies the needs of wildlife, local people and tourists.

Bwabwata is the largest of the parks, followed by Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara . There’s also Caprivi Game Park , Mashi Conservancy , Wuparo Conservancy and Salambala Conservancy .

Although they don’t share borders, these parks do help create a single wilderness . They have successfully ensured the preservation of one of Africa’s most important wildlife corridors. Here you will see elephants and many other animals crossing the highway.

Each has either a public campsite or a camp and the prices are very reasonable .

Animals to see and planning a Caprivi visit

There is a little of everything but mostly you encounter elephants and different antelope . Giraffe poke their heads up above the trees, buffalo march around and zebra are conspicuous.

Don’t expect many big cat encounters . Not many live here and the lush vegetation makes them difficult to find.

Local San guides may be able to show you a wild dog den, so visitors with patience can be rewarded with sightings of one of Africa’s most endangered species;  read the full wild dog story here .

It’s relatively easy to cover any of the parks in a single morning or afternoon drive. To spend more than two nights in any of these parks doesn’t make sense.

The Caprivi is in the far north of Namibia and it’s literally a 400 kilometre strip that juts above Botswana. Follow the strip to the end and you reach Victoria Falls .

We’d recommend spreading the Caprivi journey over three days . With that you can spend a night in two parks or conservancies before leaving Namibia to visit Victoria Falls or Chobe in Botswana.

But if you are blessed with time then extend the journey. These peaceful parks provide a beautiful connection with your wild side . No other people, a handful of grazing animals, and a fertile wilderness.

When to Go on a Namibia Safari

Namibia has clearly defined seasons and these have an enormous impact on the safari experience.

June to August – dry season, mild temperatures, good game viewing

• Mild days and cold nights ; bring warm layers and expect to spend each evening around a campfire.
• Great dry season wildlife viewing with lots of animals around waterholes.
• Dusty skies which aren’t ideal for photography.
• Peak season can result in crowds, especially in parts of Etosha.

September to November – dry season, hot, excellent game viewing

• Hotter days and warmer nights; be prepared to sweat.
• Outstanding dry season game viewing ; there is hardly any water left so wildlife is highly concentrated.
• Less visitors compared to June to August.
• The rains usually start in November and usually come as a relief.

December to January – wet season, very hot, best avoided

• Very hot days in the desert.
• Occasional storms but it doesn’t rain that much in the desert.
• A surprising number of visitors as it is school holiday time in Southern Africa.
• Animals have dispersed so game viewing is more difficult .

February to May – wet season, warm and beautiful

• Namibia is incredibly attractive after the rains have come.
• You may experience storms but mostly these months have blue skies and warm temperatures .
• Wildlife looks healthy and you can see lots of babies.
• However, it’s harder to see animals as they are dispersed.

Planning a Namibia Safari

Namibia safaris often require intensive planning as you must decide how to get around. Overland tours are the most popular mode of travel. You are in a small group and usually spend one to two weeks traveling through Namibia.

For self drive safaris think very carefully about where to pick up and return the vehicle. There’s a superb loop from Windhoek: Windhoek, Damaraland, Etosha, Caprivi Strip, Victoria Falls, then returning via Botswana.

It’s very tempting to extend the journey by starting in Cape Town or Johannesburg but this does add a lot of miles and fuel cost to an already long journey. However, coming from South Africa allows for a route incorporating Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei.

Another option is to take public transport to Windhoek and then continue the journey from there. Windhoek based tour operators can take you on a three or four-day trip to Etosha for a reasonable price.

The more expensive option is a fly-in safari . Beautiful views extend from the window as you fly to Namibia’s distant destinations. These are aerial safaris and maximize the time you have, ideal if this is a multi-country and you only have two weeks in total.

Map of Namibia’s Main Parks

There’s at least a dozen national parks in Namibia. Here’s the country’s major protected areas and where to find them on a map.

Good Luck in Namibia

We love Namibia . This is where you really connect with your wild side.

At first it seems like an endless empty wilderness. Spend time and look closer, because this is where safari secrets hide .

About The Author

Editorial Team

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2 thoughts on “namibia safari – the complete guide for first-time visitors”.

Is it easy to arrive in the capital of Namibia and get a 5, 6 day tour/safari in a local enterprise, that will be cheaper then the ones we find on the internet and we contacted previously when abroad? I mean, I would like to know if I arrive in Namibia will it be easy to find a safari organized by locals, that are cheaper then the ones I find on the internet?

Sure, it is definitely possible to organize your trip once you land in Namibia. There are various travel operators, especially in Windhoek.

That being said, I wouldn’t say it is necessarily “easy”.

It still requires time to organize things properly. You need to find a reliable operator, you might not have as many options… plus pricing will depend on the travel period (more expensive in the high season; in July-October).

NB: Namibia is the perfect destination for self drive safaris , so this could be a nice option to consider if you prefer more flexibility and freedom.

Hopefully this helps.

Happy planning,

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The Ultimate Namibia Safari (12 days)

Namibia is a country of extraordinary scenery and endless vistas. This 12-day safari offers the ‘Best of Namibia’. Travel with one of Namibia’s most reputable and well-known naturalist guides, climb some of the world’s highest free-standing sand dunes, sea kayak with seals and dolphins, track for desert-adapted elephants, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Twyfelfontein, visit an authentic and remote Himba settlement, experience memorable and exciting guided game drives, and visit the world renowned AfriCat Foundation and learn more about conservation initiatives involving Africa’s large cats. This unforgettable trip affords you the chance to experience this magnificent and memorable country in a very personal way.

Daily Itinerary

Details for today.

Arrive in Windhoek, Namibia

Rest up, and get ready for your Ultimate Namibia Safari!

Accommodation: Galton House

Welcome to Windhoek, Namibia!

Your driver will meet you at the Windhoek International Airport and transfer you to your hotel. Relax and settle in. In the evening, enjoy dinner in the comfort of your hotel.

