Hike, Safari and Stargaze in Namibia

My first MBA trip (and solo trip) and I am so glad I did it! Went for Namibia as a friend has been there and recommended and I 100% agree. The landscapes and wildlife are amazing and the pictures on the reviews don’t compare to seeing it in persons.

Massive thank you to Ewald for being a great guide and looking after the group, MC for all his amazing cooking, and everyone in the group for making it a fantastic trip!

Not being a morning person and someone that isn’t used to adventure packed itinerary’s on a holiday it was pretty tiring by the end of the trip but it is so worth it so don’t let that put you off.

Few points below that either I was looking for in reviews before going or think are worth mentioning having been…

Difficulty: I’d say MBA difficulty ratings are probably based on the assumption that you are an active/person and have some level of hiking experience. I don’t do much exercise really, just walking about day to day averaging ~8k-10k steps. Although this trip is rated easy, there were parts that I was near my limit (initial ascent on the olive trail for example).

Safari 4x4: Can’t remember the exact cost, about £50 maybe (2025). This is definitely a must, to make the most of the time in Etosha.

Plane sightseeing: Didn’t manage to do this myself as we couldn’t fill the plane. Not much info on prices in other reviews so bit more here. A plane is about £1250 for 5 to book. So if you can get a full plane, either from the group or with some seats filled from elsewhere, then it’s about £250pp. If there are less than 5 then the price pp changes accordingly. If you can’t fill the plane then it’s a bit expensive.

Stargazing: If this is an important part of why you are going then make sure you book when it is a new moon. I didn’t consider this and although I managed to get a few good Milky Way pics, often the couple of times there were dark skies were either very early in the morning or coincided with dinner/packing up camp so couldn’t really make the most of them.

Wonderful and intense trip in gorgeous nature!

I would have given this SUPERB trip 5 stars BUT the treks were NOT 'Easy' as labelled so I missed out on most of them because after the first one I was TERRIFIED! Steep, rocky and uneven! Not a great start to my holiday but I didn't let it spoil my trip. It was brilliantly organised, food outstanding (thanks MC) and it was a memorable holiday. I just wish I could have participated more in the treks. That aside I'm glad I did it and it was nice to spend sometime on my own reading and admiring the scenary.

I will start by saying that Namibia is an amazing country and that I had a brilliant time. This trip covers a lot of ground so there is a lot of time in the truck, no bad thing as most of the time the scenery is amazing, however the roads are not so it’s not a smooth ride. Be prepared for a lot of early starts, again not really a problem when you are camping. The camping was great, tents a good size and the provided sleeping mats very comfortable. The campsites were mixed, some were huge and busy and others quiet and remote. MC’s cooking was amazing and all the catered food was fantastic and I was well catered for as someone who is gluten intolerant. However, now onto the negatives, the itinerary is very misleading with regards to a lot of the walking. When we showed it to our guide he was quite shocked at what we were ‘supposed’ to be doing. A lot of the ‘walks’ either didn’t happen or were incredibly short so if you are wanting to be active this is definitely not the trip for you. There were also some fairly compulsory added extras, the optional 4x4 on day 4 was not optional, we were not able to walk and had to pay for the vehicle. And again the optional safari 4x4 jeep isn’t really optional. The guides you have with you don’t know about animals or safaris, as they say, they live in Windhoek so you basically have to get the 4x4. And then in Swakopmund there is the option to go on a flight the afternoon you arrive and/or go out on the dunes the next morning. If you opt not to do either of these then you have nothing organised for 24hrs, not necessarily a bad thing, Swakopmund is a nice place but be prepared to factor that in. Personally the trip out into the sand dunes with an amazing picnic was one of the highlights for me as was walking up Dune 45 for sunrise. I also think our group were unanimous in the fact that we’d have liked 2 nights in Spitzkoppe, it’s a totally magical place but we arrived mid afternoon and left in the morning, all of us would have liked longer there. So an amazing trip but one which I feel needs fine tuning and the itinerary really needs to be more accurate. Would I recommend, definitely just be aware of these things. Oh, and I booked a Windhoek City Tour through tripadvisor for the afternoon we arrived, while there isn’t a huge amount to see or do in Windhoek, it was a good way to see the place, keep us awake and feel we’d seen more than just a hotel.

