It's safe (mostly), the official language is English, the cost of travel is affordable, it has the big five, and its unique landscapes are some of the most impressive we've ever seen. Thanks again. Budget Travel in Namibia | Safari Travel Guide - African Budget Safaris this.onSubmitSuccess(response.result); That's because: few.

for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; ++i) { var _this = this; You could try your hand at quad biking on the nearby sand dunes, for example. Just prepare yourself for a hell of a lot of feta cheese! Many of the best places to visit in Namibia are also quite remote and attractions are far apart, making for long days of driving. Looking forward to reading more posts to relive my trip/see how its changed. Hi! Animals are everywhere: on the beach, by the side of the road, wandering around your lodge or tent. var instance = instances[i]; Most lodges will offer a camping option for around $30 a night, so if youve got your own gear, this is an easy way to save money on accommodation. Its very safe! }); So glad to have come across this overview. A cluster of bars and restaurants right on the water overlook the the harbor and the big machinery of the port not far away. if (input.id === 'signup_email') return;

Still, the elements in Namibia can be tough at any time of the year. this.form.addEventListener('submit', function(e){ From the main landmarks, the most beautiful places, most famous tourist attractions in Namibia to the less known fascinating stops that should be on your Namibia road trip itinerary, this list has all the 'musts'. Theres nothing quite like seeing a desert-adapted giraffe wandering through the sand. input.placeholder = '';

if (input.value) { It was funny, though, to have seen so many spectacular photos of Etosha before arriving, then to end up spending 90% of our time driving from deserted waterhole to deserted waterhole. Thanks for writing this complete guide. The tourism industry places extra pressure on resources and its important that you select eco-friendly accommodation options and places that have water conservation policies, such as water recycling. I spent 4 months in this beautiful country; 25 years ago. You could look into hiring a guide to drive you. }, Yep, Im convinced! Dont forget some camping equipment and planning to stay at budget campsites along the way. Namibia would be worth going on a specialized tour, as the dunes are hard to access, but we had an easy time hitting Maun and Kasane for safaris, as well as Vic Falls, and then the Tazara train to Tanzania. ;) Well, South Africa, but I spent a good few years in that amazing country. The far north-eastern part of Namibia, known as the Caprivi Strip, offers a different experience all together. So its best to try and keep them protected as much as possible to reduce any build up of dust and grain this was a bit of a struggle for us and is a common issue for keen photographers in Namibia. The endless nothingness on the roads is amazing, especially when you drive for hours without seeing a soul. Otherwise, October/November is probably the best time to visit Etosha. I had never thought of it before, but I think I will have to look into a bit now. Luderitz is a place worth visiting, people who doesn't - Tripadvisor Im a bit worried that we havent booked enough in between stops for our upcoming trip! Thank you. Is Namibia Worth Visiting? revalidateOnChange: function() { Subscribe to our newsletter to follow our life on the road, learn more about sustainable travel practices, and be the first to learn about updates from the blog! -#3 WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NAMIBIA. They are descendants of the older Herero tribe. updateSubmitButtonText: function(text) { this.removeTextFieldError(email); Thanks! Worth a Visit - Review of Waterberg National Park, Otjiwarongo, Namibia } We saw dozens of giraffes, zebras, and a rare black rhino, then spent the night back at Halali. When traveling to Namibia, the tour packages are also generally expensive. BINGO. Thank you! On the whole the staff seem disinterested. Id love to get back within the next couple of years especially because I need to have a better Etosha experience! I get it: its a country that isnt often spoken about outside of travel blogging circles, but it was stillsurprising to be met with blank faces when I spoke about where I was visiting next. We are Oksana & Max, a Canadian couple with a passion for sustainable travel. In Swakopmund and Luderitz, food was slightly cheaper at around $8-10 per meal. You can even spot buffalo there, rounding out the big five game animals of