Transfer: From Windhoek to Sossusvlei area

Sossusvlei:

• Explore Sesriem Canyon (optional)
• Relax and soak in the tranquil surroundings

Accommodation:  Sossus Dune Lodge

Meals:  B, L, D

This morning we will collect you from your hotel in your safari vehicle with your private guide and drive southwest through the scenic Khomas Hochland highlands before heading down the Great Escarpment into the Namib Desert below, stopping for a picnic lunch at a scenic location along the way. You arrive at Sossus Dune Lodge in the mid-afternoon and you will stay here for two nights whilst you explore the remarkable sights of the Namib Desert with your guide. If there is still time today, your guide will take you to visit Sesriem Canyon, a nearby geological attraction, or explore Elim Dune. However, if you prefer, you can just relax and soak in the scenic and tranquil surroundings at Sossus Dune Lodge.

Sesriem Canyon: Sesriem Canyon has evolved through centuries of erosion by the Tsauchab River which has incised a narrow gorge about 1.5 km long and 30 meters deep into the surrounding conglomerates, exposing the varying layers of sedimentation deposited over millions of years. The shaded cool depths of the canyon allow pools of water to gather during the rainy season and remain for much of the year round. These pools were a vital source of water for early settlers who drew water for their livestock by knotting six (ses) lengths of rawhide thongs (riems) together, hence the canyon and surrounding area became known as Sesriem.

Sossus Dune Lodge:  Situated within the Namib Naukluft Park, close to the Sesriem Canyon, and providing sweeping vistas of the dunes to the west, guests benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, or to stay until after sunset. Sossus Dune Lodge offers a good base from which to go on guided excursions to Sossusvlei, Sesriem and the surrounding areas, as well as sunset drives and guided walks, to fully unleash the beauty and biological diversity of the desert environment.

• Visit the sand dunes for sunrise
• Learn about the formation of the Namib Desert
• Explore Sesriem Canyon (if you haven’t already done so the day before)
• Relax and enjoy an afternoon at leisure

Accommodation: Sossus Dune Lodge

This morning you will need to rise early for a magical excursion with your guide in the Namib Naukluft National Park, normally setting off before sunrise to capture the dunes whilst the light is soft and shadows accentuate the towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing sand dunes in the world and your guide will give you an insight on the formation of the Namib Desert and its myriad of fascinating creatures and plants that have adapted to survive these harsh environs. Once you have explored Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and surrounding dune fields to your heart’s content you can enjoy a relaxed picnic brunch in the shade of a camel thorn tree. You then return to Sossus Dune Lodge in the early afternoon in time for a late lunch, with the option to visit Sesriem Canyon afterwards if you haven’t already done so the day before. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure (from experience, this is usually welcomed after an exhilarating morning in the dunes).

Sossusvlei : This most frequently visited section of the massive 50,000 km² Namib Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei, famous for its towering apricot coloured sand dunes which can be reached by following the Tsauchab River valley. Sossusvlei itself is actually a clay pan set amidst these star shaped dunes which stand up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, ranking them among the tallest dunes on earth. The deathly white clay pan contrasts against the orange sands and forms the endpoint of the ephemeral Tsauchab River, within the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great Escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55 km before it finally peters out at Sossusvlei, about the same distance from the Atlantic Ocean. Until the encroaching dunes blocked its course around 60,000 years ago, the Tsauchab River once reached the sea; as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib. Sand-locked pans to the west show where the river previously flowed to before dunes shifted its endpoint to where it currently gathers at Sossusvlei.

Roughly once a decade rainfall over the catchment area is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and camel thorn trees around the pan are reflected in the water. Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. Another, famous for its gnarled and ghostly camel thorn trees, is Deadvlei which can be reached on foot over 1 km of sand. Deadvlei’s striking camel thorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect as they once grew. They survived until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked the river from occasionally flooding the pan.

Transfer: Drive from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund

Swakopmund:

• Explore town and wander the waterfront
• Enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood

Accommodation: The Delight Swakopmund

NOTE: Option to include a sunrise balloon flight or scenic light aircraft flight over the Namib Naukluft National Park before you depart for Swakopmund (optional extra at additional cost).

The fascinating drive today takes you northwest through awesome and ever changing desert landscapes of the Namib Naukluft National Park, including the impressive Gaub and Kuiseb canyons. You will meet the coast at the port town of Walvis Bay and then continue north to Swakopmund where you can enjoy the pleasant seaside location and cooler coastal air for your next two nights. There will be time this afternoon to explore the town and wander along the waterfront on foot, before heading off for dinner at a popular restaurant which specializes in fresh seafood.

NOTE: As an alternative to the drive from Sossus Dune Lodge to Swakopmund you may like to take a scenic light aircraft flight over Sossusvlei and along the Diamond Coast (optional extra at additional cost), allowing you a bird’s eye view over the dune sea, abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks, Sandwich Harbour and salt pans before you land at Swakopmund Airport. Your guide will drive to meet up with you in Swakopmund later in the day.

Swakopmund : Swakopmund resembles a small, German coastal resort nestled between the desert and the sea. It boasts a charming combination of German colonial architecture blended with modern hotels, shops, restaurants, museums, craft centres, galleries and cafés. Swakopmund had its beginnings as a landing station in 1892 when the German Imperial Navy erected beacons on the site. Settlers followed and made attempts to create a harbour town by constructing a concrete Mole and then an iron jetty – which attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. The advent of World War one halted developments, and the town sank into decline until half a century later when infrastructure improved and an asphalt road opened between Windhoek and Swakopmund. This made reaching the previously isolated town quicker and easier and it prospered once again to become Namibia’s premier resort town. Although the sea is normally cold for swimming there are pleasant beaches and the cooler climate is refreshing after time spent in the desert.

• Get close to the wildlife on a kayaking excursion – See Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds.
• Explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay
• Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at your guesthouse or out in town

Accommodation : The Delight Swakopmund

Meals : B, L, D

After an early breakfast your guide will drive you along the scenic coastal road back south to Walvis Bay for a memorable kayaking adventure within the outer lagoon. After meeting your kayaking guide you will be taken on a short scenic drive to Pelican Point to see its lighthouse and windswept beauty, stopping briefly at the salt works to view the variety of birdlife on your way to the launch point. The kayaking is an ideal way of seeing Cape fur seals, Heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. If you are lucky, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. During the course of the day the guide will stop and inform you about the environment and light refreshments will be served on the beach before heading back to Walvis Bay.

