Namibia tours & vacations
Sun, sand, safari and sea, Namibia is hard to beat
Home to proud tribes steeped in tradition, herds of rare desert-dwelling elephants, wild horses and massive colonies of seals, Namibia showcases the very best of Africa's raw landscapes. A place where sand dunes meet the ocean and mighty gorges cut through the earth, Namibia's untamed charm is compelling, captivating and camera-worthy.
Our Namibia trips
Let's create an exclusive trip for your group.
Explore Tailor-Made tripsNamibia tour reviews
Filter by rating
Vic Falls to Cape Town
Namibia Discovery
Namibia Discovery
Cape Town to Vic Falls
Cape Town to Vic Falls
Articles of Namibia
You might also like
Namibia at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Windhoek (population 477,000)
POPULATION
2.9 million
CURRENCY
NAD
LANGUAGE
English, Afrikaans
TIME ZONE
(GMT+02:00) Windhoek
CALLING CODE
+264
ELECTRICITY
Type D (Old British 3-pin) Type M (see D)
Learn more about Namibia
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Namibia depends on what you want to see and do. The dry season (May-September) is considered the best time to explore the Nabim Desert and go on safari as the temperatures are comfortable, vegetation is thin and wildlife congregates around waterholes.
The shoulder months (April and October) may be a better option for a safari without peak season crowds; however, Namibia's national parks and reserves never feel too crowded.
While it can be trickier to spot game in the wet season (November-March), you might be lucky to see cute newborns as it coincides with the birthing season.
History and culture
Human settlement in Namibia can be traced back to as early as 15000 BC. Since then, a diverse mix of people and communities have inhabited Namibia, culminating in a unique cultural heritage made of symbolic beliefs, traits, and traditions.
Today, most of the population sits within the larger Aawambo cultural group found mostly in the north of Namibia. Other large cultural groups that make up Namibia are the Nama, Damara, Kavango and Ovaherero people.
Namibia was colonized by Germany from the late 1800s until 1919. Because of this, Europeans now make up 5 per cent of the population. German influences can be seen throughout Namibia by way of cuisine, language, architecture and more. As much as 10 per cent of Namibia’s population is made up of people who have migrated from South Africa.
The national language is English; however, many Namibians also speak multiple Indigenous languages, such as the Aawambo language.
Geography and environment
Red desert dunes, rugged bushveld, dense woodlands and plains of gravel make up Namibia's ancient terrain. Home to the monumental Fish River Canyon and sharing the iconic Kalahari Desert with South Africa and Botswana, Namibia has some of the most interesting landscapes in Africa, if not the world.
Bordered by Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, Namibia also has a stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean where visitors can see where the desert meets the sea.
Eating and drinking
Like many countries, the majority of Namibia’s cuisine stems from the traditional cooking techniques and produce found in the area. In more recent times, immigrating cultures, specifically German and English, have added to the culinary scene. With a large variation of meats to cook with, it’s no surprise that many of the popular dishes feature meat in some way, often accompanied by a strong flavour and paired carbohydrate.
There are plenty of options for non-meat eaters, too. Some must-tries include green asparagus, omboga (dried spinach), Namibian olives, owawa mushrooms, geelrys (rice dish), oshigali (puree beans) and more.
Things to try in Namibia
Mieliepap
A staple daily dish to many, mieliepap is a porridge-like meal usually made with cornflour and served with a selection of vegetables or even a meat protein like fish or goat.
Potjiekos
A dish cooked in a small iron pot, potjiekos is a stew that typically combines game meat with hearty vegetables like cauliflower, pumpkin and cabbage.
Biltong
This dish is of Dutch and Afrikaans origin and serves as a way to store meat. By using a savoury rub of flavoured spices, salt and vinegar, then left to air dry, biltong is a tasty snack that can last for a long time if cured correctly.
Oysters
Namibian oysters are known to be meatier and fast-growing than in other areas of the world. They are likely to be prepared differently depending on where you go.
Fat cakes
Fat cakes are a very popular snack in Namibia and other parts of the world. Essentially, fat cakes are just deep-fried dough balls that can be made into sweet or savoury dishes. So, it's no wonder they're popular!
Top 10 places to visit in Namibia
1. Fish River Canyon
There's more to the Fish River Canyon than its sheer size. With remote hiking trails, magnificent view points and raging river torrents during the rainy season, visitors will be breathless at the epic views and sense of isolation when visiting this canyon, believed to have been formed more than 500 million years ago.
2. Damaraland
The timeworn terrain of Damaraland makes for interesting, otherworldly landscapes to travel through. The combination of strange rock formations, parched valleys, ochre boulders and amber sunsets makes for magic memories.
