Many Advantages

Why Namibia? Safe and Comfortable Travel in Africa

Whether you are exploring on a thrilling safari, marveling at breathtaking desert landscapes, or staying at child-friendly lodges, Namibia offers a secure and welcoming environment for families. Thanks to its safety, well-developed infrastructure, and malaria-free regions, the country is perfect for young and old adventurers alike!
 

Easy Travel & Ideal Conditions for Families
A big advantage for families is the comfortable overnight flight to Namibia. Departing from Europe in the evening means arriving in Windhoek in the morning fully rested and without jet lag, as Namibia is in the same time zone as Central Europe (or only one hour ahead in winter).

Self-Drive Adventures – A Great Option for Families
Namibia is not only stunningly beautiful but also has a great tourism infrastructure. Its well-maintained highways and clearly marked routes make it ideal for self-drive safaris. Many lodges cater to self-drivers, allowing families to explore at their own pace.

Read more about travel safety in Namibia in this blog post:

Safe Namibia Holidays

Easy Communication
In addition to Afrikaans and indigenous languages, English is the official language in Namibia, making it easy to communicate. Due to Namibia’s historical ties to Germany, German is widely spoken in many regions, especially in lodges, hotels, and tourist areas.

Malaria-Free Destinations – Travel Worry-Free
Parents often worry about tropical diseases when traveling to Africa. However, many regions of Namibia – including Central and Southern Namibia – are malaria-free. This means no need for medication or concern about side effects, allowing families to fully enjoy nature without worries.

Mild Climate – Perfect for Kids
Namibia enjoys a dry desert climate with plenty of sunshine and little humidity (except from the subtropical Zambezi region). This means no oppressive heat, but rather a pleasant and warm climate – perfect for outdoor adventures with children!

Exciting Experiences for the Whole Family
Namibia offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences that captivate both children and adults:

• Safari & Wildlife Viewing – In parks like Etosha National Park, families can watch elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions in their natural habitat.
• Desert Adventures – Climbing the massive dunes of Sossusvlei is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Fun & Games in Swakopmund – Activities like sandboarding, dolphin boat tours, and exciting desert safaris keep kids entertained.
• Cultural Encounters – Visiting traditional Himba or San villages offers families a fascinating glimpse into Namibia’s indigenous cultures.
   

And last but not least: Close Wildlife Encounters

Beyond classic game drives, families can also experience wildlife up close at private reserves, lodge and farm stays, and even along the Atlantic coast. Whether it’s tracking animals on foot, horseback, or by bike, Namibia offers countless ways to explore the wild.

Top Tips for Safari Holiday with Kids

Namibia is a fantastic travel destination for families with young children, especially due to its vast, safe landscapes and malaria-free regions. With the right preparation, a safari becomes an adventure that both kids and parents can equally enjoy!
 

1. Pay attention to early travel planning
   Passports & Visas: Ensure passports are valid for at least six months after departure and have at least six blank pages. Check visa requirements before your trip.
   Travel Dokuments: Check (multiple times) if you have all the required documents for entry into Namibia. Especially for solo travelers with minor children, there are strict requirements (including an affidavit from the other parent, possibly a custody certificate, international birth certificate – all notarized and in English).
    
2. Night Flight Recommended: With younger children, a night flight is certainly the better choice – especially for the nerves of parents and fellow travelers. Since toddlers have difficulty with pressure equalization, it helps to breastfeed them or encourage them to drink from a bottle during takeoff and landing.

   However, if you are traveling with children in elementary school and teenage age, you don’t need to worry about a daytime flight. The in-flight entertainment is good, you can play card games, read, and arrive in Windhoek in a great mood. We recommend spending a night in the capital before starting your tour.

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3. Car Rental: If you plan to explore the country as a self-driver, check with your car rental provider beforehand to see if and which child safety seats are installed in the vehicle. You can find more tips for self-drivers in our post about travel safety in Namibia. Travel Security in Namibia.
    
4. Road Trip Planning: Namibia is breathtakingly beautiful. But the distances are long. Since children rarely stay impressed by the passing landscape for hours, try to keep your daily stages as short as possible. Please keep in mind that in Namibia, it takes significantly longer to cover 100 km than in Europe (gravel roads, construction sites, etc.). With children in the car, the daily distance should not exceed 300 to 400 km at maximum.
    
5. Entertainment on board: Be sure to bring toys, books (e.g., Tiptoi), and audiobooks for the journey. It’s no shame to occasionally rely on the electronic nanny (iPad, phone) during your tour.
   Important: Don't forget your children's favorite stuffed animal, comfort blanket, or cuddle pillow!
    
6. Sufficient drinks: Please make sure to stock up on enough drinks, especially water, before your departure. The air is extremely dry, and dust from the gravel roads often gets into the car through the air conditioning. We also recommend bringing some snacks. The next rest stop (that is open) can sometimes be farther away than planned...
    
7. Sun protection: A sun hat and sunscreen with a high SPF, as well as light, long clothing even in the summer, are essential in Namibia. If you have space in your luggage, you should also pack a sunshade for the car windows (depending on the time of year).
    
8. Destinations: Children find animals much more interesting than landscapes. Plan your route so that you visit wildlife-rich parks and lodges. Prefer malaria-free Central Namibia with the Etosha National Park and surrounding wildlife reserves or Swakopmund over a tour to the Fish River Canyon and through the Namib Desert. A trip through the Zambezi (Caprivi) region would also be great – however, it has a subtropical climate, and malaria prophylaxis and a yellow fever vaccination are often necessary here.
    
9. Safety & Health: Never leave your children unsupervised – this is especially important in lodges with pools and wildlife nearby. Always observe wild animals (especially monkeys!) from a distance and, of course, do not feed them. If you plan to hike or camp along riverbanks, be cautious of crocodiles. Hippos are also highly dangerous and very territorial.
   The climate in Namibia can be demanding for Europeans. Plan a break during the midday heat and encourage your kids to lie down and do something calm. 
    
10. Travel Medicine Kit: It is advisable to bring a well-stocked travel medicine kit, including remedies for insect bites, plasters, fever suppositories, and electrolytes. Not all lodges are well equipped in this regard, and pharmacies are rarely nearby. The drive to the nearest doctor or hospital can take several hours. Therefore, travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is a must!
     
11. Accommodations with child-friendly programs: Namibia is incredibly hospitable and especially child-friendly. Many lodges offer family rooms. However, smaller children cannot participate in all lodges' wildlife programs. Make sure to check the minimum age required for game drives and other activities before booking, and then decide if the accommodation is suitable. Also, note that not all lodges, like KAMBAKU, have attractive playgrounds and toys, and some lodges may consider a simple slide or basic gymnastic bars as a "playground.