I don’t know which African country to visit:
Africa is not a country; it’s a continent! And it’s massive. There are so many great countries and locations for a safari— and they all offer a unique experience. Namibia is a lesser-known safari location but the experience is all about untouched wilderness, luxury camps and lodges, incredible wildlife, indigenous people and fewer crowds. It is an easy and convenient place to travel and cheaper from a price perspective when comparing it to other destinations like Kenya or Tanzania.
Is it save to go to Namibia:
Safety in general: Namibia is a safe and stable country boasting modern infrastructure and facilities and one of the cleanest and neatest African capitals. Still, be careful, remain alert and keep a close watch over your belongings, don’t leave your car unlocked.
Safety of animals: always keep in mind that you are dealing with wild animals and remote regions. This is not a zoo. Everything is untamed and unexpected. So be smart, listen to the guides and respect the rules – if it says stay in your car – there’s a reason for that.
Is it expensive:
In general, a safari is not cheap. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people, and it is priced accordingly. At Visit Namibia we specialize in mid to high-end safaris, giving our guests the best experience. The cost of your safari will vary greatly, depending on the lodges you select, whether or not you do a self-drive, guided or flying safari and for how long you go on safari. Keep in mind, all our safaris can be personalized so we can make some adjustments to better suit your needs and your budget!
When is the best time to visit Namibia?
Namibia is an all-year destination and it’s recommended to book in advance especially in the extreme high season.
June and August (high season): These are some of the best months to have spectacular animal sightings due to the lack of rainfall and cold days. This period coincides with the European Summer Vacation, making it the busiest tourist season so prices are at a premium, and availability is limited.
Oct till Jan These are the wettest months of the year; you have a good chance of getting rained on. However, the vegetation is green, flowers are in bloom, and water is abundant. These months are incredible for bird watching, many migrations are in full swing, and many antelope give birth so predators can be abundant. Is also the hottest weather and falls over the local summer and Christmas holidays so plenty of Namibians go on holiday during this period.
Feb to April is great weather, everything is green and a lush – a great Pesach escape.
Can kids go on Safari:
Definity yes!! Kids can and should go on Safari. That is one of the main reasons we started Visit Namibia. Your family will have an amazing time and learn so much not just about animals, but also geology, birds, insects and other cultures. However, it’s important to note that age and maturity are very important factors when doing a family safari – especially when it concerns various game drives and lion feeding activities. Remember your kids need to be able to follow directions, sit in a car for long hours, and remain calm and quiet when required. So long story short if your 13-year-old daughter hates heat, animals and dreams of a 5 star New York shopping experience, you might want to double-check before you book her ticket.
For how long should I go:
Namibia is 40 times larger than Israel – that is a huge amount of land to cover as many of our most amazing locations are spread all over the country. We usually recommend at least 13 days, and still, this is not enough for you to see all the country has to offer. Decide what you want to see and focus on that specific area. The truth is that the more time you spend on safari, the more time you’ll have to see something truly amazing. Remember, National Geographic documentaries are filmed over months, if not years. They spend weeks upon weeks at a time with nature to capture their amazing pictures and movies. You cannot expect to spend just a few days on safari and see it all.
Is it save to drink Tap water:
Although loads of Namibians still drink the tap water, we don’t recommend you do. We locals are used to it. But it might upset foreigners. Bottled water is available everywhere.
How should I plan my African Safari:
The beauty when working with Visit Namibia is that you barely have to do anything. Just tell us the dates you want to travel, your budget and your wishes and we will make it a reality.
Language:
Everyone in Namibia speaks English as either a first, second or third language – except for the indigenous tribes like the San Bushmen or the Himba 😊
Can I drive myself:
Namibia has been elected as having the best road infrastructure in Africa, making Namibia an excellent self-drive destination. When deciding to do a self-drive always make sure you:
- stay within the speed limits as many of the off-roads are gravel and very slippery,
- have water in the car in case of a breakdown, it’s not like Israel, in Namibia distances between two towns are very large and without a lot of traffic or fuel stations.
