Multigenerational activities for the whole family to enjoy in Namibia

Namibia’s incredible mix of sprawling national parks, vast deserts and historic towns make it the perfect destination for an epic family adventure. From kayaking alongside Cape fur seals at Walvis Bay, to gazing up at the stars from the serenity of the Namib Desert, there’s something for kids, parents, and seniors to enjoy.

Over recent years, approximately one in six UK families travel on a multigenerational holiday each year, and that statistic is mirrored similarly across other nations such as the US and large swathes of Western Europe.

If you’re contemplating booking a safe family safari holiday to Namibia and you’re looking for activity ideas and inspiration, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article we guide you through five amazing multigenerational activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Kayak with the seals at Walvis Bay

Home to a huge colony of over 200,000 Cape fur seals, kayaking in Walvis Bay is one of the best ways for the whole family to get up close and personal with these incredible pinnipeds on your Namibia safari adventure.

Located around a 30-minute drive away from the quaint coastal town of Swakopmund, hop on a 4x4 in the early morning and you’ll be whisked to Pelican Point where you’ll start your kayaking adventure. As you travel down the bay, you’ll even glide past salt farms and get to see some gorgeous flamingos!

Rest assured that the kayaks are big enough so parents can share with young children and the kayak tours that run from Walvis Bay are very professional, run by expert local guides and of course life jackets are provided.

If kayaking is a little too adventurous for Grandma or Grandad, then there’s always the option of heading out on a catamaran that will journey you from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay. Kick back on the vessel and look out for the incredible bottlenose dolphins!

Track Elephants in Damaraland

Characterized by its wild, sprawling landscape, Damaraland, which is located towards the north of Namibia, is one of the nation’s most sparsely populated regions.

Although the area is arid and largely desolate, there’s an abundance of wildlife to spot including the incredible desert-adapted elephants.

Unlike their close relatives, the iconic African elephant, these desert-adapted mammals have smaller bodies and slightly longer legs that help them roam the sand dunes. Incredibly, these desert-adapted elephants have even learnt to adapt their diets and they can go days without drinking water, instead extracting fluid by eating moist vegetation found by dry riverbeds.

Gather up the crew and head out on a private guided elephant tracking tour. Keep your cameras at the ready and remember to take plenty of snaps!

Star Gazing in the Namib Desert

A Namibia safari holiday promises relaxation and respite, as well as adventure, and there’s no better way to escape from the stresses of everyday life than by sitting back and gazing up some majestic star constellations with the whole family.

The best place for stargazing in Namibia is in the Namib Desert, where the crisp open skies give way to an epic mix of twinkling constellations and even shooting starts!

Throughout the Namib Desert there are plenty of lodges that boast high-powered telescopes so you can see the sky in more detail and the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge even boasts its own observatory.

Other accommodation options in the area, such as the Kulala Desert Lodge, offer a private roof terrace and staff will be more than happy to set up a bed for you and the family so you can lean back and admire the views together.

Trek the Fish River Canyon

One of the biggest draws of a Namibia safari getaway is the opportunity to explore the wilderness and get off the beaten track. No activity encapsulates this appeal more than trekking the mighty Fish River Canyon.

Book a multi-day trek for the whole family and you will be taken down to the canyon floor before you navigate the incredible paths of the Great Fish River. Best experienced between May-September, when temperatures are cooler, this incredible trek will give you the opportunity to swim in the cool waters of the river whilst you marvel at the mammoth canyon that surrounds you.

If you’re unable to commit to a multi-day trip, shorter trekking routes through the canyon can be organised or you can even book a hot air balloon ride that will enable you to witness this incredible formation from above.

Embrace History at Kolmanskop

Namibia has a unique and storied history, largely inspired by its German colonial past and diamond-mining heydays.

For a taste of history and culture, gather up the clan and head on over to the abandoned diamond mining town of Kolmanskop, which is located a short drive away from the charming coastal town of Luderitz.

Throughout the year you’ll find expert local guides on hand who will help you navigate the eery and neglected buildings; the guides will also impart their wisdom, taking you on a journey through the boom-and-bust tale of Kolmanskop, which once stood as one of the most affluent and prosperous areas in the entire southern hemisphere.

Visitors to Kolmanskop are encouraged to explore and photograph the abandoned ghost down so don’t be afraid to take plenty of photographs, particularly ones of the part-desert reclaimed hospital.