Beyond Namibia

We gave Chrizell a tall task in planning our self drive Namibia trip. She was quick to connect with us and was thorough in understanding our travel requests, as well as lodging requirements. We were late in our request, but somehow, she was able to put together an amazing trip that had all the key places we wanted. The cost she gave us was very reasonable, and the payment process was very easy to complete (not always so easy with African vendors). We received an initial itinerary that we adjusted a couple of times (due to our requests), and Chrizell and Johan sent us updated agendas as the day approached. We were all set!

When we arrived in Windhoek, we were met in the airport by Secret Namibia, and given a packet with maps, hotel vouchers, some animal and bird identification books. We met with our vehicle provider (Samuel), and he explained the how-to's of driving the (brand new!) vehicle. That was great, as we went through even how to change the tire(s) (we had 2 spares). However, thank goodness, we had zero issues with the vehicle, which also had a cooler in the back for items that needed to be kept cool.

The route we were given optimized our time and travel. Accommodations were great to good, though the latter is all that is available in some remote areas we went to (and likely impacted by our late planning). We had an amazing time in all the places we visited, and would not suggesting skipping any of them. We visited Windhoek, Kalahari, Fish Canyon, Klein Aus (wild horses), Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Palmwag Etosha NP, and Waterberg. The 3 weeks went very fast, and we truly enjoyed the self driving aspect of the trip. We specifically enjoyed doing the self drive safari in Etosha, where we went where we wanted, as well as stayed as long as we wanted, in the park. Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei (you gotta climb Big Daddy Dune, and then the rush of going down it!), and Kalahari also stood out for us.

Watchouts on the trip are the number and locations of gas stations, lots of unpaved roads (we enjoyed this actually), and poor cell/wifi coverage in remote areas (which is to be expected). We actually had some wifi coverage in our vehicle, which was really helpful!

We have already recommended Secret Namibia to friends who have inquired. The excellent service, the freedom of self driving, and excellent pricing, make them an easy referral for us!

Our honeymoon in Namibia was a dream come true, thanks to Secret Namibia.

Everything was flawlessly planned, from the smooth transfers between our lodges to the personalized suggestions for the best activities.

Johan ensured we had a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, whether it was exploring the dunes or unwinding in the peaceful, romantic settings.

The communication throughout was exceptional, making us feel completely at ease. After all the wedding events we really needed to just switch off and the whole trip was awesome- better than we could have imagined.

We’re already discussing returning for our anniversary as we've heard about a combined safari they offer that includes a visit to Vic falls.

We’ll definitely be booking with Secret Namibia again! Huge Thanks.

Took the family on a safari to Namibia this summer and it completely exceeded our expectations. After doing a lot of research online, SecretNamibia stood out as the best option for families, and we couldn’t have been more pleased with our choice. Johan and his team made sure every detail was covered, and from the moment we booked, it was clear we were in expert hands.

Travelling with our two children, we were looking for a balance of adventure and comfort, and SecretNamibia delivered exactly that. They arranged everything, from the brilliant lodges to the smooth transitions between locations, making the entire trip effortless. Namibia is an unbelievably beautiful country, and each part of our journey brought something new.

In Etosha National Park, the wildlife was amazing – seeing lions, elephants, and giraffes up close was a dream come true, especially for the kids. But it wasn’t just the game drives that made the trip so memorable. SecretNamibia organised a range of activities that catered to the whole family, including guided nature walks and a special helicopter flight over the Namib Desert. Watching the sunrise over the dunes from above was absolutely breathtaking.

Our stay at the NamibRand Nature Reserve was a highlight, where we were able to relax and take in the landscapes. The combination of adventure and pure luxury made it feel like a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Johan’s expertise and care in planning meant we were able to focus on enjoying every moment. Unlike other tour organisers, Secret Namibia are also based in Namibia which put us massively at ease in case anything went wrong (it didn't!).

If you’re thinking of a family safari, you'll be really taken care of with SecretNamibia. They made sure every part of our trip was extra special, and we left Namibia with about a million photos and memories we’ll cherish forever! 10/10 experience!