VISIT NAMIBIA

Namibia has a lot of similarities with South Africa because it was a territory of South Africa for many decades. Much of the culture, food and language are very connected – and even the Namibian dollar currency is one-to-one in having the same value as the South African rand (making it more affordable for Canadians). This makes it a very popular ‘add-on’ to a trip to South Africa or easy to do as a standalone holiday. The roads are in great condition and low traffic numbers make this a popular self-drive destination for those who enjoy multi-day road trips.

Although almost all of Namibia is true and semi-desert, it has amazing landscapes and wildlife that have adapted to live without much water. We will see huge sand dunes, massive salt pans and even ancient rock paintings, depending on our itinerary. And, with such a low population (around two million people), there is very little light pollution and virtually no cloud cover, making for incredible views of the Milky Way.

NAMIBIA SAFARIS

In addition to my main safari itinerary, here are some other options:

Windhoek – Namib Desert – Swakopmund – Skeleton Coast

Duration: 9 Days

A classic itinerary that we can adapt with flying or driving between destinations, depending on your budget.

Day 1: We land at Windhoek and check into our overnight accommodation. Depending on the schedule, we could go sightseeing before heading to a restaurant for some traditional Namibian cuisine (often a ‘braai’ or a barbeque).

Days 2 – 4: Depending on our budget level, we either fly by light aircraft or drive to NamibRand Game Reserve. We will spend our days on game drives and nature walking, marvelling at how much life this desert environment actually supports. In the evenings, we can enjoy alfresco dining and possibly even sleep out under the stars (in a real bed!).

Days 5 – 6: Leaving our desert lodge, we stop to see Sossusvlei and Deadvlei en route to Swakopmund. If there is time in the schedule, we could opt to climb Dune 45 or even go hot-air ballooning as an optional extra. In ‘Swakop’, as the locals call it, we can safely walk the historic streets, venture out onto the Atlantic and enjoy hearty restaurant food.

Days 6 – 8: We head to one of Namibia’s most intriguing places: the Skeleton Coast! This evocative name comes from the scores of shipwrecks that litter this dangerous stretch of coastline where the cold Atlantic current meets hot desert air and creates confusing fogs. We will see huge colonies of Cape fur seals and hopefully encounter desert-adapted wildlife such as elephants and rare brown hyena. A day trip to the Clay Castles rock formations is also very interesting.

Day 9: We fly back to Windhoek to prepare for our return trip home. Depending on timing, we may stay overnight again in the capital, giving us another chance to buy gifts, repack and enjoy a final meal out, complete with excellent Namibian beer.

Windhoek – Namib Desert – Swakopmund – Damaraland – Etosha

Duration: 14 Days

Namibia is a great road trip country and this route takes in all the highlights. Roads are in good condition with much supporting infrastructure such as petrol stations.

Day 1: As usual, we fly into Windhoek, likely after overnighting in South Africa. This day allows us to acclimatise, catch up on sleep and perhaps even get a relaxing massage if the hotel offers it.

Day 2 -3: We are up early to drive to Namib-Naukluft National Park, which will take around half the day. We will drive through mountain passes and along interesting dirt roads before getting to our lodge. Then the guide takes over for game drives, nature walks, sundowners and stargazing.

Day 4 – 5: The call of the sea beckons. En route to Swakopmund we can stop at Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, perhaps even summiting Dune 45, the most famous sand dune of all. In ‘Swakop’, we can stretch our legs, enjoy the history, see marine life and eat out in seaside restaurants.

Day 6 – 7: Our vehicle takes us through Damaraland, known for interesting geological formations such as rock paintings, ancient lava flows and Brandberg (Burnt Mountain). We will stop at Twyfelfontein and get to enjoy nights under the Milky Way.

Day 8 – 9: Get your binoculars ready to spot animals as we spend time in Etosha National Park. Look out for cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, oryx, giraffe, springbok and many other species that are specially adapted to survive here.

Day 10 – 12: From the national park, we drive to Onguma, a private reserve where we will have guided game drives. This is a great place to understand more about conservation successes and challenges in Namibia.

Day 13: If there is time, we could stop at the AfriCat predator conservation centre at Okonjima Nature Reserve for the night. This will allow us to see smaller cats like genet and possibly even leopard as they are rehabilitated. Please note that we do not allow any interaction with the animals.

Day 14: The church spire of Windhoek will come into focus as we drive back to the capital after two weeks exploring Namibia and immersing ourselves in this interesting country.

Windhoek – Ongava – Etosha – Okonjima

Duration: 10 Days

A safari trip that is all about the wildlife with time at three major wilderness preserves.

Day 1: We touchdown in Windhoek after flying in from South Africa. After a long-haul flight, we use this time in the capital to reset, unwind and get a taste of Namibia’s hearty cuisine and highly regarded beers.

Day 2 – 4: From the domestic airport we fly by light aircraft to Ongava Game Reserve, a stronghold for rhinos. Because it is a private preserve, we will have a qualified safari guide to tell us all about the animals we encounter.

Day 5 – 7: Because we are already in the area, we drive to a lodge on the outskirts of Etosha National Park that will allow us to go on game drives in the park itself and see the famous white Etosha Pan.

Day 8 – 9: We drive to Okonjima Nature Reserve, another private conservation area that specialises in rescuing and rehabilitating predators. The terrain is different to Ongava and Etosha, giving you even more photographic opportunities.

Day 10: It’s an easy drive back to Windhoek, no doubt sharing stories of all the game sightings we’ve had over the past week or more. Our hotel will offer us a hot shower, comfortable bed and we’ll go for a great last meal before flying out in the morning.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT

ETOSHA

Etosha means ‘the great white place’ in the native language and refers to an enormous salt pan in the national park. There are also several private reserves around the national park that offer more luxurious accommodation. This is Namibia’s top wildlife preserve and a must-do for every visitor.

NAMIB DESERT

The world’s oldest desert also has some of its highest dunes – climbing Dune 45 at sunrise is a tradition for all first-time visitors. Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are two ancient former wetlands where you can see ‘petrified’ trees that have been absorbed into the desert. This is a great place for hot-air ballooning and quad-biking (ATV rides).

SWAKOPMUND

A charming seaside town that retains much of the 19th century Germanic architecture from when the country was a German colony – some restaurants still offer German cuisine and beer! This is a popular stop after the Namib Desert and in addition to history, offers seasonal whale watching, boat cruises on the Atlantic and affordable eating out.

WINDHOEK

The capital is clean, modern and organised with plenty of options for shopping and dining out at affordable prices. Namibians are friendly and hospitable with high levels of good English spoken. It is generally the start and end point for our Namibian safaris.