NAMIBIA

Namibia is characterized by its desert habitat. The harsh environment forms a magnificent backdrop for a different kind of safari. Animal populations are smaller, but sightings in this sparse setting tend to be rewarding. Not to be missed is Etosha Pan, the largest salt pan in Africa and a seasonal wildlife magnet.

Rates (USD) $173 to $1,003 pp/day
Best Time to Go June to October (All parks)
High Season July to October (Etosha gets crowded)
Size 825,615km² / 318,772mi²

Pros & Cons

• Excellent waterhole-based wildlife viewing at Etosha
• Long coastline with marine animals, such as seal colonies
• Good infrastructure and excellent self-drive safari options
• High-end and budget safaris
• Low population and vast undeveloped areas
• Highly photogenic scenery and colors
• Desert habitat doesn't support high animal densities
• Not a great destination to see big cats

Wildlife
The open, arid landscape of Namibia doesn’t support animals in great numbers, but you’ll certainly have no trouble seeing the ones that do live here. These include plenty of wildebeest, zebra, lion and elephant, with large groups congregating in Etosha. The country is particularly good for seeing cheetah, which are widespread, while the more elusive black rhino and brown hyena confine themselves to coastal locations.

Wildlife Highlights
Damaraland is home to a healthy population of desert-adapted elephant, a smaller population of black rhino can be tracked in a similar environment. The secretive brown hyena is sometimes seen lurking around seal colonies on the coast. Other marine wildlife includes the rare heaviside's dolphin and migrating southern right whale.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Namibia is relatively dry throughout the year, but there are two rainy seasons. The little rains are from November to December and the main rainy season is from January to April. During the rains, vegetation grows throughout the region and wildlife tends to scatter and is harder to find. The end of the Dry season (July-October) is the best time to see animals at the waterholes. This coincides with the busiest tourist season.

POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN NAMIBIA

• Etosha NP
• Namib-Naukluft NP
• Skeleton Coast NP