Author: Denise Historical

The world is moving into a new era. With climate change and the general impact that people can have on a location being on the minds of many travellers, more and more people are looking for sustainable travel options that will allow them to have a holiday without feeling guilty about climbing on an aeroplane and travelling to a fascinating new place.

Sustainable safaris are fast becoming a popular way to travel. The goal of this way of travelling is to see the world in such a way that the impact that you have on the destination is at best not felt and at worst, is at least positive. Since most of the world’s most popular places to travel are often overcrowded with tourists, the impact on the destination can be quite negative. Overcrowded destinations can take quite a knock, with the environment, the communities and even the local economy sometimes being negatively affected. With sustainable safaris, and sustainable travelling in general, you can explore the world guilt free.

How can safaris become sustainable?

It is not just the way that you travel but also the things that you do while you are on safari that can make the difference. One of the best ways to experience a more sustainable safari is to book a tour with a company that has made a commitment to providing guests with a sustainable safari experience.

But aside from booking the right kind of tour, you can also do a few things when you are travelling, to ensure that your trip has that sustainable factor.

1. Treat everything and everyone with respect

The key to any kind of sustainable safari is to treat every person, place and situation with respect. When you are holidaying in a new destination, you are essentially the guest. One way to be respectful is to do no harm and to always be kind to the people and animals you encounter while on safari.

2. Choose a thoughtful tour operator

Going on tour with the sort of company that is willing to share their knowledge and to help you learn more about what you are seeing and where you are going is something that can make your safari a whole lot more special and it can also be a guide as to how to behave and how to act in a sustainable way.

3. Leave the wildlife alone

Many travellers make the mistake of thinking that the animals they come across aren’t all that wild. No matter where you travel in Africa, you are going to come in contact with wildlife, and it is best that you leave the animals alone. Appreciate them from a distance but don’t try to touch them.

4. Buy a reusable water bottle

Instead of buying single use plastic bottles, invest in a high quality reusable plastic bottle that can be refilled. There are plenty of places in Africa, especially Southern Africa, where you can get safe drinkable water from a tap.

5. Don’t buy endangered or unethical products

Going home with something memorable from your trip is something you should definitely do. But when you are shopping, don’t buy anything that looks suspicious, and avoid buying anything that looks like it was once alive.

If you want to have a Namibia holiday to remember, book your trip with Namibia Safaris. We are an ethical and sustainable Namibia tour company.

While most Namibia safaris are all about hitting the road and adventuring into far flung, off-the-beaten-track destinations, there are indeed other ways to look at your Namibia tour. The notion of going to a Spa whilst on a safari is perhaps not something that is well publicised, including a day of rejuvenating and relaxing spa treatments in your itinerary could result in just the sort of holiday experience you’ve always dreamed of.

There are plenty of wonderful locations in Namibia where you can sign up for a spa treatment. Some of the spas form a part of the more upmarket Namibia lodges and hotels, while others are independent businesses generally found in the bigger towns around the country. (One thing to keep in mind when looking for a spa treatment is that some lodge spas might make their spa exclusively available to their guests.)

1. Omulilo Spa, Mokuti Lodge
   Step into a luxurious oasis of serenity, just outside the famous Etosha National Park and treat yourself to a rejuvenating and holistic treatment after a day spent game-viewing n the hot, dusty park. Massage therapies, hand-&-foot treatments, facials and more are offered in a beautiful, serene setting by professional and experienced therapists.
2. Midgard Namibia Spa
   Here, relaxation is a priority and the focus is on ensuring that you have the best experience during a facial, massage or beauty treatment. Midgard Lodge is a self-dubbed paradise, situated only 86 km outside Windhoek and the Spa can enjoyed by both day-visitors and in-house guests. The Midgard Spa utilises renowned and sought-after treatment products, to renew and revive your body, mind and soul.
3. Divava Okavango Lodge and Spa
   In the far north of Namibia, one enters a green paradise in the Caprivi region of Namibia – here, in a green oasis amongst tall leafy trees on the banks of the wide Okavango River, the Divava Spa is located. The Spa offers you indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, each offering complete privacy, with an uninhibited view of the river. The steam room will ease your muscle aches and the clear blue swimming pool lies just outside the door and entices you to dive in and cool off after a massage, body wrap or scrub, and more.
4. Atlantic Spa
   Named after the vast ocean that flanks the coastal town on Swakopmund and located within the Strand Hotel, the Spa caters for both in-house guests and visiting customers. Offering the bespoke and renowned Signature, and award-winning Thalgo product ranges, a variety of expert treatment options is available. Complete your spa experience by enjoying crystal steam rooms, rain showers, a grooming lounge, relaxation room, rooftop garden terrace and a Sauna.
5. Le Mirage Desert Lodge and Spa
   The Mystique Spa is situated within the Moroccan-themed Le Mirage Lodge, in the Sossusvlei region of Namibia. Offering relieving and rejuvenating massages including an Ancient Thai treatment in the Ancient Massage Area, Beauty therapies, Scrubs and Hydrotherapy, a Jacuzzi and Pool, indoor and outdoor treatments, privacy and a magnificent view of the dry Namib Desert beyond the spa walls and windows, this promises to be a complete and truly exceptional experience.

