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
Take your pick:
OR
Bespoke safaris for your budget
The factors that will determine your safari costs are:
Length of stay
Level of accommodation
Seasonality
Multiple-country travel
You can customise your safari to suit your budget and we’ll gladly create the safari package of your dreams.
Email us 
PREVIOUS
Posted by Tiffany Bowers on 15 Sep 2022
Part of the Safari Holiday In South Africa & Africa Safaris Collection