Which Is Better: South Africa vs Namibia Safari

Quick Overview

South Africa vs Namibia Safari – Which Is Best?

They might be two vastly different regions, with differing landscapes, climates, infrastructure, and wildlife, but both South Africa and Namibia are incredible safari destinations. Choosing one over the other will prove to be a difficult decision as each country has so much to offer.

A South Africa safari offers a classic experience with sightings of a variety of wildlife, the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) in particular, in well-established regions like the Kruger National Park and its private reserves. South Africa's safari region also caters to nearly every type of traveller and group, with a wide variety of camps and lodges, ranging from budget-friendly to ultra-luxury. Additionally, the country is one of the best safari destinations for first-time visitors to Africa, and its malaria-free regions like Madikwe and Pilanesberg make it perfect for family travel, especially with little ones in tow.

In contrast, a Namibia vs a South Africa vacation offers a different experience. Namibia provides a more unique and remote safari adventure – one that encompasses hiking up towering red dunes, searching for desert-adapted elephants, exploring coasts littered with shipwrecks, and hauntingly beautiful vistas that stretch on forever. This part of the continent is ideal for the adventurous traveller and serial safari-goers seeking a different side to Africa.

If you're forced to choose just one of these destinations, it will come down to personal preference. To help make your decision easier, we break down the comparison between South Africa and Namibia further:

Cost of a Safari in South Africa vs Namibia

There's no single-solution approach to planning a safari, every itinerary will be tweaked and tinkered with until it ticks all your boxes. As a result, it's impossible to have a catch-all figure, as there are many factors that will influence your budget, including but not limited to:

• Time of year
• Length of stay
• Adding extra activities
• Level of comfort (mid-range, high-end, luxury)
• Whether you stay in a national park or private reserve/concession
• Whether you choose to fly or drive between destinations

Generally, South Africa offers a broader range of price points and options for different budgets. Namibia's costs tend to be slightly higher on average due to the complex logistics of getting from one point to another.

However, safaris in both South Africa and Namibia tend to be more affordable than their East African counterparts, and even some of their southern neighbours, like Botswana. Although both countries offer budget-friendly safaris, the bigger your budget, the better your experience. If you have the means, it's highly suggested that you go as private and exclusive as possible for the best possible getaway.

Stay in national parks might be more cost-effective, but they are known to get extremely crowded, especially during peak safari season, where it's common to have to share animal sightings with other vehicles and groups.

A stay in a private reserve or concession means personalised service in luxury camps and lodges with access to excellent, crowd-free game viewing, access to a private guide and vehicle, and activities not allowed in public parks – like guided nature walks and spot-lit night game drives.

The below tables provide approximate costs for a safari in Namibia vs South Africa. These figures are estimates only based on price-per-person-per-night, including accommodation and transfers:

South Africa Safari Cost

Namibia Safari Cost

Scenery on Safari in South Africa vs Namibia

There's no doubt that both South Africa and Namibia are home to some of the most unique, breathtaking scenery, from the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain to the otherworldly view of ocean meeting desert. Although these regions are comparable in beauty, their landscapes differ significantly.

Namibia, for instance, is widely known for its dramatic, arid landscapes and desert environments. And although the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei and sandy vistas of the Namib Desert are arguably the country's most famous features, some of the best destinations to visit in Namibia fall outside the desert. Trade sand dunes for the haunting coastline of Skeleton Coast, marvelling at the relics of shipwrecks, before taking on the rugged terrain of Damaraland and Etosha – home to many desert-adapted species.

Neighbouring South Africa is a favourite holiday destination for many thanks to its diverse ecosystems, boasting landscapes that range from lush savannahs to coastal, mountainous areas and subtropical forests. There is an abundance of places to visit in South Africa, with the Kruger National Park being top of the list due to its offering of classic Big 5 safari experiences. Outside of the bushland, South Africa is also home to the vibrant city of Cape Town, award-winning vineyards in the Cape Winelands, and the picturesque Garden Route, running along the coast. Truly a world in one country.

Things To Do On A South Africa vs Namibia Vacation

A typical safari in Africa follows a similar layout no matter where you go. The same is true for South Africa and Namibia. When on safari in either of these countries, you'll enjoy morning and evening game drives in wildlife-rich areas, friendly service, luxury accommodation, expert guides and trackers leading the way, and modern comforts. Depending on where you're staying, you'll also enjoy a range of safari-related activities, such as guided nature walks, spot-lit night drives, and hot-air balloon rides. Beyond traditional safaris, South Africa and Namibia offer vastly different vacation experiences.

Holidays in Namibia are often more adventurous and less crowded with a variety of exciting activities on offer. This includes hot-air balloon rides over the desert, hiking famous sand dunes like Big Daddy and Dune 47, exploring the Namib on quad bike, visiting the salt pans of Deadvlei and Etosha, seeing the shipwrecks and whale bones scattered along Skeleton Coast, and spending time with traditional Himba people, learning about their fascinating ancient culture.

Where Namibia is more adventure-focused, South Africa thrives on variety. This diverse destination has a wide range of activities on offer and caters for every type of traveller and age group. Cape Town and Johannesburg are perfect for an ‘urban safari', with the former known for its Blue Flag beaches, scenic hiking trails, wine tasting endeavours in the Cape Winelands, and iconic attractions, like Table Mountain, Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront. Joburg also has a lot to offer with its retail districts, world-class restaurants, art galleries, museums, and historic significance (try to fit in a visit to the Apartheid Museum and a tour of Soweto if you can). And the fun doesn't end there. The Garden Route runs along the country's coast and is best known for its scenic drives, gorgeous beaches, and charming towns, as well as exciting activities, like bungee jumping, whale watching, surfing, and shark cage diving.