You also have the choice to partake in a memorable motorized boat seal and dolphin excursion within the outer lagoon and harbour should the kayaking not appeal. Here you should also see Cape fur seals, heaviside and bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, flamingos and a wide variety of other sea birds. Again, if luck is on your side, there is also a chance of seeing whales, leatherback turtles and sunfish. During the course of the excursion snacks will be served along with local sparkling wine and fresh oysters, before you will return to the jetty at roughly midday.

You then have the opportunity to explore the waterfront area of Walvis Bay further before returning to Swakopmund for an afternoon at leisure at your guesthouse or out in town. Activities such as camel rides, scenic flights, sandboarding and more can all be booked at an extra cost.

Transfer: From Swakopmund to Damaraland

Damaraland:

• Visit the site of pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Accommodation: Camp Kipwe

Continuing on your safari today, the road takes you north and east into the wonderful and diverse region of Damaraland. You pass Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg which peaks at 2,573 m above sea level, and take time to view game and absorb the vastness of the scenery along the way. Damaraland is typified by displays of colour, magnificent table topped mountains, rock formations and bizarre-looking vegetation. The present day landscape has been formed by the erosion of wind, water and geological forces which have formed rolling hills, dunes, gravel plains and ancient river terraces. It is the variety and loneliness of the area as well as the scenic splendour which will reward and astound you, giving one an authentic understanding of the word ‘wilderness’.

If time allows this afternoon your guide will take you to visit the nearby attractions and geological sites of the pre-historic Twyfelfontein rock engravings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) – if not there is plenty of time to see them tomorrow.

Twyfelfontein : Strewn over a hillside amongst flat-topped mountains of red sandstone, Twyfelfontein’s boulders and slabs of red sandstone hold some 2,500 prehistoric engravings that depict wildlife, animal spoor and abstract motifs. It is perhaps the largest and finest collection of petroglyphs in Africa. The engravings show animals such as elephant, giraffe, kudu, lion, rhinoceros, springbok, zebra and ostrich that once used to drink from a fountain at the bottom of the hill. In some cases footprints were engraved instead of hooves or paws. The abstract motifs feature mainly circles. Stone tools and other artifacts found at Twyfelfontein suggest that hunter-gatherers occupied the site over a period of perhaps 7,000 years. These days a local guide accompanies visitors to showcase the rock art. The engravings lie along two circular routes, one an hour’s climb and the other 40 minutes longer. Twyfelfontein is one of Namibia’s key National Monuments and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Camp Kipwe : Camp Kipwe lies in the heart of Damaraland, ideally located a short drive from the local attractions in the area. The Camp is nestled amongst an outcrop of giant granite boulders, a stone’s throw away from the ephemeral Aba Huab riverbed where desert adapted elephants often traverse.

• Game drive to search for the elusive desert adapted elephants and other wildlife
• Enjoy an afternoon at leisure

Accommodation:  Camp Kipwe

Meals: B, L, D

After an early breakfast you will be treated to an exciting 4×4 excursion along the ephemeral Aba Huab and Huab River valleys to explore this remarkable region and to search for game, including the elusive desert adapted elephants if they are in the area. Damaraland is home to a variety of desert adapted wildlife and hidden desert treasures. As the elephants are mostly active in the mornings you will normally have the best chance to see them then before returning to camp for lunch. However, if all the safari participants agree, you also have the option to take a picnic lunch and stop to enjoy that in the shade of a large Ana tree by the riverbed, ideally while watching a herd of elephant browsing nearby.

Your guide will arrange to fit in a visit to Twyfelfontein and other nearby attractions at a suitable time if you haven’t already done so the previous day. On return to camp there should be time to take a walk into the local area with your guide if desired, or simply relax and enjoy some well-deserved leisure time.

Desert Adapted Elephant : In habitats with sufficient vegetation and water an adult elephant consumes as much as 300 kg of roughage and 230 litres of water every day of its life. Consider what a herd of them would eat and drink in a week or a month or a year. Finding an African elephant in a desert? Well, yes and not only elephant, but other large mammals as well, such as black rhinoceros and giraffe. Their ranges extend from river catchments in northern Kaokoveld as far south as the northern Namib. Apart from the Kunene River, seven river courses northwards from the Ugab provide them with possible routes across the desert, right to the Skeleton Coast. The biggest are the Hoarusib, the Hoanib, the Huab and the Ugab Rivers. Desert adapted elephant in Kaokoland and the Namib walk further for water and fodder than any other elephant in Africa. The distances between waterholes and feeding grounds can be as great as 68 km. The typical home range of a family herd is larger than 2,000 km², or eight times as big as ranges in central Africa where rainfall is much higher. They walk and feed at night and rest during the day. To meet their nutritional and bulk requirements they browse on no fewer than 74 of the 103 plant species that grow in their range. Not a separate species or even a subspecies, they are an ecotype unique to Namibia in Africa south of the equator, behaviourally adapted to hyper-arid conditions. Elephant in Mali on the southwestern fringe of the Sahara Desert are the only others known to survive in similar conditions.

Transfer: From Damaraland to Southern Etosha National Park

• Visit a local Himba settlement, one of the last truly traditional peoples of Namibia

Etosha National Park:

• At your lodge, enjoy game viewing at the camp’s floodlit waterhole, or from the camp’s underground and elevated hides

Accommodation: Safarihoek Lodge

Today after a very early breakfast you set off on your journey to the Etosha National Park, travelling via the scenic Grootberg Pass. Along the way your guide will take you to visit a local Himba settlement – you may have to search for a while as the semi-nomadic Himba people sometimes move location with no notice. They are one of the last truly traditional peoples of Namibia and have little time for conventional practices. Here you will learn about the customs and traditions of this very proud nation, and will be given insight into their beliefs, way of life and everyday routine. Depending on the school semester and school holidays, you may also visit the Grootberg Primary School, a rural school where. After visiting the Himba and school you will head east through the small town of Kamanjab before heading on towards tonight’s destination at the new Safarihoek Lodge, which is situated on the south western border of the Etosha National Park. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed en-route and arrival will be in the very late afternoon or early evening (after a long but rewarding day). After your arrival you will have some time at leisure, which can be spent appreciating the unique surroundings and enjoying the game viewing at the camp’s floodlit waterhole and enjoy a different vantage point from the camps underground and elevated hides.

