Uyaphi.com
African Safaris and Tours
Family-Friendly Lodges In Namibia
Family Safari Lodges In Namibia – From Etosha To The Skeleton Coast
Namibia makes a wonderful first safari for a family. Children can watch elephant come down to a waterhole from the lodge deck, climb the red dunes of Sossusvlei, ride horses on a working farm and explore old shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast, often all in one trip. Whether you travel self-drive, on a privately guided road safari or by light aircraft, these are the lodges we pick when children are along.
Every one has family accommodation, usually two bedrooms sharing a deck, lounge or bathroom, and some go much further. Near Etosha, Mushara Bush Camp and Onguma Bush Camp are set up around children: Mushara has a play area, a children's pool and child minders, and Onguma runs its Young Explorers walk. In the Namib and the north-west, older children come into their own with rhino tracking, horse riding, e-bikes and sandboarding.
Child policies and minimum ages differ from lodge to lodge and from activity to activity, so check them on our Namibia lodges pages or ask us when you plan. Sossusvlei and the south are very low risk for malaria, while Etosha and the north-west carry a seasonal risk. Our Namibia malaria guide and malaria in Africa page have the detail.
Our Family-Friendly Lodges In Namibia
Büllsport Guestfarm
Rates form part of a safari itinerary
A family-run working farm at the foot of the Naukluft Mountains, Büllsport has two family units beside the pool. Riding lessons and guided horse trails run from the farm, there are hikes into the mountains, and dinner is shared around one table with the family.
Desert Rhino Camp
Rates from NAM$ 12,418.00 Per person per night
Run with Save the Rhino Trust in the Palmwag Concession, Desert Rhino Camp has one family unit of two suites sharing a deck. Families come for the desert-adapted black rhino, tracked by vehicle and on foot with expert trackers; tracking on foot has a minimum age.
Doro Nawas Camp
Rates from NAM$ 7,757.00 Per person per night
Doro Nawas Camp sits on a rocky hill above the dry Aba Huab River, close to the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein. Its family room sleeps four, the pool is there for hot afternoons, and desert-adapted elephants wander close to camp.
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
Rates from NAM$ 21,912.00 Per person per night
A fly-in camp in the Hoanib River valley, bordering Skeleton Coast National Park. Its family unit has two bedrooms either side of a shared lounge, and children can meet the researchers on site or join the full-day drive to the coast's Cape fur seals.
Kulala Desert Lodge
Rates from NAM$ 7,402.00 Per person per night
On the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve south of Sesriem, Kulala Desert Lodge has two family units, each with two en-suite bedrooms, separate entrances and a shared deck. Every room has a rooftop for sleeping under the stars, and e-bikes and nature drives explore the reserve.
Kwessi Dunes Camp
Rates from NAM$ 11,825.00 Per person per night
In the NamibRand Nature Reserve, Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve, Kwessi Dunes Camp has two family chalets with a double and a twin room. Every chalet has an open-roofed star-gazer room, and days bring drives, walks, horse riding and quad biking.
Little Kulala
Rates from NAM$ 18,375.00 Per person per night
Little Kulala, on the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, has one family unit: two en-suite bedrooms linked by a deck. Each suite has a plunge pool and a roll-out star bed on its deck, and drives, walks, quad bikes and ballooning fill the days.
Mushara Bush Camp
Rates from NAM$ 3,350.00 Per person per night
Mushara Bush Camp, near Etosha's Von Lindequist Gate, is built for families. Four family tents each add a sleeper couch for two children, and the main house has a play area with books, games and toys, a children's pool, a jungle gym and child minders.
Ongava Lodge
Rates from NAM$ 18,000.00 Per person per night
Ongava Lodge sits on a ridge in the private Ongava Game Reserve on Etosha's southern boundary. The family chalet has two en-suite bedrooms, and the lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole. Drives cover Etosha and the reserve, home to both black and white rhino.
Ongava Tented Camp
Rates from NAM$ 19,100.00 Per person per night
Tucked into a valley below a dolomite hill on the Ongava Game Reserve, Ongava Tented Camp has a family unit of two tents linked by a walkway, sleeping four. The pool and dining deck look over a waterhole, and drives head into Etosha.
Onguma Bush Camp
Rates from NAM$ 3,060.00 Per person per night
Onguma's most family-oriented camp, on the private Onguma Nature Reserve along Etosha's eastern boundary. Family rooms and loft rooms with a children's sleeping loft sit in a largely fenced camp overlooking a waterhole, and children can join the Young Explorers walk.
Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Lodge
Rates from NAM$ 19,075.00 Per person per night
Inside Skeleton Coast National Park, Shipwreck Lodge has cabins built to look like shipwrecks. Two family cabins take extra beds for children, and outings run to the roaring dunes, the Hoarusib clay castles and the Möwe Bay seal colony past old wrecks.
Family Lodges In Namibia: Questions Answered
Which lodges are in our family-friendly Namibia collection?
Our family collection covers three parts of Namibia. Around Etosha: Mushara Bush Camp, Onguma Bush Camp, Ongava Lodge and Encounter by Ongava (formerly Ongava Tented Camp). In the Namib: Büllsport Guestfarm, Kulala Desert Lodge, Little Kulala and Kwessi Dunes Camp. In the north-west: Desert Rhino Camp, Doro Nawas Camp, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and Skeleton Coast Shipwreck Lodge.
Which of these lodges have family rooms?
All of them have at least one family unit, usually two bedrooms sharing a deck, lounge or bathroom. Onguma Bush Camp has the widest choice, with family rooms sleeping four and loft rooms that give children their own sleeping loft. Mushara Bush Camp's family tents each add a sleeper couch for two children, and Shipwreck Lodge's family cabins take extra beds.