Who Would Enjoy A Safari In Namibia vs South Africa?

South Africa is deal for first-time safari goers, multigenerational families (especially when travelling with young children), and travellers who want a classic safari experience with an all but guaranteed chance of seeing popular wildlife, like the Big 5. A safari in South Africa is more likely to have a structured and polished feel, where every detail is planned to create a smooth, luxurious experience. Beyond that, South Africa offers a well-rounded, comprehensive getaway for the traveller who loves variety, groups with differing tastes, and couples wanting a romantic trip. You can easily go from Cape Town's city life to Kruger's untamed wilderness and end off in the Kalahari Desert all in one seamless itinerary.

Namibia is better suited for adventurous travellers, seasoned safari goers, and those seeking a unique, off-the-beaten-path experience. The isolated, intimate atmosphere invites introspection and deepens the connection to the landscape, offering an unmatched sense of wilderness and solitude. While the rugged, harsh landscape is perfect for thrilling escapades across the sand dunes and coastline.

Accessibility And Infrastructure In South Africa vs Namibia

Namibia and South Africa both have ample infrastructure and accessibility to accommodate safe and easy self-drive safaris, as well as ground transfers and flights between destinations.

The country's developed infrastructure makes South Africa one of the most accessible safari destinations on the continent. National parks and private reserves have well-maintained roads and clear signage that make it easy for those wanting to do a self-drive holiday from Cape Town up the Garden Route and to the Kruger (or vice versa). Domestic flights connecting Johannesburg, Cape Town and key safari destinations are frequent, ensuring that you reach each stop on your itinerary timeously, maximising your time on game drives.

Namibia, on the other hand, has a more rugged feel with vast, open space and less developed infrastructure. The distances between attractions are longer, and roads to safari destinations are often gravel, with some remote areas requiring 4×4 vehicles or charter flights. For the more adventurous traveller, a self-drive holiday through Namibia's top destinations would be the perfect safari trip.

What Wildlife Will You See On A South Africa vs Namibia Safari

If you want to see as many animals as possible in a relatively short amount of time, South Africa's safari regions offer dependable sightings of popular game, from the Big 5 to favourites like giraffe, cheetah, hippo, and zebra. This is particularly true in the Kruger and Greater Kruger private reserves, which is home to some of the densest wildlife concentrations on the continent. Once you've ticked off the Kruger National Park animals, you can turn your sights to birdwatching, which is especially excellent in places like KwaZulu-Natal.

Where animal sightings are reliably common in South Africa, Namibia wildlife is less dense and more difficult to find. This does, however, make each sighting that more special when you do come across one. Some of Namibia's inhabitants are also unique to the region's arid landscape. Animals like desert-adapted elephants and lions can't be found anywhere else – so if you do get the rare opportunity to spot one, we can guarantee that it'll be worth more than seeing the Big 5. Etosha National Park offers the highest chance of spotting wildlife in Namibia, as its large salt pans attract animals to its waterholes, and the vast, open terrain makes visibility that much better.

One thing both countries have in common is their passion for preserving ecosystems for their inhabitants and safari-goers alike. Wildlife conservation in South Africa and Namibia are high priority, and depending on where you visit, guests are given the opportunity to participate in these important projects, which include everything from setting up camera traps to collaring rhino.

Accommodation

In South Africa, visitors are spoilt for choice with a wide range of accommodations at every comfort level. When staying in private reserves, you can expect opulent lodges and camps with all-inclusive packages, impeccable service, and every modern convenience you could want on holiday.

Namibia offers fewer accommodation options that tend to be more remote. Ranging from rustic eco-lodges to upscale tented camps, you'll find the majority of properties emphasise eco-friendly practices and architectural designs that blend with the stark beauty of the landscape. And for those who enjoy the finer things in life, the best luxury lodges in Namibia can be found in Sossusvlei and along the Skeleton Coast.

Recommended Accommodation in Namibia:

Recommended Accommodation in South Africa:

Best Time For A Safari in Namibia vs South Africa

The best time to visit South Africa for safari is during the dry winter months, usually from May to September when temperatures are cooler, vegetation is sparse, and animals gather around watering holes for easy sightings. Like its neighbour, the best time to visit Namibia for safari is also the dry season, which falls between June to October.

Our Recommended Tours In South Africa & Namibia

With so much to see and do in both countries, we've selected our best Namibia safari tours and favourite South Africa itineraries to help show what you could experience on your trip.

South Africa:

Namibia:

The Best Solution? Combine South Africa AND Namibia Safaris

After weighing up the comparisons of a Namibia vs South Africa safari, it's understandable if you're struggling more than ever before to choose. Fortunately, you don't have to pick just one. Enjoy the best of both worlds by combining destinations in the two countries into one itinerary.

Sharing a border, excellent road networks and frequent flights between the two countries make the logistics of travelling from Namibia to South Africa (or vice versa) a smooth and easy journey. Don't compromise on your greatest adventure, indulge in a Namibia and South Africa safari.

Ready To Plan Your Greatest Adventure Across South Africa & Namibia?

If you're inspired to start planning a trip to Southern Africa, get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts, who are more than happy to provide South Africa and Namibia travel advice, as well as help craft a trip tailor-made for you.