​Vast open spaces, mountains, nomadic tribes, the highest sand dunes in the world, the second largest canyon in the world and elephants and lions that have adapted to living in the harsh desert, this is what a safari to Namibia is all about. It is one of the most unique safari destinations in Africa and offers so much for the visitor to explore and experience.

Most safaris to Namibia will visit Sossusvlei and its towering red sand dunes, Swakopmund on the coast, Damaraland to see desert adapted animals and Etosha National Park. Some of our favorite areas to explore on a safari to Namibia are in the extreme north in the Kaokoland and Kunene River region which are some of the remotest areas in Africa. Vast deserts stretching to the Atlantic Ocean, oases, desert adapted animals and some of the last traditional and nomadic Himba tribes. This is what a Namibia Safari is all about.

Luxury lodges, remote camps, mobile camps, privately owned ranches and government run rest camps, a safari to Namibia is an affordable safari destination. It is one of the best countries in Africa for a self-drive safari, with well-maintained roads, easily accessible camps and lodges and the Etosha National Park with its easy to spot wildlife. Namibia is also a great family safari destination with family friendly camps and lodges throughout.

Luxury Safaris to Namibia

A safari to Namibia is unlike any other destination in Africa and it is renowned for its incredible landscapes, vast open deserts, nomadic tribes and wildlife that has adapted to living in some of the most arid areas on earth. For anyone looking for a true adventure and getting away from it all, a safari to Namibia should be at the top of your list. A safari to Namibia is one of the best places in Africa to do a self-drive safari, exploring the vast deserts and mountains with your own 4×4 or alternatively if this is not for you, then a luxury fly-in safari is also possible. Have a look at some of our Namibia safari ideas and get in touch to start planning your dream safari to Namibia…..

Where are the best areas to go on safari in Namibia?

The Best Safari Areas of Namibia

Namibia is an incredibly scenic country with large red sand dunes of the Namib, towering rocky mountains of Damaraland, grassy plains of Kaokoland, the game rich saltpan of Etosha and the lush greenery of the Caprivi Strip. Desert adapted animals that roam the deserts in search of water and food and the nomadic Himba tribes that move their goats and cattle from one temporary village to the next, also in search of grazing and water. Namibia does not compete with other African countries when it comes to high intensity game viewing, but it certainly makes up for it in landscapes.

Sossusvlei and Wolwedans
Sossusvlei in Namibia is a photographer’s dream with its calcium white pans contrasted by black petrified trees and surrounded by red towering sand dunes; you could be here for hours taking the perfect picture. The term Sossusvlei comes from the Nama word “sossus” which means “dead-end” and the Afrikaans word “Vlei” which means marsh and so literally means “dead-end marsh”. The name originates from the fact that the sand dunes surrounding Sossusvlei prevent the Tsauchab River from flowing any further.

Other attractions within the area include Dune 45 which is one of the most photographed sand dunes in the world. Then towering 325 meters tall, is Big Daddy, the largest sand dune in the Sossusvlei area. Near the Sossusvlei entrance gate is the Sesriem Canyon which was formed by the Tsauchab River over millions of years and is today the only place in the area that holds water year-round.

South of Sossusvlei is the NamibRand Nature Reserve, home of the stunning Wolwedans Lodges. Vast open grassy plains and rolling red sand dunes are surrounded by towering rocky mountains creating some of the most dramatic landscapes in Africa. The NamibRand Nature Reserve is home to desert adapted animals like gemsbok (oryx), springbok, jackal, zebra, giraffe, brown hyena, cheetah and leopard.

Damaraland
The Damaraland is a large rugged, arid region in north-west Namibia and is home to the people of Damara language. This is a harsh environment of grassy plains and rugged rocky mountains, where animals and people have etched out a living. Black rhino, desert lions and desert elephants have managed to survive this environment over years learning where to find water and food.

Aside from the desert adapted wildlife of Damaraland, it is the history and landscapes that captivate visitors. From the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein to the petrified forest and Organ Pipes, there is plenty for visitors to the Damaraland to see and do.

Kaokoland and Kunene Regions
North of Damaraland is the even more remote Kaokoland region which stretches as far as the Kunene River on the border with Angola. This is vast, remote and rugged landscape for the ultimate explorer. The vastness and sense of space really hits you in the Kaokoland as you explore grasslands with unexplained fairy circles. The Kaokoland is home to some of Namibia’s most incredible wildlife. Here elephants, lions, giraffe and black rhino have managed to survive the harsh, arid environment. Over years the animals have learnt where to find sufficient food and water. Elephants have to walk huge distances to find enough food and water to sustain their appetites and keep them going. Lions have massive home ranges that include watering holes and hunting grounds. Some lions of the Kaokoland have even started moving along the Skeleton Coast hunting seals on the beach.

Living in this harsh environment are also nomadic Himba tribes that still live a very traditional way of life, moving their goats and cattle from one pasture to the next. The Kaokoland is an incredible destination and one we cannot recommend enough! This is a must for any holiday to Namibia. There are a couple of properties to stay at in this area including the Okahirongo Elephant Camp, Hoanib Valley Camp and the Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. All these luxury safari camps take guests out looking for desert adapted elephants and other wildlife. They will also take guests to learn more about the incredible Himba Tribes of the area.

The Kunene River forms the border with Angola and is a lush oasis in the desert. Here you can find swaying palm trees along the river, crocodiles resting on the sand banks and lovebirds singing in the trees. At one point the Kunene River plunges over the Epupa Falls, probably one of the most scenic waterfalls, we have seen. Here a series of waterfalls plunge down into the gorge below creating rocky islands with large baobab trees clinging to the edge of the rocks. Epupa Falls is very remote and only accessible by self-drive and there are only a couple of basic lodges along the river. But for the more adventurous, this is well worth the trip.

Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premier wildlife reserve, home to 4 of the Big 5. The vast park is dominated by the Etosha Salt Pan which forms most of the northern part of the park. The southern area of the park is where the majority of camps and lodges are as well as the main area to see wildlife. Well maintained gravel roads crisscross this area between pumped waterholes that attract good herds of animals which include gemsbok (oryx), springbok, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant as well as black and white rhino. Etosha is the best place in Africa to see the highly endangered black rhino. Lion, cheetah and leopard make up the bulk of predators in the park. Etosha is a national park with a wide range of self-catering campsites and bungalows to choose from. Outside the park along the boundaries are series of luxury camps and lodges that offer all-inclusive options.

One of the best things about Etosha is that it is an extremely easy park to do a self-drive safari in. You can stay at comfortable self-catering bungalows inside the park and the road network is very easy to navigate. Being an arid park, most of the animals can be seen at the pumped waterholes that are strung out along the road networks.

Skeleton Coast
Stretching up from Swakopmund in the south right up to the border with Angola in the north, is one of the most desolate coastlines in the world. Known as the Skeleton Coast because of the numerous shipwrecks that litter the whole coastline, this is a vast coastline of Namib sand dunes, beach and cold Atlantic Ocean. But if you know where to look you can find life out here. Colonies of Cape Fur Seals dot the coastline which attract jackals and brown hyenas who hunt the pups. Desert lions from the Damaraland and Kaokoland occasionally move down to the coast to also hunt seals. There is only one lodge in the Skeleton Coast that is reached from the Damaraland. Shipwreck Lodge is unique lodge located on the dunes of the Skeleton Coast. Guests staying here enjoy guided activities along the Skeleton Coast including visits to seal colonies and shipwrecks.

The Skeleton Coast is a vital for the survival of inland deserts. The cold Atlantic Ocean brings in nutrient rich fog that blows inland bringing water to the desert plants and animals that rely on it for their survival.

One of our top safaris to Namibia, is our Namibia Flying Safari that includes Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Kaokoland, Kunene and the Skeleton Coast. The safari is guided by legend brothers whose father was a warden of the Skeleton Coast National Park and so they grew up flying along this desolate coastline landing on the beach to explore further. Nowadays they take guests on the same expeditions landing on the beach and taking guests to remote areas that are inaccessible by vehicle.

Sossusvlei

Home to the largest sand dunes in the world

Towering red sand dunes over 300 meters tall, surrounding whitewashed clay with eerie petrified trees standing like statues. This is what people from around the world flock to come and see. This is Deadvlei within the Sossusvlei area of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is a photographer’s dream. Hundreds of years ago, the Tsauchab river flowed, but was prevented from reaching the sea, by the towering red sand dunes of the Namib Desert, resulting the waters flooding an area and creating a marsh. Over years camelthorn trees grew, but soon died in the blazing sun. This phenomenal event resulted in what we see today at Deadvlei.

Sossusvlei is home to some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. Big Daddy stands over 325 meters tall and towers over the other sand dunes of the area. Guests can attempt to walk up Big Daddy and enjoy views out over the vast Namib Desert. A highlight for visitors to Sossusvlei is to climb up Dune 45 which is 85 meters tall and to watch the sunrise from the top. As the rays of the sun pop over the dunes, the sand starts to change color until they are the bright red.

Just outside the entrance gate to Sossusvlei is Sesriem Canyon and was shaped over millions of years by the Tsauchab River. Today it is the only place in the area that retains water throughout the year.

One of the best things you can do during your stay in Sossusvlei is to enjoy a hot-air balloon ride over the area. Soaring silently over mountains, grasslands and sand dunes as the sunrises is a highlight of any visit to Namibia. From up in the air, you can clearly see the fairy circles which are still a mystery.

Sossusvlei can be reached during a self-drive safari to Namibia either at the beginning or end of the safari. If you are not doing a self-drive safari to Namibia, there are regular flights from Windhoek to the area and guides from the luxury safari lodges will take guests on guided activities.

When is the best Season to go to on a safari to Namibia?

Namibia Seasons

Namibia is one of the driest countries in the world, receiving barely any rainfall throughout the year. Dominated by the Namib Desert on the west and Kalahari Desert to the East, you wouldn’t think of Namibia as a safari destination, but in actual fact, this is what makes it such an incredible wildlife destination and knowing when to go is key to maximizing your Namibian safari experience.

Namibia is just north of South Africa and to the west of Botswana meaning it has similar weather patterns. The “rainy” season starts in mid-November and last until March, but as Namibia is predominately desert, rain is still uncommon. Even though rainfall is uncommon, it is still important to be cautious when travelling over these months as flashfloods can occur if rain has fallen in the mountains and catchment areas and without warning dry riverbeds quickly start to flow again. October through to March are considered the hot summer months when temperatures can rise to over 40°C (104°F). With the rains comes life and it is incredible to see the desert transformed into a carpet of green as grasses and plants that have been dormant for months quickly come to life.

From March and April, the dry season kicks in and any surface water that was lying around, quickly starts to dry up. This is a great time to be in Namibia as temperatures drop to a mild 25°C (77°F). May is the start of the cold winter months when nighttime temperatures can drop quickly as the desert hands fails to retain any of the daytime heat. From June, nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 10°C (50°F), although daytime temperatures are a pleasant 20-25°C (68-75°F). July and August are the peak of the dry winter months with mild daytime temperatures hovering around 21-25°C (70-77°F), while at night the temperature can drop to 7°C (45°F), although in the desert and higher altitudes, temperatures can drop below freezing.

From September, the temperature starts to rise again with pleasant day and nighttime temperatures and from October, the heat really starts to set in. Being the end of the dry season, this is the best time for game viewing on safari, until November when the rains start.