The Himba : The Himba, Tjimba and other Herero people who inhabit Namibia’s remote north-western Kunene Region are loosely referred to as the Kaokovelders. Basically Herero in terms of origin, language and culture, they are semi-nomadic pastoralists who tend to tend from one watering place to another. They seldom leave their home areas and maintain, even in their own, on which other cultures have made little impression. For many centuries they have lived a relatively isolated existence and were not involved to any noteworthy extent in the long struggle for pasturelands between the Nama and the Herero. The largest group of Kaokovelders is the Himba, semi-nomads who live in scattered settlements throughout the Kunene Region. They are a tall, slender and statuesque people, characterized especially by their proud yet friendly bearing. The women especially are noted for their unusual sculptural beauty, enhanced by intricate hairstyles and traditional adornments.

They rub their bodies with red ochre and fat, a treatment that protects their skins against the harsh desert climate. The homes of the Himba of Kaokoland are simple, cone-shaped structures of saplings, bound together with palm leaves and plastered with mud and dung. The men build the structures, while the women mix the clay and do the plastering. A fire burns in the headman’s hut day and night, to keep away insects and provide light and heating. A family may move from one home to another several times a year to seek grazing for their goats and cattle. A Himba woman spends as much as three hours a day on her toilette. First she bathes, then she anoints herself with her own individually prepared mixture which not only protects her skin from the harsh desert sun, but also keeps insects away and prevents her body hair from falling out. She uses another mixture of butter fat, fresh herbs and black coals to rub on her hair, and ‘steams’ her clothes regularly over the permanent fire. Men, women and children adorn themselves with necklaces, bracelets, anklets and belts made from iron and shell beads. With their unusual and striking designs, these items have gained a commercial value and are being produced on a small scale for the urban market. Sculptural headrests in particular are sought-after items.

Safarihoek Lodge is located on Etosha Heights and is part of a 60,000ha privately owned game reserve which shares borders, for about 65kms, with Etosha National Park. It consists of 9 farms that were originally used for domestic farming. Over a period of time, acquired and combined to create a stunning wildlife reserve that they are now privileged to be part of. With an array of animals which include various species of antelope, predators, birds as well as others.   Etosha Heights Namibia partakes in various conservation efforts and projects that are currently operational and many more still to come. The main goal and vision is to encourage and develop sustainable eco-friendly tourism, all to the benefit of the area, animals as well as the community.

Transfer: From Southern to Eastern Etosha National Park

• Exciting game viewing in Central Etosha National Park from your private safari vehicle

Eastern Etosha National Park:

• At camp, enjoy game viewing at the camp’s floodlit waterhole where game comes and goes throughout the day and night

Accommodation: Onguma Tree Top Camp

Today is dedicated to a full day of exciting game viewing within the central section of Etosha National Park from your private safari vehicle as you make your way from the southern Andersson’s Gate to Halali (where you may stop for lunch) and then on across via selected waterholes such as Goas, which are normally particularly good for game viewing, to Namutoni Camp in the east. You will have to leave the Park before sunset and head out to stay at the delightful Onguma Tree Top Camp with enough time to relax and freshen up before for dinner. The rest of the evening can be spent game viewing at the camp’s floodlit waterhole where game comes and goes throughout the day and night.

Etosha National Park : Etosha National Park covers 22,270 km², of which approximately 5,000 km² is made up of saline depressions or ‘pans’. The largest of these pans, the Etosha Pan, can be classified as a saline desert in its own right. The Etosha Pan lies in the Owambo Basin, on the north-western edge of the Namibian Kalahari Desert. Until three million years ago it formed part of huge, shallow lake that was reduced to a complex of salt pans when the major river that fed it, the Kunene, changed course and began to flow to the Atlantic instead. If the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans at 4,760 km² in extent. It is nowadays filled with water only when sufficient rain falls to the north in Angola, inducing floods to flow southward along the Cuvelai drainage system. The Park consists of grassland, woodland and savannah. Game-viewing centers around the numerous springs and waterholes where several different species can often be seen at one time. The Park boasts some 114 mammal and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that one might see includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger and warthog, as well as the endemic black faced impala.

Onguma Tree Top Camp : Tree Top is a unique and beautiful camp, situated on the private Onguma Game Reserve, bordering on the eastern side of Etosha National Park. It is a small and intimate camp, especially designed for those travellers who would like to truly experience the bush in all its raw splendour. This camp is built on wooden stilts amongst the tree tops with full views over one of the most beautiful watering holes on the Reserve. The Boma area steps off from the lounge deck, where guests can relax while watching the animals and birds that frequent the hole throughout the day. The thatched rooms are designed in such a way that the canvas sides can be opened to expose breath-taking view and animals at any time.

• Game drive in the eastern section of the park

Onguma Game Reserve:

• Game drive in the reserve, where over thirty different animal species and more than 300 bird species can be viewed

Another morning dedicated to memorable game drives within the eastern section of Etosha National Park with your guide. You return to camp for lunch and an early afternoon rest, spending your final afternoon on a game drive on the private Onguma Game Reserve, culminating in a sundowner overlooking Fischer’s Pan. You then return after sunset with enough time to freshen up and enjoy your final ‘safari dinner’ overlooking the camp’s floodlit waterhole.

Onguma Game Reserve : Situated on the eastern side of Etosha National Park and bordering Fisher’s Pan, Onguma Game Reserve has more than 20,000 hectare of protected land and wildlife. The nature reserve boasts over thirty different animal species consisting of plains game such as kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala and many more roam freely, as well as predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard, being common residents of the area. Onguma Game Reserve is now proud to be home to a family of black rhinos! More than 300 bird species can also be viewed at Onguma Game Reserve.

