Behind the Scenes of My Safari in Namibia

An African safari in Namibia isn’t usually the first destination people think of for safaris, but that’s partly what makes it unique. It’s remote, quiet, vast, and surreal. The landscapes alone are unlike anywhere else I’ve been—desert meets wildlife in a way that feels both ancient and from a movie.

If you're curious what it’s really like behind the scenes of a trip like this—how I planned it, where I stayed, what surprised me, and what I’d do differently—this is for you. I’ll walk you through the entire experience so you can better plan your own safari or just get a feel for whether Namibia’s unique approach to wildlife is right for you.

Before we dive in, here are a few key things that might help you right away:

Key Points

• Namibia’s Etosha National Park offers excellent self-drive safari opportunities with affordable park fees and wide-open landscapes.
• Don’t underestimate how far everything is—distances are huge, so plan travel days into your itinerary.
• Book accommodations early, especially in dry season (June–October), as lodges fill up fast and options can be limited in remote areas.

Why I Chose an African Safari in Namibia

Namibia appealed to me because it felt different from the usual safari hotspots. I’d already spent hours researching places like African safaris from Cape Town, Tanzania, and Kruger National Park, but most of those destinations felt either a bit overrun or too structured for the kind of experience I wanted. I was craving solitude, space, and something that didn’t feel overly polished.

What really sold me on Namibia was the chance to do a proper self-drive safari. Etosha National Park stood out because it’s one of the few places in Africa where you can rent your own 4×4, map out your own route, and spend your days spotting wildlife at your own pace. That freedom was a huge draw. I didn’t want to be crammed into a game drive truck with ten other people—I wanted the slow pace of watching animals on my own terms.

Plus, the landscape itself is otherworldly. Namibia’s dry, wide-open terrain has a stark beauty that’s completely different from the lush savannahs you usually picture when you think of safari. In Etosha, you might see elephants walking across cracked white salt pans or a lone giraffe silhouetted against a pink desert sunset.

It’s a very different kind of safari, and I found that difference made it even more special.

How I Planned the Trip

I started by figuring out the best time to visit (more on that below), then chose dates during the dry season when wildlife tends to concentrate around waterholes.

That gave me a clear window to work with, and I booked flights to Windhoek, the capital, through Johannesburg. If you’re planning this yourself, I recommend using a flight alert tool a few months in advance—I booked mine about three months out and still got a decent price.

Once I had the dates, I built a rough itinerary in Google Maps to understand driving distances. Namibia is huge and remote, so don’t assume you can hop from place to place quickly. I focused on a few key regions instead of trying to see everything. I’d suggest picking two or three core locations and spending 2–4 nights in each.

I rented a 4×4 vehicle with a rooftop tent from a local outfitter called ASCO Car Hire. They specialize in safari-ready trucks and include gear like a fridge, recovery equipment, and extra fuel tanks. The rooftop tent gave me the freedom to camp when I wanted, but still sleep comfortably (without worrying about being eaten at night).

If you’re not used to camping, you can just as easily rent a 4×4 and stay in lodges the whole way.

Route Planning

I spent 10 days on the road.

My route went like this: Windhoek → Okaukuejo Camp (Etosha) → Halali Camp (Etosha) → Damaraland → Skeleton Coast → Swakopmund → Windhoek.

If I were doing it again, I’d add a buffer day or two so I wasn’t moving every 1–2 nights.

I tried to keep each leg of the trip under 5 hours of driving. Anything longer gets exhausting fast, especially on gravel roads. If you’re using Google Maps, expect your actual drive time to be about 20% longer than it estimates.

I also preloaded offline maps using Maps.me and had a paper map as backup. Namibia has long stretches with no signal.

Lodges and Camps

I made all my bookings about two months in advance through a mix of direct lodge websites and Booking.com.

For camping inside Etosha, I reserved spots at the government-run campsites (Okaukuejo and Halali) via Namibia Wildlife Resorts.

I alternated between camping and mid-range lodges. That balance helped keep costs down without making the trip feel too rugged. Some of the African safari hotels in Namibia are absolutely worth the splurge—especially the ones that overlook active waterholes. One night I watched a black rhino and a herd of elephants while drinking coffee on the lodge deck. No game drive needed.

If I could give one planning tip: book early if you’re traveling between June and October. Popular lodges sell out fast, especially the ones inside or near Etosha.

Wildlife Sightings and Surprises

Even though Etosha is arid, the wildlife viewing was incredible—honestly better than I expected. The waterholes are the heart of the action during dry season. I would just park my vehicle near one and wait. Sometimes I’d sit there for an hour, and animals would just show up in waves—elephants, zebras, springbok drinking right as the sun was going down.

One of the most surreal moments was watching a black rhino approach silently in the early evening. It felt like I was in a documentary, except I was the only person there.

