Affordable Namibia Safari Cost | Namibia On A Budget

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Namibia Safari

A safari in Namibia could cost more or less depending on a variety of things. Considerations of utmost importance are site, season, party size, and degree of seclusion and comfort. The silver lining is that due to its sparse tourist population and expansive landscapes, Namibia never feels overrun by sightseers.

1. Length of stay

No matter how long you stay in a park, the entrance cost will remain the same, regardless of the time of day. Staying longer on a well organised safari will only result in a little price reduction. The longer you stay, though, the less expensive car rentals and hotels can get if you’re doing most or all of your own travelling.

2. Level of comfort of accommodations

Some of Africa’s most luxurious and expensive safari hotels may be found in Namibia. These are often found in untamed and extremely distant places. The bright side, though, is that Namibia offers a wide variety of reasonably priced, mid-range, and budget hotels. Namibia is perfect for a spectacular low-cost safari because of its wide variety of accommodations, including urban hostels, cottages maintained by the park authorities, and wilderness campsites.

3. Location of the accommodations

Protected areas abound in the vast, sparsely populated country of Namibia. The two most well-known parks are the breathtaking Etosha and Skeleton Coast. Even here, though, the crowds are few, so you can usually find something that fits your budget. Very exclusive safari camps in rural areas are the sole exception to this rule. These kind of destinations are typically inaccessible by land and are not affordable for most people.

4. Group size

Customised itineraries or small group tours are the norm for Namibia organised safaris. Safaris that include a large group are uncommon. Independently organised safaris are a popular choice for budget and medium-range tourists. So, unless you’re dividing the cost of a rental car, the number of people in your party won’t usually have much of an impact on total expenses.

5. When you want to go

Namibia experiences the low, high, and medium seasons similar to other safari nations. The peak travel season runs from June to September, when hotel rates are at their maximum. On the flip side, you can usually get better deals if you visit during the shoulder seasons of October and February. But in bone-dry Namibia, low season doesn’t mean parks close and roads get flooded out, unlike most of Africa. Rather, the oppressive heat is what might make travel difficult during this time. Considering all of this, we recommend the months of March through May as having the best mix of moderate weather and cheaper mid-season pricing.

6. How you get around

The most secluded and private camps are only accessible by plane, and plane tickets can be pricey. You’d be fortunate to spend less than $200 USD per person for a flight. Driving is the preferred mode of transportation for most tourists. Whether you’re on a guided safari or just want to hit the road with some buddies, you’ll have a wonderful time thanks to the excellent road network and breathtaking landscape. (Prepare for camping if you plan on doing this.) A four-wheel drive car can be rented for as little as US$120/day.

7. Where you want to go

A Namibia safari doesn’t have to break the bank if you bring your own camping gear and stick to places that are easily accessible by the main road system in a regular saloon car. A large number of well-known parks and reserves may fall into this category. If you wish to venture into the wilderness, the situation changes. The next step is to either book a spot on a guided, personalised safari, fly to a private safari lodge, or get a rugged 4WD and learn to survive on your own. Lots of extra water and gas will be required of you. Invest heavily in one of these possibilities.

8. Add-ons

The little seaside town of Swakopmund has grown into a major hub for extreme sports in Africa. Paragliding, sandboarding, and skydiving are popular extras that many visitors want to include into their trip. The exhilaration of jumping out of an aeroplane will cost you about US$330 per person.

9. Extensions

Cape Town in South Africa or Victoria Falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe are popular additions to a Namibia safari. Because of how often flights go via South Africa, the Cape Town extension is often the most convenient and economical way to reach Namibia. It is typically more difficult and costly to get to or from Vic Falls from Namibia.

10 Specialized interests

You would not think a hiking vacation in Namibia would be a good idea, given the country’s hot and dry climate. One of Africa’s natural treasures, the Fish River Canyon, is located in Namibia, though. The 85-kilometer trek along the base of this spectacular mountain range is a popular but challenging five-day walk. It is best to book in advance and do it in a group.

Additional Costs Explained

Several more expenses, some of which are more apparent than others, that you may need to include in your total budget for Namibia are listed in the following table.

International Flights

Travelling to Namibia may be a costly and time-consuming ordeal. Lufthansa is the sole airline that offers direct flights from Europe. The United States is not involved in any way. South African cities Johannesburg and Cape Town are major transit hubs.

Visa Costs

Tourist visas are available upon arrival for several nationalities for 70 US dollars and are good for 90 days. An amount of US$90 is required for a tourist visa that allows multiple entries.

Accommodations

There is a vast range of safari accommodations in Namibia to suit all budgets. There are some of the most secluded and private campgrounds in Africa in Namibia. It also boasts a solid system of affordable and cosy guesthouses geared at backpackers.

Vaccinations

Due to its arid climate, malaria is not a major problem in Namibia, and visitors are not required to get any shots before entering the country.

Tips

When staying at a five-star hotel, it is customary to give a gratuity that covers the entire staff (around 10% of the bill). A generous US$15 per person, per day is more than enough to tip drivers and guides.

Travel Insurance

For any safari activity in Namibia, standard travel insurance will suffice. Be sure your insurance will cover skydiving and paragliding if you decide to extend your stay in Swakopmund by a few days.