Transfer: From Onguma Game Reserve to Windhoek via the AfriCat Foundation

AfriCat Foundation:

• Visit this wildlife sanctuary which focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa’s big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah
• Embark on an exciting and informative game drive and tour of the centre
• Learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation

Your early departure will take you south from Onguma Tree Top via Tsumeb, Otavi and Otjiwarongo to reach Okonjima’s AfriCat Day Centre, a wonderful highlight with which to conclude your safari. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a wildlife sanctuary which focuses on the research and rehabilitation of Africa’s big cats, especially injured or captured leopard and cheetah. You arrive in time for lunch before embarking on an exciting and informative game drive and tour of the centre. Here you will learn about the function and vision of the AfriCat Foundation and will also get to meet some of the Foundation’s special captive carnivore ambassadors.

After the excursion and freshening up, the journey continues further south to arrive back in Windhoek in the late afternoon, just as the sun is setting. Upon your arrival in Windhoek you will be transferred to your hotel.

NOTE (OPTIONAL EXTENSION): You have the option to extend your safari for an additional night or two at Okonjima, staying at their delightful Luxury Bush Camp. This affords you the opportunity to get a more in-depth insight into the work being done by the AfriCat Foundation as well as getting to see more of cheetah, leopard and other big cats in the wild.

Transfer: To the airport for your international flight home

This morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport to catch your international flight home.

Farewell Namibia!

Accommodation

Galton House

Named after the famous explorer Sir Francis Galton, it has a relaxed but efficient style which creates a very welcoming atmosphere. A ten-minute drive from the center of town and perched on the edge of Windhoek, guests staying here will be ensured of peace and tranquillity. The nine guest rooms are all equipped with internet connectivity and satellite television, with other general guest amenities. The communal areas consist of a large lounge, dining room, swimming pool, and garden, with a delightful ‘al fresco’ dining area, serving freshly prepared and very tasty meals by their resident chef.

Sossus Dune Lodge

Sossus Dune Lodge is built in an environmentally sensitive manner, primarily from wood, canvas and thatch, in an attractive ‘afro–village’ style. Situated within the Namib Naukluft Park, close to the Sesriem Canyon, and providing sweeping vistas of the dunes to the west, guests benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, or to stay until after sunset. Accommodation units are interlinked by elevated wooden walkways and consist of 23 well-spaced en suite desert chalets, equipped with tea stations and small fridges, with an additional relaxation gazebo. All units offer magnificent open vistas of the surrounding landscapes. Sossus Dune Lodge offers a good base from which to go on guided excursions to Sossusvlei, Sesriem, and the surrounding areas, as well as sunset drives and guided walks, to fully unleash the beauty and biological diversity of the desert environment.

The Delight Swakopmund

Amongst the town’s captivating contrasts and old traditions, Gondwana’s Delight is a fresh breeze in the desert. Conveniently located within short walking distance of the ‘Mole’, our modern, uplifting and inviting hotel is the ideal base for your stay. Every effort is made to surprise and delight guests with thoughtful touches and locally inspired reasons to smile. From the easy comfort of our hotel, the warm and welcoming service Gondwana is known for, to the assistance provided by our knowledgable Delight Host for anything from activity bookings to dinner reservations – your stay is always an effortless and memorable experience.

Camp Kipwe lies in the heart of Damaraland, ideally located a short drive from the local attractions in the area. The Camp is nestled amongst an outcrop of giant granite boulders, a stone’s throw away from the ephemeral Aba Huab riverbed where desert-adapted elephants often traverse. Each comfortable thatched bungalow is simply but tastefully furnished with an en-suite open-air bathroom. In the center of the camp lies a large alfresco dining area, bar, lounge, and reception with an inviting fireplace nearby to relax beside in the evenings. A refreshing swimming pool and sunset lookout with lovely views also complement the Camp.

Safarihoek Lodge

Onguma Tree Top Camp

Tree Top is a unique and beautiful camp, situated on the private Onguma Game Reserve, bordering on the eastern side of Etosha National Park. It is a small and intimate camp, specially designed for those travelers who would like to truly experience the bush in all its raw splendor. This camp is built on wooden stilts amongst the treetops with full views over one of the most beautiful watering holes on the Reserve. The camp consists of 4 thatched wooden chalets and the main complex, making the camp ideal for a small group looking for a private getaway. The main complex is completely open towards the front where the waterhole is situated, but there is also the option of letting down canvas sides if the weather is inclement. Guests can relax in the comfortable lounge or in front of the fireplace. The kitchen is open so guests can watch whilst the chef conjures up wonderful dishes on an open fire. The Boma area steps off from the lounge deck, where guests can relax while watching the animals and birds that frequent the hole throughout the day. The thatched rooms are designed in such a way that the canvas sides can be opened to expose breath-taking view and animals at any time. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom as well as a wonderful private outside shower, and a private deck in front where guests can relax and enjoy exactly the same views as from the main area’s deck.

Affiliations

Itinerary Test

Namibia - Tierwelt

Welche tiere sehen sie auf einer safari in namibia.

Reisen Sie nach Namibia und entdecken Sie eine einzigartige Tierwelt inmitten unberührter, abgelegener Landschaften. Zu den Tieren, die Sie in Namibia bewundern können, gehören ans Wüstenleben angepasste Elefanten und Löwen. Außerdem ist das vom Aussterben gefährdete Spitzmaulnashorn in den dramatischen Wüstenlandschaften zu Hause.

Der erste Eindruck in Namibia ist zumeist von Hitze und Dürre geprägt, jedoch werden Sie auf Ihrer Reise durchs Land auch besondere Wüstentiere sehen, die für sich eine Möglichkeit gefunden haben, in dieser harschen Umgebung zu überleben. Der Wüstenelefant hat sich im Laufe der Zeit daran gewöhnt, bis zu vier Tage ohne Wasser auszukommen. Der Wüstenkäfer hingegen konserviert Wasser aus dem Nebel.

