Think of the words Safari Namibia and you think of travelling in 4 x 4 vehicles across the empty, barren sand dunes, or flying on a private safari along the Skeleton Coast. Whatever thoughts you conjure up, think of the most awe inspiring scenery, the most beautiful vistas across endless landscapes – and experiences that are so totally different to anything else you can experience in the rest of Africa. Dont think of big game experiences – although one can search and if lucky, see the desert dwelling rhino and elephant – but go for that desert scenery, with some of the highest sand dunes in the world, or to have some of the finest guiding and learn about the side winding snake, the incredible desert flowers that open once a year and survive in drought conditions and all about the smaller creatures that so often escape our thoughts, yet are just as interesting!

Safari Namibia with AfricanExplorations.com

The ‘Big Five’ and the other lesser known – but just as important! – ‘Little Five’ are words synonymous with a safari to Africa. The Big Five are Buffalo, Lion, Elephant, Leopard and Rhino and can be found together in many national parks, game reserves and privately owned conservancies in Southern and Eastern Africa. In South Africa the best known park is, of course, the Kruger National Park. Nearly two million hectares in extent, the Kruger was gazetted in 1898 to protect the South African lowveld wildlife. A plethora of environmental techniques and policies makes the region an ongoing conservation success. There are also privately owned reserves contiguous with the Kruger which feature beautiful and often luxurious safari lodges and camps. Such areas include the well known Sabi Sands where seeing a huge variety of animals is almost guaranteed on an African Big Five Safari.

Elephants on the Chobe - African Big Five Safari With AfricanExplorations.com

Many of these properties accommodate children and offer specialist children’s programs, so an African Big Five Safari is not just for adults! Children’s guides keep children happy and enthralled, including trying to find the ‘Little Five’: buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle as well as tracking and identifying animals, birds, and insects. Children are kept occupied for hours with short bush walks and spotting “creepy crawlies”, whilst other staff might teach them how to bake animal-themed cookies in the camp’s bush oven (for everyone’s afternoon tea!) whilst adults are busy on a game drive.

For those who like ‘lists’, how about the ‘Birding Six’? These include Ground Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, Pel’s fishing Owl and Saddle-bill Stork. And then there are the “Little Six Antelope”: Grey Duiker, Sharpe’s Grysbok, Steenbok, Klipspringer, Livingstone Suni and Oribi.

The Rare Pels Fishing Owl - African Big Five Safari With AfricanExplorations.com

An African Big Five Safari is, surely, only possible on land? Not so! For those with a love of the sea and who visit South Africa’s gorgeous coastline there is also the ‘Marine Big Five’ which includes the Southern Right Whale, Cape Fur Seal, common Dolphin, Great White Shark and African Penguin. The best time for whale watching in South Africa is between July and November; several places on the Garden Route feature marine activities although the Walker Bay/Hermanus region is especially well known for easy access to marine wildlife with excellent guiding.

Cape Fur Seal - African Big Five Safari With AfricanExplorations.com

Safari Namibia is a safari unlike any other African counterpart.

Yes, you do see animals but this is not why you would visit this extraordinary country. It would mainly be a love of vast, open spaces – of desert scenery – some of the most beautiful I have ever encountered! – , an interest in geology and in general, a holiday with a difference!

Namibia Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

The best place to see wildlife is naturally Etosha National Park where there are various private places to stay, but the real beauty is in the Damaraland/ Kaokoland region where the desert dwelling elephant and rhino can be seen and even tracked on foot with researchers!

We have even seen cheetah in this region – and of course along the Skeleton Coast, one sees lots of flamingoes and seals. Go out by boat and see whales at certain times of year, too!

Namibia Safaris with AfricanExplorations.com

Then you can also spend time at a cheetah rescue and research centre where there is a gorgeous lodge – and learn about how they release these creatures back into the wild.

Luxury safaris to Namibia with AfricanExplorations.com

A friend of ours has a gorgeous tented camp and he is a geologist – learn about the tectonic shifting of the plates, how the caves are carbon dated etc and indulge in some amazing walking.

Fly up the Skeleton Coast on a private flying safari from 4 to 6 days. Perhaps go wild camping with a private guide and vehicle or stay in luxurious lodges or a combination of the two.

Luxury Safaris to Namibia with AfricanExplorations.com

With a dedicated team who come from Africa, including Namibia, we have been assembling gorgeous tailor made safaris for the last 22 years  and our expertise is unrivalled! Why not call us to arrange your next safari?