3. Sossusvlei sands
This huge clay pan wrapped in red sand dunes occupies a large part of southern Namibia. With some of the tallest dunes in the world, Sossusvlei's variety of color, size and flora make it a glory to behold.
4. Cape Cross
This protected area on the cape of the southern Atlantic is most famous for its resident seal colony, one of the largest in the world.
5. Ship to shore
Namibia's Skeleton Coast has been called 'The Land God Made in Anger' by the San Bushmen and 'The Gates of Hell' by the Portuguese, and it's not hard to see why. With gale-force winds battering the shore, rolling surf and thick fog, the Skeleton Coast has ruined many a mariner over the years. Evidence of this is scattered along the coastal sands, with a collection of rusting ships resting on the beaches - an eerie yet enthralling sight.
6. Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park might be one of the best places to see some of Africa’s iconic wildlife. With its artificial watering holes and wide clear spaces, it’s likely you’ll grab some stellar snaps of the hard-to-miss inhabitants, including elephants, zebras and even black rhinos.
7. Zambezi River
The Zambezi River isn’t just the fourth-longest river in Africa; it’s also the hangout spot for some pretty famous animals. Look for hippos, monkeys, elephants, buffalo, birds and more aboard a canoe or cruise.
8. Walvis Bay
Bird lovers should consider a stop at Walvis Bay, which is typically a stop on the way to nearby Swakopmund. Thousands of migratory birds, including the fan-favorite flamingos and portly-pouched pelicans, are seen across the lagoons and bird sanctuaries
9. Swakopmund
If, while in Africa, you have a hankering for German architecture, stop by the spookily named Skeleton Coast for a visit to the town of Swakopmund. Wander through the mix of Namibian and German influences of this seaside stop, enjoying the open-air market and fresh sea breeze. You could also find yourself on a dolphin and seal boating adventure to nearby Cape Cross or out on a local fishing excursion.
10. Orange River
Named the Orange River for its unique hue, this waterway has been an important part of Namibian and South African history – namely, the diamond rush in the 1800s. While diamond mining is a continuing business in the region, many people simply come to enjoy paddling the waters
Money matters
The official currency of Namibia is the Namibian Dollar (NAD).
Major credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels and Western-style restaurants but not by smaller vendors. Ensure you have adequate cash to cover purchases not able to be made on credit.
ATMs are easily found in large cities and urban centers but are rarer in small towns, rural areas and villages. Be sure to have other payment methods available when venturing out of the big cities, as ATMs aren't always an option.
Namibia travel FAQs
Travelers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Namibia. For more information, please visit the Government of Namibia's website or the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
While not mandatory, a tip of 10% is considered standard when dining in Namibia. With the typical Namibian earning a modest wage, a small tip to porters, housemaids and other service workers would be appreciated.
In Namibia, it’s recommended that travelers wear comfortable, loose, light, natural-fabric clothing that’s suitable for long travel days or days spent outdoors. When on safari, it’s recommended that you wear toned-down, light-colored clothing and remember to pack a set of binoculars. Have good all-around closed-toed shoes that can tackle the different types of terrain found in Namibia, including everything from grasslands to sand dunes.
You may be out in the sun, so you should come equipped with clothes that protect your skin. Long-sleeved items, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are necessary. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers will also reduce the chances of mosquito bites, but bring along insect repellent, too.
It’s best to avoid bringing clothes made of heavier fabrics, like denim and polyester, as they are often not suited to the hot climate. Breathable fabrics are preferred for their lightweight and moisture-wicking qualities, which come in handy for long days out in the sun.
It’s also a good idea to bring some warmer layers for early mornings and evenings when it can get cold. Be sure to also pack a waterproof jacket in case of rainy days.
If you’re planning on camping while in Namibia, ensure you pack essentials like a headlamp, fleece, beanie and flip-flops to wear around the campsite.
While tap water is considered safe in Namibia's cities, drinking tap water isn't generally recommended in Namibia. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found; some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.
Travelers will be able to access the internet quite easily in the cyber cafes of Namibia’s large cities, but limited to no access should be expected in regional and rural areas.
Cell phone coverage is good in Namibia's large cities and towns but less so in rural and mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated before leaving home if you wish to use your cell phone.
Depending on which areas of Namibia you are traveling in, expect to encounter a combination of squat toilets and flushable toilets. Carry your own supply of soap and toilet paper, as these aren't always provided.
In Namibia, homosexuality is legal; however, gay marriage is only recognized for foreigners. While people may be friendly to visitors, Namibia is still largely a conservative society where LGBTQIA+ relationships may not always be accepted. Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Namibia for both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ relationships.
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveler
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Eden Reforestation Projects
Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe.
Find out more or make a donation
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation
We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
We are always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.