Namibia Tours

The best time to visit Namibia is during the dry season, from June to October. During these months, vegetation is sparse, temperatures are more manageable, and wildlife congregates around waterholes in Etosha National Park, making game viewing far more predictable.

June to August are peak months for wildlife sightings. The dry season is also the best time to explore Sossusvlei’s red sand dunes, as cooler mornings make the dune climb more comfortable.

November to April is the green season — rain transforms the landscape, birdlife is exceptional, and tour prices are generally lower. The Kalahari region in the south and Fish River Canyon can be visited year-round, though summer temperatures can exceed 40°C.

As of April 2025, most international visitors — including nationals from the UK, USA, Canada, and EU member states — are required to obtain a visa to enter Namibia. Visitors can apply online through the official Namibian eVisa portal or obtain a visa on arrival at select entry points including Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek.

The visa fee is approximately N$1,600 (Namibian Dollars). Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates and must contain a minimum of three blank pages.

Visa regulations can change without notice — Detour Africa strongly recommends checking with the Namibian Embassy or the official eVisa portal closest to your departure date before travelling.

Yes — combining Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park in a single Namibia itinerary is one of the most popular and rewarding ways to experience the country.

Sossusvlei, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, offers iconic red sand dunes including Big Daddy (375 metres high) and the hauntingly beautiful Deadvlei salt pan. Etosha, in northern Namibia, is the country’s premier wildlife destination, home to elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and cheetah. The two parks are approximately 700km apart, making the journey manageable over a multi-day itinerary.

To cover both highlights comfortably, a minimum of 6 to 7 days is recommended. Detour Africa offers combined Sossusvlei and Etosha tours in both camping and lodge-accommodated styles.

Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations, home to four of the Big Five — elephant, lion, leopard, and both black and white rhinoceros (buffalo are notably absent). The park’s unique salt pan ecosystem and network of waterholes make wildlife sightings highly reliable, especially during the dry season (June to October) when animals concentrate around permanent water sources.

Beyond the Big Four, visitors commonly see cheetah, spotted hyena, giraffe, plains zebra, blue wildebeest, springbok, oryx, kudu, and eland. The park is also home to the endangered black-faced impala, found almost exclusively in Etosha.

Over 340 bird species have been recorded in the park, including the ostrich, flamingo, and secretary bird.

For a Namibia safari, pack lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing.

Namibia’s desert climate means extreme temperature variation: midday temperatures can exceed 35°C while early mornings and evenings (especially in the desert) can drop below 10°C, so layering is essential.

Bring a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protection sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and a DEET-based insect repellent for Etosha and northern regions.

A good camera with a zoom lens (200mm or longer) is recommended for wildlife photography. Binoculars (8×42) are valuable for spotting wildlife at Etosha’s waterholes.

For dune activities at Sossusvlei or Swakopmund, closed-toe shoes are advisable. A headlamp, refillable water bottle, and small daypack complete your kit.

Yes — Namibia is achievable on a budget, particularly with camping-based small group tours.

Detour Africa offers budget safaris that include accommodation in basic lodges or tents, meals prepared by the tour guide or camp cook, and group transport, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to see the country’s highlights including Sossusvlei, Etosha, Swakopmund, and the Skeleton Coast.

Budget tours in Namibia typically start from around USD 700 for 3 days including accommodation, transport, meals, and park fees. Travelling in a small group also allows costs to be shared. For travellers seeking a step up from camping, mid-range lodge tours offer comfortable en-suite accommodation at competitive prices, particularly in the shoulder season (April–May and October–November).

Yes — Namibia is an excellent destination for solo travellers and is well set up for those joining small group tours.

Detour Africa’s Namibia tours are structured specifically for solo travellers who want to explore the country safely and sociably, typically travelling in groups of 2 to 12 people. Solo travellers avoid the challenges of self-driving in remote areas and benefit from an experienced guide who manages logistics, park permits, and accommodation.

Most Namibia tours depart from Windhoek, the capital city, which is served by Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) approximately 45km east of the city centre. Windhoek is the main entry point for international flights into Namibia, with connections via Johannesburg (OR Tambo), Frankfurt, and other regional hubs.

Some longer overland tours begin in Cape Town or Johannesburg in South Africa, or in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, allowing travellers to combine multiple countries in a single itinerary.

Swakopmund, Namibia’s coastal adventure hub on the Atlantic, is also used as a starting or ending point for certain tours.

Detour Africa offers flexible pick-up and drop-off options depending on your chosen itinerary.

The best place for quad biking and sandboarding in Namibia is Swakopmund, a historic coastal town situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.

Swakopmund is widely regarded as Namibia’s adventure capital, offering quad biking across towering desert dunes, sandboarding (both lie-down and stand-up styles) on the slopes of the Namib, as well as skydiving, paragliding, kayaking with seals, and desert quad tours.

The town is a highlight on most Namibia itineraries and is typically included as a 1 to 2 night stop. Swakopmund is approximately 360km west of Windhoek and is easily reached via Walvis Bay Airport about 30 min away. It is also a convenient base for visiting the Walvis Bay lagoon and its famous flamingo population.

The best way to experience Namibia’s iconic dunes is by visiting Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, reaching heights of up to 375 metres.

The most famous dunes include Big Daddy, Dune 45 (a popular sunrise climb), and the otherworldly Deadvlei clay pan — a striking white salt flat dotted with ancient, blackened camel thorn trees.

The best time to visit is at sunrise, when the dunes glow vivid orange and red in the early light and temperatures are cooler for climbing.

To fully experience Sossusvlei and the surrounding Namib Desert, plan for 2 to 3 dedicated days in the area, as part of a wider Namibia itinerary of 7 to 12 days.

Detour Africa’s 3 Day Sossusvlei Comfort Tour is a popular standalone option for travellers short on time.

Booking a Namibia tour with Detour Africa is a simple, secure process. Start by browsing available Namibia tours on the Detour Africa website and selecting a departure date that suits your schedule. A dedicated travel consultant will confirm availability, answer questions about the itinerary, and help you choose the right tour for your budget and travel style. A deposit is required to secure your booking, with the balance due closer to departure. Payment is processed securely via Flywire, a globally trusted international payment platform, and cryptocurrency payments are also accepted. Detour Africa is a SATSA-accredited operator with over 25 years of experience organising African tours, providing full booking protection, transparent pricing, and 24/7 support from the moment you enquire until the day your trip ends.