Namibia. Yes, in the far north-eastern reaches of this country, Namibia nestles up against Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. } }, Still, traveling to Namibia is incredibly rewarding with awe-inspiring landscapes, abundant wildlife, friendly people and a relatively safe reputation. There are over 150 tripoints in the world, but only one quadripoint, making this a very special place on the planet. Wildlife of Namibia. This way all the logistics and transport can be taken care of. this.submit.disabled = !this.isValid; As an introvert with a love of wide, open spaces, I couldnt get enough of the isolation. Is Namibia worth visiting without a tour lined up? Its particularly known to be one of the best places to see the rare black rhino, black-faced impala and Damara dik-dik. MUST READ! Is Namibia Safe to Visit in 2023? - The Broke Backpacker However, this also means that there are far more visitors and crowds at this time, especially in National Parks. Still, I feel as though two weeks is a good amount of time to dedicate to the country, which is refreshing as most places I visit have me feeling as though I need to explore for a minimum of three months just to start scratching at the surface. You wont be able to visit Namibia without taking a tour or hiring a driver. Other major towns and urban areas run up the centre of the country along the main road network. We drove 4000 kilometers in Namibia and probably only several hundred of them were sealed. Day 1: Landed in Windhoek, picked up our rental car, and drove straight to peacefulOvita Wildlife Restcamp. }, (this.form.querySelectorAll('fieldset')[0] || this.form).innerHTML = html; With the exception of the bad roads, I found it no more difficult or dangerous to travel in than the U.S., Europe, or Australia. Normally we prefer to only book our first night or two in advance and plan the rest as we go (one of our Travel Tips Our Moms Never Told Us ), but that strategy wouldn't have worked so well in Namibia. Im really excited to delve into the rest of your blog posts about Namibia. Is Namibia worth visiting? Africa Travel Forum Worth Visiting - Review of Christuskirche, Windhoek, Namibia - Tripadvisor Well, low-ish season. We cant wait to experience all these sites. And the rental cars are definitely well-equipped for any flats you might have, with a spare tyre and a jack. Quick Navigation Links 9 Things to Know Before Visiting Namibia 1. Some of the best hotels Ive ever stayed in are in Namibia. However, I know nothing about mechanics and shamefully Ive never been able to change a flat tire (Ive tried but Ive never had the strength to get the bolts off.). Apart from the occasion, it has been the most fabulous trip I have made. The best chance of spotting wildlife is substantial to the dry season in winter when animals congregate at water holes. onSelectCallback: function(input) { if (response.success) { So many people opt to jumpon overland truck tours in this part of the world, but what Ive found so far is that its really not necessary. It's safe to say that Swakopmund is the most beautiful and interesting town in the country. There are two network providers: MTC and TN Mobile. Exquisite, yet dramatic tabletop mountains and massive granite outcrops and boulders will mesmerise you. Discover the top 10 reasons to visit Namibia. On the way to the beach last night, I had to stop and shout out the window at all the wild springboks hogging the road. One of the most common issues self driving in Namibia are tyre punctures. My hubby turns 60 in October, after much nagging he has chosen Namibia. Etosha National Park 2. Namibia is so underrated! Maybe Im just being over cautious. Loved this introduction into what its like the travel there. I am one of those who had never heard of Namibia..glad you shared this post. because I believe you can get a lot of the information online for free, but in Namibia,this guidebook definitely helps. . Next visit head down to the deep South , Oranjemund was a forbidden town since 1936 due to the vast diamond deposits and only opened to the public towards the end of 2017. this.submit.disabled = true; destination[prop] = source[prop]; Actually you have, I would have never thought of visiting there but it looks super amazing and peaceful! Well, youre definitely not alone! . THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Namibia - Tripadvisor The vast open and colourful landscapes of Namibia. And its easy to see why: desert takes up the bulk of the country and so outside of its short rainy season, its a very arid place. 7 places you must see when you visit Namibia | Travel Nation

