Namibia Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
It has never been a better time to visit Namibia, a country with an abundance of wildlife and rich in extraordinary landscapes, Namibia is guaranteed to capture the imagination of every visitor. Experience one of our Namibia small group tours or tailor-made holidays and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. A Namibia adventure holiday will satisfy your desire ...
It has never been a better time to visit Namibia, a country with an abundance of wildlife and rich in extraordinary landscapes, Namibia is guaranteed to capture the imagination of every visitor. Experience one of our Namibia small group tours or tailor-made holidays and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. A Namibia adventure holiday will satisfy your desire for adventure whether it's meeting a fearsome carnivore on a small group safari, or camping in a desert that is unlike anything you've ever seen before.
The traditional homeland of the ancient San bushmen, Namibia shares its land borders with the neighbouring countries of Angola, Zambia, South Africa and Botswana, whilst its western coastlines look out across the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Sandwiched between the oldest desert Namib and Kalahari Deserts, Namibia offers some truly wonderful landscapes, with the Skeleton Coast and the towering dunes of the Namib Desert in particular providing visitors with some astonishingly unforgettable panoramas, just one of the many highlights from our Namibia tours.
The harsh and dramatic features of the Skeleton Coast are littered with wind scoured shipwrecks and the bones of whales and seals that hark back to the days of the whaling fleets. The bushmen called this world, “The Land God made in Anger”. The Portuguese sailors had another name for it - “The Gates of Hell''. In contrast, the forested wetlands of the Caprivi Strip are home to a staggering variety of life, whilst the stunning Fish River Canyon provides immense vistas only beaten in scale by the Grand Canyon. Then there are the mountainous dunes of the searing Namib desert, which provide the surreal landscapes of Sossusvlei and the dramatic shadows at sunrise and sunset for which Namibia is famed.
Amongst the powerful landscapes, visitors are also blessed with an abundance of wildlife. Pick one of the many vantage points and waterholes in Etosha to settle in next to and watch as the desert-dwellers, such as the roaming desert elephants make their way to you in herds.
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Namibia with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF NAMIBIA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Be your own safari guide
Etosha National Park covers a huge 20,000 squared km and is home to 4 of the big 5, including the endangered black rhino. The vast majority of roads are in good condition and adequate for self-drivers, so take your own pace as you journey through the park.
Experience a desert dune safari
Travel to the heart of the Sossusvlei Desert in your jeep with your guide who will show you around this vast, breathtaking landscape. Challenge yourself with a climb to the top of the massive ‘Big Daddy,’ the tallest dune in the Sossusvlei area at 325 metres.
Explore the coastal shipwrecks
Marvel at the shipwrecks that have become synonymous with the Skeleton Coast. Take a 4x4 along the sandy border and visit the famous shipwreck, the Eduard Bohlen, a 100m wreck on the desolate beach, slowly eroding into history.
Meet the Himba
The Himba people are pastoralists who have survived years of famine, war and threats of modernisation. Take the day to experience local Himba culture and customs, and some of the most wonderful walks around the compound.
Track rhino on foot
Etosha National Park is home to the endangered black rhinos. Take a research drive where a ranger will explain various conservation efforts and data collection that has been carried out and get you as close as possible to one of these incredible animals.
Trek through the Sossusvlei
Take a hike up Dune 45; the fine sand does make it a bit of an arduous journey but the views over the dunes to the Deadvlei Sea are incredible. Top tip is to take off your shoes and wear your socks to climb, they create more traction on the fine sand.
Walk through the Okonjima plains
A safari on foot through the central highlands reserve is a truly authentic experience which gives you a unique view of the life that unfolds in this area. With vast open plains and mountainous rocks, you may spot some cheetahs and hyenas on your way.
Visit the AfriCat foundation
Visit the AfriCat conservation centre to see what efforts are being made to protect and grow the local cheetah population. You will learn how the centre provides education and training to the youth of Namibia to ensure the conservation lives on in the future.
Experience community tourism
Learn about the local Damara people who built the local museum, a UNESCO world heritage site, that their communities are benefiting from by learning about the importance of preserving their cultural heritage for long term benefit and making a profit.
Take A Wildlife Cruise On A Lagoon
Walvis Bay is the only deep-water port in Namibia. Onboard a Catamaran, you will have the chance to experience the lagoon in luxury, style, and comfort. You can often see seals, flamingos, pelicans, and cormorants in the lagoon as it is the perfect place for wildlife viewing.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most iconic visitor attractions and is almost always top of people’s list of things to see and do when planning a trip here. The area is characterised by ...
Swakopmund
Where the desert dunes sweep down to the ocean on Namibia's western flank, lies the coastal town of Swakopmund. Namibia's second largest town lies 280 km west of Windhoek and is typical of the German ...
Windhoek
The main observation most visitors to Namibia’s capital city make is that it feels surprisingly European. Colonised by Germany in 1890, it has remained heavily influenced by German style, food ...