I highly recommend bringing a pair of binoculars and a good camera with a zoom lens—200mm at minimum if you really want decent wildlife shots. I kept a wildlife checklist in my sketchbook and jotted down what I saw each day, which made the whole thing feel like a scavenger hunt.

If you're trying to brush up on what to expect species-wise, check out this African safari animals list. It helped me prep and get familiar with which antelope is which—because trust me, there are more than you’d think.

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

I’d build in more downtime if I were doing this trip again. I completely underestimated how draining those long driving days would be—especially under the sun, with hours of gravel roads and no air conditioning once you stop. I often arrived at a camp or lodge too tired to fully enjoy it. Even just adding one extra rest day in the middle would’ve made the whole trip feel more balanced.

I’d also add a fourth night in Etosha. Three nights was okay, but it felt rushed. By the time I got into the rhythm of tracking animals, knowing which waterholes were busiest at what time, and settling into the slower pace of being there, it was time to move on. That extra day would’ve let me stay longer at sightings, revisit certain areas, or just relax and watch wildlife from camp without rushing out every morning.

Another thing I’d change is saving a night or two toward the end for one of the higher-end all-inclusive African safari vacations. A proper lodge with a good meal, a hot shower, and a view over a waterhole would’ve been the perfect way to decompress and reflect on everything I’d seen. After so many nights of rooftop camping and cooking from a gas stove, a little comfort would’ve gone a long way.

Other Countries I Considered Before Choosing Namibia

Before I committed to Namibia, I spent a lot of time comparing other destinations. I looked seriously at safaris in Botswana, Kenya, and Zambia. Each has its appeal, but there were trade-offs.

Botswana is known for its high-end, low-impact safaris, especially around the Okavango Delta. It’s incredible if you want guided game drives, boat safaris, and luxury lodges—but it also comes with a steep price tag. When I added up the cost of the camps and internal flights, it felt like a big financial leap for a first safari.

Kenya offers a classic safari experience with iconic wildlife, but it also tends to be busier. I didn’t want to be part of a long line of Land Cruisers crowding around a lion sighting. That kind of mass tourism can be a bit of a buzzkill if you're craving solitude and slower-paced travel.

Zambia really tempted me because of its walking safaris and reputation for being a bit wilder and less polished. But the logistics felt more complicated, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to navigate a destination that required more internal transfers and planning effort on a first trip.

Namibia felt like a sweet spot: fewer crowds than Kenya, more affordable than Botswana, and logistically simpler than Zambia. The self-drive option was the clincher for me. I liked being in control of my time, moving at my own pace, and having the flexibility to stop for photos or linger at a waterhole as long as I wanted.

If you're trying to compare destinations, I recommend looking at this breakdown of African safari countries. It helped me get clear on what kind of experience I actually wanted—not just what looked cool in brochures.

Is It Safe to Travel in Namibia?

In my experience, yes—traveling in Namibia felt safe overall, but you do need to be pretty self-reliant, especially if you're doing a self-drive safari like I did.

Similar to Botswana, Namibia is considered one of the safest countries in Africa to visit, and I never felt unsafe during my time there. That said, you're often in extremely remote areas without cellphone coverage, so it's not a place to just wing it.

Before leaving Windhoek, I double-checked the vehicle—spare tire, jack, fuel levels, and whether the second fuel tank was full. I also made sure I had enough drinking water (at least 5 liters per person per day), a first-aid kit, tire repair tools, and printed copies of my route and bookings in case my phone died or GPS failed.

I downloaded offline maps using Maps.me and had a paper road atlas in the glovebox. I also wrote down the contact numbers for each lodge and campsite and made sure I told someone my general route before I left. Having a vehicle that came with an extra battery-powered fridge, dual fuel tanks, and a compressor for tire pressure made a big difference too.

My advice: plan for self-sufficiency like you would for a backcountry trip. That way, even if something unexpected happens, you’re not stuck without essentials.

If You're Planning Your Own Safari

If this kind of trip is calling to you, I’d recommend starting by figuring out what kind of experience you want—do you want a fully guided safari with all the logistics handled for you, or would you enjoy the independence and adventure of a self-drive trip like I did? That decision shapes everything from your route to your budget.

My broader guide to African safaris is a good place to start, especially if you’re unsure of where to go or what type of safari suits you. I’d also recommend checking out the best places to go on safari in Africa so you can compare options side by side. Some places are more beginner-friendly, others are more remote or wildlife-dense.

Also, be realistic about costs. A safari doesn’t have to break the bank, but it does require some planning. I’ve broken down how much safaris cost based on different styles of travel, so you can budget more confidently before booking anything.

And if you're planning a couples trip, Namibia could be an unexpected but epic African safari honeymoon. Imagine toasting a sundowner while elephants stroll past a waterhole just beyond your deck—it’s unforgettable.