Private travel companies in Namibia. How to travel around Namibia: tips
Throughout the country, in the resorts of Namibia, there are excellent hotels with a high level of service. So, let's look at the main places where tourists go to relax in Namibia.
This city is secretly considered best resorts Namibia: both tourists and locals relax here. Founded by German colonists in 1892 and for a long time the country's largest port, it gradually turned into a wonderful coastal resort.
Swakopmund is on the coast Atlantic Ocean just 360 km from the capital of Namibia - . It is called an oasis of German culture: the resort has fully preserved the colonial architecture of that time.
The coast has a very mild and comfortable climate; it rarely rains. The average air temperature fluctuates around +20…+25°С, and the water warms up to +25°С. Co observation deck There are beautiful views of the ocean or desert. In the city you can visit museums, bars and casinos, modern shops, trendy restaurants, and stay in a luxury hotel (a former station building built in 1901). It is in Swakopmund that the summer residence of the President of Namibia is located.
The Atlantic coast attracts with its beaches and sea fishing, boat trips, where you can see dolphins and even whales. For vacationers they organize safaris, flights to balloons and paragliding, and also offer exciting descents from high sand dunes on skis and snowboards.
The capital of Namibia is Windhoek
The capital is considered the most progressive, modern and developed city in all of Africa. It contains the main historical, cultural and educational centers of the country. If you want to relax in Namibia and learn as much as possible about this country, then this is the place for you.
While relaxing comfortably in Windhoek, you can take part in any tourist route Namibia due to the convenient location of the city. The neat and clean city attracts travelers who are unfamiliar with camping and solo tours. In addition, it is unusually green here compared to other cities of the “dark continent”.
A tourist feature is the menu of local restaurants: you can try many dishes from zebra, ostrich, crocodile, antelope and other exotic animals, as well as mussels, squid and seafood. The choice of accommodation is mainly small hotels and guest houses.
Sossusvlei
The orange landscapes of high dunes in the Namib Desert are the hallmark of Namibia. Over the course of a day, the bright ocher palette turns into yellow, then into red, and at the end of the day into purple. People come here in search of peace and tranquility. The combination of an unreal blue sky and salty hard ground underfoot, trees dried to blackness - this is an absolutely unearthly and unusual landscape even for an experienced traveler.
In Sossusvlei, time moves slower or even freezes. Visit itself ancient desert, the world's largest Namib-Naukluft National Park and Africa's deepest canyon will forever change your view of the world. Here is the most striking variety of landscapes, which can be observed both from the height of a hot air balloon and from the window of a jeep.
Etosha and Northern Namibia
Namibia's national parks are considered eco-resorts where you can enjoy stunning scenery wildlife and relax in lodges - small houses made exclusively from natural materials. is Namibia's most accessible and popular nature resort.
Northern Namibia, where the Etosha resort is located, literally abounds in wild and predatory animals. Giraffes, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, lions, cheetahs, crocodiles and other local inhabitants are found almost everywhere. People come here for something unique, to take exclusive shots at a watering hole or watch a meteor shower while lying under the diamond dome of the sky.
The resort curtains familiar to Europeans can only be found in Swakopmund and Windhoek. Five-star hotels, efficient waiters who speak two languages, 24-hour maid service and similar signs of civilization cannot be found in other resorts in Namibia. People come here for the contrast of life and emotions, but luxury remains somewhere there, before boarding the flight.
Holidays in Namibia are filled with African exoticism: hunting wild animals, meeting tribes that have not been spoiled by civilization and adhere to traditional beliefs, contemplating prehistoric sights and immersing in hot springs.
Residents of this African state They not only managed to preserve the unique “lunar landscapes” in their original form, but also built many hotels for tourists and built kilometers of asphalt roads of German quality.
In addition, Namibia is the safest African country; the sun shines here almost 300 days a year.
Do you still doubt whether to go to this country?
