Do you enjoy in pristine nature? Do you want to see african animals in the wild on one of the most affordable safaris in Africa? Do you want to take a glimpse in the traditional tribal life? Then Namibia is the right place for you. There you will find beautiful landscapes and rich wildlife, but the real treasure of this country are the people, who give the special touch while traveling trough this deserted part of the world. We are not sure if there is better, prettier, more photogenic place on the whole world for road tripping and camping than Namibia.
Ok, you will say, but is it OK to go with young kids? Definitely. You just have to do some preparations just like for every other family trip in a foreign country. And before heading there we would suggest to travel first to some other, easier to travel continents. In our quick travel guide to Namibia you can find some useful information, advices and travel tips to help you organize a trip to this amazing country. You can also check our Namibia itinerary to have an idea how much time we spent on a specific place.
And these are the top places to visit with kids in Namibia. They are worth visiting if you are traveling solo, in group or as a couple as well.
1. SOSSUVLEI
Sossusvlei is the most photographed place in Namibia I guess. It’s definitely the most photographed desert in the world. This landscape is truly something special, with its red sand dunes that are one of the tallest dunes in the world and make the area look like a sandy wanderland. At the end of the road trough Sossusvlei when the road changes into sandy path there’s a half an hour walk to a bizarre, beautiful and very photogenical place, Deadvlei, with tree skeletons, hundreds of years old, lost in the middle of the desert on a salt pan between the golden dunes. This place is without a doubt for your bucketlist.
We suggest to stay: we stayed in the Sesriem Rest Camp, a place to stay if you want to see the famous dunes of Sossusvlei with sunrise and not spend a fortune. The campsite is basic, but well maintained. In the night we got visits of oryx and springboks during the day.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
2. ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK
Etosha is the largest game reserve in Namibia and you can experience it in your own vehicle if you want. You get the map of the park with the water holes where animals gather to drink and then it’s up to you to explore the park. You can spot some of the most common and rarest african wildlife species. Among all other kinds of animals the park is home to some of the largest elephant in Africa, the endangered black rhino and even leopard.
We suggest to stay: we stayed in three main campsites in Etosha – Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo, depend of what part of the park we were visiting. Each camp has tourist facilities such as a restaurant, a shop (selling only basic goods), a motor garage for fuel and basic repairs.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
3. SPITZKOPPE
Spitzkoppe – a group of granite peaks that are rising dramatically from the dry flat plains is another special place, where besides the stunning views over the gorgeous landscape you can watch the petroglyphs and the caves where the ancient San people (Bushmen) lived. After discovering the natural pools and arches and wandering among the rock formations, there’s a million star sky waiting for you to calmly enjoy in the evening.
We suggest to stay: we stayed at Spitzkoppe campsites, very basic, but with rewarding atmosphere and views and easy to reach attractions.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
4. KOLMANSKOP – A PLACE FROZEN IN TIME
The ghost town of Kolmanskop in the heart of Namib desert was abandoned by its German inhabitants when the diamond mine nearby ran out of diamonds 60 years ago. After that the nature took its course and started wearing down the windows and the door frames and the sand made its way inside. Now visitors are allowed to explore these incredible, once rich houses half sunken into sand.
We suggest to stay: we stayed in Luderitz at The Shark Island Rest Camp. When we were there it was very windy, but the location is amazing – on the peninsula by the ocean, from the tent we could watch dolphins playing and jumping from the water.
Suggested number of days: couple of hours
5. RANCHES OF SOUTHERN NAMIBIA
We are not sure why many visitors of Namibia skip the Southern part, or don’t take a stop on one of the ranches that are typical for this part of the country. On the south there are vast landscapes and kilometers of wire fence that enclose massive private ranches that can be as big as our country – Slovenia. The lansdcape is incredibly dry, but with unbelievable views everywhere you look. The roads are dusty, semi-desert, with mountains on both sides and Oryx freely running along the road. But at the end of the road as you reach the ranch, there is a totally different story – green oasis and full of animals everywhere.
We suggest to stay: we stayed at lovely Ranch Koiimasis, a picturesque place on the edge of Namib desert, surrounded by red granite rocks. Between reception and the campsite there were lots of horses, ostriches, guinea fowl, ducks and geese as domestic animals.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
6. SEA LIONS AT CAPE CROSS
Cape Cross is a protected area, home to one of the largest colony of seals in the world. The views over the 100.000 seals is spectacular, although the smell is barely bearable. The seals are hanging on the beach, crawling into the sea, barking, the puppies are playing and following their mothers … you can get very close to them and watch them interact with each other.
Suggested number of days: couple of hours
7. GET CLOSE TO ENDANGERED CHEETAH
There are several ranches and farms in Namibia where visitors have the oportunity to interact with tamed wild animals that have their homes at the ranches and farms. The highlight of visiting those places are scheduled cheetah feedings or game drives to view wild cheetah.
We suggest to stay: we stayed at Quivertree Forest Rest Camp, located outside Keetmanshoop, on a working farm. Basic and clean. It’s a great base for visiting also the Quivertree Forest and Giants Playground – both are well worth a visit.
Suggested number of days: 1 day
8. EPUPA FALLS IN KAOKOLAND
On the border of Angola and Namibia, the mighty Kunene River falls 35 m deep and creates the fabolous Epupa Falls. The setting is like from a fairytale. A beautiful river with individual falls and baobabs placed on the edge of cliffs. Take a short hike to viewpoints nearby the Epupa Falls Lodge and Campsite and you will have a loud and breathtaking visual experience. Some people say that bathing in natural pools of the river is a great thing to do, but the signs “beware crocodiles” tell you that this is not a good idea. Our local guide Owen said that in this part of the river they kill around 30 people a year.
We suggest to stay: we stayed at wanderful Epupa Falls Lodge and Campsite, situated on the banks of the Kunene River and surrounded with tall palm trees, with beautiful views to the Epupa Falls from the restaurant.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
9. THE OKAVANGO RIVER
The unspoiled upper reaches of the Okavango delta are completely different than other parts of Namibia. It’s humid and a lot of water and vegetation everywhere. The best way to experience this unique place is by boat. Hippo and crocs are roaming around and in the river and in the dry season you can spot also other big animals on the river banks.
We suggest to stay: we stayed in Ngepi Camp, on the banks of Okavango River that has beautiful river facing, award winning camping spots and the most amazing, outdoor showers and toilets we have ever seen. And you can swim in the crock pool too, a floating swimming pool – in the river – world’s first “croc and hippo cage dive”.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
10. TRIBES OF NAMIBIA
Namibia is very rich regarding tribal life. There are many tribes, each different than other. They have different way of dressing, hairstyles and way of life that depends of the environment they live in. For us it is difficult to imagine an unforgettable trip without authentic interaction with local people. Despite all the natural beauty and fantastic animals people gave us memories that we will never forget. In Namibia we had the opportunity to interact with the locals on several occasions and time spent with the San (Bushmen), Himba and Hakaone people was simply unforgettable.
We suggest to stay: we visited the Himba tribes near Purros and near Epupa Falls. The Hakaone tribe we visited on our way from Epupa Falls to Opuvo. The San people we visited near Tsumkwe.
Suggested number of days: 2 days
These are our top places in Namibia that you can visit with kids.
Read more: video – Namibia family roadtrip
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