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Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris in Namibia

With such a variety of habitat there is a great range of wildlife in Namibia.

Namibia wildlife safaris

Top places for wildlife safaris in Namibia

Wildlife safaris in Namibia can be outstanding. The country has Africa's highest cheetah population, good numbers of leopards, plenty of black rhino and many endemic species. The stunning scenery makes a fantastic backdrop for wildlife safaris and as travel is easy in Namibia, the country is particularly suited for self-drive trips.

Some would say the best wildlife safaris in Namibia are in Etosha National Park. It is undoubtedly one of the best wildlife safari destinations in Africa, especially for big game. Around the numerous waterholes huge herds of lion, elephant, zebra and antelope as well as leopard, cheetah and black and white rhino can be seen amidst some of Africa's most startling and photogenic safari scenery.

Others might recommend the vast wilderness areas in the northwest for the best wildlife safaris in Namibia. Tracking desert-adapted wildlife like the rare black rhino or desert elephants is among the highlights of wildlife safaris here.

Others again are convinced that it is private guest farms like Okonjima, where you will experience the best wildlife safari in Namibia. Here, your chances of leopard and cheetah sightings are particularly good.


Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp is one of the best places in Africa to see black rhino roaming free, and to track them on foot. If your particular focus is on rhino, it makes a great place for a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Hoanib Skeleton Camp

Guided drives along the Hoanib riverbed and the floodplains beyond offer an intriguing prospect for a wildlife safari in Namibia. Visitors to Hoanib Camp have a pretty decent chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants, as well as Cape fur seals by the coast.


Okonjima Bush Camp

Visitors at Okonjima can usually have the chance to view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most of the animals habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp offers guided nature drives into the dry river beds in this area. The game isn’t dense here, but you’ll probably see a good sprinkling of antelope and birds – and have a fairly good chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants.

Little Ongava

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.


Okonjima Bush Camp

Visitors at Okonjima can usually have the chance to view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most of the animals habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp offers guided nature drives into the dry river beds in this area. The game isn’t dense here, but you’ll probably see a good sprinkling of antelope and birds – and have a fairly good chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants.

Onguma Tented Camp

With its location on the private Onguma Reserve, and Etosha National Park on its doorstep, Onguma Tented Camp is a fantastic base from which to explore these wildlife-rich areas on any safari in Namibia.

Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, both within the Ongava Reserve and the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Added bonuses include possibly tracking white rhino on foot and night drives in the reserve, neither of which is allowed in Etosha.


Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, both within the Ongava Reserve and the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Added bonuses include possibly tracking white rhino on foot and night drives in the reserve, neither of which is allowed in Etosha.


Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp is one of the best places in Africa to see black rhino roaming free, and to track them on foot. If your particular focus is on rhino, it makes a great place for a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Ongava Tented Camp

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, along with elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.


Mundulea Reserve

Mundulea’s wildlife diversity includes large herds of eland as well as roan, tsessebe, zebra, giraffe and black-faced impala, though its walking-only policy gives a new dimension to a Namibian safari. It's also a centre for research into Namibia's endemic subspecies.

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp offers guided nature drives into the dry river beds in this area. The game isn’t dense here, but you’ll probably see a good sprinkling of antelope and birds – and have a fairly good chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants.

Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, both within the Ongava Reserve and the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Added bonuses include possibly tracking white rhino on foot and night drives in the reserve, neither of which is allowed in Etosha.


Ongava Tented Camp

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, along with elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.


Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, both within the Ongava Reserve and the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Added bonuses include possibly tracking white rhino on foot and night drives in the reserve, neither of which is allowed in Etosha.


Okonjima Plains Camp

Visitors at Okonjima can usually view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most animals on the reserve habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.

Camp Kipwe

Desert-adapted elephant, found only in the north-west of Namibia, can be spotted on game drives from Camp Kipwe, although sometimes the distances can be quite long.


