Is Namibia a good place for safari? The answer is YES. There are a multitude of safari options in Namibia, and it’s a sought-after safari destination in southern Africa.
Highlights of a Namibian Safari
- Etosha National Park
- Caprivi Game Park/Bwabwata
- Damaraland
- Kaokoland
- Central Namibia/Okonjima
- Namib Naukluft Park & Sossusvlei
- Namibrand Nature Reserve
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General information about Namibia
Namibia is situated in South Western Africa with the Atlantic Ocean on the Western border, South Africa in the South, Botswana to the East and Zimbabwe, Zambia & Angola on the Northern frontier. International travellers arrive in airports in the capital Windhoek or the main harbour coastal town of Walvis Bay.
At 824 920 sq km it is 3.5 times the size of the entire United Kingdom, double the size of France and half the size of the state of Alaska. The population on the other hand is only 2.1 million people, resulting in an average of 2 people per square kilometre. It remains a stable constitutional democracy and a very safe place to visit with extremely friendly locals, earning the tag: ‘The land of wide open spaces and happy faces!’.
The weather is agreeable with a subtropical desert climate, but one can expect extremes between day and night time temps, which is typical of desert environments. Temperatures are very mild to hot all year round, and between December and March, rainfall can be expected. Humidity remains very low, except along the coastline.
The Namib desert – where Namibia gets its name – is the largest desert in the world, and is one of the smallest and driest, yet sports the largest dunes anywhere on the planet!
There is a fantastic well maintained road network throughout the country with a central network of tarmac roads as well as gravel roads and 4×4 tracks in the more remote regions. However, distances between the different locations is vast so that it’s quicker and more comfortable to fly with the local and professional flight charters with airstrips at various National Parks and lodges.
This makes Namibia one of the easiest and most accessible countries to visit on a safari. In addition, there are world class lodges in breathtaking wilderness locations playing host to unique, diverse, and abundant wildlife. Namibia is a country like no other – one that etches itself into your soul. Memories will come flooding back whenever you put your feet into the Namib sand.
Etosha National Park
The Etosha National Park is situated in the North Western sector of Namibia, and is the second largest protected wilderness area in the country (20 000 square kilometres) after the Namib Naukluft Park in the South where Sossusvlei is situated. The park surrounds the Etosha pan which is the remnants of a massive inland sea that was fed by the Kunene river. Through ancient tectonic plate movement the river was diverted towards the Atlantic sea and so the sea dried up leaving behind the mineral salts from being flooded for millennia. The result has been that the remaining 120km wide and 60km wide Etosha Pan has levels of salts which are toxic to flora. The vast expanse is desolate but the fringes are extremely nutritive, which is why the endemic flora and fauna thrive.
Etosha National Park has become one of the worlds top wildlife safari destinations because of the abundance of Africa’s iconic animals in exceptionally dramatic scenery. It is home to the largest elephants in the world, with over 200 lions, fantastic cheetah and leopard sightings as well as the highest population of black rhino in the world! Game drives are very productive, and the waterholes consistently produce mind blowing sightings of massive herds of zebra, springbok, ostrich, oryx, giraffe, wildebeest, lions, elephants, black rhino, spotted and brown hyena.
Honey badgers, warthogs, mongoose, jackals frequent the many different camps and lodges, and the unique birdlife is absolutely fascinating. Special animals endemic to Namibia, not seen anywhere else include: Black faced impala, Damara Dik Diks, the largest elephants in the world and numerous special birds amongst others… An absolute wildlife extravaganza!
Onguma Safari Camps: situated on the Eastern boundary of Etosha adjacent to the park in their own 34 000 hectare reserve, Onguma Safari Camps offer easy access into the park and to the Namutoni rest camp. From this area, the best waterholes are in close proximity to each other for excellent game drives. This is the best game drive area in the whole park and safari goers will not be disappointed. A range of different lodges can be chosen from within Onguma including: Camp Kala, The Fort, Tented Camp, Bush Camp and Forest Camp.
Ongava Lodge: This lodge is situated on the Southern boundary of Etosha in their own 30 000 hectare reserve bordering the park. Ongava provides ease of access to the famous Okaukeujo camp and the black rhino that visit the adjacent waterhole in large numbers. This floodlit waterhole is world famous and has a permanent camera operated by Wildearth TV. Ralph Kirsten – author and co-founder of Exclusive Journeys – narrates the wildlife comings and goings on the TV shows ‘Safarilive’ as well as ‘Escape to Nature’ together with a host of Naturalist presenters.