Tours to Namibia or a great African trip
How to get there?
There are no direct flights from the Russian Federation to Namibia, so you will have to fly in transit through Germany (Air Berlin and Air Namibia operate flights from Munich and Frankfurt 1-2 times a week).
Namibia is the most safe country South Africa.
This option is convenient because when purchasing a ticket Moscow (St. Petersburg) - Frankfurt - Windhoek you do not need to apply for a visa.
The flight will cost approximately 43,000 rubles. (Moscow - Frankfurt am Main - 6,400 rubles, Frankfurt am Main - Windhoek - 38,800 rubles).
You can get from Moscow to Namibia via Johannesburg (flight – 17,600 rubles). From there, AirNamibia will take a direct flight 2 hours to Windhoek for RUB 7,500. However, in this case, a visa is required for a transfer to South Africa.
By car you can enter the country through Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa.
In rural areas of Namibia, it is common to bargain, but in large stores the price of goods is fixed. At the end of the working day or week there are significant discounts.
As for tips, employees of lodges and hotels are entitled to 1 dollar per day, in restaurants - up to 5% of the bill, if they are not included in the cost of service. In national parks, tipping is officially prohibited.
Best time to travel
It is worth planning a vacation between May and November, when it is not very hot in Namibia.
In March and April, mild, comfortable weather prevails; at this time, the parks are covered with a green carpet.
During a drought, the chances of seeing animals are much greater, because in search of water they gather at the watering hole. You just need to know where it is.
The “rainy season” begins in November, but this does not mean that there are no conditions for recreation. Only in the northeast 400-600 mm of precipitation falls. On the coast only fog is possible.
More and more tourists are traveling to Namibia New Year. People from all over the world come to celebrate this holiday under the African sky. Thousands of tables are set up on the coast, and at exactly midnight a huge fire is lit and miniature bottles of champagne are opened.
One of the most impressive adventures for a real hunter will be. You will return to the “concrete jungle” rested and full of energy.
If you are planning a trip to Tunisia, read reviews of what to bring from Tunisia, and give gifts with pleasure.
Tour: individual or group
Many travel companies offer group tours. They include a visit to:
- national parks and nature reserves,
- excursions around the capital and deserts.
In addition, such a tour is much cheaper than an individual one.
However, local authorities encourage individual tourism rather than mass tourism. This helps protect unique landscapes from the influx of travelers.
An individual tour is also beneficial for the vacationer himself: he can build a tour taking into account his strengths and interests. There is no strict travel schedule, and you can stay longer in the place you like.
The range of individual entertainment is also much wider:
- sand boarding,
- trekking,
- rafting,
- panoramic flights over the Skeleton Coast, etc.
Features of recreation and excursions
- Etosha National Park– famous for its flora and fauna.
Live here:- giraffes,
- zebras,
- black rhinoceroses,
- desert elephants,
- zebra cobras and mamba.
Travel in special jeeps; getting out of the car is prohibited.
- Swakopmund is a small resort town. The ocean is cold, so tourists and locals prefer water activities to swimming.
- Walvis Bay - main port, famous for its colonies pink flamingos. A paradise for lovers of precious stones (a diamond zone stretches along the coast).
Herds of whales are often observed in the bay.
As entertainment, tourists are offered:
- hot air balloon and paragliding flights;
- dune riding on camels;
- kayaking in the lagoons of Walvis Bay;
- dune boarding (sand boarding);
- paragliding;
- ATV racing;
- tandem skydiving;
- cruises and panoramic flights in the Swakopmund area.
Sossusvlei
These are the highest dunes in the world, ranging in color from pale apricot to bright red. Thanks to the winds, they take on bizarre shapes and sometimes resemble stars.
On the plateau there is a “dead valley”, known for the skeletons of dead trees.
Entertainment:
- Flight to hot-air balloon;
- horse riding, quad biking;
- climbing the highest dune in the world (height 350 meters).