Namibia is definitely worth a visit with stunning landscapes, big skies and beautiful sunsets. There’s no better way to experience it than camping under the stars. Our guide Gabriel was superb, he was knowledgeable, funny and looked after us all well as did our chef MC who cooked some delicious meals. If you are looking for a hiking adventure then this is not the trip for you, apart from the olive trail on day 3 it is mostly relatively short walks with long journeys on the bus inbetween. We did the optional dune buggy tour in Swakopmund which we felt was overly expensive and if you visit Etosha in the rainy season request a dawn or dusk safari ride as you won’t see many animals during the day. There are the options to eat in a few of the campsite restaurants, but as a group we preferred to enjoy beers and food by the campfire and MC was very happy to accommodate our request for this. The big highlights were climbing Dune 45 at sunrise with a wonderful breakfast produced by MC at the bottom and camping in Spitskoppe. We were the only ones there, the scenery and watching the stars at night was breathtaking. Overall this was a wonderful experience made better by the people and the laughs we had along the way.

Namibia, a land of stark beauty and breathtaking landscapes, has stolen a piece of my heart.

The adventure kicked off with the Olive Trail hike, a thrilling experience that tested my nerves, particularly the section involving chains across a gorge. While initially daunting, I felt completely secure in the capable hands of our phenomenal guide, Gabriel. His expertise and calm demeanor transformed a potentially scary moment into an exhilarating highlight. Throughout the entire trip, Gabriel was a constant source of knowledge, humour, and genuine care, making us feel not just like tourists, but like family.

Adding to the magic was our "Namazing" chef, MC. Every night, he conjured up delicious, home-cooked meals, catering to everyone’s dietary needs and preferences with a smile. From hearty stews to fresh salads, his culinary skills were a constant delight.

The Sossusvlei region was a dream come true. Witnessing sunrise atop Dune 45, then sprinting (or sliding) down its sandy slopes, was an unforgettable experience. To be greeted at the bottom by a cooked breakfast was the cherry on top. Deadvlei, a place I’d only seen in pictures, exceeded all expectations.

My favourite campsite was undoubtedly Spitzkoppe. The raw, back-to-basics experience, coupled with the indescribable mountain views, was simply breathtaking. It was a reminder of the simple beauty of nature. Etosha's game drive, while light on big cats due to the rainy season, still offered beautiful wildlife sightings, including a black Rhino we admired as the sun set.

A few things to note: the hiking is relatively minimal, which may disappoint avid trekkers. Also, be prepared to budget extra for optional excursions, some more expensive than others.

More than just the landscapes, it was the people who made this trip extraordinary. The laughter, and genuine connections forged were invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to anyone seeking beauty and adventure. You won't regret it.

I was beyond lucky to have been a part of this group and to have Gabriel as our guide and MC as his wingman. Gabriel was extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to showing us the best of Namibia, with MC keeping us safe and well fed throughout the trip. I've had loads of laughs and magical moments along the way and this trip will definitely stay in my memory as a special time. The itinerary was solid and we've seen some exquisite landscapes and wildlife, and spent time in some beautiful campsites (especially on Day 4 and in Spitzkoppe). A few things that I noted as downsides were Days 5 and 6 of the itinerary where we didn't do much - Walvis Bay was not very enjoyable and a couple of hours in Swakopmund would have been sufficient. The optional 4x4 ride along the coast was extremely expensive for the type of activity (watching dead or dying seals along what was dubbed "death beach" by a fellow traveller). I wish we could have spent some time on Skeleton Coast instead or headed to Spitzkoppe earlier. Day 8 was meant to be "settle into your overlanding truck for a classic day of safari game drives" however we were advised to get a 4x4 Jeep to have a better chance of spotting wildlife, which cost extra - this was understandable however due to it being the wet season and low chances of spotting animals at the waterholes. I found lunch stops at restaurants to be somewhat unnecessary and would have personally found it better to grab something on the go and spend more time exploring. Overall a great trip but the itinerary could use a few tweaks to make it better in my opinion.