The New Year has arrived and in 2023, if you are looking for the perfect place to visit, Namibia should be high up on your list of places to visit. It has everything you could want from a holiday including luxury accommodation, beautiful scenery, amazing food, lovely people, and when visiting here you are guaranteed to get a real sense of adventure.

Namibia typically attracts the sort of traveller who wants to have a holiday that is both relaxing and exciting. When visiting Namibia, there are plenty of off the beaten track places to explore and numerous urban places that are just as interesting.

When it comes to booking a holiday, you should think about what kind of experience you want to have and you should also do a little research into the various destinations that you can see while you are here. It also helps to know if you want to go on a self-drive trip or if what you want is a guided tour.

Once you know what type of holiday you want to have, you can start looking for the Namibia tour that ticks all of the boxes. And when travelling in 2023, there are some great options for you to consider when you travel with ATC.

1. 7 Day Southern Kalahari and Namibia Desert Explorer

The Kalahari Desert and the Namib Desert can both be explored when you are visiting Namibia on this exciting tour. As a part of this adventure holiday, guests will be staying in some of the most unique and beautiful accommodation, while touring to some of the most beautiful attractions.

• 4 Day Otjimbondona Kalahari Tour

Namibia is well known for its incredible beauty. No two spots in the country look the same, and in this vast and exceptionally stunning wilderness, guests get to see and explore places they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else on earth. This tour includes some of the best spots in the Kalahari.

• 8 Days Etosha, Sossusvlei with a Taste of Swakopmund

Taking guests to some of the most popular destinations in Namibia, this incredible 8 day tour is ideal for those who have the time and who want to see Namibia’s best attractions. On this tour guests have the opportunity to go on a once in a lifetime safari, and then explore the sands of the Sossusvlei, before ending their trip with some time spent in the coastal town of Swakopmund.

• Best of Namibia Wilderness

This Namibia tour is designed to take you for a walk on the wild side by giving guests the chance to see all the magnificent wilderness in just 12 days. Some of the highlights of this tour includes Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, the Skeleton Coast, and Ongava Private Game Reserve.

• 6 Days Namibia in a Nutshell

Not all long stay tours in Namibia need to cost a fortune, and with this budget friendly tour, you can visit some of the best attractions and stay in some luxury places. A couple of the tour highlights include time spent in the Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Waterberg Plateau National Park, and Windhoek.

Make 2023 a year to remember by booking a Namibia tour. At ATC Namibia we have a wide range of fantastic trips that you can choose from and you can book a tour via our website today or contact us for more information.

The past few years have been a game changer for travellers and professionals alike. With the realisation that people can effectively and efficiently work remotely, the floodgates to a nomadic lifestyle were opened, and with the recent development of what is being called the digital nomad visa, travellers wanting to live, work and travel around Namibia over the space of a few months can now make their dreams a reality.

Imagine, for a moment, spending your days driving around Namibia, stopping overnight in far flung towns, and going on guided Namibia safaris, all while still making a living. This is what is made possible with the nomad visa, which is valid for 6 months and available for those who earn a minimum income of $2000 a month. Such an experience will not only give you invaluable life experience and a whole lot of great memories, but it can also have you networking with fellow nomads and creating lifelong business and personal friendships.

Why should you spend 6 months in Namibia as a working professional?

