Wildlife in Namibia
World-class big game and a fascinating variety of endemic species mean that Namibia has more than just stunning landscapes; it is also a superb destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Many imagine Namibia as a limitless sea of rolling dunes atop desert plains. This is the Namib Desert, a narrow strip of land bordering the coast. However, the Namib is only one of Namibia’s vast array of environments.
Inland, occasional rains fall on the vast, mountainous landscapes of Damaraland. Here stony plains are dotted with huge euphorbia bushes that provide sustenance for Africa’s last free-roaming black rhino.
Further east, dust-devils play on the silvery-white salt pan at the heart of Etosha, one of Africa's top wildlife parks. Perennial springs and pumped waterholes attract dense herds of plains game and their attendant predators.
Elephants are here in force, but give way to the black rhino's swaggering confidence. Lions are Namibia’s apex predator, but they’re outnumbered: 25% of the world’s cheetah population live here.
With one of the world’s lowest human population densities and a diverse range of ecosystems, Namibia’s wildlife is full of surprises. It is a natural choice for a wildlife safari.
Great wildlife safaris to Namibia
Here are some of our ideas for great holidays focussed on wildlife in Namibia.
Chongololo Self-drive Safari
21 days • 11 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
This self-drive safari focuses on the best walking experiences in Namibia. Get your boots ready for the apricot dunes of the Namib Desert and the ancient hills of Damaraland.
US$5,850 - US$7,010 per person
Hartebeest Self-drive Safari
16 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
This self-drive safari focuses on the best cultural experiences in Namibia. Visit a Himba village and enjoy three days living with the San Bushmen interspersed with some excellent wildlife watching.
US$3,420 - US$4,040 per person
Rock Hare Self-drive Safari
20 days • 12 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT
An in-depth look at Namibia from the Namib Desert to the Caprivi, with additional stops in Botswana and Victoria Falls. This three-week adventure includes an unrivalled mix of environments and is great value.
US$5,120 - US$6,850 per person
Caracal Self-drive Safari
14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
The quintessential Namibian self-drive adventure exploring the highlights from Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert to Damaraland’s wilderness and a safari in Etosha. A great mix of accommodation and excellent value.
US$2,140 - US$3,090 per person
Dune Lark Fly & Drive Safari
14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
A combination fly-in self-drive exploration of Namibia, with quick, easy and scenic flights in and out of Sossusvlei before a classic road trip adventure of the country’s rugged north.
US$4,690 - US$5,420 per person
Brown Hyena Self-drive
14 days • 8 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
The perfect trip for those who want to mix the adventure and freedom of a self-drive with some of our favourite luxury camps in Namibia and a great mix of activities.
US$5,150 - US$6,280 per person
Quiver Tree Self-drive Safari
14 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
An offbeat Namibian self-drive adventure exploring the epic Fish River Canyon and fascinating Kolmanskop ghost town in the south, before turning north via the classic highlights of Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Damaraland.
US$2,120 - US$2,350 per person
Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari
19 days • 10 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
Journey from South Africa’s cosmopolitan Cape Town to central Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve during this self-driven safari. The route passes through a stunning variety of landscapes, offering access to this beautiful continent’s rich diversity.
US$3,210 - US$3,550 per person
Cape Fox Guided Safari
13 days • 7 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
A classic clockwise circuit around Namibia’s northern highlights with a private guide and vehicle. We can’t think of a better way to see more in this timeframe.
US$7,470 - US$8,920 per person
Black-faced Impala Guided Safari
13 days • 6 locations
WINDHOEK AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
A unique mix of luxury and adventure in our original, and perhaps most varied, destination on a privately guided Namibian overland safari. Perfect for families, friends or couples travelling together.
US$7,390 - US$9,300 per person
Namibia's top camps for wildlife safaris
Click on the dots on the map to show the sightings from that lodges or camps for the species selected. It's based on 5343 reports by 1165 groups of our our travellers since Apr 2018.
