Trying to go to Namibia and not go broke

Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 11:38 AM
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Trying to go to Namibia and not go broke

Do you think I could possibly put something together that could include a charter, Air Namibia and maybe the Desert Express that could get me to all the places one would want to see and with stays in lodges (don't have to be fancy) for $200 per person per day or say $3,000 per person for 10 days? We want to go to Namibia but for all what we want to see and do it's looking more like $6,000 pp and we don't have that kind of $$.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 12:11 PM
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As you probably realize, it's the transportation costs that eat into your budget. Air charters and the train aren't cheap. I haven't been to Namibia myself, but I've done a fair bit of planning for an eventual trip, and you could easily do something within your budget as a self-drive trip.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 12:19 PM
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I'll try to get the information from a pal who went for about ten days in December and spent about $2000. She went with a British tour group--and it wound up being just herself and one other woman and their guide and driver.

She said it was terrific.

We went in early December, and went only to Sossuvlei--the trip was four days in all--and was way pricey for that amount of time--because of private charter, one way fares from Maun and to CPT on Air Namibia--and staying at a pricey lodge.

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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 12:22 PM
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Namibia is an ideal country for self-drive. And, you can certainly find reasonably priced accommodations.

Do a search on this board - input Namibia in the search box on top and click the seach button to the right. Threads containing various Namibia itineraries will appear in the left column.

Or contact Cardboard Box, an in-country Namibia outfitter who can probably work with you to put something together. Remember time of year will impact prices.



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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 12:36 PM
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We're not opposed to driving, I just thought self drive was a tough thing to do because of the roadways and great distances. I also thought I had seen a post some time ago (couple years) about renting 4x4 and getting ripped off as to damages (vehicle already being beat up). I didn't think the train one way was too bad. We definitely have to do a fly over the Skeleton coast.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 01:15 PM
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The fly over is going to cost you.
For most of the usual tourist stops in Namibia you don't need 4WD, but do have to be careful driving some of those gravel roads. Plenty of visitors do this trip in a regular sedan.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 10:13 PM
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Do a self-drive. 4-wheel drive not necessary. Main roads are fine and gravel roads are also ok but may be rough in spots. Distances not great but travel time can be long because you must drive relatively slowly on gravel roads. Never drive at night, the danger of hitting an animal is very great then. When are you planning to go?
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Old Aug 3rd, 2007, 10:49 PM
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My husband and I traveled in Namibia in February in a regular sedan. We flew to Swakopmund from Cape Town and picked up a car. We spent 2 nights in Swakipmund and then drove to Sossuvlei--the drive took most of a day on rough but not horrible roads. We stayed at the Sossuvlei Lodge for 3 nights. We then drove to Windhoek on the same type gravel roads most of the way. The trip took most of a day and we spent the night in Windhoek. We then drove north to Etoshi on tarred roads and spent 4 nights. We drove back to Windhoek and turned in our car. It is very doable--even on the "other" side of the road. Traffic is not much of a problem.
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Old Aug 4th, 2007, 07:53 AM
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I also self drove in Namibia, also in a 2WD rental car. The roads are great, empty and well signed, and its very easy to reach Etosha and Sossosvlei. Perhaps you could self-drive to most of the places you'd like to visit, and then add a flyover of the Skeleton coast.
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Old Aug 4th, 2007, 06:45 PM
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Arranging a flyover is easy, they could usually be arranged the day before the flight. Various duration flights are offered.
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Old Aug 6th, 2007, 02:03 AM
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If you are young or young at heart there are some fantastic itineraries offered by the adventure travel companies.

Exodus has several short trips (13 days, though, not 10). Imaginative Traveller have two 11 days options, one of which is accommodated in lodges.

Just in case it's of interest.
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Old Aug 6th, 2007, 02:57 AM
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try www.wildaboutafrica.com for small group trips
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