Namib-Wüste

Die Namib-Wüste erstreckt sich 2.000 Kilometer vom südlichen Angola entlang der Küste von Namibia ins westliche Südafrika. Man spekuliert, dass sie vor etwa 80 Millionen Jahren durch den Benguelastrom entstanden ist. Der Wind weht vom kalten Atlantischen Ozean ins Land, mit sehr wenig Feuchtgehalt, wodurch es eigentlich fast keine Regenfälle im Küstenbereich von Namibia gibt. Durch das sehr trockene Klima müssen sich die Tiere hier sehr stark anpassen und eine Lebensweise finden, um in der Namib überleben zu können. Die Schwarzkäfer filtern Wasser aus dem Nebel, indem sie sich mit dem Kopf dem nebelbringenden Wind zuwenden, ihre Hinterbeine austrecken und ihren Kopf senken. Die Tröpfchen, die sich daraufhin auf dem Rücken der Käfer sammeln, rollen zum Maul herunter. Die Oryx-Antilope kann ihre Körpertemperatur übers Gehirn kontrollieren. Der Großohrfuchs hat ein ähnliches Regulierungssystem. Die Eichhörnchen erheben ihren buschigen Schwanz, um ihn als Sonnenschirm zu benutzen. Am meisten bekannt ist jedoch die Wüsteneidechse, die so aussieht als würde sie in der Wüste tanzen. Sie hebt ständig einen ihrer Füße vom heißen Wüstensand, was ein effektiver Weg ist, es nicht so heiß zu haben. Der Kameldorn ist der größte Baum in der Namib-Wüste. Er hat sehr lange Wurzeln, um im tiefsten Boden Wasser zu bekommen. Auf den Zweigen des Baumes leben sehr viele Vögel wie Adler oder Geier.

Etosha Nationalpark

Zur Tierwelt, die Sie in Namibias Etosha Nationalpark an Wasserlöchern bewundern, zählen außer dem Büffel alle Vertreter von Afrikas berühmten „Big Five“: Löwe, Nashorn, Leopard und Elefant. Insgesamt sind 114 Säugetierarten im Etosha zu Hause. Erleben Sie Giraffen, Zebras, Oryx-Antilopen und viele weitere Tiere in freier Laufbahn. Wenn Sie den Tierreichtum von Namibia in seiner ganzen Vielfalt sehen möchten, sollten Sie unbedingt in den Etosha Nationalpark reisen. 1907 wurde das größte Schutzgebiet Namibias von Gouverneur Friedrich Von Lindequist zum Nationalpark ernannt. Dieser erstreckt sich auf einer Fläche von über 2,27 Millionen Hektar Fläche. Damit ist der Etosha Nationalpark einer der größten Nationalparks in ganz Afrika. In dem Gebiet leben faszinierende Tierarten, wie beispielsweise die Schwarzfersenantilope oder das Kirk-Dikdik.

Das Damaraland & Kaokoland

Dieses Wildtiergebiet, zumeist bekannt als Kaokoveld, ist berühmt für die dort lebenden Wüstenspitzmaulnashörner sowie Wüstenelefanten. Das Gebiet ist sehr wild, wodurch sich das Spitzmaulnashorn problemlos verbreiten konnte. 1960 lebten hier über 100.000 Spitzmaulnashörner, heute hingegen gibt es nur noch rund 2.600. Die Tiere sind leider stark vom Aussterben bedroht.

Der Wüstenelefant ist ein Afrikanischer Elefant (Loxodonta Africana), der sich jedoch ans trockene Wüstenklima angepasst hat. Er braucht nur jeden zweiten bis dritten Tag zu trinken und hat gelernt, jeden einzelnen Krümel aufzuessen, den er findet. Der Dickhäuter hat sich daran gewöhnt, Baumrinden, Sprossen, Blumen, Wurzeln, Gras und Blumenzwiebeln zu fressen.

Atlantische Küste: Skelettküste und Swakopmund

Verglichen mit der Tierwelt im restlichen Namibia ist die Vielfalt der Tiere an der Atlantikküste einzigartig. Besonders bemerkenswert sind die Cape Pelzrobben. In der Nähe von Swakopmund, beim Cape Cross, befindet sich eine riesige Robbenkolonie mit circa 80.000 - 100.000 Tieren. In den ersten Monaten ihres Lebens sind sie stark von Hyänen gefährdet.

Die Skelettküste ist ein interessanter Nationalpark und sehr bekannt für die vielen Schiffe, die an der Küste entlangfahren. Das Wasser ist nährstoffreich und ein Paradies für viele Fische wie Hecht, Pilchard, Sardellen oder Cape-Horse-Makrelen. Die Vielfalt dieser Fische bereichert die See und ist gleichzeitig gute Nahrung für die Küsten- und Seevögel. Ebenso oft gesehen wird der Heaviside-Delfin, der sich gerne in der Nähe der Küste aufhält und relativ klein ist. Erst 1988 gab es die erste wissenschaftliche Untersuchung über diese Delfinart.

Caprivi-Zipfel in Namibia

Der Caprivi-Zipfel ist landschaftlich ganz anders als die restlichen Gebiete von Namibia. Es ist eine abgelegene Region mit Wäldern und Überschwemmungsgebieten, in denen die Flüsse niemals austrocknen. Durch die vielen Feuchtgebiete ist der Boden sehr fruchtbar. Hier leben unter anderem Büffel, Elefanten und viele seltene Antilopenarten wie die rote Lechwe Antilope, Leierantilope, Puku Antilope, Reedbuck sowie die Schwarzfersenantilopen. Es ist die einzige Region des Landes, in der Sie Flusspferde und Nilkrokodile sehen können. Außerdem ist Caprivi ein Vogelparadies: 400 verschiedene Arten fühlen sich in den Feuchtgebieten und Wäldern pudelwohl.

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Wildlife - cats & dogs

Wildlife in Namibia - Cats and Dogs

Big cats and wild dogs.

Namibia is perfect for those seeking big cats and wild dogs.

Majestic lion are frequently seen in Etosha and the Caprivi Strip...

...whilst secretive leopard have been spotted throughout the country.

Namibia also has the largest cheetah population in the world.

The nocturnal cacaral is common, but rarely seen.

Bat-eared fox...

...and black-backed jackal...

...are just some of Namibias wild dogs.

