WATCH: South Africa vs Namibia safaris

Two of our most popular Southern Africa destinations are pitted against one another so that you can choose a safari adventure that is perfect for you.

A South Africa safari means bush, beach and vibrant cities, while Namibia’s isolated and vast landscapes offer seclusion, a reconnection with nature and more than enough adventure.

Take a look at our brief comparison below:

South Africa		Namibia
Wildlife	All of the Big Five mammals Game-viewing all year round Over 900 bird species	Four of the Big Five (no buffalo) Unique desert-adapted mammals such as the oryx, elephant and black-maned lion Over 600 bird species
Photography	Excellent wildlife photography	Superb landscape photography
Type of traveller	Honeymooners Family travel Solo travellers Foodies LGBT travel	Best for group tours Active and adventure travellers Couples looking for romantic seclusion
Accommodation	Multiple five-star luxury accommodation Service excellence More variety for your budget Plenty of family-friendly accommodations	Secluded, intimate accommodation for budget or medium-budget safaris Remote; so travel is tricky if not on a self-drive tour. Fly-in services can be pricey Camping is the most budget-friendly option. Facilities are excellent and safe
Language, culture and history	Almost everyone speaks and understands English Robust cultural and political history	Small percentage of English speakers Colonial German dialects and the South African-originated Afrikaans are most widely spoken
Experiences	Geared more towards bush and beach safaris Robust and diverse city experiences	Self-drive safaris are the easiest and possibly most enjoyable safari option
Best time to travel	Year-round based on your budget Climate varies significantly from region to region	June to October for favourable weather conditions
Transport	Better transport infrastructure so multiple destination safaris are common	Self-drive, luxury train and fly-in travel is best
Malaria risk	Most regions are malaria-free except the Kruger National Park and surrounds	Medium to low risk in most regions, except the northern Caprivi Strip close to Botswana as well as near the Angolan border