Daramaland
This is a desert area where dry river beds and lush vegetation coexist peacefully.
Main attractions:
- rock paintings dating back to the 2nd century BC;
- “Stone Forest” (petrified trees, 300 million years old);
- White Lady rocks with petroglyphs (age – 20 thousand years).
Entertainment:
- rhino trekking;
- mountaineering;
Never, under any circumstances, eat foods unknown to you, and do not go beyond the fenced camp.
It is not recommended to even get out of the car without the conductor's permission.
Skeleton Coast
Plot coastline, along the entire length of which rest lost ships. For many years, due to frequent fogs, they run aground here.
Even the whales that are washed ashore by the surf suffer.
The most popular entertainment here is panoramic flights.
Prices for all goods and services are frankly low.
How much does a tour to Namibia cost?
The price of the tour directly depends on the tourist’s requests or tourist group. An individual tour will cost much more than a group tour.
In addition, the cost is affected by:
- number of excursions,
- type of accommodation (hotel room or lodge),
- method of traveling around the country (car, air, walking tours).
On average, tours to Namibia from Moscow cost 5-6 thousand dollars excluding flights.
Individual tours
| Term | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "The Great Namibian Journey" (Damaraland, through Swakopmund, Sossusvlei Dunes, Etosha National Park) | ||
| 12 days | Minimum $5,860 | |
| "Stone Forest" | ||
| 8 days | $5.330 | |
| “The Call of the Wild” (Windhoek, Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Atlantic coast) | ||
| 10 days | $4.630 | |
| “9 days in the Namib Desert” (with a visit to the Bushmen and Himba tribes) | ||
| 9 days | $4.190 | |
| Russian guide | ||
| Hunting for African tiger fish and sand shark | ||
| 11 days | $9.787 | |
| Shark fishing | ||
| 10 days (4 days in Swakopmund) | $8.990 | |
| Sand shark fishing + safari) | ||
| 10 days (5 days in Namibia) | $5.330 | |
| "Namibia on Motorcycles" | ||
| 10 days | $6.420 | |
| "Safari + hunting + fishing" | ||
| 9 days | $6.420 | Catch and Release Program |
| "Luxury air safari in Namibia" | ||
| 9 days | $7.200 | |
| “Nomads” (visit to the Himba tribe, through the dunes of Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Etosha National Park, Windhoek) | ||
| 10 days | Minimum $8,394 | The price includes 2 safaris per day |
Group tours
| Term | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| "All the colors of Namibia" | ||
| 11 days | $3.060 | Cost for a group of 6 people |
| Train travel Rovos Rail | ||
| 17 days | RUB 136,234 | |
| "Canyons and Deserts" | ||
| 10 days | 78,000 rub. | |
| "Road along Sossusvlei" | ||
| 6 days | 27,000 rub. | |
| "Flying Over Namibia" | ||
| 10 days | 182,000 rub. | |
| "Camping tour in Namibia" | ||
| 26 days | 113,000 rub. | |
| "Safari to the Skeleton Coast" | ||
| 5 days | RUB 231,803 | |
| "The majestic dunes of Sossusvlei on foot" | ||
| 3 days | $1.078 | Cost for a group of 8 people |
| Auto tour “Visiting the Bushmen” | ||
| 11 days | RUB 208,949 | |
Approximate cost of additional services
- Hot air balloon flight – $414 (5 hours, minimum group – 2 people);
- Dune boarding – $52 (4 hours, minimum 2 people);
- Quad biking – $42 (1 hour);
- Coastal cruise – $79 (2.5 hours, minimum 10 people);
- Kayak trips – $105 (5 hours, minimum 2 people);
- Camel rides – $19 (15 min., minimum 2 people);
- Tandem parachute jump - $345 (35 seconds of free soaring);
- Fishing in Namibia – $178 (7 hours, minimum 2 people);
- Dolphin safari – $96 (3 hours, minimum 2 people);
- Sunset dinner in the middle of the desert – $65 (2.5 hours, minimum 4 people).