Namibia has a lot to offer. From a bustling urban life in the cities and towns to picturesque social media perfect landscapes, the nomadic traveller has plenty to look forward to and benefits that go beyond getting the chance to experience a prolonged stay. These include:

1. Travelling here is quite affordable
   For the average traveller visiting from overseas, Namibia is an affordable destination and getting around, exploring the best of what the country has to offer is within most budgets. A visa to the country is also a lot cheaper than the cost of a visa to other countries.
2. It is easy to get around
   Namibia might come across as a desolate and utterly remote kind of destination, but it is recognised as having one of the best networks of well-maintained roads in all of Southern Africa. Getting around is really easy, but since some roads are built in rather rough and rugged places, it is always best to hire a 4×4 vehicle to ensure that you can travel safely, if you are not booking guided Namibia safaris during your stay.
3. The visa application can be done online
   One of the most useful advancements is that the visa application can be done online. The digital nomad visa can be downloaded and then applied for via the web.

Nomad Visa Requirements

If this sort of visa appeals to you, here are the requirements for application:

• An income of more than $2000 a month for a single traveller.
• 6 months bank statements
• A letter of motivation from your employer
• Copies of your qualification
• A police clearance certificate from your country of origin
• Medical insurance that will cover a 6 month period, as well as a medical certificate and a radiological report.

If you meet the requirements, you could be well on your way to a Namibia holiday you will never forget. And if you want to spend some time on a packaged Namibia tour, contact us today and we’ll help you find that perfect tour.

Tucked away in the north-western corner of Namibia, the Kunene region (previously informally known as Kaokoland,) is the epitome of adventure.

Of all of the Namibia holidays you could experience, time spent travelling along the dusty tracks that twist and turn through the virtually untouched landscape will be time you treasure for the rest of your life. This the epitome of adventure, with indescribably beautiful landscapes, an interesting population of wildlife and an atmosphere of utter peace and tranquillity. The Kunene region is magical, remote and popular with those looking to experience a private and more secluded Namibia safari.

In this know-before-you-go guide, we’re providing a couple of quick facts, tips and generally helpful information to assist you in planning an exciting, guaranteed to be unforgettable trip through the Kunune region of Namibia.

When is the best time to visit the Kunene Region?

For the most part Namibia enjoys hot dry weather for a large part of the year. In this region you can expect a wet and rainy season as well, so well thought out planning is essential.
The best time to visit the area is between May and October, when the weather is at its driest. Not only does this minimise the chance of being rained out during your trip, but it also potentially increases wildlife sightings as the animals congregate around water holes when rain is scarce.
If you wish to travel between November and March, be sure to pack for the rainy weather whilst also being prepared to deal with some fairly intense heat.
The Top 3 Attractions
The whole of the Kunene region is an attraction on its own. The ecosystems, landscapes and wildlife all make for an epic adventure, but if you are looking for more specific things to do and places to see, here’s what you can add to your itinerary:

1. Kunene River
   The surrounding land is barren but along the bed of the Kunene River, the landscape is abundantly green. The Kunene River cuts a lazy path through granite rock and all along the banks, wildlife can be seen drinking their fill and keeping cool in the hot desert heat. The river is a welcome sight after a day of travel and along its banks are various lodges and campsites, many of which offer some of the finest accommodation in Namibia.
2. Epupa Falls
   Nestled in the north west of the Kunene region, the awe-inspiring Epupa Falls is one of the most popular attractions in Namibia and a must visit when you are in the area. Around the falls you can see all sorts of incredible flowers, birds and trees, with ancient Baobab trees and Makalani Palms being a particularly beautiful sight to behold. If you are lucky, you may catch sight of a crocodile enjoying a swim in one of the waterfall’s pools.
3. Opuwo
   Home to the Himba people of Namibia, Opuwo is the capital of the Kunene region and one of the best places to learn about this fascinating tribe. Many Himba people still live much according to the ancient ways of their ancestors, and you can gain an insight into their customs and traditions during a visit to the Ovahimba Living Museum.

Popular Namibia Safari Holidays Which Visit the Kunene Region

At ATC Namibia we offer our guests both fly-in tours, or conventional safari options per road. Here are some tours which include a visit to the Kunene region:

• Best of Namibia (Guided Safari)
On day 4 of this superb tour of Namibia, guests head into the Kunene region for a day of adventure with the evening stay at the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. Guests may be fortunate enough to see the free-roaming desert elephants.

• Best of Namibia Wilderness (Fly Safari)
Continuing on from Windhoek, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund, on day 6 of this safari per charter flight the journey takes you along the west coast of Namibia and into the Kunene region. There you can look forward to participating in 2 exciting activities and spending the night in the fabulous Doro Nawas Adventure Camp.