for (var i = 0; i < fields.length; ++i) { var field = fields[i], type = this.fieldType(field); if (type === 'checkboxes' || type === 'radio_buttons') { this.checkboxAndRadioValidation(field); } else { this.textAndDropdownValidation(field, type); } } }, fieldType: function(field) { var type = field.querySelectorAll('.field_type'); if (type.length) { return type[0].getAttribute('data-field-type'); } else if (field.className.indexOf('checkgroup') >= 0) { Other than South Africa I dont know what country you can see penguins at one end and all the traditional safari animals at the other end. Food is quite affordable if you shop at local markets. If Id had three weeks, I would have spent time at Fish River Canyon in the south, a few extra days in Damaraland, and some time exploring theCapriviStrip in the northeast. Your website/blog is a true gift. Namibia is on the South Western Coast of the African continent and is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Zambia. } Unfortunately, if you want to save as much money as possible on your trip, your only real option in Namibia is to camp. Fantastic things to do in Swakopmund, Namibia in 2023 - STINGY NOMADS Car rental is not that cheap in Namibia. var inputs = fields[i].getElementsByTagName('input'); Apart from flat tyres, did you have any major problems or was there anything you were worried out before you went or whilst you were travelling through the country malaria, insects, the heat etc? The Himba Tribe in Northern Namibia - Wandering Wheatleys Stunning photos, especially the view from the Sesriem Desert Camp. textFieldError: function(input) { Anyway just a few questions if you still remember from your time there How much did you roughly spend during the two weeks, excluding flights, travel insurance, vaccinations. It was so easy to visit, and probably my favourite country Ive now been to in Africa. Planning Tips Should you plan and book in advance? First, its overdouble the price for a 44 (around $100 a day), second, being so high up makes the car easier to roll, and third, um, did I mention its expensive? Because of this, travel days are long and bumpy we rarely drove for less than six hours each day, and even listening to podcasts was a struggle over the crunchingnoises of driving over gravel while rocks pingedinto our car. Nevertheless, thank you for this post! It gives us that peace of mind when we were traveling off the beaten path. var input = inputs[i]; Ovita for 1 night Etosha for three nights Vingerklip for a night Swakopmund for 3 nights Betta Camp for 1 night Sesriem for 1 night Luderitz for 1 night Maltahohe for 1 night drive to Windhoek and out! In-Depth Namibia Travel Guide (2023): What's it Like to Travel in Namibia? Many of the large urban areas like Windhoek are frequently put under strict water restrictions to save the water reserves the country does have. Next, on Booking, search for all hotels in Namibia, and once youre on the search page, click on view on map. if (result.has_redirect) { var dropdown = dropdowns[i]; I ventured into Namibia with my Sony 28-70mmlens and while it was absolutely fantastic for landscape photos, it was nowhere near good enough for the wildlife. Great post, Lauren! 29 VITAL NAMIBIA TRAVEL TIPS Forget idyllic beaches, tall skyscrapers and 5 star hotels because Namibia is in a league of its own, boasting the world's second largest canyon, a skeleton coast, desert scenery with enormous sand dunes, and one of . Namibia is one of my favourite countries in the world :-). If youre still concerned about the safety of the water, we recommend that you bring along a purifier like Steripen. Walvis Bay travel - Lonely Planet | Namibia, Africa I have never heard a bad thing about Namibia, and though we havent hit Sub-Saharan Africa, it would definitely be atop our list maybe alongside Botswana? And if you compare what you get for the money with what youd pay in somewhere like Australia, it seems like you definitely got your moneys worth. Namibia is part of the Common Monetary Area with South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, making it relatively easy in terms of currency exchange to travel across these countries. I was surprised by how diverse the landscapes and wildlife were, and how empty the country the feels. Namibia looks amazing and the thorough description and itinerary is superb. for (var i = 0; i < elements.length; ++i) { Our first month we are renting a 44 and touring Namibia.. Its been on my bucket list since I gave up an opportunity to do Peace Corps work there in the early 90s. I would cover up my shoulders sometimes, but usually wandered around in a t-shirt and shorts. 3 Taxis are generally safe and are best to take after 9pm in Windhoek. Where did you flew from and how much did it cost you? I cant tell you how excited and fortunate I feel to have found this site. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. this.form = document.getElementById('ema_signup_form'); Because, this requires car rental which can be up to $100/day alone. this.formSubmitting(); You could use this day to get your adventure on if you wanted, as Swakopmund is the adventure capital of the world. } The Himba are characterized by their ochre painted faces and long braided hair. Hi! Your pictures are so amazing that I want to cry. this.isValid = false; Is Namibia worth visiting? It's not all about the desert. If youve got the cash, opting for a two wheel drive with higher ground clearance would be a smartidea, as part of the bottom of our car fell off on our second day of driving, thanks to all the rocks that had been flicked upinto the undercarriage. Sweet! Do you have any Questions about Namibia? In November and December, its even possible to see their tiny pups ashore. This can pose challenges if you have never driven in such conditions before. Its also best to find an ethical tour operator who also supports the community in some way. In search of things about this country I found your article. Nonetheless, we do take pride in keeping it clean, hope you noticed that! A 4-Wheel Drive Vehicle is Highly Recommended 3. this.disableForm(); Any truth to that rumor? How long is the drive from South Africa to Namibia? No blogs, guides, or anything. You have definitely convinced me to go to Namibia. } You have 100% convinced me! Petty theft and street crime, as well as more violent crime, has actually increased in recent years, especially in the capital and transport hub of Windhoek. We hit up Namibia in March, which is typically the final month of the rainy season. Thank you for this post, Lauren! this.updateFormAfterValidation(); return 'text_field'; for (var i = 0; i < instances.length; ++i) { Hardly anybody decides to visit the country, so there are hardly anytourists around! The biggest surprise was warthog, which was delicious, but I also loved kudu, impala, oryx, zebra, and more. Yes the driving days are long but it is definitely worth it. Read this Namibia travel tips guide if you plan to visit Namibia. }, Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. What was the heat like, was it still cool (ish) after rainy season? Animals in Namibia tend to congregate around water holes and it can be much easier to guarantee to spot them in these drier months. Getting connected istough in Namibia, so if you work online like I do, resolveto spend most of your time on vacation. I would highly recommend Waterberg plateau, you would struggle to find a more stunning place on the planet. Humpback whales as well as southern right whales and Benguela dolphins can be found off the coast in Walvis Bay in the winter months from June to November. They have retained many traditions and at the same time adapted to modern influences. Namibia also felt like the safest country in Africa Ive been to so far. I hope you do get to visit, Misael! document.body.removeChild(script); are characterized by their ochre painted faces and long braided hair. } text = this.submit.getAttribute('data-invalid-text'); fields[i].style['display'] = 'none'; Is Namibia safe? is one of the most popular questions for traveling to Namibia. This website is the result of tens of thousands of hours of on-the-ground research by myself and my team of expert travellers. var elements = this.form.elements; We have hired a 44 and will be camping my only fear is meeting a lion in the shower when we do a side trip to Rooiputs in Botswana. Ive also published some of my black & white pictures in a Blurb photo book. var email = document.getElementById('signup_email');