Central Highlands & Okonjima
Running down Namibia's spine, the Central Highlands separate the Kalahari from the dunes of the Namib. Here the mountains jut into the sky in earthly magnificence just begging to be explored. The rolling ...
Etosha National Park
Etosha, meaning "Great White Place", is dominated by a massive shimmering salt pan. The national park is one of Africa's finest wildlife reserves offering some of the country’s best wildlife ...
The Skeleton Coast
Stretching from the Kunene River to the Ugab River in the south, the Skeleton Coast National Park is best known for its shipwrecks. A ghostly atmosphere fills the foggy shoreline, where dried-out bones ...
Twyfelfontein
Namibia's first and only World Heritage Site, Twyfelfontein is the site of ancient rock engravings in southern Damaraland. The site has been inhabited for 6,000 years, first by hunter-gatherers and ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Camp Kipwe, Twyfelfontein
Nestled between vast granite boulders and looking down the Aba Huab Valley, Camp Kipwe is one of the most dramatically situated camps in all of Namibia, which, given the competition it has, is some…
Damaraland Camp, Damaraland
Tucked away in Damaraland’s Torra Conservancy in the valley of the Huab River, Damaraland Camp offers guests unrivalled access to one of Namibia’s best wilderness areas with huge open plains, ancient…
Desert Homestead Outpost, Sossusvlei
Set in the heart of a 7000-hectare Nature Reserve, the impressively styled, impeccably maintained Desert Homestead Outpost is a wonderful spot for guests looking to enjoy the attractions of Sossusvlei…
Doro Nawas Camp, Damaraland
Tucked away deep in Damaraland and run in conjunction with the local Doro Nawas community, Doro Nawas Camp is a wonderful camp for guests looking to explore the vast expanses of Damaraland and learn…
Hoodia Desert Lodge, Sossusvlei
This lodge is hidden away in the mountains on the banks of the Tsauchab River, just 20-minutes from the access gate to the dunes. A very small property, Hoodia is comprised of just 11 canvas and…
Mushara Lodge, Eastern Etosha
Mushara lodge is located 8 km away from the Von Lindequist Gate on the Eastern boundary of Etosha National Park. It has an ideal location for travellers visiting the game reserve on self-drive or…
Okonjima Villa, Okonjima Private Game Reserve
A truly wonderful bush retreat for groups of friends or families travelling together, Okonjima Villa offers a home away from home feel and is a great base from which to explore the…
Onguma - The Fort, Eastern Etosha
The Fort has an enviable view that overlooks the beautiful scarceness of the Etosha Pans. Originally part of the greater Etosha Game Reserve, Onguma Game Reserve boasts over 30 different animal species…
Serra Cafema, Kunene Region
Hidden away on the banks of the Kunene River, Namibia’s border with Angola, Serra Cafema is a uniquely styled property offering a unique and exclusive retreat for those visitors who make the journey up…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
The weather in Namibia can change significantly depending on where you are so it is important to do some good planning if you are doing a tailor made trip. Naturally, our group trips will visit a specific area at the best time we can.
Meet the expert, Clem
Clem is our Namibia expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Clementine by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Namibia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in most parts of Namibia so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Namibia, the currency is the Namibian Dollar. Please note that the South African Rand is also widely accepted as the Namibian Dollar is pegged to the Rand at the same exchange rate. Please note that changing Namibian Dollars outside of Namibia is almost impossible so try not to exchange too much.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Language & Religion
English is the official language, but Namibia’s relatively small population is extraordinarily diverse in language and culture. More than 11 languages are indigenous to Namibia but with its cosmopolitan society a number of languages from around the world are spoken in Namibia. People commonly speak two or three languages and more than 50% of the population speaks Oshiwambo. Due to the country’s colonial history Afrikaans, the language of the previous South African occupiers, is still widely spoken and functions as the lingua franca in Namibia. Namibia has two small groups of nomadic groups; the Khoisan speaking people, known as the Bushmen or San and the Ovahimba people, figuratively known as the red people.
The constitution of Namibia allows for freedom on religion and the country is a secular state.
It is thought that around 90% of Namibian's are Christian, and a surprisingly large number actively practice their religion with regular church attendance. The largest Christian group is the Lutheran Church which grew out of the work of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission. Next largest are Roman Catholics, while most other Christian denominations can also be found.
Time
Namibia is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Namibian Food is a blend of traditional German influence mixed with the South African delicacies. The common food in Namibia are game dishes with the popular ones being kudu meat, springbok and gemsbok.
The national drink of Namibia is the Tafel lager and Windhoek lager.
Although Namibia is a meat-orientated society and many menu options will feature steaks from one animal or another, vegetarians are readily catered for and all of the lodges and camps provide a good standard of food.
Travelling Solo In Namibia
All of our group tours in Namibia are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.