If your main goal is to see the Big Five in the wild, Namibia should be on your list. Its breathtaking landscapes will also give you a unique backdrop unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else.
Itinerary
- You can complete this itinerary as a self-drive. But if you’re not comfortable driving on unpaved roads, fly-in options are available for all of these places. However, you’ll save quite a bit if you drive – plus a road trip always adds to the adventure.
- 4X4 vehicles are always recommended for unpaved roads. Manual cars may make it a little easier to get around, but automatic vehicles are equipped to get the job done.
- If you’re new to Namibian safari life, lodges like these have set itineraries. You usually get two game drives a day (early morning and afternoon). If you can arrive by noon, chances you’ll have time to settle in and join the afternoon drive. Sometimes night drives are offered to see nocturnal animals, or bunker options near watering holes so you can photograph animals up close. Others include walking safaris on foot if you’re staying three days or more.
- If you choose the all-inclusive option, three meals a day plus tea time is typically included.
- Private lodges and national parks are two different experiences. Private lodges tend to be less crowded and more exclusive, but can be pricier. You’re more likely to see what you want to see because the areas tend to be smaller. National parks are open to everyone so there can be tons of vehicles at a rare sighting, but they tend to have some of the best game-viewing spots and opportunities. Plus, the animals are usually in their natural habitats rather than brought in.
Erindi Private Game Reserve near Omaruru
Day 1 and Day 2
- Drive from Windhoek to Erindi Private Game Reserve, which is a little over 2 hours away. This 160,000-square foot wildlife reserve was initially meant to be a cattle farm and now is a wildlife reserve.
- You’ll get up close and personal with elephants, wild dogs, aardvarks and more.
Okonjima Lodge near Sukses
Day 3 and Day 4
- Drive from Erinidi to Okonjima, which is a little over two hours away. This lodge focuses on cheetahs and leopards, which are two of the hardest animals to see in the wild. This lodge is the home to the AfriCat foundation dedicated to the conservation of these big cats in their natural habitat.
- Leopards are nocturnal creatures, so don’t miss the night drive at this place! You’ll see many creatures you won’t usually see during the day, including hyenas.
Etosha
Day 5, Day 6 and Day 7
- Drive from Okonjima to Etosha National Park, which is a little over 2.5 hours away.
- Etosha is one of the largest national parks in Africa. Here you’ll see all the big five in their natural habitat.
- You can self-drive through the park, but the rangers at the lodges near and in the park are skilled at finding the creatures. They also work together, so if they get a sighting of a rare rhino or see a heard of elephants, they’ll let everyone know.
- We stayed in two locations: Etosha Village and Onguma The Fort. Etosha Village is a great budget option, plus it’s right at one of the main gates so it’s easy to get to and rest. They offer game drives as well.
- Onguma is on the other side of the park from Etosha Village. It’s about a 4-hour drive direct from Africat or a 3.5 hour drive through the park from Etosha Village. We highly recommend the latter option if you have time! Onguma has its own private concession inside the park, so you can still get that exclusive feeling when looking at animals. However, the majority of what we saw was in the main park, thanks to their excellent guides.
- It’s about a 4-hour to 5.5-hour drive back to Windhoek, so plan accordingly on your last day!
Bonus: Skeleton Bay National Park or Caprivi National Park
- Both of these options will give you unparalleled game-viewing opportunities. But they are about 7-8 hours away from Etosha National Park, so you’ll need to add at least three more days.
- Skeleton Coast National Park is home to seals and unique desert birds. Further inland near the riverbeds, you’ll get baboons, giraffes, black rhinos and more.
- Caprivi Game Park is Namibia’s wetlands, which stands in stark contrast to the desert country. Here you’ll see animals in swamps and rivers, meaning more Nile crocodiles and hippos. This terrain is closer to what you’ll see in the Okavango Delta in Botswana.