Leylandsdrift Camp

The Hoarusib River valley, in which Leylandsdrift Camp is situated, is a great place to track desert-adapted elephants. The riverine vegetation and natural springs act as magnets for these animals, as well as for other desert-dwelling species.

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Namibia


Cascade Island Lodge

Cascade Island Lodge

Cascade's motor-boat trips along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers are excellent for birdlife, and spotting hippos and crocodiles. Relaxed big game from herds of elephants to massive congregations of buffalo are also often seen – especially during Botswana's dry season.


85% (4 reviews)
Palmwag Lodge

Palmwag Lodge

Palmwag is one of the last wilderness areas in the world outside of a national park. You can see a variety of game including, with a bit of luck, free-roaming black rhino, desert-adapted elephant and lion, all in the most spectacular landscape far off the normal tourist routes.


81% (38 reviews)
Namutoni Camp

Namutoni Camp

Overlooks the flood-lit King Nehale waterhole, Namutoni gives visitors the opportunity to observe animals and birds at close range. The camp's main attracting are self-drive forays around the park. The Fisher's Pan nearby is often used as the breeding site for flamingoes.


82% (90 reviews)
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

Hoanib Skeleton Camp

Guided drives along the Hoanib riverbed and the floodplains beyond offer an intriguing prospect for a wildlife safari in Namibia. Visitors to Hoanib Camp have a pretty decent chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants, as well as Cape fur seals by the coast.


100% (42 reviews)
Okaukuejo Camp

Okaukuejo Camp

Okaukuejo Camp's large permanent waterhole can attract vast numbers of animals coming to quench their thirst. Black rhinos, zebras, lions and herds of elephant are frequent visitors in the evenings, and guests have stunning opportunities to observe them at close range.


82% (723 reviews)
Mundulea Reserve

Mundulea Reserve

Mundulea’s wildlife diversity includes large herds of eland as well as roan, tsessebe, zebra, giraffe and black-faced impala, though its walking-only policy gives a new dimension to a Namibian safari. It's also a centre for research into Namibia's endemic subspecies.


99% (86 reviews)
Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, both within the Ongava Reserve and the neighbouring Etosha National Park. Added bonuses include possibly tracking white rhino on foot and night drives in the reserve, neither of which is allowed in Etosha.


93% (169 reviews)
Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp offers guided nature drives into the dry river beds in this area. The game isn’t dense here, but you’ll probably see a good sprinkling of antelope and birds – and have a fairly good chance of spotting the area’s desert-adapted elephants.


94% (159 reviews)
Ongava Tented Camp

Ongava Tented Camp

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, along with elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.


93% (162 reviews)
Little Ongava

Little Ongava

Within the Ongava Reserve, and with Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.


97% (25 reviews)
Leylandsdrift Camp

Leylandsdrift Camp

The Hoarusib River valley, in which Leylandsdrift Camp is situated, is a great place to track desert-adapted elephants. The riverine vegetation and natural springs act as magnets for these animals, as well as for other desert-dwelling species.


100% (1 review)
Okonjima Bush Camp

Okonjima Bush Camp

Visitors at Okonjima can usually have the chance to view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most of the animals habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.


97% (270 reviews)
Okonjima Plains Camp

Okonjima Plains Camp

Visitors at Okonjima can usually view big cats at much closer quarters than is possible in most national parks. With most animals on the reserve habituated to humans, this is a good place to end a wildlife safari in Namibia.


95% (408 reviews)
Onguma The Fort

Onguma The Fort

Onguma The Fort is blessed with a prime location on the Onguma Private Reserve overlooking Fischer’s Pan, and is adjacent to the wildlife rich Etosha National Park, so game viewing from here is of the highest order.


96% (43 reviews)
Okonjima Villa

Okonjima Villa

The exclusive Okonjima Villa has the added bonus of a location within the main reserve. For a great end to a safari in Namibia, keep watch at the waterhole, and expect to be able to view big cats at close quarters.


