Plan My Safari

1. What are you hoping to experience? (particular animals, Big Five, dunes and deserts,
whales, oceans, special birds, family time, romantic break, walking, boating, hot air
balloon etc)

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2. What special place do you want to see? (Etosha, Skeleton Coast,
Cheetahs great deserts, Deadvlei etc.)

3. What are your particular interests? (leisure, family safari, birding, photography, walking)

4. When can you travel? Are your dates flexible?

5. How much time do you have?

6. How many people are traveling? (couple, family, small group, friends etc)

7. What level/type of accommodation are you accustomed to? Leisure Safaris specializes in
boutique luxury type of vacations with 4 to 5* accommodation.

8. What is your budget?

9. What type of trip do you want? All-inclusive, Flying, driving, or a mixture?

10.Are you ready for an Adventure Of A Lifetime?

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Great! Now contact us and our Journey Specialist will piece a trip together that fulfils all the
parameters.

Think about the following:

1. Timing it right
The success of your safari may depend on getting the timing just right, so give yourself the
best chance. When you go on safari also depends on what you really want to see, and what
your interests are. Most places in Namibia are great at any time of the year, but there are a
few guests that prefer visiting in the Rainy season and some when it’s dryer.

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Rainfall: usually December to March- scattered, short-lived, sometimes dramatic and sudden
afternoon downpours.

Humidity: Namibia is particularly dry, though it can be humid following rain for a day or two.

Temperatures: very cold mornings (close to 0 C) in June and July, warming to moderate (20-
25 C) through the day. It can be extremely hot (up onto 40 C) between October and March,
cooling to comfortable temperatures (18 -22 C) in the evenings.

Visibility: clear and bright most of the year, but it can be dusty in the months before the rains
come (August to November).

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Best months: April/May and August/September are the moderate months, with no rains and
comfortable temperatures and humidity. These are therefore popular times, but the weather
can be equally beautiful at any other time of the year, depending on local conditions.

 

2. Where’s the big stuff?
It is perfectly natural, especially on your first safari, to want to see the big animals. They are all
around Namibia but Later in the trip you may prefer to spend time on smaller animals, birds,
even reptiles and insects, and your guide will be delighted to show them to you. But for now,
where can you find the cool stuff?
It is pretty much everywhere in Namibia but in some areas it is much easier to find, either
because there are more of them and /or because they have been habituated by years of happy
tourist watching, and are not inclined to run away.
So here are a few iconic places and areas that will keep you smiling.

Lions: every wildlife area, and quite common is some, especially Etosha National Park and
Skeleton Coast and the private reserves of Namibia. The desert-adapted lions of Namibia are
elusive but worth the search (Etosha is a sure bet)

Elephants: Namibia hosts the desert-adapted sub-species, easily found in the winter from
Damaraland Camp and Etendeka Mountain Camp.

Cheetahs: The highest wild population is in Namibia, where sightings are ironically more hit
and miss (Etosha National Park). The Okonjima Private reserve is also very good for these cats
as they have the Africat Foundation which aims to give Africats cheetahs the
opportunity to return to their natural environment.

Leopards: they are everywhere, but sometimes tough to find.

White Rhinos: the Namibian national parks and private reserves are great for these huge
animals. They are very rare anywhere, although Ongava Game Reserve virtually
guarantees them.

Black Rhinos: by far the best chance for these highly threatened animals in Namibia, Desert
Rhino Camp will get you very close to them on foot, and they are at the waterholes of Ongava
and Okaukeujo (Etosha National Park) at night.

 

3. All-inclusive safaris
The most Luxurious way to travel and time-efficient way to get about Namibia is by All-
Inclusive safaris.

 

4. Flying safaris
The most time-efficient way to get about Namibia is by flying on light aircraft between lodges
and areas. This also provides a fantastic aerial view of the terrain. This can be achieved by
• private charter and pilot (your pilot stays with you throughout your trip; marvelously
flexible and extremely convenient, and you can often get into very remote destinations this

way, landing on gravel strips.) Travelling privately means that you are not reliant on
commercial flights, so you save a lot of time.
• seat-rate transfers between lodges (cheaper but less flexible)
• commercial transfers between “gateway” towns
Some people prefer to driven between destinations if possible (depends on distances) or a
mixture of road and flying transfers.
 

5. Self-drive safaris
The most adventurous way to get about Namibia is by Self-drive in a 4x4 double cab or a SUV
between lodges and areas. This provides a fantastic adventure as you can stop at any point
between lodges and areas for fantastic photo opportunities or for a short break as the
distances can be quite far at times. This also allows you to be more in control of your own
adventure.
 

6. Walking safaris
We do not offer walking safaris as a safari option but there are a few accommodations that offer
walking safaris as an optional activity.
 

7. Kids on safari
Namibia is for families! Kids adore wild animals and being in the bush and we've
led many families on safari. Many of the lodges are set up for families with family rooms
(interleading rooms so the kids are close to their parents) and special kids menus, and staff
members specially trained to entertain children. The idea is to relieve the parents of
responsibility for a while and allow the kids to express themselves safely in the bush
environment. They love it!
Depending on where you choose to go, children as young as six can go on safari.
 

8. Malaria free safaris
Malaria is not the problem you might think it is.
Very often you are not even aware of mosquitoes on safari. But they do exist in some of the
areas. Use bug spray and cover up at the right time, the chance of your getting malaria is extremely rare.
 

9. Lodges and accommodation
It is the environment and how we experience it that will make your safari and provide your
memories. But, of course, we all need a place to stay where we feel comfortable, safe and very
well looked after.
Leisure Safaris only uses camps, lodges and hotels in the mid to upper range. They are all
pristine, efficiently run, memorable, discreet, classic and elegantly Namibia, and are all owned
by people who understand their responsibility to the environment and your needs, especially
if you are a first-timer to Namibia. We have stayed in most of the lodges featured here: that’s
why we chose them. Many lodges are community owned, some are privately owned, and all of
them subscribe to the same environmental and social ethics that Leisure Safaris does. You will
feel very welcome in all accommodations on the Safaris list, and will be amazed at the
enthusiasm that the local people have in their quest to help you have the best time.

Most itineraries include a mix of lodges, hotels and resorts, depending on what you want to
do. They are all memorable. You can choose from
Traditional safari lodges : very comfortable permanent structures made of wood, thatch and
canvas, with en-suite bathrooms, deck, and lounge facilities, serving wholesome food and
good wines
Luxury safari lodges: highly designed, elegant permanent structures which typically
incorporate brick and glass, air-conditioning, internet access, dual bathrooms, plunge pools
and serving fancy foods and fine wines.
Hotels/ Luxury guesthouse: sometimes it is necessary to use hotels or very beautiful upper
lever guesthouses, particularly in transition between areas.

Still unsure? Contact a experienced Journey Specialist for more ideas and a free quote.