Which lodges have activities or facilities for children?
Mushara Bush Camp and Onguma Bush Camp are the two set up around children. Mushara has a play area with books, games and toys, a children's pool, a jungle gym and child minders. Onguma runs its Young Explorers walk, a guided outing around camp to learn about birds, trees and insects. Elsewhere there are no set children's programmes.
Are the family lodges fenced?
Not all of them, so choose with care. Onguma Bush Camp is largely fenced, although three of its deluxe rooms sit in an unfenced section that Onguma doesn't recommend for young children. Ongava Lodge, Encounter by Ongava and Doro Nawas Camp are unfenced, and desert-adapted elephants walk close to Doro Nawas, so children need watching there at all times.
What adventures suit older children and teenagers?
Horse riding, quad biking, e-bikes and sandboarding are all on offer. Büllsport is a working horse farm with riding lessons and guided trails, Kwessi Dunes Camp adds horse riding and quad biking, Kulala Desert Lodge runs e-bike outings, and Shipwreck Lodge offers quad bikes and sandboarding. Rhino tracking on foot at Desert Rhino Camp and Ongava carries a minimum age.
What do children eat at these lodges?
Several of the lodges cater for children at mealtimes. Mushara Bush Camp arranges meals and meal times around children, Onguma Bush Camp serves child-friendly meals and earlier dinners, and Ongava can serve children separately at times to suit. At Büllsport, dinner is a set menu around one big table, shared with the family who farm there.
Map of Lodges in and around Namibia
Namibia Travel Topics
5 Best Lodges in Etosha National Park
Etosha's finest lodges sit just outside the park, on the private reserves fringing its eastern and southern boundaries. This guide covers our six favourites — from ultra-luxurious Onguma Camp Kala and exclusive Little Ongava to the value-led Etosha Oberland Lodge — with accommodation, activities and who each suits, plus sample combinations, how many nights to plan and a practical FAQ. Every property is one we use personally, and our Namibia specialists can build any into a tailor-made safari.
10 Reasons To Visit The Namib Desert
Located in Southern Africa, the Namib Desert is one of the oldest and most majestic deserts on Earth, perfect for travelers seeking adventure, peace, and a connection with nature. With vast sand dunes stretching endlessly, its surreal landscapes must be seen to be believed. The Namib Desert is not just a destination; it's a journey into an ancient world that has remained largely unchanged for millions of years. From the awe-inspiring beauty of its endless dunes to the unique ecosystems that have adapted to thrive in this harsh environment, there are countless reasons why this stunning desert should be at the top of your travel bucket list.
Namibia National Parks
Namibia, a country of stark beauty and contrasting landscapes, is home to some of the most breathtaking national parks in the world. Each park offers a unique window into the heart of Africa's wilderness, where the drama of survival plays out against backdrops ranging from towering sand dunes to dense woodlands. This blog explores Namibia's top national parks, offering adventure, wildlife, and endless exploration. Whether you're a birdwatcher, wildlife lover, or nature enthusiast, these parks have something for everyone.
10 Reasons To Visit Etosha National Park
This blog highlights "10 Reasons to Visit Etosha National Park" and why it deserves a spot on every traveller's bucket list. Located in Namibia, Etosha is a stunning haven for wildlife, home to elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Beyond its famed inhabitants, Etosha captivates visitors with its unique landscapes that stretch across 22,270 square kilometres. From the shimmering expanse of the Etosha Pan to the dense mopane woodlands and savannah grasslands teeming with life after the rains, this park offers a mosaic of ecosystems waiting to be explored.
5 Best Lodges In The Namib Desert
Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, the Namib Desert is a mesmerising landscape of endless dunes, stark beauty, and unparalleled tranquillity. It's a place where time seems to stand still, offering travellers a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of modern life and reconnect with nature in its most primal form. Our latest blog takes you through the five best lodges in this ancient desert, offering more than just accommodation. Each lodge is chosen to complement the natural beauty and serenity of the area, blending comfort with a wild Namib Desert adventure.
Best Namibia Honeymoon Destinations
Namibia, with its vast and mesmerizing landscapes, is the perfect destination for a romantic honeymoon. From the sweeping sand dunes of the Namib Desert to the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha National Park, this African gem offers an unparalleled blend of adventure and luxury. Whether you're soaring above the desert in a hot air balloon or relaxing in a luxurious lodge under a starry night sky, Namibia promises an unforgettable experience. Discover the best Namibia honeymoon destinations and embark on a journey filled with stunning landscapes, magnificent wildlife, and cherished memories.
10 Must-See Attractions In Namib Desert
The Namib Desert, one of the world's oldest deserts in southern Africa, is a stunning expanse of sand dunes and stark landscapes. Known for its beauty and unique natural wonders, it invites travellers to discover its wildlife, ancient geology, and cultural heritage. From the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei to the ghost towns of Kolmanskop, the Namib Desert offers a one-of-a-kind adventure. From the rugged Skeleton Coast to the wildlife of Etosha National Park, this desert guarantees unforgettable experiences for every explorer.
Best Namibia Safari Itinerary
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Namibia, a land of striking contrasts and breathtaking beauty. Our suggested Namibia safari itinerary takes you on a 10-day adventure across this diverse country, showcasing its iconic landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultures. From the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei to the wildlife of Etosha and the charm of Swakopmund, this itinerary offers an immersive experience of Namibia's natural wonders. Whether planning a self-drive road trip or a luxurious fly-in safari, this blog helps you capture the essence of Namibia and make your safari dream a reality.