Namibia, positioned on the southwest fringe of southern Africa, is without doubt 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 essentially 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.
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 inexpensive Namibian journey.
Fly to Johannesburg and take a bus to Namibia
In the event 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 every day from world wide. The most affordable method to get to Namibia from Jo’burg is by bus and shuttle. A bus will take you to Gaborone, Botswana, the place you’ll be able to 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 may absorb 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 through 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. Personal and group recreation drives additionally see value reductions. Reserving a gaggle drive within the off-season may even end in a non-public or semi-private expertise.
Whereas it isn’t a really perfect time of yr for viewing throngs of massive recreation, it is a superb 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 usually remoted and temporary, primarily occurring within the afternoon. Subsequently, timing your excursions within the morning will will let you loosen up and benefit from the welcome rain.
Self-drive your means across the nation
Self-driving is a protected and economical various to a totally 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 straightforward to navigate and clearly signposted. Although solely about 25% of the roadways are tar, the grime roads are well-kept and admittedly extra enjoyable to drive on. Flat tires are the most typical driver concern, so your automobile will include two spares. You may wish to ensure you 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 inexpensive with good facilities. Not solely will you save a ton on lodging, but it surely’s additionally a superb alternative to satisfy like-minded individuals and change tales and journey ideas.
The common website prices $30 and has shared loos, scorching showers, in addition to hearth pits with grills at every spot. Some camps even have outlets promoting primary provisions like meals, water and wooden on your hearth pit.
Be part of a scheduled tenting tour
It’s additionally potential to hitch a scheduled guided tenting program. Firms that run some of these excursions embrace C Africa Tours, African Overland Tours and Discovery Safari. Durations fluctuate from three to fifteen days, beginning at round $450 per individual. They usually embrace the whole lot other than drinks and water.
This can be a nice possibility for solo vacationers and people fascinated 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
Price range 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 lavatory. Self-catering flats and houses common $60 per evening for your entire place. These kinds of 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 geared up with a small fridge, permitting you to top off and save on extra than simply the fundamentals.
In the event you’re tenting or staying in an residence, you may have the whole lot it’s good to put together your personal meal upon arrival as a substitute of going to a restaurant on the town, saving money and time.
Spend your days in Namibia’s inexpensive nationwide parks
Namibia’s nationwide parks supply among the world’s biggest variety: expansive sand dunes, huge deserts, plunging canyons, historical salt pans and dramatic coastlines. Every of them is definitely explored on foot or by automobile. As of but, Namibia would not supply a nationwide park cross, however the charges are nominal. The federal government has added a small conservation charge to every park, bringing the entire 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 vehicles, the Gondwana Collection 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 organize for pick-ups and returns. At $44 per leg, the service presents vacationers a dependable, inexpensive, protected, and extra environmentally pleasant various to self-driving.
This new service could possibly be a recreation changer for journey in Namibia. The downside 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 vehicles, this selection stands out as the extra inexpensive one.
Every day prices in Namibia
- Dorm mattress in a hostel: $5–10
- Primary room for 2: $20–5
- Managed campsite: $15–35
- Self-catering residence (together with Airbnb): $18–100
- Espresso: $1–3
- Lunch for 2: $10–30
- Dinner for 2: $20–40
- Beer on the bar: $1–3
