Namibia Family Safari

How to experience your family safari in Namibia

There are two types of tours chosen by most families when travelling Namibia with children: self-drive tours and guided tours. To cut driving distances and spend less time on the road, some families may also opt for a fly-in safari, which however is more expensive.

On self-drive tours, you drive in a rental car from one destination to the next. You can stop along the way whenever you need to. There are numerous rental car agencies in Windhoek, and you can choose the type and size of your rental car to make sure you travel comfortably, feel safe and have enough space. Since driving distances are usually long, you should be an experienced driver and know how to change a tire. Safari lodges often offer guided game drives which means you can join an experienced guide in a safari vehicle when looking for desert adapted elephants in the Damaraland or lions in Etosha National Park, instead of driving yourself. While other travellers may join you on these guided activities, a self-drive tour is generally a private tour for just you and your family.

On guided tours, you travel in one of our 4×4 Toyota Land Cruisers. Your driver is also your guide. You can hand over all responsibility to your guide, lean back and relax. Our guides are locals and know the country like the back of their hand; they are your window to Namibia and will share many interesting details and anecdotes about flora, fauna, and local life. Many of our guides have children themselves and, more often than not, you will meet a guide and say farewell to a friend.

On guided tours, you can choose between group tours and private tours. On private tours, it’s just you, your family and your guide; we tailor-make the itinerary according to your wishes and you can choose start and end date. Our group tours on the other hand start on specific dates and you will be joined by other travellers and other families, for example on our 14-day Namibia Family Tour.

What to see and do on a Namibia family holiday

One may be forgiven to think Namibia is simply just a desert country, but there is a lot more to it! The Namib Desert alone will give adults and children of all ages plenty of activities to choose from: Climbing up and running down the towering sand dune Big Daddy in Sossusvlei, practicing your photography skills in Deadvlei, joining a Little Five tour or going on a fat bike tour in Swakopmund.

At the AfriCat Foundation in Okonjima Nature Reserve, you can learn about wildlife conservation and support important research projects at the same time. Interactive nature trails are especially popular with young wildlife enthusiasts; on guided game drives you have good chances to spot the elusive leopard and the rare brown hyena. It’s a true gem in Namibian conservation and we’ve had incredible feedback from families staying here.

Namibia’s coast offers a welcome change of scenery – instead of overlooking a sea of dunes, you will overlook an actual ocean. This brings with it an opportunity to enjoy water-based activities such as a catamaran tour to the cape fur seal colony or a kayaking tour starting at Pelican Point in Walvis Bay. At the Skeleton Coast further North, shipwrecks tell mystical stories of times gone by.

Hiking in the Naukluft Mountains, going on game drives in Etosha National Park, building a campfire, tracking black rhino, making a toothbrush out of a tree branch, taking a dip in the swimming pool – there is one thing most activities have in common: They take place outside in Namibia’s great outdoors. A place we often don’t spend enough time during our over-scheduled lives.

How to plan your family safari in Namibia

Unless you’re a very adventurous and well-travelled family, we wouldn’t advise you to just wing it on your Namibia family holiday. Namibia is considered a very safe travel destination, but thoughtful planning and booking accommodations in advance will greatly contribute to your overall peace of mind and holiday feel. Driving distances are long and with younger children in tow you will want to carefully choose your accommodation options.

We recommend taking it at a slower pace, spending several nights in one place instead of changing your location every day. Choosing accommodations that have a swimming pool from time to time will be a highlight after a dusty day on the road for most children (and adults!).

Our experienced travel experts will advise you on family-friendly accommodations, activities and itineraries. Together, you will plan an adventurous, exciting and memorable Namibia family holiday. Just get in touch!