Custom travel to Namibia

Namibia offers 825,000 km² of desert and savannah for 2.6 million inhabitants, one of the world's lowest densities. A former German colony (1884-1915), independent since 1990, the country places 14% of its territory in protected areas. The Namib Desert, the world's oldest, unfurls the orange-red dunes of Sossusvlei (UNESCO 2013, up to 325 m) and the surreal Deadvlei basin with its thousand-year-old dead trees. The Skeleton Coast lines up wrecks and whale carcasses along 500 km of wild shoreline. Etosha National Park (22,270 km², Africa's 4th largest) gathers elephants, lions, leopards and black rhinos around its waterholes. Damaraland, with its Martian landscapes, shelters desert elephants and the Twyfelfontein rock art (UNESCO 2007). Round it off with Fish River Canyon and the Caprivi Strip. 12-14 days.

Highlights

  • Sossusvlei dunes (UNESCO, 325 m)
  • Deadvlei (thousand-year-old dead trees)
  • Etosha National Park (Big Four and salt pans)
  • Skeleton Coast (wild coast)
  • Damaraland (desert elephants)
  • Fish River Canyon (world's 2nd largest)

Frequently asked questions

When?

May-October (dry season). Avoid November-March (extreme heat 40-45 °C, possible monsoon).

How long?

12 days for Sossusvlei + Damaraland + Etosha. 16 days to add Skeleton Coast and Caprivi.

Budget?

€4,200-€5,500 per person for 12 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €7,500-€11,000. Flights: €1,100-€1,500.

Visa?

No for French citizens < 90 days.

Family?

Yes, from age 8-10. Ideal family self-drive. Long distances to anticipate.

How to get around?

Self-drive 4×4 (Toyota Hilux) or with driver. Cessna flights for Skeleton Coast. Long distances (Sossusvlei-Etosha 800 km).

Self-drive: possible for Europeans?

Yes, one of Africa's easiest countries to drive. Left-hand drive (British heritage). Main paved roads, tracks in good condition.

See Big Five: possible?

Big Four in Etosha (no buffalo). For complete Big Five: combine with Botswana or South Africa.

Combine?

Yes: Namibia + Botswana (Okavango Delta), Namibia + South Africa (Cape Town), Namibia + Zambia (Victoria Falls).

Tips?

10% in restaurants. Appreciated for rangers and lodge staff ($5-$10/day).