PS: Don’t forget Namibia used to be a British colony so we drive on the “other side” of the road.
Self-Drive or Guided:
This is a very personal question and will depend on many factors. Do you want to enjoy the road as a passenger or do you feel most free when driving? Do you want the thrill of navigating yourself in a new unknow country or prefer peace of mind knowing someone is taking care of you. Here are some things to consider before you decide:
- A safari guide is your host in the African bush. They have spent years studying everything there is to know about the wildlife, plants, safety and scenery. They are experts in their field and can truly add to your safari experience. They’ll track the animals, answer your questions, explain everything you’re seeing, give you the facts and history behind locations and ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
- They know all the hidden spots, know all the history and know the best restaurants 😊
- They take care of all the navigation, fueling and planning so you can literally just sit back and soak in the scenery
Budget restraints, a guided tour is more expensive than a self-drive and gives you less privacy especially when travelling as an intimate small family.
Can I pay with credit card:
Yes, you can use credit cards almost everywhere but it is wise to carry a little cash around in case they don’t work or someone does not have a POS available like local curio shops ect. Keep in mind your expensive items like accommodation and fuel (if you have a guided tour) will already be paid for in advance us so you don’t need to travel with large amounts of cash.
What Vaccinations (yellow fever) do I need and Medication should I bring:
You don’t need proof of specific vaccinations like yellow fever on entry to Namibia, but it’s always better to check with the Israeli Ministry of health to ensure you’re not placing yourself at any unnecessary risk. Namibia is a no to low malaria area (we do have areas of malaria in the far north during the rainy season) making it super comfortable and convenient to travel.
We do however recommend that you take some basic medication for headaches and tummy bugs. After a long game drive without drinking enough water, you can get a headache, and some people (my husband!) are super sensitive to food so we always have some backup meds – just in case. Note that most shops (even fuel stations) sell over the counter drugs like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.
Does Namibia have Mobile Connection:
Yes, almost 95% of the country is fully covered by mobile and 100% satellite so GPS is always working and you can call back home from almost every stunning location. Just remember to arrange a travel package with your mobile provider (I always open a big package of streamlining) as it enables me to make calls with WhatsApp, check my work emails and if really needed entertain my 4-year-old with some good old screen time – hey no judgement!
What should I wear:
The most important tip I can give anyone – yes ladies even you! COMFORT IS KEY. Choose safari clothing that is comfortable and practical. You will be spending long days in an open-air vehicle with lots of dust, heat, sun, and potentially rain. Worry less about being fashionable (even though you can rock some might gorgeous safari looks), and more about wearing clothes that make sense. There are a few things to keep in mind.
- Wear clothing in neutral colours: beige, brown, and green. Much better when looking for game
- Wear layers that you can take on and off as the weather changes. It is typically cold in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and cold again at night. Bring jackets or wear layers that you can take on or off as you need. Keep in mind when doing game drives the cold wind blows while you’re driving but the second the car stops at a watering hole it can get hot pretty fast.
- Plan for sunny days. Bring a wide-brimmed hat for the sun, sunglasses, sunscreen and lots of water to ensure you’re staying hydrated.
During the day wear comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots. You will need to walk through nature, and there are bugs, dust, thorns, and bushes. Hiking boots or solid walking shoes will protect your feet. When at the lodge or camp change over to some flip flops which you can wear when moving between your room and the lodge facilities like the swimming pool.
Is it more than just a holiday?
Namibia’s economy and natural conservation is heavily dependent on the tourism industry and in many cases, safaris are critical for taking care of the environment, promoting sustainability and animal protection. Safaris bring in money to the various communities and encourage conservation of the environment. Without Namibian safaris, there would be more poaching and fewer reasons for the government to spend money on conservation.
In short, your holiday – makes a huge difference.