African Safari Holidays: Explore Namibia With Kids

Namibia is the perfect place for a family safari if you have never been to Africa and want to experience its incredible wildlife and landscapes at your own pace. It’s one of the most diverse countries in Africa and will give your family the opportunity to encounter unique animals, while also experiencing dramatic landscapes and a rich and diverse culture.

Animals galore, rolling down some of the largest dunes in the world, stargazing from campsites

Stunning landscapes, unique wildlife experiences, easy to navigate, safe country

Namibia is almost entirely void of malaria, which makes it particularly welcoming to families. There is also a broad range of lodging options available for various price ranges — from affordable, well-run campsites within national parks to full-service lodges for the luxury traveler. Families with various budgets will be able to afford an enjoyable and memorable holiday experience. And last but not least, the road network is pristine, making it easy to explore Africa on a self-driven family safari (see our tips on driving further down this page).

Daytime temperatures in Namibia are most enjoyable between April-September, making it an ideal time for families with young kids and anyone sensitive to heat. However, evenings and early mornings can be chilly during this time of the year, especially in the desert, so pack accordingly. August is the busiest month, with many European tourists visiting. If you can, avoid that month as prices will be higher and accomodations book up way ahead of time. The hottest months are from October-February, when daytime temperatures will rise more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Wildlife viewing will be at its prime during these months as animals flock around watering holes in Etosha National Park and the dried-out vegetation will make spotting animals easier for the novice. However, no matter the time of year, Chris believes you will always have an incredible wildlife experience in Etosha National Park.

Namibia is one of the only countries to have biodiversity protection written into its Constitution.

Namibia’s capital city is where you’ll most likely start your safari holidays with your family. It’s a good idea to spend 1 or 2 days in Windhoek, to give your kids a chance to recover from the long flight, pick up and familiarize yourself with your vehicle, and stock up on supplies.

Olive Grove Guesthouse is one of Chris’s favorite places to stay. With its 11 rooms that includes an ensuite bathroom and guest pool, it is a lovely example of the welcoming guesthouses travelers will find throughout town.

Am Weinberg is a fairly new, high-end boutique hotel that offers family lofts with a sleeper sofa for the kids. It also has multiple dining options, which should hopefully please even the pickiest eater.

La Marmite is a low-key African grill that’s great for families. It’s one of Chris’s favorite restaurants in Windhoek and a good place to sample different African dishes. The service can be slow at times, so don’t visit when you are in a rush.

Joe’s Beer House is a longtime institution in Windhoek. Kids will love the funky decor, and parents will appreciate the diverse menu that offers crowd-pleasers as well as more regional fare. Picky eaters will be happy with fries and a cheeseburger, while more adventurous ones can try local game, like oryx or zebra.

Sossusvlei is one of the most impressive natural wonders of Namibia that your family does not want to miss. With its towering sand dunes, white salt pans, fossilized trees and unique wildlife, it makes for the perfect start to your African safari!

Playing in one of the largest sand pits in the world, Being on the lookout for desert wildlife (large and small)

Watching the sunrise over the dunes, Great photo opportunities, Incredible landscape

Two days will be enough to give you a flavor of Sossusvlei and allow for sunrise and sunset experiences in the desert. If you have time and are looking for an active adventure, consider a multi-day hike on the Tok Tokkie Trail. You’ll be hiking 7 to 8 hours a day through surreal desert landscape and sleep under the stars for 3 nights. Your luggage will be transported for you, but it can still be challenging, so make sure your family is prepared.

If you stay within the Namib-Naukluft Park boundaries, you will be allowed into the desert and Sossusvlei 1 hour before sunrise. Chris suggests you stay within the park boundaries to take advantage of this benefit and to avoid lodging options where you have to use the public gate to enter the park in the morning. You don’t want to wait in line with everyone else, especially when traveling with kids.

Sesriem Camping is one of two options inside Namib-Naukluft Park and consists of 20 basic campsites with a stunning view of the Namib Desert. There’s also a pool to cool off after your day in the desert. Your kids will love watching the stars while you enjoy a glass of wine at the campfire.

For families who don’t want to rough it on their safari holidays, Sossus Dune Lodge is the other lodging option inside Namib-Naukluft Park. Because of its location, it sells out fast, so book accordingly.

