Luxurious holidays in Namibia
What’s more, with Namibia's currency tied to the historically weak South African rand, luxury here is more economical than almost anywhere else in Africa.
While the country retains its appeal as a destination for relatively inexpensive self-drive trips, the number of high-end, luxurious properties is increasing – and a handful of these can compete with the most comfortable and opulent lodges in Africa. Think spa treatments, extensive winelists, top-quality food, attentive service and a wealth of activities.
That said, this kind of super-luxury is still relatively new in Namibia, and some properties may lack the assured finesse of their counterparts in Botswana, South Africa or Kenya. Yet where they score hands down is in the richness of a uniquely Namibian experience, be it cruising on the Kunene River, seeking out whale bones on the Skeleton Coast, visiting a traditional Himba village or climbing the dunes of the Namib Desert.
Comfort comes in all sorts of guises, but for those who equate luxury with exclusivity and unique experiences, Namibia comes into its own.
Rock Agama Self-drive Safari
9 days • 6 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$4,340 - US$8,260 per person
Okonjima Bush Camp
Okonjima Bush Camp's interior encompasses lovely African artefacts and carvings, while the en-suite bathrooms feature stylish stone washbasins and large walk-in showers. Highly attentive service and delicious food enhance its reputation as a comfortable and luxurious safari lodge.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
A personalised welcome pack and a complementary bottle of sparkling wine await you on arrival at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – a perfect introduction to a luxury safari holiday. Small things such as a painting kit in your room show the lodge’s remarkable attention to detail.
Mowani Mountain Camp
A decent pool with miraculous panoramic views is one of Mowani Mountain Camp’s outstanding features. If you’re after a luxurious safari holiday, Mowani with its design in an African theme and soft furnishings in a bright colour scheme won’t disappoint you.
Little Ongava
Little Ongava cares for only six guests at a time, offering very personal service combined with classic luxury. Expect large suites with private plunge pools, day beds and open fireplaces; this tiny lodge is strong on creature-comforts.
Olive Exclusive
The seven stunning suites at Olive Exclusive are all individually themed and beautifully designed. Impressive photographs of African culture and wildlife embellish the walls whilst light floods through the spacious suites. This place is a rarity in Africa: a truly luxurious boutique hotel!
Strand Hotel
Any list of luxury hotels in Swakopmund would be short, but most would start with ‘The Strand’. This ocean-front hotel has the best location in town, plus smart, very comfortable rooms; a very good seafood restaurant; and a rooftop spa complete with garden and outdoor therapy suite.
Goshawk Fly-in Safari
12 days • 6 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$10,600 - US$16,250 per person
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
A personalised welcome pack and a complementary bottle of sparkling wine await you on arrival at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – a perfect introduction to a luxury safari holiday. Small things such as a painting kit in your room show the lodge’s remarkable attention to detail.
Damaraland Camp
Started in 1996, Damaraland Camp was Namibia’s original ‘Luxury Safari Camp’. Since then it’s been reinvented on a much grander scale. Large, well-furnished chalets have high thatched roofs whilst expansive communal areas include lounges inside and out, and an inviting swimming pool.
Serra Cafema
Nestled in a thin strip of luxuriant palm-forest, Serra Cafema stands beside a linear oasis: one of the country’s two permanent rivers through the desert. This is Namibia at its most remote, yet with beautiful suites where velvety bedspreads and sumptuous leather armchairs exude luxury.
Olive Exclusive
The seven stunning suites at Olive Exclusive are all individually themed and beautifully designed. Impressive photographs of African culture and wildlife embellish the walls whilst light floods through the spacious suites. This place is a rarity in Africa: a truly luxurious boutique hotel!
Omaanda
Omanda's warm hospitality, excellent food and extra touches such as the heated swimming pool or spa treatments make it one of the most easily accessible and most rewarding places to paper yourself with some luxury on your Namibian safari.
Brown Hyena Self-drive
14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$5,740 - US$7,210 per person
Okonjima Bush Camp
Okonjima Bush Camp's interior encompasses lovely African artefacts and carvings, while the en-suite bathrooms feature stylish stone washbasins and large walk-in showers. Highly attentive service and delicious food enhance its reputation as a comfortable and luxurious safari lodge.
Wolwedans Desert Lodge
The food at Wolwedans Desert Lodge is outstanding and can be enjoyed at charming indoor and outdoor dining areas with lovely views on the surroundings. A pool with shady sun loungers and a comfy outside lounge are terrific locations to enjoy a luxurious safari experience.
Mowani Mountain Camp
A decent pool with miraculous panoramic views is one of Mowani Mountain Camp’s outstanding features. If you’re after a luxurious safari holiday, Mowani with its design in an African theme and soft furnishings in a bright colour scheme won’t disappoint you.
Onguma Tented Camp