- that's 365 sunny days a year. This is constant summer in your soul and real African exoticism around you, a lot of options for active pastime and the most realistic kaleidoscope of flora and fauna. Tourists love Namibia for its pink dunes, unique hunting, unique natural phenomena, endless coastline and encouragement of individual tourism.
Note to touristsWhen planning to discover Africa, many tourists start with Namibia, and for good reason: it is a politically calm country without the risk of a sudden military coup, and is also very loyal to the development of tourism. When packing your bags, every traveler needs to know the following:
Holiday offers in Namibia
With amazing and unique nature West Africa you will be introduced to a variety of safaris. Tours in Namibia offer to visit the territory of the Namib-Naukluft national parks, and others, as well as the Kalahari. So, the most popular holiday destinations in Namibia are:
If you want to know when is the best time to go to Namibia, then keep in mind: the most popular time for travel is the local summer, from November to April. At the same time, a comfortable holiday on the coast, thanks to the influence of the ocean, is possible all year round.
How to get to Namibia?
Alas, there are no direct flights from Russia and the CIS countries to Namibia. The most popular option is to fly via Frankfurt or via to the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. Flight time is about 14 hours excluding connections.
Namibia is considered almost the most exotic and picturesque country of the African continent, located in its southern part and washed in the west by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which is also its state border. This is the meeting place of two elements - the ocean and the desert - that same wild Africa, however... with first-class hotels.
The tribes of hunters and herders who inhabited the present territory of Namibia in ancient times can be judged by the remains that have been preserved here since the 4th millennium BC. numerous rock paintings. Descendants of the Bushmen, Herero and Himba are still found in remote villages, where special tourist excursions are organized. Their life is extremely simple and to this day many of them rub their skin with a mixture of oil and ocher, causing it to turn red.
According to their own reviews, the Himba tribe makes an indelible impression on travelers. Its representatives have no idea about their age, they do not have any passports, but they get married several times. The ruler of the tribe has a dozen wives and almost five dozen children. For example, tourists were allowed on one of the excursions only with permission from the eldest wife. And then the locals even took the aliens hunting with them.
From the 18th century tribes were exposed to European expansion. Germany was especially active in this regard, declaring in 1884. protectorate over these lands. And today, many Namibian cities resemble German settlements at the beginning of the last century. For example, the small port of Lüderitz, built during the rapid development of diamond copies here by the Germans. Now the city is a major center for fishing for marine life, primarily oysters and lobsters.
After Germany's defeat in World War I, Namibia was transferred to the British-controlled Union of South Africa. And since 1945 was under the auspices of the UN, despite the dissatisfaction of South Africa, which sought to govern the country.
In 1990 Namibia became an independent republic. All military and political passions subsided. Now it is a calm, stable country that is actively developing tourism, so many travelers come here with pleasure.
Namibia on the map
Attractions
Skeleton Coast
The infamous Skeleton Coast was one of the results of European exploration of the African continent. Namibia's deserted ocean coast is almost always shrouded in fog, which has led to major navigation problems. In ancient times, many European ships were wrecked here, and their wrecks can still be found today.
Nowadays, this territory is a nature reserve, and visits are organized. But most of it can only be seen from the height of a sightseeing plane.
Namib Desert
The desert stretches along the coast and is a kind of calling card of Namibia. Scientists believe that its age is estimated at 60-80 million years. The local landscapes are stunning - red sand dunes constantly moving from the wind, brown rocks polished by time, dried up river beds and life-giving oases to which all the local wildlife is drawn.
Etosha National Park
He settled around salt lake with the same name. It is very large, there are many reservoirs on its territory - Klein Namutoni, Chudob, Okaukuejo and others. Giraffes and rhinoceroses, lions, elephants and antelopes come to them to drink.
