Top places for private villas & houses in Namibia
Whether you come for the wildlife or the stunning scenery, the country has a lot to offer. So if you plan to travel in a group of six to eight people, then staying in a private house or villa can make your Namibia safari feel all the more exclusive. At many of these villas and houses your activities will be run by your own private guide, whilst your own chef will organise your meals - so you can plan your time exactly as you would like it to be - with great flexibility.
Ask us about these. Even those which normally accept only adults will sometimes be happy to have children if they are booked 'exclusively'.
Black-faced Impala Guided Safari
13 days • 6 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$6,620 - US$8,660 per person
Camp Sossus
Camp Sossus is booked on an exclusive basis. As a private camp you'll have the ultimate flexibility when it comes to exploring the dunes of Sosussvlei and surrounding areas with your guide.
Huab Under Canvas
Booked on an exclusive basis as part of your safari staying at Huab under Canvas is the ultimate way to explore Damaraland and enjoy additional flexibility and privacy on your Namibian holiday.
Brown Hyena Self-drive
14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$5,760 - US$7,230 per person
Otjimbondona
By booking the four villas at Otjimbondona exclusively a family or small group can have the whole manor house and its 30km2 reserve to themselves. Perfect for a bit of R & R at the beginning or end of a Namibian adventure.
Ostrich Self-drive Safari
14 days • 9 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
US$1,860 - US$2,590 per person
Eagle's Nest
Spaced well apart and with he option of being entirely self contained the chalets at Eagle's Nest are the perfect place to hide aways and sed a couple of night in privacy on your Namibian safari.
Pygmy Mouse Self-drive Safari
18 days • 10 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$5,290 - US$8,430 per person
Jackalberry Camp
With just four tented rooms, Jackalberry Tented Camp on the Caprivi Strip can be booked on an exclusive-use basis for groups or families travelling together. This would be a fantastic way to enjoy this spectacular corner of Namibia.
Sable Self-drive Safari
12 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
US$5,850 - US$7,820 per person
Onguma Camp Kala
Onguma Camp Kala’s four tents can be booked privately for small groups or families travelling together. Having the camp to yourselves, with your own private guide, gives the ultimate flexibility to enjoy the Onguma Reserve and Etosha.
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Private villas & houses elsewhere in Africa
Our top ideas and inspiration for Private villas & houses in other countries.

Botswana
While private villas and houses are not the norm in Botswana there are a number of tented camps ...

Kenya
Eating privately as a family or group of travellers in your own house can give your Kenya holiday ...

Malawi
There's currently really only one private villa in Malawi - and this offers you the possibility ...

Mozambique
Mozambique is well-known for its stunning beaches and wide range of land- and water-based activities...

Seychelles
The Seychelles isn't short of luxurious beach retreats or five-star resorts scattered around its ...

South Africa
South Africa's Cape lends itself well to family and relaxed group trips. There are several lovely ...

Tanzania
There are a couple of great private villas and safari houses in Tanzania, and also some excellent ...

Zambia
Located in several of the country's most amazing safari reserves, Zambia has a handful of very ...

Zanzibar
Enjoy the powder-white beaches, coconut palms and turquoise water of Zanzibar from your own private ...

Zimbabwe
For a group or a family, private travel using villas or safari houses is the ultimate in exclusivity...
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
1,061 sightings from 1,515 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
785 sightings from 2,517 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
472 sightings from 1,578 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
385 sightings from 899 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
2,869 sightings from 3,175 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
2,390 sightings from 2,954 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 330 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
2,010 sightings from 2,446 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
2,751 sightings from 3,219 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
2,085 sightings from 2,346 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
1,661 sightings from 3,126 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
195 sightings from 1,210 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
1,528 sightings from 3,296 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.
31% SUCCESS
693 sightings from 2,203 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
1,940 sightings from 2,918 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 2,643 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
62 sightings from 2,701 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
1,107 sightings from 2,362 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
3,028 sightings from 3,606 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
368 sightings from 1,656 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
353 sightings from 1,659 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 273 observations