Combining luxury with traditional style, Onguma Tented Camp lies on the eastern side of Namibia’s Etosha National Park. Whether you're keeping a look out for passing animals from your private veranda or relaxing in the roll-top bath, the watchword here is comfort.
Strand Hotel
Any list of luxury hotels in Swakopmund would be short, but most would start with ‘The Strand’. This ocean-front hotel has the best location in town, plus smart, very comfortable rooms; a very good seafood restaurant; and a rooftop spa complete with garden and outdoor therapy suite.
Otjimbondona
Otjimbondona has clearly been built with a high attention to detail and the lodge exudes class. Vast villas, flexible activities and a relaxing atmosphere are the lodge’s hallmarks and with only four villas, your luxury escape in Namibia is sure to be exclusive too.
Ruppell's Korhaan Fly-in Safari
9 days • 4 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$8,680 - US$13,520 per person
Serra Cafema
Nestled in a thin strip of luxuriant palm-forest, Serra Cafema stands beside a linear oasis: one of the country’s two permanent rivers through the desert. This is Namibia at its most remote, yet with beautiful suites where velvety bedspreads and sumptuous leather armchairs exude luxury.
Hoanib Skeleton Camp
Whilst Hoanib Camp was designed around its ‘guest experience’, significant luxury was included as well. Consider the ‘quilted’ canvas which insulates the rooms from the desert’s extremes; a cooling pool for the hotter months; and vast windows through which to view the desert.
Bateleur Fly-in Safari
7 days • 4 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$5,140 - US$7,640 per person
Little Kulala
A comfortable rooftop terrace with a daybed is not only perfect to soak up the sun during the day but also a great option to sleep under the stars. Little Kulala is a smart and luxurious lodge offering delicious dining and a range of fine wines from their own wine cellar.
Damaraland Camp
Started in 1996, Damaraland Camp was Namibia’s original ‘Luxury Safari Camp’. Since then it’s been reinvented on a much grander scale. Large, well-furnished chalets have high thatched roofs whilst expansive communal areas include lounges inside and out, and an inviting swimming pool.
Skeleton Coast Safari
5 days • 5 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$7,480 - US$12,110 per person
Weinberg Hotel
On a private estate in an upmarket suburb of Windhoek, The Weinberg offers comfortable and stylish rooms, five on-site restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa. For a spot of luxury in the Namibian capital, it's a strong contender.
Black-faced Impala Guided Safari
13 days • 6 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$6,600 - US$8,640 per person
Olive Exclusive
The seven stunning suites at Olive Exclusive are all individually themed and beautifully designed. Impressive photographs of African culture and wildlife embellish the walls whilst light floods through the spacious suites. This place is a rarity in Africa: a truly luxurious boutique hotel!
Strand Hotel
Any list of luxury hotels in Swakopmund would be short, but most would start with ‘The Strand’. This ocean-front hotel has the best location in town, plus smart, very comfortable rooms; a very good seafood restaurant; and a rooftop spa complete with garden and outdoor therapy suite.
Omaanda
Omanda's warm hospitality, excellent food and extra touches such as the heated swimming pool or spa treatments make it one of the most easily accessible and most rewarding places to paper yourself with some luxury on your Namibian safari.
Francolin Fly-in Safari
10 days • 5 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$5,170 - US$7,280 per person
Mowani Mountain Camp
A decent pool with miraculous panoramic views is one of Mowani Mountain Camp’s outstanding features. If you’re after a luxurious safari holiday, Mowani with its design in an African theme and soft furnishings in a bright colour scheme won’t disappoint you.
Flamingo Fly-in Safari
6 days • 3 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$4,440 - US$5,970 per person
Olive Exclusive
The seven stunning suites at Olive Exclusive are all individually themed and beautifully designed. Impressive photographs of African culture and wildlife embellish the walls whilst light floods through the spacious suites. This place is a rarity in Africa: a truly luxurious boutique hotel!
Monteiro's Hornbill Fly-in Safari
9 days • 5 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$7,740 - US$12,020 per person
Weinberg Hotel
On a private estate in an upmarket suburb of Windhoek, The Weinberg offers comfortable and stylish rooms, five on-site restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa. For a spot of luxury in the Namibian capital, it's a strong contender.
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Luxury elsewhere in Africa
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Botswana
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Kenya
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Malawi
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Mozambique
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Rwanda
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Seychelles
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South Africa
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Tanzania
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Zambia
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Zanzibar
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Zimbabwe
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Where to see wildlife species in Africa
Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite African animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.

