Safari in Namibia, an experience not to be missed

Namibia is less well known for safaris than more classic and touristy destinations like Kenya and Tanzania, but it truly deserves a place on your list! Thanks to the country’s environmental and wildlife conservation policies, its national parks have once again become rich in animal life, after a severe drought had forced many species into migration.

So here’s everything you need to know (or almost everything) to enjoy an incredible safari in Namibia’s Etosha National Park.
 

Safari in Namibia: everything you need to know
 

1. Where to go on safari in Namibia

Let’s start at the beginning. Where should you go for a safari? Definitely Etosha National Park, one of the largest parks not only in the country, but in all of Africa.
The park stretches for more than 300 kilometers (almost the distance between Milan and Florence, to give you an idea) and covers an area of over 22,000 square kilometers made up of grasslands, shrubs, mopane trees, a little water and… desert!
 

2. When to go to Namibia for a safari

You’ll find a very good answer to the question of when to go to Namibia in this blog article. For now, here’s the short version: the best time to go on safari in Namibia is between April and October, when you don’t have to go looking for the animals... they come to you!
 

3. How many days you need for a safari in Namibia

Let’s be honest: a safari can be incredibly exciting or incredibly boring, depending on how many animals you manage to spot and how varied they are. After several years of experience, we’ve come to the conclusion that 2 or 3 days on safari are perfect for spotting lots of animals, enjoying the park without rushing around like crazy, and at the same time not getting bored. Etosha can be explored from top to bottom more than once, giving you the chance to spot wildlife at different times of day and also relax a little at the campsite.
 

4. The animals you can spot

There are many, many animals to spot in Etosha. If we want to be precise, Wikipedia tells us that Namibia is home to around 114 species of mammals, 340 types of birds, 110 reptiles, 16 amphibians and even 1 species of fish. Seeing animals in Etosha is easy! Seeing every single one of them will be difficult. Better accept that now. But there are some you can definitely count on seeing: elephants, lions, oryx, antelope, gazelles, zebras, cheetahs, hyenas, kudu, springbok and giraffes.
 

5. Where to spot animals in Etosha National Park

This is key! Going on safari in Namibia is amazing, but if there’s no one experienced in your group... there’s a high risk the whole thing could turn into a complete disappointment! Not because the driver is incapable, but because you need to know the park well, as well as the animals’ habits. If you study the area and go to the right place at the right time, you’ll witness a real procession of antelope, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and elephants approaching the waterholes for a drink. And right after that, lions trying to eat them. If instead you drive around the park at random, you might spot something if you’re lucky... otherwise, no.
 

6. The roads in Etosha National Park

Essential, but often overlooked: the map. Etosha National Park is huge, and almost all the roads inside it are unpaved. You need to know how to manage your jeep’s tires, your fuel, and your route. That’s why we recommend getting a paper map before entering the park! You’ll find one at the various gates. Since the topic of 4x4 vehicles truly fascinates us, we’ll cover it in more detail in a dedicated article.

So, if you’re convinced and ready to head to Namibia for the safari of a lifetime, take a look at our NAMIBIA ADVENTURE TRIP. You won’t regret it.