Safari Tours from Windhoek

What our customers ask about Safari Tours from Windhoek

• What's the best time of year for wildlife viewing on safaris from Windhoek?

  Plan your Windhoek safari between May and December during the dry season when animals gather at waterholes. The sweet spot is July through October when daytime temperatures are comfortable at 77-86°F (25-30°C). You'll get your best wildlife photos during early morning game drives – that's when predators and other animals are most active. Many travelers who've done this trip tell us these months consistently deliver amazing wildlife sightings.

• How much driving time should I expect each day on safari tours from Windhoek?

  You'll spend about 3-6 hours on the road each day, depending on your route. The trip from Windhoek to Etosha National Park takes 4-5 hours to cover the 400 km distance. Getting to Swakopmund is a bit shorter at 4 hours (350 km). Once you're in parks like Etosha, you'll do morning and afternoon game drives that last 2-3 hours each, with plenty of stops to watch wildlife at waterholes.

• What is the typical length of safari tours starting from Windhoek?

  Most people choose tours lasting between 6 and 14 days, with 10-14 days being ideal. If you have two weeks, you can do a full circuit including Etosha National Park, Damaraland and Sossusvlei. Short on time? A 6-day trip will still get you to key spots like Etosha and Swakopmund. One happy traveler told us, "The tour fulfilled my expectations and was organized very nicely," showing that even shorter trips pack in plenty of experiences.

• What are the main wildlife viewing areas accessible from safari tours starting in Windhoek?

  Your main wildlife spot will be Etosha National Park, about 400 km from Windhoek. It's home to 114 types of mammals and more than 340 bird species. You can also see desert-adapted wildlife in the Erongo Mountains, or head to Bwabwata National Park for buffalo and elephants. Many tours start with a night at Toshari Lodge near Etosha. As one traveler put it, "Etosha National Park was the highlight with incredible elephant, lion and rhino sightings."

• What languages do safari guides speak on tours starting from Windhoek?

  English is the main language for most guides. If you're German-speaking, look for tours with companies like Bavaria Fernreisen and Gebeco. Motema Tours offers guides who speak French and Spanish too. One recent traveler mentioned, "Our English-speaking guide was extremely knowledgeable about both wildlife and local culture."

• What cultural experiences are included in safari tours starting from Windhoek?

  Your trip will likely include visits to Himba villages in Damaraland, time at the Damara Living Museum, and meetings with local communities in the Waterberg area. Many tours stop at Okonjima Nature Reserve, where you'll learn about the AfriCat Foundation's work. Travelers often tell us they loved seeing the ancient Twyfelfontein rock engravings and meeting local people while staying at places like Palmwag Lodge or Brandberg White Lady Lodge.