Anyone been to Namibia?

[whataboutbob]

I am planning a trip in summer 2015. We are a family of 4, the kids will be 12 and 8. I'm thinking 3 weeks (if i can get it off work) and self drive. My main question, what is the necessary budget? This will be once in a lifetime, normally we holiday in the UK or short haul, Spain, Ireland or France.
I have looked at flights and car and that's already £5000 (with BA).
Farm stays look good, it seems as long as they are not near Etosha you're looking at £100-150 per family per night B&B (which I guess makes it comparable to the UK).
It seems Safari camps are in a different league though, i don't know if I got the currency conversion wrong but it seemed from the website that a camp just outside Etosha comes in a £1000 per night for all 4 of us, but with all meals drinks and game spotting drives included. At this rate it is going to cost circa £10 000 for 3 weeks, is this about right? Thanks for any info.

I can't comment on costs, as it was 20 years ago that I went to Namibia, and I went alone with a backpack. Buy it is an amazing and beautiful country!

I have not been to Namibia, but I have been to South Africa where prices are similar. The safari camps tend to be expensive but the staff/guest ratio is very high. The Greenwood Guide to South Africa and Namibia gives some great ideas on places to stay but around Etosha they are not cheap and the price you quote is about right. As you say, this price covers nearly everything.

Have you considered using The Adventure Company who have a family holiday to Namibia and Botswana for 21 days? The price is similar but you do not drive yourself. We have found them to be reliable. This holiday is camping but does have a couple of days in the Okavango Delta. Longish road journeys but worth a look.

Namibia is amazing.
There is this company that do guided tours their vehicles are for 2 to 4 people with accommodation for around £1000 each.
www.wilddog-safaris.com/safari_tours/combination.html
www.wilddog-safaris.com/gallery/family-adventure/
They also do self drive.

Thanks for the info all. I am going to start saving! It seems like as long as you are not in etosha prices are fairly reasonable , I think farm stays are the way to go.

Etosha is the bestest place !!!! If you did go there you could look at the rest camps in the park but needs to be booked early.

I went to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa about ten years ago with Cox and Kings. It was expensive but in the main the accommodation was of a good quality. We also went on safari as well as visiting Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, Swakopmund, Windhoek, Deadvlei etc. We also visited a Cheetah sanctuary/rescue centre which I would not recommend.

At the time few people had been there. I did not go with children so cannot really comment as to how this would be but I believe that there may be restrictions on kids ages for safari (worth researching).

A wonderful experience although I would not recommend C and K as they were over priced in my opinion. It was an unspoilt part of Africa and a great way of going on safari without the circus that seems to happen in Kenya with several vehicles surrounding the lions etc. We never saw another vehicle the whole time we were on safari.

Thanks domple that sounds like the kind of experience im looking for. Getting close to nature, but without crowds of people snapping away at the beasts!

I've been to Namibia and the places you've mentioned and enjoyed them. I spent 5 months in Southern and Eastern Africa and I would absolutely recommend a stay in the Okavango Delta as well, as per the Adventure Company holiday mentioned earlier.

The OD is my second favourite place of all the places I visited in Africa. The first is Lake Malawi which was just amazing.

Agree with Lake Malawi, I lived there! Malawi and Zambia is a great combination.
Lake Malawi. Amazing snorkelling, beaches and an hour away from beach you could be on safari in Liwonde National Park watching elephants all day park fees are only $10 per day.
www.danforthyachting.com/index.html
www.malawitourism.com/pages/attractions/the_attraction.asp?AttractionsID=30
www.kandehorse.com/
www.malawitourism.com/pages/attractions/the_attraction.asp?AttractionsID=35
you could even go over to Zambia and visit South Luangwa National Park which is my favorite park in Africa.
www.crocvalley.com/
www.kiboko-safaris.com/

I used to live in Namibia and have been back several times with and without children. Flights are expensive but after that, it's a pretty good spot for a budget holiday- especially if you organise it yourself. You can easily book an independent holiday in Namibia- no need at all for expensive safari companies. Book huts in Etosha direct through the government website. Okakuejo is my favourite camp but if you want a few days there, go for a couple of nights at each. We stayed in one of the huts with a hot tub- lovely! There are lots of other national parks to consider, all with good, safe accomodation. Farm stays are great and you can always book a couple of nights in somewhere more luxurious. We love Mowani mountain lodge and also Okonjima leopard reserve- both gorgeous place to stay. Don't be intimidated about booking an independent holiday- you can choose your itinery (try to get up to the Caprivi and down to the dunes) and it is a very safe country- not at all like RSA. The capital, Windhoek, is also lovely and worth a couple of days- especially dinner at Joes beer house and a trip to Penduka in Katatura.

Gosh, I really fancy a trip back now- better start saving the pennies!

Hi Narcissi, and thanks for all the really useful info. I have only just re checked and found your post.
The last 5 years have been really stressful with family illness and this is something i am determined to do, not just fantasise about and then wish I'd done when I'm in my dotage. Your post also gives me a push to organise it myself, not pay a company.