Namibia is a land of endless blue skies, vast horizons and crisp mornings: pure joy for photography enthusiasts. It is also safe, clean and organized with an excellent infrastructure, making it a favourite destination for family vacations, especially self-drive safaris (that’s travel lingo for independant road tripping - an ideal way to vacation with teenagers).
Namibia’s wildlife is fascinating (think intriguing desert-adapted species like elephant and oryx), with Etosha National Park and Damaraland offering the best game viewing. Sossusvlei’s massive sand dunes are on our Top 10 Most Inspirational Places In Africa for good reason, while the remote Damaraland and Kunene regions are home to ancient rock art. The Kunene is the setting for one of Africa’s top cultural encounters with the extraordinary Himba people.
The crowning jewel of this treasure of a destination is Swakopmund: a pretty coastal town that is Adventure Central. Go sandboarding, quad biking and camel riding in the desert, or explore the wild Atlantic Ocean on boat trips in search of dolphins, pelagic birds and Cape fur seals.
Do you love the idea of a family road trip but don’t feel confident in your 4x4 driving skills? Namibia offers a range of great options, from hiring a driver-guide with your vehicle to joining a fully serviced 4x4 expedition. You can also fly from destination to destination via light aircraft, giving you a bird's eye view of the magnificent canyons, mountains, dunes, pans and river that make up the unique terrain.
If Namibia’s combination of sunshine, easy-going adventure and outdoor fun sounds right for you, have a look at some of the sample tours listed below. These ideas for itineraries show you how the attractions combine and give you an idea of costs but they are not cast in stone. We believe in tailor-making the journey around you, not making you fit the journey.
If your time is limited: this 7-day fly-in safari uses quick air charters to include Sossusvlei’s dunes, cultural encounters with the Himba people in the Kunene region, and the chance to spot Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephant.