When it comes to planning a family holiday, you really can’t go wrong with choosing Namibia as your destination of choice. You’ll be hard-pressed to find many other destinations that offer such varied experiences, flexibility, and safety at such a reasonable price.
1. Safety
Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa to travel to. Of course, we understand that your first concern is the safety and wellbeing of your family, but when visiting Namibia, you really have no need to worry at all. Politically, the country is stable.
When it comes to infrastructure, the country is blessed with a good network of roads – perfect for a self-drive adventure. Sure, some of them are sand or gravel roads, but they are usually very well maintained.
Doctors and medical care are of a high standard in the event that you require assistance. We do recommend taking out health insurance as failing to do so can result in you having to pay for treatment upfront. Namibia is a large country with plenty of sparsely populated areas. If you’re heading far off the beaten track, be sure to take along a basic first aid kit.
2. Malaria-free
One of the true benefits of visiting Namibia is that there’s a relatively low risk of malaria in most of the country. Areas like Etosha and the Caprivi Strip tend to have a higher risk, especially in the wetter summer months as mosquitos, which carry and transmit the disease, require the presence of water to breed. Winter months (April to October) in all areas will offer the lowest risk.
If you do travel in higher risk areas or periods, personal protection measures like using mosquito repellent sprays and lotions and wearing long sleeves after dark can go a long way in keeping you safe. Medical prophylaxis in the form of anti-malaria medication can also be taken.
We always recommend that you consult with your nearest travel clinic if you have any concerns about malaria.
3. Great family-friendly accommodation
Namibia has plenty of top family-friendly accommodation to choose from in a range of luxury levels and price points. Whether you’re looking for self-catering bungalows, excellent campsites, or luxury lodges, there’s no shortage of options.
These excellent camps and lodges have great kids’ programmes and activities for a range of age groups. Make sure to check what the age policies are as some lodges don’t allow younger children on game drives, while others might not accept children at all.
4. Fun activities and experiences
From the wildlife-studded plains of Etosha to the giant dunes of Sossusvlei, there’s no shortage of thrilling activities to enjoy as a family. Game drives and walks are both entertaining and educational, while at night, the stargazing is nothing short of spectacular.
A visit to the dunes at Sossusvlei offers some thrilling activities like sandboarding and some lodges in the area even offer quad biking adventures.
5. Self-driving
If you prefer to drive yourself on your trip, dictating your own schedule and free to go at your own pace, then a family vacation in Namibia is perfect for you. There’s a vast network of tarred and well-maintained gravel roads to explore, and when you book with us, we’ll make sure you’ve got the kind of vehicle that can handle gravel road conditions.
Distances in Namibia are large, so you may have to break up longer drives, especially for the littler ones who are prone to choruses of “are we there yet?”. See ZULA Travel Types.
6. Wildlife
Seeing African wildlife in their natural habitat is thrilling for all ages. There’s something very special about quietly observing animals going about their business.
Namibia has no shortage of amazing wildlife experiences that will create lasting memories for your family. From seeing the enormous colony of seals at Cape Cross to heading into the rugged Damaraland area to see the fascinating desert elephants and their unique adaptations which have allowed them to thrive in this unforgiving territory, Namibia’s wildlife is spectacular.
See the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and, very rarely, rhino) in their natural habitat in Etosha, encounter the curious and playful meerkats of the Namib Desert, or head out on foot with a knowledgeable guide who can show you the fascinating smaller critters and insects, as well as incredible bird species.
If you’re ready to begin planning your Namibian family holiday, get in touch with our team who have plenty of experience planning amazing family holidays. We’re all experienced travellers too, so can offer you some excellent insider tips for your brilliant African journeys. Find out more About ZULA or Contact us.
