Namibia family holidays
If you are looking for an intriguing destination that offers exciting wildlife, stunning scenery and exhilarating activities, look no further than a family holiday to Namibia. From the top of the towering sand dunes at Sossusvlei you can watch the sun turn the magnificent Namib Desert crimson. From the rim of the Fish River Canyon you can hike down to the bottom of the second deepest gorge in the world. And from the resort town of Swakopmund you can enjoy adrenaline activities or head to the desolate Atlantic Coast to spot eerie ancient shipwrecks.
All Namibia family holidays should also include a safari through Etosha National Park. This is comparable with the more famous East African parks for its world-class game viewing. There are huge herds of elephant and zebra as well as large populations of lion, leopard and cheetah. Elsewhere, the rugged landscape of Damaraland is home to black rhino and desert elephant.
Why take the kids?
Some of our top activities on Namibia family holidays include:
- Heading out with your family on the open road through stunning scenery
- Searching for the big-five on a self-drive safari in Etosha
- Whooping it down the massive dunes at Sossusvlei
- Following a tiny tok tokkie beetle through the Namib Desert
- Tracking rhino amongst the barren wilderness of Damaraland
- Tackling sand dunes on a ‘Fat Bike’ from Swakopmund
- Getting up close to rescued cheetah at Okonjima
- Horse riding at Desert Homestead Lodge
Most families choose to self-drive in Namibia which means that you can go at your own pace. Being in control of timings for photo / lunch / stretching-the-legs opportunities mean that you can tackle the open road however suits, taking breaks whenever needed. Driving here is also very straightforward – you drive on the left.
Another reason that a Namibia family holiday is such a hit with the kids, is the range of activities on offer. Amongst the stunning dunes at Sossusvlei, children can climb to the top of the ‘Big Daddy’ dune. From here, they will look out over the unforgettable wilderness of the world’s oldest desert. They will be inspired by ancient rock art in Damaraland, meet the San Bushmen of the Kalahari and gorge on Skeleton Coast shellfish.
There is also a fantastic range of accommodation in Namibia. This varies from luxury lodges built above watering holes to ‘pop-up’ campervans where the kids will be excited to bed down for the night on the roof.
Check out our Namibia with Kids blog for more photos and ideas of things to do on a family holiday in Namibia. For a more detailed peak at what a self-drive trip looks like, check our our Best Family Road trips blog.
Example Namibia family itineraries
Our itineraries are bespoke which means that they are tailor-made for your family. We will always take into account the ages of your children, your interests, your budget and so on. However, to give you an idea of what you could do on a family holiday in Namibia, have a look at our sample itineraries Highlights of Namibia (2-weeks) and Highlights of Namibia (3-weeks).
Also check out some of the other places that you might like to visit on your trip and if you need further inspiration, have a look at our Namibia photo gallery.
Lastly, don’t forget to check what the weather will be like at the time that you want to travel. Or simply give us a ring and we’ll be delighted to advise on the best Namibia family holiday for you.
Are family safaris in Namibia safe for children?
Most itineraries in Namibia will include a wide variety of activities across a range of areas. The main region where you need to be careful about the wildlife is in the north, around Etosha National Park. Here there is a rigid safari etiquette. For example you will all need to keep your arms inside the vehicle at all times. Getting out of the vehicle for an impromptu toilet stop is also strictly forbidden! There are designated areas with public toilets which you must use.
Some lodges and campsites will be fenced, others will not. If you are camping, it is important to keep your tent zipped up at night. Follow camp advice about what you should do if you need to get up in the night to go to the toilet. If you have younger children, you should ensure that you have one adult in the tent. They can then deal with anything that might arise in the night.
More detailed advice will always be available at your accommodation. This will be tailored to any specific issues you need to be aware of in that area.
Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.
01728 752751
Namibia in pictures
From our blog
“We had a fabulous time and everything went very smoothly.”