Caprivi Game Park/Bwabwata
The North Eastern corner of Namibia (more affectionately known as the finger of Namibia) is a tropical dichotomy to the rest of this desert country. The Caprivi strip is a wildlife wonderland that borders Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
The Linyanti and Kwando rivers join the Zambezi making for a tropical wildlife spectacle, leading all the way to Chobe National Park. Being on the border of Botswana and Zambia, means easy access to one of the seven natural wonders of the world – Victoria Falls “the smoke that thunders”. At Exclusive Journeys, we believe from our own experience that the best way to explore this region is on the Zambezi river itself via houseboat.
With our partners at Caprivi Houseboat Safaris we send our guests into the heart of the Caprivi, camping on sand islands where we get to sip sundowners while being serenaded by the special and abundant birdlife. This is also the place to watch the massive herds of elephants coming down to drink and swim in the river. Hippos and crocodiles escort the houseboats all the way from Katima Mulilo until the culmination at Chobe River Villas we are greeted by absolute luxury and river views to die for! Chobe National Park safaris and a visit to Victoria Falls are wonderful options to round off this wildlife safari.
Kaokoland
Kaokoland is the known to most people as the home of the Himba people, who seek out a living in this seemingly barren landscape. Namibia’s North Western wilderness is characterised by dramatic desert scenery and geology with specially adapted fauna and flora. Amongst special endemic birds and plants, visitors can expect to see desert adapted elephants, lions and black rhino. Black rhino are very special animals that are on the hit-list for avid wildlife enthusiasts
Ephemeral rivers, which are rivers that flow below the grounds outside of the rainy season, famously flood with raging torrents appearing within a few hours of heavy downpours. These are the life blood to the wildlife throughout the whole North Western wilderness including Damaraland to the South. Endemic wildlife such as the Hartmanns mountain zebra, oryx, ostrich, springbok, desert elephants, black rhino and lions frequent these oases to start their search for water at secret waterholes hidden within the heart of the desert.
Serra Cafema Lodge: On the banks of the Kunene river bordering Angola to the North, this is the place that fits best the description “in the middle of nowhere” most aptly. Set in an inhospitable environment but contrasts with absolute luxury at the venue, Serra Cafema Lodge is where guests come to lose their worries and find their souls. Access is only via small plane and the flights to and from the lodge are unforgettable on their own.
Shipwreck Lodge: Located in the famous skeleton coast concession between the Hoanib and Hoarusib ephemeral rivers, there is nothing in the world quite like the Shipwreck Lodge. Where the Skeleton Coast, ephemeral rivers and dunes collide, coupled with absolute luxury and amazing desert wildlife, this has to be on every safari travellers bucket list!
Damaraland
To the South of Kaokoland lies Damaraland – “The land of the giants” where the Damara people are found. Massive granite inselbergs characterise the landscape with the same ephemeral rivers cutting through the rocky desert landscape. Desert flora and fauna adapted to the extremely dry desert conditions make for a very different wildlife experience.
The Brandberg (burning mountain) found in Damaraland is Namibia’s largest mountain and permanent backdrop. It is a colossus rising up out of the desert, similar to but larger than Ayers Rock in Australia. Bushman engravings tell the story of mankind’s ancient past. Elephants, black rhino, ostrich, oryx, springbok, bat eared fox, brown hyena and much more have evolved in this water scarce environment, ensuring Damaraland always deliver memorable safaris. And if that’s not enough, the area has a strong cultural history with stories of mankind’s ancient past told through bushman engravings.
Click here to book our Desert Elephant Namibia Safari Package
Mowani Mountain Lodge: “Where your dreams might ask you to stay”. Set in the massive granite inselbergs, the Mowani Mountain lodge is your perfect and luxurious base to discover the bushman engravings and desert adapted fauna and flora.
Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp: The setting is at the famous Palmwag concession where desert adapted black rhino and elephants frequent yet another oasis in the rocky desert. With mountain vistas from the luxury lodge as the base, a fabulous exploration of the landscape and wildlife awaits!
Doro !Nawas Lodge: The lodge is set on the banks of the Aba-Huab ephemeral river which is a tributary of the Huab. In the local language of Damara (descendant of the khoi San) Huab means ‘the mother’ and Aba-huab means ‘the meeting with the mother’. The lodge is another wonderful location to view the very special desert adapted fauna and flora from the lap of luxury. Visitors can go in search of wildlife on show as well as visit prehistoric bushmen rock engravings, telling stories of our ancient past. Experience the Damara culture in one of the most beautiful settings with great hospitality!
