The best accommodations Namibia

Budget & Tips

In Namibia, accommodation is not cheap and for good reason: you are usually offered to spend the night in exceptional places, in the middle of the desert. The prices can be multiplied by ten between a camping place equipped with a barbecue area and a personal sanitary block, and a luxurious lodge. You can still find some Airbnb and youth hostels in the big cities, but it's more rare. Remember to carry a significant amount of cash with you when you go into the bush, as theft is almost non-existent and you may need it to pay in areas where cash boxes do not work.

A wide choice of accommodations. A few small campsites and community establishments have opened in remote areas, aiming to develop eco-tourism that promotes nature conservation and generates benefits for rural communities. In addition to the hotels located in or near the cities, more welcoming and authentic places are scattered throughout the country. Backcountry camping is prohibited in natural parks and on private farms, but is possible on communal land (former homelands). In some areas, due to the real dangers of wildlife and predators, it is essential to take all the necessary precautions and to be equipped with appropriate equipment (tents closed on the roof or campers...) in order to camp.

Windhoek has an excellent hotel infrastructure. Apart from the capital, all urban centers (Rundu, Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Outjo, Otjiwarongo, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay...) have at least one hotel, where you should have no trouble finding a room (except in Swakopmund, especially in December and at Easter). Hotels in small towns are not very popular: they usually offer good accommodation and service at reasonable prices, but they are mostly without charm or character. Namibia has a few very large hotels of prestigious chains, especially in Windhoek and Swakopmund.

Guesthouses . Generally in town, these small hotels, some of which have a lot of charm, offer a variety that is difficult to grasp: a wide range of prices, quality of service and charm. In this guide, we have selected good quality addresses where the welcome is warm and the service very good. To be discovered case by case.

Lodges. On the edge of national parks or on vast stretches of wilderness, hotels are giving way to lodges, worthy heirs to traditional bush houses that blend in wonderfully with the landscape thanks to their use of natural materials. Located in the heart of lush vegetation or arid deserts, the lodges all have a particular cachet, playing the card of authenticity while maintaining a permanent concern for comfort. Depending on the region, they use thatch, wood, stone or bamboo for the construction of small bungalows or chalets, private terraces and communal buildings (lounges, bars, restaurants) offering grandiose views of the landscape or overlooking waterholes favored by wildlife.

In addition to sunbathing by the pools, we offer game drives (safari in a 4 x 4 for a few hours on the vast expanses of the property or the adjacent national park to observe the fauna and flora) or nature drives (same principle, but the walk is aimed more at observing the landscapes and the flora, although we generally come across animals). These outings are accompanied by a guide who provides a wealth of naturalist information, as well as information on the use of natural resources by certain Namibian peoples. Other activities are offered depending on the lodge: hiking, hot air ballooning, boating, etc. Finally, the emphasis is also placed on catering, generally of high quality (the game is delicious) and always abundant. Lodging options are B&B, half board or full board (activities included or not), depending on the establishment.

Game farm or game ranch. This form of farm accommodation is very developed in Namibia

All the farms guarantee a pleasant and sometimes even luxurious comfort, in the middle of nature, on lands whose surface varies from 4 000 ha to more than 15 000 ha. The concept of guestfarms is based on a family atmosphere: meals are generally taken together, in which guests are invited to take an interest in the farmers' way of life: observation and visit of the farm (livestock and wild animals living on the property) in an all-terrain vehicle, short talks on breeding techniques... A debate has now been launched in Namibia, where a few rare guestfarms have increased their capacity to welcome guests by abandoning their agricultural activity, at the risk of losing their soul according to some. These farms generally offer half or full board packages and sometimes B&B packages (accommodation and breakfast). It is essential to book in advance, for reasons of supply and availability. However, a recent evolution of this type of accommodation is to be noted and makes their identification difficult.

Youth hostels. The backpacker network is just beginning to establish itself in Namibia. In all large and medium-sized towns there is at least one such establishment (there are several in Windhoek and Swakop). The youth hostel is part of the Anglo-Saxon culture and backpackers are particularly well developed in Southern Africa. Accommodation is cheap and the atmosphere is always active. If the average age is in the twenties, backpackers of all ages can be found there. There are many activities, breakfast is usually included in the night's stay and it is possible to cook for yourself. These addresses are generally well integrated into their urban environment and they have all the good deals. Don't forget to pick up the excellent Coast to Coast guide that is distributed free of charge.

Campsites. Be careful! It is necessary to reserve in advance your entrance and especially your accommodation in the national parks. Specially designed for visitors in most of the natural parks, restcamps offer accommodation at a much lower price than in private places (the service is not the same either). The quality of the accommodation is variable, often very good and sometimes very comfortable. Most of them are located near a restaurant, a grocery store and a gas station (see the parks in the different regions for details). For all these camps, it is advisable to book well in advance (several months for Sesriem or Etosha, from March to November). Namibia has good quality camping areas (clean and well-maintained sanitary facilities, hot showers, barbecue areas, running water, electrical outlets) located on the outskirts of some towns and in the natural parks. Guest farms and many lodges have also opened spaces reserved for campers (often charming and shaded sites that benefit from the same exceptional site, and which only welcome a small number of tourists). It is however necessary to bring your own camping equipment (no rental is offered), but the 4 x 4 rental companies offer fully equipped vehicles with a tent on the roof (basic equipment for cooking, fridge, sleeping bags...). Camping in Namibia has nothing to do with the one we know in Europe.

