Namibia

[jarviscockatiel]

We're thinking of going to Namibia this Easter, specifically on a self drive tour. However, it seems very expensive - approximately £3500 per person for a fortnight. Does anyone know of any cheaper travel companies or have any advice for how we can cut the costs. We don't want to camp but are happy with cheap lodging style accommodation. Thanks in advance

Some of the overland truck trips use cheap accommodation - try Dragoman or similar.

Google Africa overland trips.

We travelled with Exodus it was amazing and definitely the best safari I've been on. We did camping but they also offer lodge accommodation for certain departure dates.

I went to Namibia a while ago (2002 and 2007). I used Cardboard Box travel. Booked car hire and lodge accommodation for a week then one of their guided safaris. Absolutely brilliant.

Best lodges were the Okinjima lodge (Africat cheetah sanctuary) and the Erongo Wilderness lodge.

Must sees are:
Etosha (night time watering holes are amazing)
Twyfelfontein rock engravings
Dead vlei and Sossusvlei
Sunrise over dune 45
Cape Cross fur seal colony

I did a cessna flight over desert and Skeleton Coast from Windhoek, which was awesome. Also a catamaran trip from Walvis Bay (turtles and dolphins).

Can recommend Rivendell Guest House in Windhoek. It's an amazing country to visit. Main roads are in really good condition (unlike some other African countries I've visited).

Happy to answer any other questions!

We paid about 5k per person. Admittedly it did include flying up to Vic falls, but personally we wanted to ensure we had an excellent vehicle, excellent support and wouldn't waste 5 days on 'Africa time' if anything went wrong.

Dontcallme could you tell me who you used?

Audley travel. They weren't the cheapest, but they know their stuff and were very keen to help and tailor everything to exactly what we wanted.

Audley will be a very expensive option. Cheaper options are to either organise your self or use a reputable local operator or an adventure company like Exodus or similar.

You could try a specialist Africa operator like Expert Africa or Yellow Zebra Safaris but I suspect they will be pretty pricey too. Thing is all these UK operators use local companies for their in-country arrangements, so you are paying the costs of the Uk operation (glossy brochures/sales teams etc).

There are good reputable local agencies including ATI travel (who are agent for Audley) and Cardboard box. You can definitely do it for less than £3.5K (unless that includes flights too). Just specify you want mid range as the upper range can be very high. The Gondwana chain offer some of the best value. The state run company NWR is poor but they have the best sites in Etosha. Agree that Okanjima (where you can do cheetah and leopard tracking) is fantastic. We also love the self catering lodges at Erindi which overlook a great waterhole. Just bear in mind that at end of rainy season it will be more difficult to see animals. Soussesvlei dunes are amazing but get up early to avoid heat. It’s a fantastic country and easy to self drive.

Had a brilliant trip about 10years ago with either Explore or Exodus. Lodge trip which was quite luxurious. Can't remember what we paid but was well worth it.

No need to use an expensive safari company. Namibia is very safe and perfectly easy to organise independently. Hire a car in Windhoek, book accommodation on the National Parks website ( Etosha is a must) and lodges can be booked independently. It will be much cheaper, and you'll get off the beaten track. Okonjima reservevsnd Mowani lodge are my recommendations for loveliness. Don't miss the cave paintings at Twyfylfontein. Namibia is great- wish we could afford it this year. I used to live there and miss it a lot ( especially in grey February!)

Watching with interest as Namibia is on my family travel wish list ...

Exodus have very little under £3000 but they do have a family holiday that’s cheaper. Camping brings the price down. They do have a great choice of options though and it’s on my radar for a future holiday. I like the idea of the 4 x 4 trip.

Having been to South Africa several times, I would be fairly certain there won’t be huge costs when you are there. You won’t need to buy much and what you do will be well priced. So paying a bit more for the holiday in the first place isn’t such a bad deal. Don’t forget when a lot of holidays were priced the £ had crashed. That’s why they seem expensive right now.

Thank you for all your helpful ideas. We've spent a long time looking at different options and finally made the decision to go to Costa Rica instead!! We've definitely kept Namibia on our list for the future though.

Oh Costa Rica is fab too. Had an amazing fly drive holiday there.