100% (15 reviews)
Okonjima Bush Suite

Okonjima Bush Suite

Visitors on a Namibia wildlife safari at Okonjima Bush Suite have the opportunity to find out about the work of AfriCat, and will have a private guide to see at close quarters the big cats they fight to protect.


100% (7 reviews)
Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp

Desert Rhino Camp is one of the best places in Africa to see black rhino roaming free, and to track them on foot. If your particular focus is on rhino, it makes a great place for a wildlife safari in Namibia.


97% (116 reviews)
Ichingo Chobe River Lodge

Ichingo Chobe Lodge

Ichingo's motor-boat trips along the Chobe and Zambezi rivers are excellent for birdlife and general river-based wildlife – and relaxed big game is also often seen from the waterfront of Chobe National Park.


97% (24 reviews)
Onguma Tented Camp

Onguma Tented Camp

With its location on the private Onguma Reserve, and Etosha National Park on its doorstep, Onguma Tented Camp is a fantastic base from which to explore these wildlife-rich areas on any safari in Namibia.


93% (106 reviews)
Onguma Bush Camp

Onguma Bush Camp

Onguma Bush Camp is in a superb location for venturing into the wildlife rich Etosha National Park and is especially good for those travelling with children who are well catered for here.


94% (91 reviews)
Camp Kipwe

Camp Kipwe

Desert-adapted elephant, found only in the north-west of Namibia, can be spotted on game drives from Camp Kipwe, although sometimes the distances can be quite long.


96% (122 reviews)
Onguma Camp Kala

Onguma Camp Kala

Within easy access of Etosha National Park, the small, intimate Onguma Camp Kala is a lovely place to stay for a good safari experience.


97% (43 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Africa

Wildlife safaris elsewhere in Africa

Our top ideas and inspiration for Wildlife safaris in other countries.


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Where to see wildlife species in Namibia

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Oryx

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

1,554 sightings from 2,225 observations

Where to see oryx in Namibia

Cheetah

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.

33% SUCCESS

1,203 sightings from 3,645 observations

Where to see cheetah in Namibia

Black Rhino

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

715 sightings from 2,354 observations

Where to see black rhino in Namibia

White Rhino

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

576 sightings from 1,340 observations

Where to see white rhino in Namibia

Elephant

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.

91% SUCCESS

4,224 sightings from 4,640 observations

Where to see elephant in Namibia

Lion

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

3,496 sightings from 4,319 observations

Where to see lion in Namibia

Meerkat

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.

21% SUCCESS

97 sightings from 473 observations

Where to see meerkat in Namibia

Buffalo

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.

83% SUCCESS

2,956 sightings from 3,549 observations

Where to see buffalo in Namibia

Giraffe

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.

86% SUCCESS

4,074 sightings from 4,743 observations

Where to see giraffe in Namibia

Hippo

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

3,077 sightings from 3,439 observations

Where to see hippo in Namibia

Spotted Hyena

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.

55% SUCCESS

2,506 sightings from 4,573 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Namibia

Brown Hyena

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

283 sightings from 1,791 observations

Where to see brown hyena in Namibia

Leopard

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.

47% SUCCESS

2,259 sightings from 4,800 observations

Where to see leopard in Namibia

Wild dog

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

1,015 sightings from 3,161 observations

Where to see wild dog in Namibia

Wildebeest

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.

67% SUCCESS

2,850 sightings from 4,236 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Namibia

Pangolin

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

65 sightings from 3,833 observations

Where to see pangolin in Namibia

Aardvark

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

81 sightings from 3,794 observations

Where to see aardvark in Namibia

Eland

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.

49% SUCCESS

1,672 sightings from 3,403 observations

Where to see eland in Namibia

Zebra

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

4,437 sightings from 5,276 observations

Where to see zebra in Namibia

Roan antelope

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.

25% SUCCESS

586 sightings from 2,354 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Namibia

Sable antelope

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.

24% SUCCESS

560 sightings from 2,369 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Namibia

Sitatunga

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.

19% SUCCESS

72 sightings from 380 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Namibia

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