City tourist sites
There are also a lot of them.
The capital Windhoek (“windy corner”) is not only the most Big City in the country, but also the greenest, located between two mountains - Eros and Auas and receiving the greatest amount of precipitation.
Windhoek has many worth visiting places: National Museum Namibia, Crafts Center and Art Gallery, Penduka Folklore Center. The colorful “German” mansions – Heinzburg, Tintenpalace, as well as Lutheran and neo-Gothic churches – will also attract attention.
An interesting excursion to the city of Hrutfoinen, on whose territory a huge meteorite called Hoba fell more than 80 thousand years ago. Thousands of travelers flock here to see this stone space miracle weighing five dozen tons.
It is also worth visiting Otjiwarongo (translated as “beautiful”), a city in the north of Namibia. Tourists usually visit it on their way to the only crocodile farm in the country with Nile alligators or to the Cheetah Conservation Center, to the shepherd dog nursery - in National parks. Locals They always warmly welcome guests, treat them to national dishes and introduce them to traditional culture.
The cities of Ondangwa and Oshakati, which are not only the largest shopping centers, but also the center of the culture of the Ovambo people.
Beach holiday
Swakopmund is just what lovers need sea beaches. A resort with appropriate infrastructure - a variety of hotels and nightclubs, cafes and restaurants for every taste and income. The city will appeal to lovers of the exotic, since the proximity of colonial-style buildings and the desert make it just that. The beach is suitable for families with children.
Beach holidays in Namibia are possible all year round. And yet, more often tourists come here in November-April, when it’s summer here. Many of them, in pursuit of extreme sports, embark on multi-day trips to remote places, where they have the opportunity to hunt antelopes and even elephants, and take part in shark fishing.
In Namibia, other “non-traditional” types of recreation are also possible - flying over the desert in a hot air balloon (a five-hour flight for two people will cost $414), snowboarding from steep sand dunes or traveling along them on camels (a fifteen-minute ride for two will cost $19) , a trip in search of dolphins (three hours for two – $96)…
Namibian cuisine
It, like almost everything in Namibia, is original. Considering even the fact that for centuries there has been a severe shortage of water and food. The colonialists brought diversity to the local menu.
The basis local cuisine– meat dishes, the assortment of which is truly large.
IN Lately Along with European dishes, Namibian restaurants more often began to offer guests national ones - from the meat of zebras, ostriches or antelopes... And the number 1 food here is considered to be corn porridge - maize. And, of course, shish kebab from young crocodiles and all kinds of seafood.
Among drinks, local beer is in particular demand - ginger beer, often home-produced of high quality. The wines from the local vineyards are Cabernet and Colambray, as well as Mataka, the original watermelon wine. They also have their own strong grappa – “Crystal-Kellerai”.
Alcohol is sold exclusively in specialized markets, and to persons at least 18 years of age.
Holiday prices in Namibia
It all depends on the requests. Individual tours much more expensive than group ones. On average, without a flight, a tour to this country will cost $5-6 thousand.
For example, a group (about six people) five-day tour “Safari to the Skeleton Coast” will cost about 232 thousand rubles, a camping tour in Namibia (26 days) – 113 thousand rubles, and an eleven-day auto tour “Visiting the Bushmen” – almost 209 thousand rubles.
For dinner in the middle of the desert for four you will have to pay about $65.
How to get there
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Russia to Namibia. The preferred option is to fly through Germany. When buying a ticket to Windhoek with transit through Frankfurt am Main from or St. Petersburg, you will not need to apply for a visa. The price of such a flight will be approximately 43 thousand rubles. It is also possible through South Africa, on a Moscow-Johannesburg flight costing 17.6 thousand rubles.
Namibia is considered the safest of all African countries. And those who prefer an unusual holiday with a lot of vivid impressions should, of course, visit this amazing country.
More Namibian atmosphere in the video:
