Namibia has it all: desert landscapes, volcanic mountains, desolate salt pans, giant sand dunes, and rugged Atlantic Ocean beaches, some of which are strewn with bleached whalebones and ancient shipwrecks. In the northern region you’ll find one of the biggest least-known game parks in the world, Etosha National Park.
Although Namibia is considered a developing nation, the infrastructure is first rate, tourism is well-developed, and its population is young, ambitious and ready to forge ahead. Namibia is also the backdrop for a growing number of first class, chic hideaways, which blend beautifully with nature,
Namibia is delightfully unspoiled, and the government intends to keep it that way by emphasizing low-key, small, well-designed, and environmentally sensitive lodges in remote areas of the country. The last few years have seen a number of exciting new properties set up in remote areas of the country. Namibia has been quietly developing into a sought-after nature destination, and I’m afraid that it is no longer a well-kept secret. The cat’s out of the bag!
Where is Namibia?
Namibia is a West African country located in southern Africa, on the Atlantic coast. Namibia is bordered to the north by Angola and Zambia, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south. A former German colony during the 19th century, Namibia was also occupied by South Africa after WWII, until 1990 when it became an independent republic; Windhoek is the capital city, and English is the official language; also widely spoken are German and Afrikaans.
Namibia is the fourth largest country in Africa, twice the size of California, so imagine how much ground there is to cover! While Namibia is one of the largest countries in Africa, they have the continent’s smallest population barely reaching two-million; have the highest literacy rates and one the most stable democracies. So, does Namibia have it all? It just about does!
Different Ways to See Namibia
The number of vacation days you wish to spend in Namibia, and the size of your budget will dictate how much you can see and do. If you plan to drive, know that distances between points are great, and more than likely, the distance to your next location and lodging can be at least 350 kilometers away. With a maximum speed between 80 and 100 kph, it can take almost a half a day to get to your next point. Plan accordingly if you want to drive, that way you will enjoy your holiday and not spend it driving huge distances every day of your holiday. We did a 13-day self-drive tour, and we visited five locations, giving us a chance to stay two nights at each location, three on the last location, and we were not exhausted at the end of the journey.
Fly-in/Fly out Option
For those short on time and with a lot of spare cash, you can opt for a fly-in/fly-out holiday, and in seven days, you can see the highlights of Namibia. A tailor-made itinerary will be put together for you, and will be whisked away on a light aircraft from camp to camp. This last option is perhaps the most expensive one, and at a minimum, a 7-day, fly in/out holiday, depending on the type of lodging required, inclusive of meals and some activities, can start around $8,500 for two, up to $12,000….
Self-Drive Option
Renting a Car – this is a long segment, but attention!
Okay, so the idea of moving around Namibia via public transportation, carrying an 18 kg backpack is not your thing, but the fly-in/out option is too expensive, then, I will suggest renting a car and perhaps staying in more comfortable lodges. You can mix and match the level of exclusivity, depending on the areas visited, and how much you wish to spend.
Excluding your airfare to Namibia, renting a vehicle will be your second or third largest expense. We rented a 4×4 vehicle, and wanted a true four wheel drive vehicle with low range capabilities. A 13-days rental cost $2,100 for a Toyota 4Runner or similar, with full insurance coverage. Yes, Namibia car rentals are very expensive, and the high costs are due to the number of insurance claims filed by the car rental companies! Typically, the super-duper insurance coverage covers sandblast damage to the vehicle, up to two blown tires, scratches to the windshield, undercarriage damage, and damage to the vehicle due to a car accident. We were upgraded to a Land Rover Discovery, and what a pleasant surprise it was. A solid car with great insurance coverage will give you peace of mind on your holiday.
When planning the trip even our tour operator said that it is fine to drive a regular sedan in the backloads of Namibia. It’s a good thing we weren’t convinced because after traveling around the remote roads, we saw several stranded sedans, and met a few unhappy travelers.
On our last full day in Namibia, as we drove back to Windhoek, we blew a tire, and it was not repairable. We did have a second full size spare, and our insurance covered the cost of a new tire, which for a Land Rover, is pretty expensive.
The moral of the story about car rentals in Namibia: rent the best car you can afford, and get super coverage!
On a tight budget? Take the bus and backpack your way through Namibia.
It is not uncommon for those seeking a low-cost vacation to backpack and use the local and reliable trans-desert transportation, which surprisingly, can get you to your destination on a set schedule (thank the Germans for that). There are many lodges catering exclusively to backpackers, offering clean accommodations in a dormitory-type setting. Such accommodations set you back about $20 per person, per night, and some dorms throw in a hearty breakfast. So, if you’re young, adventurous and need only a place to sleep and bathe while discovering the treasures of Namibia, then search no more. There are many online venues that cater only to backpackers.
Search words: backpacking + Namibia.
What to See and Do in Namibia?
For the planning stages, a good Namibia guidebook is essential. Such a guidebook will give you an idea of what you can see and do, and how much time is needed for each location. A decent guidebook will have suggested itineraries which can be modified to suit your travel needs.
The Namibian Highlights – this is was our itinerary
~ Windhoek: All visitors arrive in Windhoek, the capital, and quickly make their way to the outer regions either by plane or by car. This is a shame because, Windhoek is a clean, charming, small city, with a decidedly German flavor, and has several shopping malls carrying many crafts and leather goods (think game and ostrich), which otherwise are difficult to find in the smaller towns. If time allows it, I’d recommend spending a full day and a night in Windhoek. Shops close at 1:00 pm on Sundays. There is also a museum or two worth visiting in the city.
Namibia is divided into five geographical areas, and an itinerary which includes highlights of these areas is highly desirable.
~ Damaraland: This is a rugged mountainous semi-desert region where you’d never expect to see elephants that have adapted to the desert. Improvable, but you may see them, provided that you are there in the correct season. We missed them, as the elephants had moved to the northern regions in search for water.
Damaraland is remote, wild and astonishingly beautiful with cascading granite mountains, amazing azure skies, and views that go on forever. Then at night, the stars shine so bright, that you may embark on a spiritual journey. This is why Damaraland is one of Namibia’s main attractions.
~ The Namib Desert – Sossusvlei: The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts in the world; this part of Namibia should not be missed. This is where silence can really hurt your ears; this doesn’t make sense, but silence here is an experience like no other!
The Sossusvlei dunes are incredible, and are the tallest dunes in the world; they are quite a sight. These tall, star-shaped mountains of sand created by strong coastal winds are sought after by photographers because of their rich, warm hues ranging from pale apricot, bright brick orange to deep reds, contrasted with brilliant blue skies.
~ TheSesriem Canyon is very near the entrance of Sossusvlei, and should be visited. This attraction only requires no more than an hour’s visit. Here the erosion of many centuries has incised a narrow gorge, approximately 2km in length, and the rocks look as if someone has neatly stacked up the canyon walls, but alas, the only artist here is Mother Nature!
~ Swakopmund: a coastal town that is a good base for exploring the Skeleton Coast (so named after the numerous shipwrecks that lay along the coast), and for enjoying a day cruise on Walvis Bay for Dolphin and marine encounters. On your way to Walvis Bay you will pass the famous Dune 7, and if time permits you ought to go quadbiking through the desert for a couple of hours.
When to go to Namibia?
Although Namibia is a year-round destination, it’s probably recommended to avoid the heat of summer. Namibia is in the Southern Hemisphere, and as such, the heat of summer starts in October and lasts well into April, and this is also the period that receives the most rain precipitation. The best times to visit are June through September, when the weather is dry and lovely, and this is the best time for viewing wildlife in Etosha National Park because most of the water is drying up and wildlife concentrates in the few remaining water holes. However, this is the time of year that Namibia receives the most tourists.
Conclusion:
Namibia is an expensive country to visit as most tourist attractions are far removed from large cities and everything must be brought in to satisfy the needs of tourists. Regardless of what most people think, visiting Africa is not cheap, especially countries like Namibia and Botswana. But there are ways to mitigate the high cost of these two countries, and that would be through creative planning and with the help of a professional who specializes in Namibia, such as Island-Safari.com, for example.
Our itinerary gave us a taste of what Namibia is all about. Why go to Namibia? There a very few places left in this world that are all about lack of people, lack of air and noise pollution, no traffic jams, and no significant crime. Namibia is a place where wildlife has endless space to roam free, and similarly, a visitor can take to the road and feel free; one can drive for hours and never see another car drive the other way. As you drive through most of the country you will see amazing landscapes of red sand dunes, fascinating rock formations, vast plains, bizarre coastal dunes, and many animals and plants that don’t exist anywhere else.
Namibia is a place where you can experience tranquility, and feast your eyes on such beautiful sights that your spirit will soar!
