South Africa’s neighbour Namibia has been seen for a long time as a perfect destination for a fun-filled family adventure. Offering a value for money experience where the activities and attractions match your pocket, along with an exchange rate of Rands to make that budget stretch even further, Namibia remains a great family holiday option!
Getting there
To start with, getting to Namibia can be a cost effective, with the option of self drive or hiring a car on arrival to ensure that your transport is reliable and able to meet your specific needs or requirements. And with South African passport holders not requiring a visa for entry into Namibia, this is another potential cost that is saved on.
Not all Activities are costly
Not all activities need to cost extravagant amounts of money and some may even be free of charge. From dolphin & seal watching and partaking in a variety of water sports in Walvis Bay to a day out at Von Bach Dam, close to Okahandja, the possibilities are endless!
Enjoy a scenic walk along the rugged Skeleton Coast and play homage to the many ships that sank on this treacherous coastline, enjoy a walking tour through Windhoek at your own pace and according to your own interest, or perhaps browse through the local craft markets in the area or even enjoy a picnic in the dunes of Walvis Bay….as many as the grains of sand in the Kalahari, so are the adventures that await you in Namibia.
Self-Drive & Camping
For larger families wanting to explore Namibia, a self-drive option may work out more cost effective. Not only are you not paying for transfers, taxis and transportation, but a self-drive holiday allows the family to enjoy the break at their own pace and on their own timetable. Couple this with a camping holiday and you will be pleasantly surprised at the cost! What could be better for a family time than camping under the stars and experiencing new things together?
Accommodation
Apart from camping, other cost effective options include local B&B’s, self catering chalets or flats in the town of your choice. Contact the Namibia Tourism Board with regards to possible accommodation options or visit www.staytoday.com.na, a website that is known for last minute bookings within Namibia. Loyalty cards available for South Africans from various accommodation establishments.
Cuisine
Apart from the local fast food restaurants available in the large cosmopolitan cities, the choice is yours to dine out in style at a local eatery or rather chill under the stars with some local top class Namibian beef on the braai.
Namibia provides the perfect backdrop for picnics and braais, snack packs and packed lunches – all in the name of quality family time!
Adventure for the family
From sand boarding and quad biking to canoeing and paragliding, Namibia makes allowance for family fun of all ages. Whether it is picking up shells on the battered Skeleton Coast or quad biking in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, Namibia’s variety is astounding! See www.namibiatourism.com.na for a full list of activities sure to appeal to all ages!
Wildlife Galore!
Kids of all ages – and their parents alike – love animals! Combine that with a child friendly resort in the Etosha region and you have a match made in heaven! Etosha’s wide variety and abundance of wildlife will enthrall families worldwide, who are off to experience their own African safari! From prides of lions to a lone giraffe, a rhino in search of a tasty snack or even a herd of zebra on their way to the water hole, Etosha is a destination well worth confirming for any family holiday.
A Giant Sandpit for all to enjoy!
A visit to Sossusvlei is a must for any family holiday. From the early morning start of hot air balloon rides to visiting what is probably the largest – and most beautiful – sand pit worldwide in the form of the Namib Desert, this is the pinnacle of family entertainment. While dad climbs Big Daddy along with the teenagers, mom can sit and relax with a nice cold drink and enjoy the amazing view while the tiny tots play in the sand at the foot of the dunes.
Namibia is the perfect playground for family fun….all you need to know is where to visit and what you can get up to!
For further information on Namibia, contact the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) on (021) 422 3298. Like NTB on Facebook/namibianexperience or follow them on twitter/ntbsa. Visit their website on www.namibiatourism.com.na for further information and listings of activities and attractions to appeal to the entire family.
