Experience a Safari in Namibia | Doug Macdonald Safaris

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Experience the classic Namibian safari

Located in the West of Southern Africa along the Atlantic seaboard, Namibia must be one of the most unique African safari experiences with its variety of activities, unique creatures and vast landscapes. Although it has great wildlife parks in the North of the country like Etosha and some of its surrounding concession areas, it is really the incredible landscapes and the unique wildlife that has evolved in the Namib desert – the World’s oldest, that make this such a special safari destination. Namibia is the last stronghold for free ranging Black Rhino in Africa.

Get a taste of it all

Watch Black Rhino come to drink at moonlit waterholes, climb The World’s largest sand dunes, fly at low level along the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast, go quad bike riding in the dunes of the Namib Desert or float quietly over in a hot air balloon at dawn, kayak among playful Cape Fur Seals in shallow lagoons, drive through the ever changing landscapes of the Damaraland, meet the Himba people still living a very traditional lifestyle. There really is a lot to take in here with an excellent network of roads and low rainfall it is accessible throughout the year.

What you need
to know

Things that are worth knowing about when traveling to Namibia

flock of ostriches near a small watering hole in a dry savannah landscape

Namibia is located on the Western side of Southern Africa and is primarily a desert country with the Namib and Kalahari Deserts making up the bulk of the country. The protected areas here are huge, made possible by a very small population of people and very low rainfall. For classic wildlife viewing, Etosha National Park and Bwabwata National Parks are excellent. The Namib-Naukluft is where you would find the famous Sossusvlei and Deadvlei home to some of the largest Sand Dunes in the world. The Damaraland and Skeleton Coast have incredible scenery and desert adapted large mammals like Elephant, Black Rhino, Oryx, Springbok and Giraffe.

Best time to go

All Year Round

Language

English, Afrikaans

Currency

Namibia dollar (NAD)

Getting There

Namibia’s main international airports used for tourism are in Windhoek and Walvis Bay, there are direct flights from Germany into Namibia and flights which come in daily from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Getting Around

Most safaris here are designed around driving between the various areas as it has an amazing network of maintained dirt and paved roads that are the envy of Africa. This can be done as a self-drive experience in specialised camping vehicles with all the equipment you need to be self-sufficient or guided using a specialist local guide who will drive you through the country and show you areas that many self-drive tourists would not know about. Flying between camps is also an option here and seeing it from the air does add a whole new dimension to appreciating the vastness of these landscapes.

Safari vehicle in desert, dry savannah landscape of Namibia

Cape Cross

Along the Skeleton Coast, North of Swakopmund is the largest breeding colony for the Cape Fur Seal. There are thousands of them here and an easy stop off when travelling North from Swakopmund

The Fish River Canyon

In the South of Namibia is this incredible canyon reminiscent of the Grand Canyon of the USA. It is possible to hike along its course over a 4- or 5-day period. Not easy but beautiful and remote for the adventurous.

The Living Desert

We believe this is an essential part of a Namibian safari as it brings to life in front of you the extraordinary evolution of very specialised creatures that survive in this harshest of environments. It is amazing and a must do.

Weather

Namibia is a beautiful country with a diverse and unique climate. With a mostly arid climate, temperatures range from mild to hot depending on the season. Winter, which lasts from April to October, is generally cooler and dry with temperatures ranging between 15-20°C. Summer, from November to March, is hotter and more humid. The best time of the year to go on safari in Namibia is during the dry winter months when the flora and fauna are at their most vibrant.

Colourful sky and clouds at sunset in Nambia

January to March

These are the main summer rainy season months for this part of Africa, all of the parks are accessible at this time however the road network within certain parks might be quite limited. It is, however, an excellent time to see the parks when animals, birds and plants are at their best. The usually dry areas like the Central Kalahari come to life during this time of year so a good time to visit.

June to August

The dry winter season is well set in by this time of year, the vegetation is thinning out and wildlife becoming more focused on particular feeding and watering areas. This is the height of winter as well and the mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cold even dropping below freezing in the early morning, so you’ll make good use of the camp fire at night, but during the day the temperatures warm up to the mid twenties Celsius and the skies are generally always clear and blue. A really popular time to be on safari and the Okavango Delta is now starting to recede and expose the grasslands.

November to December

These months are really hot during the day and it’s when we expect to see our first rains and the incredible change that happens almost immediately. This transformation brings with it the drama of tropical rain and lightning storms, amazing cloudscapes, clear dustless skies and many of the animal species begin their birthing. This can be one of the most beautiful times to be in the bush and often you can get some good special accommodation rates.

April to May

You can still experience some rain at this time but usually quite limited, if at all. These months mark the start of the bush drying out and the beginning of the long dry spell that will go through to November. The bush is usually quite thick at this time so sightings can be difficult but the animals are still there and you can have huge wild areas all to yourself which is excellent in itself and you can get some great accommodation specials. The Okavango Delta - Chobe and Linyanti Rivers are at peak height during this time of year.