formUrl: function(format) { The best places to stay at are often hours from the nearest signs of civilisationand miles down a tiny gravel path. During our time in Namibia, we frequently crossed paths with G Adventures vehicles, stopping at the same sites and visiting the same attractions. My Kiwiboyfriend grew up racing falling-apart cars ongravel roads in New Zealand, so he had the driving skills of a Namibian and we were happy opting for a tinyToyota Corolla to make the trip for us. The reasons for my addiction to Namibia`s wild open spaces, spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife are numerous, but the ones standing out for me is the silence (you hear yourself breathe), the fact that you can stop anywhere alongside the road for a cuppa or to pitch your tent without fear of any danger (be it human or nature) and above all.the solitude! For anyone making a short trip, Erindi Private Game Reserve is a good stop, especially during the low season, the park is one of the largest privately owned reserves, but it is also tiny compared to Etosha, with a lot of the animals you could see in Etosha, the guides are very informed and make a real effort to get you to the animals you want to see (and the tours arent too expensive), its probably the most worthwhile 1 or 2 nights stay for anyone looking into some wildlife during the low season. Also, some food and snacks and at least half a tank of fuel at all times. selected = false;

Namibia is a Southern African country on the west coast of the continent. Nature & Wildlife Areas. , one of the largest breeding colonies of this seal in the world. Next up: a detailed itinerary guide followed by dozens of stories to convince you to add Namibia to your bucket list! Perhaps it will be the destination booked when I visit Africa again rather than the Safaris I did in 2010 or the Gorilla trekking in Rwanda! The desolate and perilous coast of Namibia which is dominated by the Skeleton Coast Park and Namib-Naukluft National Park, are characterized by lifeless shipwrecks and vegetation, towering sand dunes and inhospitable terrain. Compliment this post with our Namibia travel tips, in-depth Namibia travel blog and itinerary, and Cape Town to Namibia road trip guide. Not only was it essential forplanning our trip, but we used it on an hourly basis while we were in country. this.htmlEmbedDropdownValidation(field); document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { I wanted to share my two-week itinerary here, because I feel as though I got it pretty close to perfect. Yes. Not really. Namibia has been on my bucket list since I first set foot in Africa, After seeing your images and reading your blog I need to get there! One of the main joys of safari tours is getting closer to the action by navigating the scrubland. You will pass donkey carts with a passenger or two as they . this.showConfirmationText(result.confirmation_html); Whats the best way to get to Namibia? We stayed here for two nights on our way to Etosha. Namibia Travel Blog: Highs and Lows of a 4,274km, 14-Day Itinerary var fields = this.form.querySelectorAll(".mimi_field.required"), Hi Lauren, Im currently finding out as much as I can about Namibia from books and the net, which is where I stumbled on your blog, which Ive got to say, is excellent. } Its one of the safest and least intimidating countries Ive travelled through. The animals are very spread out across the country, so it was extremely rare to see them while we were staying anywhere. input.className = 'required invalid'; Regards Indileni, Yes, I definitely noticed that! Once more, we spent the night in an Airbnb apartment.Day 9:The following day, we drove to Sesriem and spent our afternoon climbing Dune 45. } We spent the afternoon sitting at the camps waterhole to see if any animals emerged. The Namibian Sunset and Sunrise. this.validEmail = /.+@.+\..+/ onSubmitSuccess: function(result) { window[this.callbackName] = function(response) { Humpback whales as well as southern right, can be found off the coast in Walvis Bay in the winter months, Even further south in the Namib Desert, you can find a number of game animals, similar to Etosha National Park. } You'll Spend a Lot of Your Time Driving in Namibia 7. Crime is a serious issue in Namibia's capital Windhoek and other areas throughout Namibia. Unfortunately, its in a part of the country that few tourists choose to visit, at the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip, which is isolated from many of the main tourist activities. You know Ill always yell at you if youre dumb enough to skip out on travel insurance, but in Namibia, its an essential.

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141 reviews 112 helpful votes Twyfelfontein - worth a visit ? this.callbackName = 'jsonp_callback_' + Math.round(100000 * Math.random()); If youre on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time.