African wild dog

Black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, bat-eared fox, spotted hyena, brown hyena, our top picks for holidays to namibia.

We'll always tailor-make your Town for you. Here are some of our favourites to inspire you.

Chongololo Self-drive Safari

21 days • 11 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

This self-drive safari focuses on the best walking experiences in Namibia. Get your boots ready for the apricot dunes of the Namib Desert and the ancient hills of Damaraland.

US$5,720 - US$7,100 per person

Hartebeest Self-drive Safari

16 days • 8 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

This self-drive safari focuses on the best cultural experiences in Namibia. Visit a Himba village and enjoy three days living with the San Bushmen interspersed with some excellent wildlife watching.

US$3,340 - US$4,090 per person

Rock Hare Self-drive Safari

20 days • 12 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

An in-depth look at Namibia from the Namib Desert to the Caprivi, with additional stops in Botswana and Victoria Falls. This three-week adventure includes an unrivalled mix of environments and is great value.

US$5,030 - US$7,180 per person

Caracal Self-drive Safari

14 days • 8 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

The quintessential Namibian self-drive adventure exploring the highlights from Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert to Damaraland’s wilderness and a safari in Etosha. A great mix of accommodation and excellent value.

US$2,270 - US$3,830 per person

Dune Lark Fly & Drive Safari

A combination fly-in self-drive exploration of Namibia, with quick, easy and scenic flights in and out of Sossusvlei before a classic road trip adventure of the country’s rugged north.

US$4,300 - US$5,520 per person

Brown Hyena Self-drive

The perfect trip for those who want to mix the adventure and freedom of a self-drive with some of our favourite luxury camps in Namibia and a great mix of activities.

US$5,870 - US$7,500 per person

Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari

14 days • 7 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

An offbeat Namibian self-drive adventure exploring the epic Fish River Canyon and fascinating Kolmanskop ghost town in the south, before turning north via the classic highlights of Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Damaraland.

US$2,250 - US$3,110 per person

Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari

19 days • 10 locations CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

Journey from South Africa’s cosmopolitan Cape Town to central Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve during this self-driven safari. The route passes through a stunning variety of landscapes, offering access to this beautiful continent’s rich diversity.

US$3,130 - US$3,600 per person

Cape Fox Guided Safari

13 days • 7 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

A classic clockwise circuit around Namibia’s northern highlights with a private guide and vehicle. We can’t think of a better way to see more in this timeframe.

US$7,960 - US$10,150 per person

Black-faced Impala Guided Safari

13 days • 6 locations WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT

A unique mix of luxury and adventure in our original, and perhaps most varied, destination on a privately guided Namibian overland safari. Perfect for families, friends or couples travelling together.

US$4,630 - US$6,100 per person

View all holidays in Namibia

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THE 10 BEST Namibia Safaris

Safaris in namibia.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Twyfelfontein
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Scenic Sandwich Harbour Tour

2. Safari in Etosha national park with professional tour guides born in Etosha.

3. 6-Day Dunes and Wildlife Accommodated Safari from Windhoek

4. Scenic Game Drive Activity

5. 7 Day Taste of Namibia Lodging Safari

6. Sandwich Harbour Tour - Pelgrim Tours

7. 3 Day Sossusvlei Budget Camping Safari

8. Full Day Guided Tour to Swakopmund and Namib Desert Highlights

9. ETOSHA PARK SAFARI with local guides in 9-seater 4x4s

10. 12 Day Classic Namibia Camping Safari

11. Private 3 Days Tour to Sossusvlei Namib Desert - Lodges

12. 6 Day Sand, Sea & Etosha Budget Camping Safari

13. 3 Day Sossusvlei Camping Schedule and Sandwich Habor

14. 10-Day Namibia Hightlights Guided Tour from Windhoek

15. Sandwich Harbour & Pelican Point Full Day Tour

16. 9 Day Etosha, Skeleton Coast and Sossusvlei Camping and Lodge Safari

17. 7 Day Northern Namibia and Skeleton Coast Camping Safari

18. 10 Namibia Adventures

19. 9 Day Canyons, Dunes & Wildlife Camping and Lodge Safari

20. 10-Day Private Yoga Adventure in Namibia

21. 4-Day Etosha And Swakopmund Accommodated Adventure from Windhoek

22. 3 Day Etosha Budget Camping Safari

23. Private Multi-Day Tour Self-Drive for Beginners Safari in Namibia

24. 5-Day Tour to Namibia Desert Sossusvlei and Coast

25. 3 Day Camping safari at Sossusvlei

26. Half-day game drive

27. 6 Day Private Guided Accommodated Namibian Loop

28. Sandwich Harbour Guided, Self-Drive Tour

29. 3 Day Desert Trail: Central Kalahari Game Reserve - WildCamping Safari

30. 10 Day Discover Namibia Small Group Safari

What travelers are saying.

Established in 1999, Wild Space Adventure is a Namibian based Safari company, who specialise in taking you to some of the most remote places on the African continent. Our footprint stretches from Namibia’s hinterland deep into to Angola, Zambia and Tanzania.

Off the beaten track tours are our specialty, traveling in remote regions, often not accessible or open for the public. We have access to areas where Special Community Concession Permits are required, giving us exclusive entrance to these unique environments and its people, and so helping community-based tourism efforts.

These concession permits fees are paid into transparent community trust accounts and are managed by the native communities of that specific regions. Booking a Safari with us therefore ensures that a percentage of the tour funds are paid to the local community. This way you are investing in and supporting the future of Africa.

We pride ourselves in our eco-friendly tourism approach. When visiting untouched nature areas of Africa, we leave an environment behind us that is just as pristine as when we took you there. We accept responsibility for future generations to also have this unique experience. Africa is our heritage.

WHAT WE OFFER

Heading to the coast of Namibia. We can assist you in booking some of the best day tours experience in and around Walvis Bay. A unique Experience for individual, couples, families, friends, group travels. Activities range from morning kayaking with the seals at Pelican Point, or set sail early morning for a cruising in the Walvis Bay Lagoon exploring the marine big 5 or begin or end your day with a half day experience where the dunes and the ocean meet at Sandwich Harbour. Or simply combine your two preferred activities for a true experience, on and off sore.

