Giraffes grazing near a safari vehicle as visitors enjoy a break at Okonjima Nature Reserve, Namibia

A Namibian Safari: The Shiner Family Experience

August 13, 2025

The Shiner family’s self-drive safari was a whirlwind of wild encounters, epic landscapes and unforgettable moments. From leopard tracking to seal kayaking, they discovered a Namibia that was thrilling, beautiful and full of surprises.

Wildlife Moments They’ll Never Forget

From tracking leopards at Okonjima to coming face-to-trunk with desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland, this family adventure was all about connecting with nature.

“The elephant walked right up to our jeep – it was SO exciting!” – Kate

Etosha National Park delivered its usual magic, with sightings of giraffe, zebra, black rhino, and more.

At one waterhole, we counted 19 giraffe – watching them drink is hilarious!” – Stella

Seals, Sand and Stunning Landscapes

Stella’s favourite moment was kayaking with hundreds of playful Cape Fur Seals at Pelican Point.

“They flipped, splashed, booped our paddles and leapt over the kayak!”

For Mark, it was the eerie beauty of Dead Vlei.

“It felt like another planet – just us, the dunes, and those haunting trees.”

And the cherry on top? Sandboarding near Swakopmund, turning nerves into exhilaration.

“Terrifying at first... but so worth it!” – Stella

Favourite Places to Stay

Foodie Finds

Mushara and Okonjima topped the list for quality and care – even the vegetarian dishes earned high praise. Buffets at larger lodges were less exciting, but there was always something tasty. Stella was adventurous enough to try springbok kebab – and loved it!

Unexpected Highlights

  • Spotting glowing scorpions on a night walk
  • Finding garnets on the beach at Henties Bay
  • A quick stop at a crystal museum in Swakopmund
  • Watching yellow mongoose and ground squirrels play among rusted cars in Solitaire

What They’d Skip

  • The Welwitschia route near Swakopmund – long, hot, bumpy and underwhelming
  • Wandering Swakopmund town – too many pushy sellers
  • The game drive at Kalahari Anib Lodge – not quite up to par

Tips for Future Travellers

  • Buy a local SIM and get cash at the airport
  • Bring lip balm, hand cream and a travel washing line
  • Keep small change handy for petrol stations and tips
  • Stock up on snacks and water early – the cool box in the car is a lifesaver
  • Share water and snacks with rural communities - kindness goes a long way

If They Could Do More...

  • Stay longer at Okonjima for pangolin tracking and night drives
  • Visit a Himba village
  • Ride horses at Desert Homestead
  • Take a 4x4 trip to Sandwich Harbour where the dunes meet the sea

Final Words from the Shiners

“We absolutely loved our trip to Namibia. The landscapes are so varied and mindblowing, the wildlife is incredible, the history and culture are fascinating, and the people are so friendly and welcoming. Namibia Tours & Safaris were brilliant throughout - from the well-equipped 4x4 and preloaded GPS to the wildlife book we used every day. Special thanks to Andrea and Kaylee for being so responsive and helpful. Thank you for an unforgettable holiday!”

Inspired?

We can help you plan your own tailor-made Namibia safari, whether it’s a self-drive journey through iconic landscapes, a guided wildlife adventure or a mix of both. Tell us what you’d love to experience, and we’ll create a personalised itinerary with hand-picked stays, exciting activities and expert advice to make it unforgettable.

Start planning your Namibia trip with us

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Meet the Team

Our happy team visiting Sossusvlei
We’ve travelled. We’ve adventured. We’ve experienced. We're eager to share our world, never forgetting that each itinerary is as unique as the traveller.
~ MEET THE TEAM ~

"A dream come true"

We had the most amazing family holiday, everything worked so perfectly, the arrangements and accommodation was spectacular!

Jul '25

"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.

Jul '25

"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.

Jul '25

"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.

Jun '25
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