Namibia on a budget – Lonely Planet

Namibia, located on the southwest edge of southern Africa, is one of the continent’s safest and most budget-friendly countries to visit.

If you want to stretch your money and get the most out of your vacation, there are cheap options so you don’t sacrifice any of the magnificent sites and experiences the country has to offer. 

A trip to Africa is usually perceived as an expensive, once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but with proper planning and a willingness to rough it a bit, you can save on food, activities, accommodations, transportation and tours.

Here are the top tips for creating an affordable Namibian adventure.

Fly to Johannesburg and take a bus to Namibia

If you’re traveling from the US, there are no direct flights to Namibia. Most itineraries have connections in Johannesburg, which has numerous flights arriving daily from around the world. The cheapest way to get to Namibia from Jo’burg is by bus and shuttle. A bus will take you to Gaborone, Botswana, where you can catch a shuttle to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. The cost is US$65 and will take about 20 hours. Along the way, you’ll take in some pretty spectacular scenery while someone else does the driving.

Flying into Windhoek takes only five hours, but the price is around $500. Travelers coming from Europe benefit from a nonstop route from Frankfurt. 

Travel during the low season

December through April marks the…