Where to holiday in Namibia

Namibia Travel in Africa at its most amazing! A classic Namibia safari might include greeting sunrise on top of Africa's highest dunes and a wander through the Namib Desert; a desert so old that unique plants and animals have evolved to survive here. Then relax in a hot mineral spring at the bottom of the world's second deepest canyon. Safari in Namibia to watch lion stalk Etosha's huge herds of animals by day, then observe wild black rhino taking an evening drink at a floodlit waterhole. Meet a cheetah at close quarters, or stroll through a petrified forest amongst ancient rock paintings and dinosaur footprints; it's like nowhere else on earth.

Namibia travel

Namibia travel is easy – although how you travel in Namibia is at least as crucial to your Namibia holiday as where you travel.

Bushmanland
You can't rush Bushmanland, but travel here for 3-4 days for a compelling insight into a fascinating people. Those who get involved, adults and adventurous children, find this an amazing encounter.

Caprivi Strip
Wetter and more verdant than most of Namibia, the Caprivi Strip is not usually top of the list for a Namibia holiday. But for a classic African safari – it's perfect! Its permanent rivers and lush game parks make it ideal for a second or third visit to Namibia, and it combines well with Victoria Falls.

Central Highlands
Namibia's gently rolling hills, between Etosha and Windhoek, are the backdrop to many of Namibia's vast farms and ranches. Many now sustain wildlife, rather than cattle; some offer luxury accommodation, others are simpler, offering a highly individual, experience. Several are firm favourites amongst our travellers.

Damaraland
This rugged, mountainous area promise a classic Namibia adventure safari: tracking black rhino, elephant and other fascinating, desert-adapted wildlife. Expect friendly people, interesting animals and an exhilarating feeling of wilderness.

Etosha National Park
Against the stark backdrop of a vast salt pan, dense herds of big game make Etosha National Park one of Africa's top wildlife safari destinations. At its best during the dry season, it's unusual for the ease with which you can self drive here. Book early here to be sure of space!

Namib-Naukluft National Park
Classic Namibia scenery! The Namib-Naukluft, and particularly Sossusvlei, is a 'must' for most travellers, drawn here for some of Africa's most haunting scenery! Stay and there's some adventurous walking and hiking in the mountains and desert.

Skeleton Coast
The vast, apparently barren coastal wilderness of Namibia's Skeleton Coast exerts a strange fascination. Drive yourself from Swakopmund, or plump for a classic 3-4 night fly-in trip.

Southern Namibia
Best explored on a self-drive holiday, Namibia's south is often offbeat and quirky. Come for ghost towns, desert horses, enormous canyons and yet more amazing scenery.

Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
A convenient stop between the dunes of the Namib-Naukluft and the Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund is also a centre for adventure: springboard for various adrenaline sports, and some great short excursions. Stay for at least two nights – and don't miss the kayaking trips on Walvis Bay or amazing drives to Sandwich Harbour

Waterberg Plateau National Park
Much of this large plateau in the Central Highlands is a national park, and some is private land. It is now venue for offbeat wildlife safaris, with attractions from white rhino to sable and roan antelope – and an excellent place for scenic hiking trips.

Windhoek
Namibia's capital city: a start and end point for many holidays in Namibia. No huge attractions here, but a very pleasant city for a night or two with a wide choice of accommodation.

Self-drive Namibia trips

Most people go to Namibia on their own self drive trips. This isn't intrepid exploration; we'll arrange normal 2WD car hire for you (or 4WD if you prefer – though it's not necessary), detailed route maps of Namibia, and all the information that you'll need to drive yourself around. Self drive trips mean you've a great trip planned and you have the freedom to create your own Namibia adventure at your own pace.

Distances might appear daunting, but roads are usually good, straight and empty. Driving is a joy in Namibia; it's far easier than a self drive trip around Europe. We will advise you from first-hand knowledge and prearrange your trip – all you do is hop into your hire car and drive away! In more remote areas, you'll often stay at small camps and lodges. From there we'll arrange for specialist naturalist guides to walk with you, or guide you around difficult 4x4 terrain that they know well.

These self-drive trips are the most flexible, and usually the most economic, way to tour around Namibia. However, it's best not to rush them – you'll enjoy them most of you stay at least 2-3 nights at most places.

Fly-in Namibia safaris

For those with limited time, or who don't want to self drive, flying around Namibia is a magical adventure. It gives you a completely different perspective on Namibia's dramatic landscapes. You'll marvel at the size of the great Namib Desert, fly low over seal colonies and land at grass airstrips only a few miles from your camp.

Flying times vary from 30 minutes to a maximum of a few hours, and these trips can be almost as flexible as fly-drives. Choose where you stay from a selection of Namibia's top lodges, how long you stay at each, and then hop between them.

Flying around Namibia is the ultimate way to travel. You can cover a lot of ground in a very short time, so it's perfect if your time is limited. However, it's not the cheapest way to visit.

Guided Namibia safaris

If you don't want to self drive, but like the idea of Namibia travel by road, then you to be driven around by an expert guide in a 4x4. Many travellers, and especially those on their own, enjoy joining a small group of like-minded people. We have many of these, some taking trips using smart lodges, whilst others include time camping. The latter is a particularly good value way of experiencing some of the wilds, whilst learning about them from an expert.

Families and friends often join together to define their own guided itinerary. These can be as wild and adventurous as you want, and vary from a simple camping trip to a luxury guided safari.