Namibia Safaris & Tours

Namibia is characterized by a sparse population scattered across vast open spaces, incredible scenery and surprising contrasts. Oceans, dunes, mountains and desert all roll together into an awe-inspiring mix of natural beauty.

Highlights of this indescribably beautiful country include:

Africa’s largest conservation area, the Namib-Naukluft Park, with Sossusvlei’s magnificent sea of rolling red dunes. Travel further to Dead Vlei and the Sesriem Canyon for an immersive desert experience.

Etosha National Park is a renowned conservation area, acclaimed for its size and diversity of wildlife. The Etosha Pan lies at the centre of it all.

Travel west for the German town of Swakopmund, nestled between a warm desert and a cold ocean close to the Skeleton Coast with its rich history of shipwrecks and storms. Large seal colonies offer the perfect prey for desert hyaenas, jackals and lions.

Another unmissable region is the mountainous Damaraland, home to an assortment of desert-adapted wildlife, such as elephant, giraffe, black rhino, zebra and lion, which eke out an existence in the near-barren landscape.

Visit the picturesque Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, home to thousands of ancient rock paintings (most notably the White Lady). Travel to the nearby outcrops of Twyfelfontein for exceptional San Bushmen engravings, considered to be some of the best-preserved etchings on the continent.

The Kunene River, in Namibia’s far western corner, is a lifeline for the Himba, a nomadic tribe that survives in this sparsely vegetated region.

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Namibia is a scenic, year-round safari destination.

For wildlife, the best time to visit all parks, particularly Etosha National Park, is in the dry season from May to October.

The rainy season (green season) transforms the landscape, but the months of October to February can be unpleasantly hot and uncomfortable. The climate differs between the regions, and the west coast can become foggy and cold.

The country receives most of its rainfall from December to March, delivered via short, sharp storms that are over quickly and will not keep you from your game viewing for long. Birdwatching in the Caprivi is fantastic, and in Kaokoland, the Kunene River floods make for great game viewing by boat. In Sossusvlei and the NamibRand, the desert plains are transformed into green, grassy blankets, attracting herbivores from near and far.

The high temperatures at this time send locals flocking to the coast, particularly to Swakopmund, which means it might not be the best time to visit Namibia’s quaint coastal town if you are looking for peace and quiet. The colonies of flamingo and the dreamy temperatures, however, might just make up for it. It is also one of the best times to take a Skeleton Coast flying safari. Surprisingly, the mornings are not as foggy as in the winter months, the evenings are warmer and the rain clears the air.

April and May are the ‘shoulder season’ months, when it’s not too hot or too cold, and you can experience the best of the dry and the green seasons. Etosha is glossy green and grassy and, depending on the rains, the desert dunes may still have a sprinkling of foliage and wildflowers. The air is fresh and the sky is blue and many say that Namibia is most beautiful at this time of year.

The winter months of June to October are the best time to visit Namibia’s animal hotspot, Etosha National Park. The bush is drying out after the wetter months and animals begin to congregate around the waterholes in their hundreds.

This is also a good time to experience most of Namibia’s bucket-list marvels. The skyscraper dunes of Sossusvlei are violently red when contrasted with winter’s  crisp, cobalt-blue skies. Desert star-gazing is unrivalled and up in Damaraland, the  desert-adapted elephants can be seen picking their way across the riverbeds to the last remnants of water.

Temperature-wise, the coldest months are June and July and while it remains  wonderfully warm during the day, mornings and evenings can be icy.

Overall, September is one of the best times to visit all parts of Namibia. The temperatures are perfect, game viewing is excellent and the local children are back at school.

Temperatures (and humidity) begin to rise steadily over November and December and the first rains of the season are expected with unforgettable electric storms crackling across the desert.

Remember that desert temperatures can be variable, so whatever time of year you travel be prepared; pack layers, remember a hat and sunglasses and a warm jacket.

A passport that is valid for at least six months after your departure date is required to enter Namibia. Onward travel documents, proof of accommodation and enough funds for the duration of your stay are also necessary.

Have at least two, but preferably three or four, consecutive/side-by-side pages available for visas and border stamps.

Children travelling to Namibia:

All minors travelling through Namibia need certified copies of unabridged birth certificates in addition to their valid passports. In the event that one parent is not travelling with the child, a signed affidavit from the absent parent is needed. An affidavit is not required if the absent parent’s name does not appear on the child’s birth certificate.

In addition, when traveling:

1. With an adult who is not their biological parent: an affidavit from their parents giving consent for the minor to travel with the adult is required.
2. With an adult other than a parent/legal guardian: copies of their legal guardians/parents’ passports or documents of identity are required. Contact details of the parents/legal guardians should also be provided.
3. With a parent: an affidavit from the other parent giving consent for the minor to travel is required. A death certificate should be provided if one parent is deceased.
4. Unaccompanied: an affidavit from their parents/legal guardians consenting their travel, a letter containing the contact details and residential information of the person who will receive the minor passenger, a copy of the identity document, valid passport or permanent residence permit of the person who will receive the minor passenger and the contact details of the minor’s parents/legal guardians are required.

Please speak to the team at Jewel of Africa Safaris to ensure that you have the appropriate travel documentation before departing.

Time moves slowly in Namibia. Even the old German colonial towns run on a languid timetable. To fully appreciate the beauty of this country people need to slip into its relaxed rhythm. Places like Sossusvlei or Etosha can’t be rushed – particularly given that the desert isn’t the easiest place to reach in the first place.

Namibians are friendly, but don’t expect to meet too many of them. They are proud of how undeveloped their country is and rarely get offended. Taking the time to ask “how are you?” will always be rewarded; after all, when there are so few people around it would be bizarre to skip a greeting.

The Namibian diet is heavily weighted towards meat and beer. Enthusiastic carnivores are in for a treat with zebra, beef, ostrich and massive pork knuckles on the menu. Vegetarians are catered for, but it’s advisable to give prior notice of dietary requirements.

Namibia is home to the world’s largest cheetah population with about 25% of the world’s population and 40% of Africa’s population. About 90% of Namibia’s 2 500 to 3000 cheetahs live on commercial farm land.