Today a leading Namibian safari operator, Namibia Tours & Safaris began like many great African stories – with determination, a dusty garage and a dream far bigger than the tools at hand.
In 1990, long before Namibia became one of Africa’s most sought-after safari destinations, Danie Steyn opened a tiny tour company in Windhoek with nothing but passion, a borrowed corner of the Budget Rent-A-Car garage and the belief that Namibia’s wild beauty deserved to be shared with the world.
Back then, tourism in Namibia was small. Really small. There were only a handful of operators, no established safari circuits and none of the polished infrastructure travellers enjoy today. But Danie had something more valuable than experience: a lifelong love of the bush. It was his religion, his comfort and his compass, and he was determined to share it.
In those early years, Danie personally guided every safari. His approach was gentle, steady and intuitive. He didn’t rely on textbooks or certificates - instead, his knowledge came from countless hours spent outdoors, an ability to read the environment and a genuine care for his guests.
As the business grew, he began working with guides who would go on to become some of Namibia’s most respected names in the industry. Many were at the early stages of their guiding careers at the time, and their time working alongside Danie formed part of their professional foundations.
Throughout the 1990s, tourism in Namibia expanded steadily and competition grew. Reaching international travellers required significant investment in brochures, travel fairs and overseas marketing. Danie attended South Africa’s INDABA trade show every year and occasionally those in London and Europe. It was costly but necessary.
The arrival of the internet marked a turning point. Long before websites became essential, Danie sensed its potential. In the mid-90s, he taught himself to build a simple website using Microsoft FrontPage - a five-page digital brochure that opened the door to a global audience. It was a small but meaningful step that helped NTS grow without the financial strain of traditional marketing.
In 1998, Danie shifted the business from Windhoek to Swakopmund - a move that offered a more relaxed lifestyle and placed him along the natural path of most safaris, allowing him to meet guides and guests as they travelled through the town. The move also provided space to refocus on marketing and the long-term direction of the company at a time when Namibia’s tourism landscape was evolving rapidly.
The early 2000s marked the transition from a small guiding company into a modern tour operator. After completing her web design studies Danie's daughter, Andree, rebuilt the NTS website - the business’s first professionally designed online presence. As the website grew and enquiries increased, it became clear that NTS could expand far beyond personal guiding.
By around 2010, Andree joined the company full-time as a partner. Together with her husband Ian, who shaped the core online content and managed the digital strategy, they helped establish NTS as a reputable and digitally forward safari operator.
Around this time (2007), Edward Taylor, just 21 years old, joined NTS. He brought with him the qualities that would eventually define his leadership: hard work, patience, dedication and a quiet determination that mirrored Danie’s character.
From his earliest days at NTS, Edward played a central role in supporting operations and navigating the business through challenging times, including economic downturns and the global pandemic. Over almost two decades, he grew from a young consultant into a thoughtful, steady leader and now serves as the Managing Director of NTS.
Though retired, Danie continues to offer perspective, guidance and encouragement - a living reminder of the values that shaped the company from the beginning.
After 35 years, NTS has grown into a company known for its quiet confidence - not loud or flashy but deeply knowledgeable, reliable and steady. Our identity is defined by a modern, happy workplace, a collaborative culture and a team of more than 40 staff across Swakopmund and Windhoek who genuinely enjoy what they do. Our long-serving staff are proof of the culture we’ve built – one where people feel valued, supported and proud to be part of the NTS family, reflected in colleagues like Wilmari, who has been part of NTS for 14 years.
This strength is rooted in our people. Our consultants continue to grow through extensive educational travel, gaining first-hand insight that strengthens their ability to design meaningful, experience-rich journeys. Behind the scenes, training programmes, improved systems and thoughtful adoption of technology help streamline their work, allowing them to focus on what matters: crafting exceptional safaris.
Despite efforts to slow down, the demand for our services - and the growth of Namibia’s tourism industry - continues to rise.
In recent years, we have brought our vehicle fleet in-house, offering a range of options from Toyota Fortuners and Land Cruisers to fully kitted camping vehicles for adventurous travellers. The success of our vehicle division has opened new opportunities and confirmed the need for dedicated facilities.
Looking ahead, we are preparing to build a new NTS vehicle depot and guest arrivals lounge near Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport - a modern, comfortable space where travellers can begin their safari journey with ease. This investment will support our growth while maintaining the standards, warmth and personal service that define us.
Namibia Tours & Safaris began as one man’s vision, grew into a family business and has now become a respected Namibian brand known for its steadiness and sincerity. Although the company has evolved far beyond its early days, the fundamentals remain unchanged: thoughtful leadership, hard work and a genuine love for the wilderness.
As we move into the next chapter, our focus remains clear: grow thoughtfully, innovate responsibly and share the true spirit of Namibia with every traveller who walks through our door.
"A dream come true"
We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!
"Unforgettable trip to Namibia – Thank you Namibia Tours & Safaris!"
We are a group of four from Romania and spent 3 unforgettable weeks in Namibia. We can't recommend them enough, and for any future travels in Namibia or other parts of Africa, we will definitely use their services again.
"We had a great experience"
From the time we put the key in the ignition till we boarded the plane in Windhoek nothing went wrong.
"Unforgettable bird photography trip in Namibia"
It was a fantastic experience, everything was very well organised, went smooth and according to expectations. It was our first self drive in Africa and it was a great, unforgettable time.