Central Namibia
The central region of Namibia has a real bushveld feel. Acacia trees and rocky outcrops set the scene and plays host to large concentrations of predators including cheetah, leopard and brown hyena.
Okonjima Lodge: Situated in a family owned and run property of over 100 000 hectares, the Okonjima Lodge is a wonderful luxury lodge for a safari – especially for wildlife purists and enthusiasts. The commitment to conservation of the large predators that call this region their home, is also home to the world renowned Africat Foundation.
In partnership with Okonjima and Africat, Exclusive journeys offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes safari hosted by the NatGeo, Wildearth and Safarilive Naturalist and presenter who is also the co-founder of Exclusive Journeys. Jump on board with researchers heading up the different projects including leopard, brown hyena and pangolin. Go into the field with the researchers as they gain vital information into the lives of these wonderful yet under threat special species. With the abundance of leopards in this region, there is major human-wildlife conflict because of the bordering cattle ranches.
Follow the more than 18 collared leopards and gain insight into their daily lives as well as their interaction with the different clans of brown hyena. Because there are no lions present, leopards choose not to drag their prey into trees, rather remaining on the ground to feed. This allows for brown hyenas to fight for the meat presented by leopards and makes for amazing sightings with the conflict that ensues. Visit the different hyena dens and get to know the various individuals within the clans.
Head out at night to catch up with THE most trafficked animal on the planet – the diminutive scaly ant-eater or pangolin. Listen to the researchers tell the story of their plight from global trafficking and their efforts to conserve this extremely vulnerable, yet intensely interesting species! Go with the vets who assist Africat to better understand their work with the cheetah that they have under their care. You can also observe them changing leopard collars in the Africat veterinary centre, and witness different procedures for the changing of their radio collars, and checking health of the animals. You will also learn about the procedures in place for when a new animal is brought to the centre as a result of conflict outside the boundaries of the 100 000 hectare wildlife sanctuary.
This is an Exclusive Journey into wildlife that should definitely not be missed when going on safari in Namibia!
Namib Naukluft Park and Sossusvlei
The Namib Naukluft Park is the largest protected area in Africa and the fourth largest in the world! The park is famous for having the largest dunes anywhere around the globe, which are particularly dark red colour.
The Tsauchab is yet another ephemeral river. It became blocked from its entry to the ocean by the ever advancing dune field produced by sand that travels over 2000km from the Orange River bordering South Africa and Namibia. The sand is transported by the Atlantic Ocean’s cold Benguela current that travels northwards, and is aided by the prevailing north westerly wind that helps dumps the oxidised quarts sand particles that create the immense dune fields.
Because of these dune fields, the Tsauchab river meets its end at Sossusvlei – meaning ‘the marsh where the river doesn’t meet the sea’. Famous attractions in the area include: Sossusvlei, Deadvlei and Dune 45. Walk up the dunes before sunrise for an out of this world experience or jump in a hot air balloon and watch the sun come up over the desert wonderland!
Kulala desert lodges: It is absolutely imperative to be located inside the Namib Naukluft park for access to the dunes before sunrise. The kulala lodges are inside the park and so make this possible. The accommodation might be luxurious, but the setting is what makes these lodges second to none! Sunsets create brilliant colours of pinks, oranges and blues over the dunes, while the stargazing is not comparable anywhere else in the world. Never in your life will you ever feel like you can pluck the stars out of the sky like you can in this southern region of Namibia.
Namibrand Nature Reserve
To the South of the Sossusvlei area lies the Namibrand private nature reserve. Here you get the wonderful feel and backdrop of the dune desert but more exclusively, removed from the more touristy sites of Sossusvlei.
Wolwedans: ‘If you visit one place in Africa, make it Wolwedans’, the purpose of Wolwedans is the pursuit of happiness and is a collection of dreams! In this land of blue skies and endless plains you will find beauty to feed your soul, tranquility to clear the mind, and space for your imagination to fly. Wolwedans is well off the beaten track and provides an experience that is completely unique to anywhere in Africa, if not the world.Each camp has been carefully and empathetically sited in the landscape and compliments that with luxury.
So to conclude…Is Namibia a good place for a safari? I say its one of, if not THE best place for a safari, but you know what? Come on safari with Exclusive Journeys and decide for yourself!
Ralph Kirsten – Author, co-founder of Exclusive Journeys & Natgeowild, Wildearth & Safarilive Naturalist and TV presenter.
