Namibia Lodge & Camping Self-Drive Safaris

Namibia Lodge & Camping Safaris

Frequently Asked questions

What is a lodge & camping combination safari?

It is a self-drive journey that mixes nights in comfortable, characterful lodges with nights at well-appointed campsites. You get the best of both worlds — the closeness to nature and value of camping, paired with the comfort and hospitality of lodges in the places where it matters most. If you would rather stay in lodges throughout, our self-drive safaris follow the same routes without the canvas.

Do I need previous camping experience?

No experience is required. The campsites we use are well-equipped, with proper ablution facilities, shade and braai (barbecue) areas. We provide clear guidance, quality equipment options, and full support, so first-time campers feel completely at ease.

How comfortable is the camping side of the trip?

Very. Namibia’s campsites range from scenic community camps to private wilderness sites, most with hot showers, flushing toilets, electricity points and shaded pitches. Many are set in spectacular locations — beneath granite boulders, beside rivers, or under exceptionally dark, star-filled skies.

Do I need a 4x4 vehicle?

Yes, a 4x4 is recommended for these routes, especially where camping is involved. It offers the comfort, safety and capability needed for Namibia’s gravel roads and more remote areas, and fully-equipped camping 4x4s can be arranged as part of your package. Our guide to whether you need a 4x4 in Namibia and to Namibian roads covers the surfaces and speeds you will meet.

Is a lodge & camping safari suitable for families?

Absolutely. The mix of lodges and camps keeps things varied and fun for all ages — children love the campfires and star-gazing, while lodge nights offer a comfortable reset. We tailor the balance of camping to lodges to suit your family and pace, and the 15-Day Family Namibia Adventure is built around exactly that.

What about meals, fuel and supplies?

Lodge nights typically include meals, while camping nights are self-catered around the braai — part of the adventure. Towns along the route have supermarkets and fuel stations, though distances can be long, so we plan stops carefully and advise you to stock up and refuel regularly.

How far in advance should I book?

For travel between July and December (peak season), we recommend booking 6–12 months ahead. Popular lodges and the best campsites in areas like Etosha and Sossusvlei fill up early, so booking in good time secures the ideal route and stays. Our best time to visit Namibia guide sets out the seasons month by month, and the When to Go panel further up this page gives temperatures and rainfall.

Which lodge & camping itineraries do you offer?

Ten, from a fortnight to almost a month:

14-Day Camping Namibia — Etosha, Damaraland, the coast and Sossusvlei under canvas
14-Day Coast to Caprivi — the Atlantic to the Caprivi rivers and Victoria Falls
15-Day Family Namibia Adventure — lodges and camps, paced for children
16-Day Exclusive Northern Namibia — Etosha, Palmwag, the Hoanib and the Skeleton Coast
17-Day Classic Namibia Discovery — the classic circuit, lodge and camping mix
17-Day Scenery & Serenity — Kalahari, Fish River Canyon, Tiras and the NamibRand
18-Day Houseboat & the Bushmen — Etosha, the Okavango Panhandle and the Falls
19-Day Luxury Namibia — the finest reserves and lodges, wide-open wilderness
19-Day Deserts & Falls — Victoria Falls and the Caprivi through to Etosha and the dunes
27-Day Namibia in Full — Kalahari and Fish River Canyon to the Kaokoveld, Etosha and the Waterberg

These are starting points rather than fixed packages — tell us your dates and we will shape one around them.

What Our Clients Say

Every journey leaves a story behind.

Discover the raw, unfiltered voices of our guests as they share their Desert Tracks adventures across Namibia and Botswana. Their words capture the magic better than we ever could.

    
 
 
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   Richard Coughlin 
 
 
 
  Thank you to Desert Tracks for creating a fabulous holiday around Namibia. Right from the early planning, we really felt that Desert Tracks had a fabulous depth of knowledge of Namibia - I guess that's the benefit of talking to a team in country rather than a team from the UK.

Namibia is a stunning country, and thanks to the choices that Desert Tracks helped up with, we stayed at some stunning places and got into some fabulous locations and critically, got there ahead of the crowds.
  
 
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   Chris Pilditch 
 
 
 
  Desert Tracks were suggested to us for our first trip to Namibia, and we were delighted not only by the way our booking was handled, but also by the actual trip they put together by us. Viola and Jaun were always quick to respond, helpful, polite and professional, and they listened to our initial ideas and expectations and came up with a fit-for-purpose holiday. Everything went well during the trip itself - the car, lodges and other bookings were just what we would have wished for. DT also provided lots of background info and suggested excursions, etc. and the Travel Key app gave us relevant day to day information, including a Google Map link to the day's road journey. All in all, a great holiday, professionally organised. No hesitation in recommending DT when booking your trip!
  
