Africa Namibia Westend61 GettyImages 607971917 RFC
Africa Namibia Westend61 GettyImages 607971917 RFC

Namibia, positioned on the southwest fringe of southern Africa, is likely one of the continent’s most secure and most budget-friendly international locations to go to.

If you wish to stretch your cash and get probably the most out of your trip, there are low-cost choices so you do not sacrifice any of the magnificent websites and experiences the nation has to supply. 

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A visit to Africa is often perceived as an costly, once-in-a-lifetime journey, however with correct planning and a willingness to tough it a bit, it can save you on meals, actions, lodging, transportation and excursions.

Listed here are the highest ideas for creating an reasonably priced Namibian journey.

Fly to Johannesburg and take a bus to Namibia

In case you’re touring from the US, there aren’t any direct flights to Namibia. Most itineraries have connections in Johannesburg, which has quite a few flights arriving day by day from around the globe. The most affordable strategy to get to Namibia from Jo’burg is by bus and shuttle. A bus will take you to Gaborone, Botswana, the place you may catch a shuttle to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. The associated fee is US$65 and can take about 20 hours. Alongside the best way, you will soak up some fairly spectacular surroundings whereas another person does the driving.

Flying into Windhoek takes solely 5 hours, however the value is round $500. Vacationers coming from Europe profit from a nonstop route from Frankfurt. 

Journey in the course of the off-season

December by means of April marks the moist season in Namibia. The crowds are gone, bringing down the price of lodging and excursions. For instance, a three-night keep at a recreation lodge in Etosha Nationwide Park will run about $1200 in July, however solely $800 in January. Non-public and group recreation drives additionally see value reductions. Reserving a gaggle drive within the off-season may even lead to a non-public or semi-private expertise. 

Whereas it isn’t a great time of 12 months for viewing throngs of massive recreation, it is a wonderful time for birding and seeing new child animals. The panorama blanketed in wildflowers can also be a beautiful sight to see. Summer time rains are sometimes remoted and temporary, primarily occurring within the afternoon. Due to this fact, timing your excursions within the morning will will let you loosen up and benefit from the welcome rain.

Renting a 4WD and driving it your self is cheaper than becoming a member of a tour © Westend61 / Getty Photographs

Self-drive your manner across the nation

Self-driving is a protected and economical various to a completely guided expertise. Every week-long scheduled group tour begins at round $1450. A 4WD automobile outfitted for tenting will price $700 plus the price of gas. 

The nation is simple to navigate and clearly signposted. Although solely about 25% of the roadways are tar, the filth roads are well-kept and albeit extra enjoyable to drive on. Flat tires are the commonest driver concern, so your automobile will include two spares. You will wish to be sure to know the way to change one earlier than your journey.

Keep at Namibia’s huge community of campgrounds

Namibia has no scarcity of organized campsites all through the nation, that are clear and reasonably priced with good facilities. Not solely will you save a ton on lodging, nevertheless it’s additionally a wonderful alternative to satisfy like-minded folks and change tales and journey ideas.

The common web site prices $30 and has shared loos, scorching showers, in addition to hearth pits with grills at every spot. Some camps even have outlets promoting fundamental provisions like meals, water and wooden in your hearth pit. 

A person sets up their tent in a remote part of the African bush as the sun sets
Namibia has a superb community of high quality campsites © Cavan Photographs / Getty Photographs

Be a part of a scheduled tenting tour

It’s additionally potential to affix a scheduled guided tenting program. Firms that run these kind of excursions embody C Africa Excursions, African Overland Excursions and Discovery Safari. Durations fluctuate from three to fifteen days, beginning at round $450 per individual. They sometimes embody every little thing other than drinks and water.

It is a nice choice for solo vacationers and people occupied with assembly others and sharing experiences. As a result of the logistics are taken care of and meals and gas are included, you gained’t be hit with shock prices.

Combine it up by staying in funds lodges and self-catering flats

Funds lodges are plentiful in Namibia. They’re positioned all throughout the nation and are clear, some with refreshing swimming pools, beginning at simply $18 per evening for a room with a shared rest room. Self-catering flats and houses common $60 per evening for all the place. Some of these lodging are nice for spending an evening or two between campsites. A pleasant scorching bathe and a few air-con allow you to reset and prepare for the subsequent leg of your journey.

Fill up on groceries firstly of your journey

Namibia’s roads supply few alternatives to cease for a chew till you attain your vacation spot, so it’s important to buy requirements like snacks and water earlier than you head out. Some self-drive autos are outfitted with a small fridge, permitting you to replenish and save on extra than simply the fundamentals.

In case you’re tenting or staying in an house, you will have every little thing you want to put together your individual meal upon arrival as an alternative of going to a restaurant on the town, saving money and time.

Animals, including zebra, giraffes, buffalo and deer, gather around and walk through a waterhole
Charges to enter nationwide parks are simply $7 per individual per day © paula french / Shutterstock

Spend your days in Namibia’s reasonably priced nationwide parks

Namibia’s nationwide parks supply a few of the world’s biggest range: expansive sand dunes, huge deserts, plunging canyons, historic salt pans and dramatic coastlines. Every of them is definitely explored on foot or by automobile. As of but, Namibia does not supply a nationwide park go, however the charges are nominal. The federal government has added a small conservation price to every park, bringing the overall to a mere $7 per individual per day.

Embark on Namibia’s first shuttle service

Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide scarcity of rental automobiles, the Gondwana Assortment launched a shuttle service referred to as Go2 Traveller Transfers. It stops at 9 totally different areas of curiosity: the Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Etosha and Damaraland. At every designated cease, lodges will prepare for pick-ups and returns. At $44 per leg, the service provides vacationers a dependable, reasonably priced, protected, and extra environmentally pleasant various to self-driving. 

This new service might be a recreation changer for journey in Namibia. The disadvantage is that you will want to remain in lodges and tented camps and pay for his or her excursions. However with the rising price of gas and the potential shortage of rental automobiles, this selection stands out as the extra reasonably priced one. 

Every day prices in Namibia

  • Dorm mattress in a hostel: $5–10
  • Fundamental room for 2: $20–5
  • Managed campsite: $15–35
  • Self-catering house (together with Airbnb): $18–100
  • Espresso: $1–3
  • Lunch for 2: $10–30
  • Dinner for 2: $20–40
  • Beer on the bar: $1–3