Namibia was on my travel list for a long time before finally getting there last year. Promising unparalleled adventures, red dunes and desert heat, I was craving a road trip that you might talk about for years to come. There are a few things you need to know before planning a trip to Namibia. From determining your itinerary, from what to do, to what to do, this is the complete guide to planning your trip to Namibia based on my recent visit!
Essentials: How to plan your trip to Namibia
Before my trip to Namibia, I didn’t do much research or planning before my stay. We were flying from Cape Town and thought it would be fun to ask the locals for recommendations when we landed. It was certainly a fun way to live an adventure, but there are some things I would recommend you know before you arrive.
language
Although the official language of Namibia is English, Alfikan and German are also widely spoken. I had no problems communicating in English wherever I traveled.
visa
Many nationalities, including the US, Australia and the UK, are issued 90-day tourist visas upon arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least six months upon arrival.
currency
The Namibian dollar is Namibian official currency, but South African rands are also widely accepted. We also found out that ATMs are available at the airport and Windhoek.
weather
Namibia enjoys great weather all year round. April and May are our preferred months with clear air and less dust. June, July and August are on the cold side, but still comfortable. September and October are warm, and this is when you have the best chance of gaming viewing. We visited in December before the Christmas rush.
Plan your itinerary
Driving in Namibia
Driving is the most popular way to avoid Namibia, and as long as you have a well-equipped vehicle (4×4), we accidentally hired a Volkswagen golf and somehow lived to tell the story, but I would not recommend it, but somehow we lived!
Flying around Namibia
You can also fly domestically, especially if you plan to visit remote destinations such as: Shipwreck lodge. You can also fly to the Sossusvlei desert if you want to skip long drives.
Namibia bucket list
While planning a trip to Namibia, there are some truly amazing destinations to visit over the highly anticipated Sosusvrey Desert. However, it is important to know that these locations are often very far apart and that Namibian roads can be challenged without four-wheel drive.
Plan your trip to Namibia: Where to visit
Sossusvlei Dunes- This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of the country, passing the most popular draw cards for visitors to Namibia. Our visit to Namibia was primarily to explore the Sosus Bray desert. We drove ourselves from Windhoek Airport and arrived in Namibia that morning before we arrived in the desert in the evening.
Skeleton Coast – If you’re looking for quarantine, look no further than Namibia’s skeleton coast. If you had time for your itinerary, you would have loved to make some sturdy West Coast time.
Etosha National Park – You don’t come to Namibia to watch the game alone, but if you want to see the animals, Etosha is the place to go.
Fish River Canyon – For adventure travelers, Fish River Canyon is the perfect place for hiking and daytime adventures.
The best experience in Namibia
Game Drive – Namibia is not getting exactly violent with wildlife. If you’re looking for a typical safari experience, look elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean you won’t experience wildlife while visiting Namibia. We have experienced many Orix sightings, and we have experienced zebras and jackals towards the end of the day.
Climbing the dunes – Sossusvlei Desert For good reason, it is Namibia’s most popular tourist destination. One of the best ways to get a full perspective on the size of the dunes is to climb them, especially to make a pilgrimage to the peak of the Big Daddy.
Namib Desert Hot Air Balloon – If you’re looking for a more romantic way to experience the desert, consider playing a hot air balloon. Prices aren’t cheap by any standard, but you’re sure to earn brownie points with your partner!