Best chances to see
Good chances to see
Some sightings
No sightings yet
Oryx
80%
Quick facts about Oryx
Scientific name:
Oryx beisa and Oryx gazella
Habitat:
Arid savannah
IUCN status:
Endangered (O.b) /Least Concern (O.g)
Adult weight:
120–210kg (O.b) /180–240kg (O.g)
Cheetah
16%
Quick facts about Cheetah
Scientific name:
Acinonyx jubatus
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
50–70kg
Black Rhino
48%
Quick facts about Black Rhino
Scientific name:
Diceros bicornis
Habitat:
Scrub & open woodland
IUCN status:
Critically Endangered
Adult weight:
800–1,400kg
White Rhino
48%
Quick facts about White Rhino
Scientific name:
Ceratotherium simum
Habitat:
Woodland savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
1,800–2,700kg
Elephant
80%
Quick facts about Elephant
Scientific name:
Loxodonta africana
Habitat:
Woodland and savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
2,500–6,500kg
Lion
51%
Quick facts about Lion
Scientific name:
Panthera leo
Habitat:
Savanna & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
120–225kg
Meerkat
12%
Quick facts about Meerkat
Scientific name:
Suricata suricatta
Habitat:
Semi-arid desert
IUCN Status:
Least Concern
Weight:
650g
Buffalo
60%
Quick facts about Buffalo
Scientific name:
Syncerus caffer
Habitat:
Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands
IUCN status:
Near-threatened
Adult weight:
500–950kg
Giraffe
67%
Quick facts about Giraffe
Scientific name:
Giraffa camelopardalis
Habitat:
Woodland savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
800–1,200kg
Hippo
83%
Quick facts about Hippo
Scientific name:
Hippopotamus amphibius
Habitat:
Freshwater rivers & wetlands
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
1,300–2,600kg
Spotted Hyena
15%
Quick facts about Spotted Hyena
Scientific name:
Crocuta crocuta
Habitat:
Semi-desert, forest, savannah
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
40–80kg
Brown Hyena
16%
Quick facts about Brown Hyena
Scientific name:
Parahyaena brunnea
Habitat:
Semi-desert & savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
37–43kg
Leopard
17%
Quick facts about Leopard
Scientific name:
Panthera pardus
Habitat:
Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
30–90kg
Wild dog
9%
Quick facts about Wild dog
Scientific name:
Lycaon pictus
Habitat:
Savannah & woodland
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
20–36kg
Wildebeest
55%
Quick facts about Wildebeest
Scientific name:
Connochaetes sp.
Habitat:
Open savannah & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
250–290kg
Pangolin
3%
Quick facts about Pangolin
Scientific name:
Smutsia temminkii
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
5–27kg
Aardvark
2%
Quick facts about Aardvark
Scientific name:
Orycteropus afer
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
60–80kg
Eland
45%
Quick facts about Eland
Scientific name:
Taurotragus oryx
Habitat:
Open savanna & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
340–940kg
Zebra
67%
Quick facts about Zebra
Scientific name:
Equus quagga
Habitat:
Woodland and savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
155–322kg
Roan antelope
19%
Quick facts about Roan antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus equinus
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
180–300kg
Sable antelope
24%
Quick facts about Sable antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus niger
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
220–235kg
Sitatunga
22%
Quick facts about Sitatunga
Scientific name:
Tragelaphus spekeii
Habitat:
Swamps and swamp forest
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
24–119kg
Some Namibian wildlife highlights
Namibia's wildlife is as diverse as its many different environments.
Desert-adapted species
After millennia of roaming Damaraland’s valleys, elephants have adapted to the parched desert landscape. Long legs help them climb mountains and large feet stop them from sinking in the soft sand.
Across Namibia adaptations to inhospitable conditions are common. Desert lions have learnt to hunt giraffe, desert rhinos graze at night to avoid the intense heat of the day, and elusive brown hyenas cover staggering distances as they scavenge for food, often preying on brown fur-seal pups.
Even in the seemingly lifeless desert, golden moles swim through the sand in search of prey, Namaqua chameleons patrol the dunes for beetles and gangs of meerkats forage for their next meal.
As well as the obvious big game, Namibia stands out for its range of habitats and smaller, often-endemic species which help to make it one of Africa’s most fascinating wildlife destinations.
Other top destinations for wildlife
To understand more about the the wildlife in our other key destinations in Africa, click on the countries below.