Community camping. Camps run by local communities have developed successfully in some areas, notably in Damaraland, Kaokoland and Bushmanland and in the Caprivi Strip. They display the charm and authenticity of Africa, while offering appreciable comfort: running water, showers, toilets, wood available for camping or small chalets. The use of these communal camps allows us to directly distribute part of the income from tourism to the locals and above all to have a real encounter with the Namibian people. The costs are surprisingly low. We encourage all travelers to spend at least one night in these camps

Please note: all the rates indicated in this guide, as well as on the websites of the various establishments (when they are up to date), are globally those of 2021 (as far as possible we have indicated the rates for 2022), but they are subject to variation depending on the type of room and the season. This is why we have opted for a generic wording "as of". Count on a 10 to 12% increase from one year to the next.

Some tips for campers

There is a real camping culture in southern Africa that has given rise to luxury camping, which is very different from our European concept of budget camping. Most camping safaris have easy-to-erect, spacious (usually stand-up) igloo tents, thick mattresses, showers and bush toilets. The meals around the fire are hearty and warm. Some tour operators specialize in luxury camp safaris, with top-of-the-line equipment, back-upvehicles to set up camps in advance, to recreate the real traditional feel of African safaris: you must have seen the movie Out of Africa!
For those wishing to organize their own safari, in self-drive (4 x 4 equipped for camping with tent on the roof... you will only come across this on the most touristic roads of the country!), the desert climatic conditions and the fragility of the ecosystems of Namibia should incite every tourist to respect the following few rules:

Burn your toilet paper (otherwise it will probably stay in the same place for several years).

Take all your garbage with you rather than leaving it in the middle of the desert.

If you want to camp on communal land (Kaokoland, Damaraland, Bushmanland), ask the conservancy for permission (which will cost you about N$50 per person).

Stay on the tracks rather than damaging the landscape for years to come and risking breaking your vehicle.

Bring your own firewood if you are camping in the Namib Park, Kaokoland or Damaraland. It is not advisable to collect wood in sensitive areas, as dead wood is very useful for termites. The other risk is that you could confuse dead tree with sleeping tree in arid environment. In this regard, be careful with the wood you harvest, some of it is poisonous. Ask a ranger for information or, better yet, buy your wood from local communities.

Keep cigarette butts to burn in the campfire later in the day.

Respect streams and dry riverbeds, which are common animal crossing points (do not pitch your tent within 50 cm of a waterhole).

If you are camping in areas where predators are numerous (Zambezi National Park, Khaudum Game Reserve), do not leave anything outside your vehicles (hyenas love anything that can be chewed, even plastic) and remember to carry a flashlight after dark.

Do not feed the animals in the campsites as they become insistent and some of them, especially baboons, are sometimes exterminated by the park authorities when they become too familiar and lose the respect of humans and become dangerous.

If you have booked a campsite in Etosha, especially in July and August, it is advisable to arrive early to set up camp. As the sites are not marked out, the spaces are sometimes a little small.

Finally, avoid panicking and running if an elephant or predator approaches your camp. Stay calm and move to a safer shelter, walking slowly away from the animal's path.

More info: tosco.org - [email protected]

Camping Equipment

The equipment that you will find in the area is of good or even very good quality, the choice is relatively large and the prices are often lower than in specialized stores in France. However, it is necessary to have time to buy the necessary equipment in Windhoek before your departure (and especially to be able to take it with you on the return plane). Another solution is to rent equipment for the duration of your trip. Namibia is one of the rare countries in Africa where it is possible to leave on the roads in total autonomy, the car rental companies propose 4 x 4 vehicles fully equipped, with the tent unfolded on the roof and in the trunk all the necessary basic equipment (camping table and chairs, camping gas, crockery...), including mattresses and sleeping bags, and even the fridge! In this case, you don't have to bring anything. Everything is provided and included in the price of your rental. All the basic equipment for the vehicle is also included. The list below will allow you to check what is provided and if necessary to complete on the spot.

Backpack - water bottle at hand.

Multi-purpose knife.

Electric lamp (preferably headlamp) and spare batteries.

Matches, lighters.

Thermos flask.

Fridge, cooler and ice packs (available at some gas stations and grocery stores).

Chairs and tables.

Cutlery, plates, glasses, cups, dishes, can openers.

Pots and pans.

Barbecue grill.

Plastic basin and cloth, rope and clothespins

Biodegradable dishwashing liquid, detergent, sponge.

Garbage bags, to be completed with Ziploc bags (important for all foodstuffs to be kept).

Tents.

Mattresses.

Sleeping bag.

Mosquito net.

Oil lamps or other (for lighting the camp).

Jerrycans (gasoline).

Water cans . In addition to running water for washing hands and dishes. Plan on 5 liters of drinking water per day and per person, in the hot season.

Wood (available in most camps, gas stations and some villages).

Slingshot (if necessary) to chase away monkeys that might become too intrusive.

4 x 4 vehicle equipment: basic toolbox (wrenches, screwdrivers, bolts...) with jack, shovel, pump (electric or manual) with tire pressure and coolant controller, battery cables, engine oil, spare fuses, spare wheels (two at least), puncture repair kit, steel wire, tape and ropes

To be booked

It is always better to book your accommodation in Namibia, especially considering the distances you will travel: it would be a pity, once arrived at your destination, to have to drive again to find a place to stay. This is especially true during the peak season, from April to September.

What's very local

Taking a shower in the open air, in the middle of the desert: this is what the sanitary blocks of many campsites will allow you to do, sheltered of course from all eyes. Anyway, the neighbours are far away in Namibia!