Oryx
Oryx sp.
Oryx are impressive antelopes, with a powerful physique and elegant markings set off by rapier-like horns. They cut a distinctive dash in some of Africa’s harshest landscapes.
70% SUCCESS
1,067 sightings from 1,523 observations

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.
31% SUCCESS
787 sightings from 2,528 observations

Black Rhino
Diceros bicornis
The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.
30% SUCCESS
477 sightings from 1,586 observations

White Rhino
Ceratotherium simum
The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.
43% SUCCESS
387 sightings from 903 observations

Elephant
Loxodonta africana
By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.
90% SUCCESS
2,880 sightings from 3,189 observations

Lion
Panthera leo
Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.
81% SUCCESS
2,399 sightings from 2,966 observations

Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
These highly sociable little mammals have an endearing appearance and comical antics. Found in the drier areas of Southern Africa, close encounters are a sought-after experience.
22% SUCCESS
74 sightings from 333 observations

Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.
82% SUCCESS
2,016 sightings from 2,455 observations

Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis
The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.
85% SUCCESS
2,761 sightings from 3,231 observations

Hippo
Hippopotamus amphibius
The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.
89% SUCCESS
2,092 sightings from 2,355 observations

Spotted Hyena
Crocuta crocuta
The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.
53% SUCCESS
1,668 sightings from 3,141 observations

Brown Hyena
Parahyaena brunnea
This largely solitary scavenger is one of the more elusive and little-known of Africa’s carnivores. Shaggier than its spotted cousin, it occurs only in the arid southwest of the continent.
16% SUCCESS
196 sightings from 1,219 observations

Leopard
Panthera pardus
The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.
46% SUCCESS
1,533 sightings from 3,311 observations

Wild dog
Lycaon pictus
African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.
32% SUCCESS
698 sightings from 2,211 observations

Wildebeest
Connochaetes sp.
Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.
66% SUCCESS
1,947 sightings from 2,929 observations

Pangolin
Smutsia sp.
Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.
2% SUCCESS
42 sightings from 2,652 observations

Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.
2% SUCCESS
64 sightings from 2,713 observations

Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.
47% SUCCESS
1,110 sightings from 2,368 observations

Zebra
Equus sp.
The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.
84% SUCCESS
3,040 sightings from 3,621 observations

Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.
22% SUCCESS
369 sightings from 1,662 observations

Sable antelope
Hippotragus niger
Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.
21% SUCCESS
355 sightings from 1,665 observations

Sitatunga
Tragelaphus spekii
The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.
17% SUCCESS
46 sightings from 274 observations