Kulala Desert Lodge is a high-end lodge within the Kulala Wilderness Reserve. It’s the only lodge outside the Namib-Naukluft Park that has a private gate into the park. The gate allows guests of the lodge to enter the park before the public gate opens at the main entrance. The lodge itself is managed exclusively by Wilderness Safaris. Wilderness Safaris does not take direct bookings, so if you’d like to stay here, you have to go through a tour operator or agent, like Chris.

Etosha National Park is one of the premier wildlife viewing spots in southern Africa. While you won’t find the mass migration you will find in other parts of Africa, its appeal lies in how easy it is to find animals, in particular between October-February, during the dry season. Just park your car next to a watering hole, and without much effort you will see dozens, if not hundreds, of animals in search of water. Etosha is also easily navigated on your own, thanks to a well-maintained road network and many lodging options within the park. For families on safari holidays, that’s particularly helpful, because you can retreat to your home base more easily if your children get tired of being in the car.

Searching for wildlife on your own, Observing animals at night on floodlit water holes, Guided walks within the private game reserves

Chris suggests you spent at least 3 days in Etosha. However, if you want to stay at a few different places and explore the entire national park as well as some of the adjacent game reserves, plan for at least 4 to 5 days.

Because Etosha is so big, there can be seasonal migration within the park itself, which may impact what you see in certain parts of the park. If Etosha receives good rains on the eastern grasslands in March, there will be a large movement of zebra and springbok from central Etosha to the east. However, this is not reliable or predictable. Also, if you are interested in an on-foot wildlife viewing experience, you will have to stay in one of the private game reserves adjacent to Etosha. Within Etosha, you are only allowed to view animals from the safety of your vehicle.

There are 6 camps within Etosha National Park that are run by the park’s administration. They make great options for families on a self-driven safari. Most of them have gas stations, restaurants and swimming pools. But the highlight for kids will be the floodlit water holes, which allow for convenient and safe wildlife viewing after dark. 

Anderssons Camp within the private Ongava Game Reserve southwest of Etosha National Park is another good place to stay. It offers four different lodging options and its own research center dedicated to wildlife preservation. The recently opened Anderssons Lodge welcomes families with kids of all ages, but in order to join for a game drive with little kids, you will have to book a private guide. The minimum age for on-foot wildlife viewing is 13 years.

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is located about 3 hours north of Windhoek and makes for the perfect final stop on your Namibia safari. Kids and parents will treasure the opportunity to get up close with cheetahs and learn about these magnificent predators from conservation experts. Families can either visit the Cheetah Conservation Fund on a day trip or spend the night at its small adjacent lodge.

And even if you aren’t planning a family trip to Namibia anytime soon, be sure to check out CCF’s kids page for fun cheetah facts and lots of videos about these majestic cats.

Tucked away in the south of Namibia, Orange River is a rewarding detour for families who have a bit more time on their hands and are looking for a unique for a unique wilderness experience — a multi-day canoe trip. While you won’t see a lot of big wildlife, there is plenty of birdlife to be found along the river, and the remote wilderness itself is the highlight of this family-friendly experience. Your kids will be able to sleep under the stars, and you are going to truly unplug. There’s no cell service or Wi-Fi within days’ reach. But don’t worry, your guides will have a satellite phone on hand.

Mopane worms have been an important protein source for nomadic, indigenous people in Namibia, Angola and Zambia for centuries. They only come up during the rains and you are unlikely to find these worms on any restaurant’s menu. But if you are set on trying them, the staff at Ongula Village Homestead, north of Etosha, near the border to Angola, might be able to hook you up with this local delicacy.

Chris Liebenberg is a father of two boys and lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and kids. Born and raised in Namibia, he always had a passion for conservation and sharing his deep knowledge of his home country with visitors. Chris runs Piper & Heath Travel, a travel agency focused on meaningful African safaris. His team organizes custom safari holidays, as well as selective small group experiences. His company’s website is a treasure trove of information (and not just on Namibia), where you can find detailed information on major sights and lodging options in many African countries. Piper & Heath also organize family-friendly safaris to Namibia that are designed specifically for kids 15 years and younger. To learn more, click here.