 
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   Werner Behner 
 
 
 
  Unsere Reise war hervorragend vorbereitet und organisiert. Die gebuchten Unterkünfte konnten nicht besser sein. Super Service durch das jeweilige Personal, sehr freundlich und herzlich, besser kann man es nicht beschreiben. Die Reiseroute war toll zusammengestellt und sehr gut beschrieben. Die gebuchten Aktionen vor Ort bzw. die vor Ort noch zugebuchten Aktivitäten übertrafen unsere Erwartungen. Insgesamt ein unvergesslicher Urlaub! Vielen Dank dafür!
  
 
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   Thomas Meyer 
 
 
 
  Grandiose Natur und Tierwelt, Gastfreundschaft und aussergewöhnliche Lodges in einem wunderbaren Land; das ist Namibia. Die perfekte Organisation machte den Aufenthalt zu einem entspannten und ereignisreichen Urlaub.
  
 
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   Simon H 
 
 
 
  I cant speak highly enough of Desert Tracks as our partner for our holiday in Namibia.  Viola was fantastic throughout.  From the start as we developed our ideas about a possible holiday to Africa, through to firming up a brilliantly balanced itinerary, and then whilst we were in country checking in, offering advice and sharing the excitement of our amazing holiday.  Namibia is a fantastic place to holiday; beautiful, friendly, varied and safe.  We loved it.  And this was made possible by Viola and Desert Tracks.

I am not normally someone who rights reviews fro products or services, but in this instance I couldn't not - sharing with others is the right thing to do because it will hopefully allow more people to benefit from Desert Track's expertise and for more people to experience Namibia.  If i could award 6, or 7, or 8 stars I would!!!  Thanks Viola.  You made 2 people smile a lot.
  
 
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   Dasha Cherenkova 
 
 
 
  Excellence! Thank you for my trip . As a solo experienced traveler I am glad I have found “ desert tracks “ for my first trip to Namibia . The whole itinerary was quickly adjusted to my interests , considering it was last minute booking . Joan replied on my request on Sunday ( same day I sent my message ) . The guide is very knowledgeable and very experienced.
  
 
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   Jade Smith 
 
 
 
  🌍 Kingsmen Namibia Highlights Safari – A Once-in-a-Lifetime Expedition

For our elite sales team, we curated an extraordinary 11-day journey across Namibia – a land of breathtaking contrasts and raw beauty. This wasn’t just a trip; it was a celebration of achievement, camaraderie, and nature at its finest.

✈️ Arrival & Overview
We flew into Namibia with a group of ten men of mixed ages, all top performers in our sales division. The excitement was palpable as we embarked on what we proudly call the Kingsmen trip – a tradition of rewarding excellence with unforgettable experiences.

🏜️ The Route
Our adventure took us through:

Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft Park – home to the towering red dunes of the Great Sand Sea.
The hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast, north of Swakopmund.
Rugged Damaraland, where desert-adapted elephants and rhinos roam.
Remote Kaokoland, rich in culture and wilderness.
Wildlife-rich Etosha National Park.
The serene Epako Reserve, where we ended our journey in style.

🚙 The Experience
We travelled in 4x4 Land Cruisers with rooftop tents, alternating between wild camping and luxurious lodges. The terrain was dramatic and ever-changing – from vast desert plains to rocky outcrops and lush watering holes.
One of the highlights was a hot air balloon safari over the Namib Desert – a surreal and soul-stirring experience that left everyone speechless.

🔥 Team Bonding
This trip wasn’t just about the sights – it was about the people. We cooked our own meals, shared stories around the campfire, and laughed over our driving antics. The bond between the team grew stronger each day, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

🧭 Organisation & Guides
The logistics were flawless. Every detail was meticulously planned, from the route to the accommodations. Our guides were exceptional – knowledgeable, passionate, and deeply connected to the land. Their storytelling and expertise elevated the entire experience.
  
 
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   roberto “Schultz Driverswigger” forlani 
 
 
 
  A reliable and very helpful agency. For various reasons, adjustments were necessary, and they were always quick to find alternative solutions that, above all, met the needs expressed. I think it's especially challenging to meet the needs within the budgets provided, but Desert Track and Safari has always been quick and effective in providing proposals. It would be wonderful to travel to Namibia every year. If I could, I would always turn to Desert Track and Safari.
  
 
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   Daphne Karras 
 
 
 
  Desert tracks organised a flawless 2 week trip around Namibia this summer for our family. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who wants to travel there. Thanks again
  
 
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   Natalie Wood 
 
 
 
  Viola and Jaun organised an amazing trip that gave us a very good understanding of the country from both a natural and historical point of view. Everything was set up extremely well from the logistics, (quality of) lodging and transportation. They have been very responsive also during our travel. Highly recommended. We will surely use their services again on any next trip to Namibia or Botswana

Natalie & Mario