Looking for a true expedition, for a journey in some of the pristine areas in Southern Africa. We specialise in some of this areas and can take you there. Discover the untouched wilderness of Namibia, Angola, & Zambia on our Exclusive Off-road Safari either as a self-driver or as a passenger on our guided safaris.

Self-Drive Tours is now one of the most popular ways to explore Namibia by yourself. Let us make this possible for you, tailored to your preferences and vision.  We can assist in creating your perfect tour by booking your rental vehicle, lodge/campsite accommodation and activities. Leaving you with a relaxed and creative itinerary based on your wishes and expectation. Or even better let one of our guides take you through Namibia in the comfort of your own private guided tour.

CAR RENTALS

We know having the right wheels for your holiday through Namibia is very important. Tell us what your ideal rental vehicle for your preferred safaris would be, whether it’s for cozy lodging accommodations or camping trips, we can help you find the right fit for you and your travel partner, family, group of friends or solo traveller.

Testimonials

What our clients have to say.

The trip to Sandwich Harbor and dunes was breathtaking, and it was made even better with Marius as our guide. He was knowledgable, friendly, entertaining and patient. He answered all of our questions, taught us things about the dunes and Namibia, and went out of his way to make sure we had the best experience possible. He even prepared a delicious lunch with champagne for us in the middle of the dunes. His knowledge of the dunes was incredible and I don’t think we personally could have had the same experience with any other guide. Thank you Marius!

Marius and Chantal thank you for a once in a lifetime experience with Wild Space Adventure Safaris. Everything was perfect and fun from the beginning to end. Pieter learned so much about dune driving with you on his self-drive to Sandwich Harbour and our camp in the middle of the dunes. You rock!

Everything was perfect. From the locations where we stopped to the lunch included. Marius drove us around Sandwich Harbour and told us so many interesting facts about Namibia. Such an amazing experience. We took our time, and he went the extra mile to make our tour an unforgettable experience. We definitely recommend booking a tour with Wild Space Adventure if you are around Walvis Bay!

Un super moment; des paysages de fou, Marius est un très bon guide tant pour la conduite dans les dunes que pour la qualité de ses explications. la cerise sur la gâteau : la pique nique au mousseux dans les dunes avec une version végétarienne.

Marius, unser deutschsprachiger Guide, war einfach super! Er hat sogar im Sand mehrmals gebuddelt, um einen Gekko zu finden. Mitten in der Dünenlandschaft ein leckeres Mittagessen gehabt. Wir haben auch sehr viel über Land und Leute erfahren. Die Tour hat eine Menge geboten: Flamingos, rotes Wasser durch das Salz, lange Fahrt durch Sandwich Harbour mit tollen Aussichten, Gekko und weitere Tiere gesehen, sportliche Fahrt durch die Dünen, Aussichtspunkte auf den Dünen, Mittagessen mitten in den Dünen. Einfach alles dabei.

What a professional team. Very knowledgeable about their surroundings. We had the most amazing Aus to Walvisbay tour with you. Thank you once again for the wonderful memories we made in the Namibian dunes.

Shirley Randall

We recently joined Marius & Chantal for the 8 day Skeleton Coast expedition. A truly unforgettable experience. Wild camping at its best. Every night a different place under the stars. Pitch your tent, take your chair and drinks to the kitchen / dining area and relax with friends while Chantal & crew cook up culinary delights.

Estelle Langenhoven

Hallo Hallo Marius & Chantal. I am a short writer. Best tour ever (and it was my 5th in Nam with an operator). Your humble personalities, interesting stories as we drive and Chantal’s best ever food are unsurpassed. Hope to see you again.

Groete Kabols

We absolutely loved our trip to Namibia and all it has to offer, especially the Khaudum/ Caprivi Tour! It was special and different from the normal tourist routes. Khaudum was an adventure in itself with the deep sand roads, campsite with a view and the delicious meals you produced for us with such ease. It was a treat to have our catering done for us, Chantal you added a special touch with fresh fruit every day! Thank you both for making our trip so special. We will definitely book with you again and recommend others to book with you. We wish you both everything of the best for the season and we hope to see you soon. With thanks and best wishes.

Bridget & Doug

Thank you for a wonderful trip, yet again. You are a well-equipped, well informed, and professional team. The Skeleton Coast Expedition is a life-changing experience. We felt privileged to have had this experience. It is a well-planned trip regarding routes, duration, camping facilities. The meals provided were excellent. The information and knowledge provided during and prior to the tour were sufficient and much appreciated. We thank you for a wonderful trip.

Heinz & Comientjie Zastrau

Marius, this was the very best tour ever!!! We toured along the Skeleton Coast for a day, escaped inland up the Hoarusib River for a day, drove further up the coast line to the Kunene. To sleep in the desert was awesome. To drive up and down the dunes was a once in a lifetime-experience. We could never ever do it without Marius and Cornelius. They taught the us how to drive the dunes, they got us out of the sand when we got stuck, they had the most wonderful stories about the country and best of all.. they treated us with five-star meals!! Thank you for the greatest experience.

Erika & Hennie

What our clients have to say, book your tour today explore namibia with a tour tailored to your preferences and vision., the latest from wild space safaris.

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Fish River Canyon

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Wild Khaudum

Wild Khaudum We left the coast line and made our way over to the north eastern wilderness area of Bushman land. After 900 km we finally reached Tsumkwe and meet…

From Diamonds To Dust The ghost town has been fighting a battle against the forces of nature, wind and sand. Once the richest town in the country but by 1956,…

Skeleton Coast with Estelle

New Discoveries First time was not enough. We love it when our clients always return for another tour with us. But Estelle and her friends did not return to do…

Skeleton Coast with Swiss Group

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Skeleton Coast with Vasileios

From The Sky To The Land Vasileios is from Greece and an ex-pilot and wanted to try out something new. His very first expedition was with us to the Skeleton…

Trying Out All Our Tours

Trying Out All Our Tours Not one, not two, not three, but four tours we are doing together with our clients who become close friends. This time it was not…