• 15 Days Namibia Photo Adventure Safari (Photographic Guided Tour)
An outstanding Namibia tour perfect for both professional and amateur photographers, this tour has guests heading to the Kunene region on day 6. Walk through the same areas where once the hunter-gatherers of the past searched for food and painted rocks tell the story of these ancient people. Numerous artefacts and tools have been discovered here over time, alongside the paintings.

• Three Countries Adventures Safari (Guided Tour)
This exciting tour takes guests into three different countries, through Namibia and on to Botswana and Zimbabwe. In the Kunene region on days 6 & 7, enjoy exciting exploration and the opportunity to get to know the Himba tribe with their unique and enthralling customs and traditional way of living.

• Kaokoland Guided Tour
The ultimate tour of this region of Namibia, this safari consists of an unforgettable 15 days in and around the area, giving guests ample time to experience all of the magic the Kunene region has to offer. Guests will travel from Windhoek and spend exhilerating days exploring, before travelling on to the Etosha National Park and finally returning to Windhoek.

Planning your Kaokoland Trip

With an impressive array of Namibia tour packages available, selecting your ideal itinerary and choosing your preferred mode of travel is all part of the holiday fun. ATC Namibia offer scheduled tours, self-drive or charter-fly-in options and we also offer tailor-made packages to best suit your requirements.
We are passionate about our unique African nation and we offer our guests a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience when booking with ATC Namibia. Our Namibia tour package prices are budget friendly and when booking one of our tours, you can be sure that an unforgettable experience awaits you.

Namibia is one of the most conservation focused nations in Africa. With its small population of people and its huge swaths of untouched landscape and vulnerable wildlife, it takes a lot of work to ensure that the conservation efforts in place work as they should.

For this reason, and many others, there are all sorts of volunteer projects available in the country and each year those travelling to Namibia can choose to plan their holiday in such a way that they are able to give their time to a good cause, while also learning more about the country.

Regardless of your passions, you can find a cause that will catch your interest and which can benefit from your involvement. It is important to note that the programme you are considering could require a week or more of your time. You could also be expected to pay a little something towards the programme during your stay.

5 Interesting Volunteer Projects

1. Rhino Momma Project

For years Rhinos have dominated the headlines as their population numbers have been declining steadily all throughout Africa, including Namibia, due to unrelenting poaching activities. At the Rhino Momma Project, the team goes above and beyond to play a role in saving this species from being totally wiped out. To achieve their goals, the project needs a lot of help, and so they take on volunteers who in turn make memories they will never forget while also getting to learn more about conservation.

2. SAVE Foundation

Poaching is without a doubt one of the biggest issues facing the wildlife of Namibia. Each year hundreds, if not thousands, of animals fall victim to this predatory practice. The SAVE Foundation plays a role in providing a sanctuary for the animals it saves and volunteers are always most welcome. Those who volunteer at SAVE will be responsible for feeding the wildlife and for the general care of the animals, and they will also get to learn more about the animals they spend their days with.

3. Nhoma Bush Camp

Not all volunteer projects are only about the wildlife. Some also include time spent with local tribes, learning about the community and gaining ancient knowledge from the people. At the Nhoma Bush Camp, you can expect to learn a lot about bush survival, permaculture, and the San people and their loving connection to nature.

4. N/a’an ku se Wildlife Volunteering

At the N/a’an ku se Wildlife Volunteering project, volunteers are given the unique opportunity to get up close to the wildlife they are looking after. This dedicated conservation project looks after all kinds of wildlife and their innovative approach to wildlife care is what makes the project both unique and successful. The sanctuary is a 45km drive from Windhoek and volunteers can look forward to tailor-made activities that emphasise the realities of conservation.

This volunteering project works with the conservation research programme Kanaan, which is dedicated to studying the spotted hyenas of the Namib Desert as well as other carnivores, and also with TimBila, which is also doing research into carnivores.

Bernhard Nordcamp Centre

Namibia is a country on the move and education is what will help this desert nation build strong foundations for its future. You can play a role in helping the country create independent and educated future leaders by taking part in this volunteer programme. At the Bernhard Nordcamp Centre, you can assist the teachers in the Windhoek community and partake in after school classes for grade 1 to 7 children. There is also the option volunteering to prepare lunches and coach sports teams.