September to October

These months are when the temperatures start to climb and the wildlife concentrates at the last available feeding and watering sites. September is probably the best of these months from a temperature perspective as October can be really hot during the day going towards the 40 degrees Celsius mark but it does cool off at night time. At this time many species of tree start to flower and migratory birds start arriving. For some, these are the best months to be on safari in Botswana when looking for big predators and prey animal drama.

Ready to come on Safari?

Ready to start planning your ultimate African safari with the help and experience of our team?

Let’s get in touch to begin customising your perfect adventure.

General

What do I pack for a safari in Zimbabwe? Please remember that there may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your Zimbabwe safari. Before you travel, we shall advise you on what would be suitable for your specific safari as sometimes you may need a wide range of clothing to cater for the different conditions of your safari. If bush walks are a part of your safari, we advise to not wear white or black coloured clothes. What Stone Ruins are in Zimbabwe? The name Zimbabwe translates as “House of stone”. Between the 11th to 15th Century these stone edifices were constructed around the country and were important centres of trade and government. The main ones being Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins and Dhlodhlo Ruins, there are many other smaller ones scattered around. Can I walk by myself in the National Parks? No, you cannot, this is only available in designated areas within Mana Pools National Park after paying for a special permit and signing a disclaimer. We do not recommend doing this, you will have a much better experience being accompanied by a trained professional safari guide familiar with the area. Licensed professional guides working for a registered operator are allowed to take you for walks anywhere within the National Parks. What currency is used in Zimbabwe? The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar. In tourist areas most transactions are quoted and done in US Dollars with South African Rand also possible. What time zone is Zimbabwe in? Zimbabwe shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT) Can I use my credit cards in Zimbabwe? Yes, but only really in the main cities or tourist areas like Victoria Falls with Visa and Mastercard the most widely accepted. To buy curios or paying for camp extras like National Parks Fees it is better to have actual cash. What power sockets are used in Zimbabwe? In the cities and safari camps Zimbabwe uses 220V power points in the camps mostly using Type G plugs. If you have an item that runs on 110V, please bring a converter. It is also advisable to bring additional universal travel adaptors and extra batteries.
Visas

Do I need a visa to travel to Zimbabwe? Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry or apply for an e-visa before arrival. However, some nationalities may have to apply in advance through an embassy.Please check with your Travel Designer to find out if you require a visa to enter Zimbabwe.
Medical

What Vaccinations do I need for travelling to Zimbabwe? At this time there are no vaccination requirements for tourists visiting Zimbabwe – However if you are travelling to Zimbabwe from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We will advise the latest regulations before travelling. If you are unsure about what is best for you, please consult your medical practitioner for professional advice on what other vaccinations may be suitable for you. Medical Evacuations? Air medical evacuations are available in Zimbabwe, but it is important that you have medical insurance with this type of remote evacuation cover and declare the details to your travel designer prior to travel. Do I need to take malaria medication when visiting Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is in a malarial zone so please consult with your medical practitioner a few weeks before your departure on what the best prophylactic for you would be. Some courses of medication may need to be started in advance of your visit to Zimbabwe.

Discover Namibia on safari

We specialise in custom designing your adventure from start to finish. However, sometimes you could use a little inspiration.

Classic Namibia Safari

Drive around Namibia with your guide on this 11 night trip through historic regions of Nambia with some wildlife rich regions, topped off with being able to see the iconic sand dunes. Your driver guide will giving you insight into the historic facts about the country, geology, geography as well as guiding you on the safari portion with your animal and bird sightings, especially while you are in Etosha.

11 nights

7 camps

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Experience the classic Namibian safari

Get a taste of it all

What you need to know

Things that are worth knowing about when traveling to Namibia

Cape Cross

Along the Skeleton Coast, North of Swakopmund is the largest breeding colony for the Cape Fur Seal. There are thousands of them here and an easy stop off when travelling North from Swakopmund

The Fish River Canyon

In the South of Namibia is this incredible canyon reminiscent of the Grand Canyon of the USA. It is possible to hike along its course over a 4- or 5-day period. Not easy but beautiful and remote for the adventurous.

The Living Desert

We believe this is an essential part of a Namibian safari as it brings to life in front of you the extraordinary evolution of very specialised creatures that survive in this harshest of environments. It is amazing and a must do.

Ready to come on Safari?

Ready to start planning your ultimate African safari with the help and experience of our team? Let’s get in touch to begin customising your perfect adventure.

Discover Namibia on safari

We specialise in custom designing your adventure from start to finish. However, sometimes you could use a little inspiration.

Classic Namibia Safari

11

nights

7

camps

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What you need
to know

Ready to start planning your ultimate African safari with the help and experience of our team?

Let’s get in touch to begin customising your perfect adventure.

Build your safari around
what you want to see