This trip is simply fantastic; the scenery, animals, people make it well worth going on; although booked in the rainy season so harder to see the Big5 we still saw loads; Why not 5 stars, that's down to the additional trip options, which were expensive (dune safari) and options for the safari in Etousha where limited; The two guides led by Gabriel with MC doing all the cooking were, 'namtastic' full of fun, smiles, knowledge and experience, always greeting the early starts or after a long drive with a pleasant smile; Some of the restaurants options were limited, but a quick persuade of MC and a call to get food, we soon had a fresh meal cooked; Would I recommend it, as my first trip into the heart of Africa, simply Yes!, would I book with MBA again, Yes, already looking at my next trip; Thank you to Gabriel and MC and all the team behind the trip, it was really worth all the hours in Leo, and the early starts.

Fell in love with Namibia!

Thank you so much Tufi and MC for looking after us throughout the trip.

Namibia is such beautiful place, the trip was jam packed but did not felt rushed or was too much. From hiking up big daddy dune to quad biking and sand boarding through the dunes in Swakopmund (added optional activity) each day was as awesome as the next.

The safari was great, at the end we were lucky to see a cheater and her cub 🤩

If you want an action packed week and a bit in an incredible country, this is for you! The landscape of Namibia is just incredible, with the sand dunes a real highlight.

We loved our time in Namibia! What made it stand out was the sheer variety of landscapes and wildlife we saw. From dolphins, seals and pelicans (with the pelicans literally walking all over us!), to lions, zebras and giraffe, what an experience!

A particular highlight was camping in the Spitzkoppe Mountains, which were rugged and remote. We were super lucky on our safari and saw so much. The tents were spacious and comfortable, the food was so much more than you’d expect out in the wild. Really tasty, hearty and with good variety.

Massive shout outs to our guide and chef Tuffi and MC. They consistently went above and beyond to make our trip interesting, easy and with a good view on the different parts of Namibia that we visited. They were amazing.

This trip exceeded all expectations. Namibia is a dream with stunning vistas from sand dunes to mountains, coast to desert with a huge array of beautiful wildlife along the way! The itinerary is packed but so worth it, with your guide and chef making the trip so enjoyable. Highlights for me were Spitzkoppe, a 4x4 tour of the sand dunes, Deadvlei and Etosha National Park and seeing Lions so close. This adventure is a perfect introduction to Africa if you haven’t been before. Thank you Much Better Adventures for the trip of a lifetime.

We had a ball. I would absolutely recommend this trip to everyone. We saw stunning scenery, ate amazing meals from the around the campfire, watched the stars and saw the sunrise. Our time on safari was very rewarding with animals galore Our group was super and we all got on very well too , enjoyed meals, journeys and hikes together, not to mention Spike Ball! Gabriel and Lucas were a super team and absolutely added to the experience. Feel really lucky to have had this trip.

This was my first trip to Africa. Everything was amazing. The sight seeing, camping, the guides and the excursions. Gabriel and Mr. Happy were amazing and knowledgeable guides. The wildlife at multiple locations on this trip was beautiful and plentiful.

Our guide Gabriel and chef Mr. Happy were the best duo we could’ve asked for during our 9 nights in Namibia. Gabriel was so kind and patient with our whole group and always wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time. He also taught us a lot about the Herero people in Namibia, as well as so much of the history of the country in each place we visited. Mr. Happy was an excellent cook who prepared many of our meals at camp each day. He always had a smile and was such a kind soul. The combination of excellent guides, a fabulous group of individuals in our group, and of course the picturesque scenery and landscape of Namibia made this the trip of a lifetime!

This trip exceeded all of my expectations. Camping locations were beautiful and facilities were much better than expected. The hikes were exciting with lots to see and the amazing views at the top made them worth the early mornings! The safari aspect was unbelievable, we saw so many animals up close: Rhinos, elephants, lions and chetahs to name a few. Our guide and camp assistant were fantastic. Gabriel is so knowledgeable about his country, he was full of interesting stories and had everything planned out perfectly, he was even able to help us get our luggage back when it didn’t arrive at the airport! Mr Happy is an excellent chef, making us some of the best food we had on the trip, much better than the restaurants we visited, with Happy around you won’t go hungry. This trip is as varied as the Namibian landscape. You will see some amazing animals, breathtaking views and stay in some interesting camps. It is well worth the visit. Book now!

There's a lot to love about this trip - from the massive sand dunes, the wild ocean, the vast and changing desert and the wildlife. We were constantly amazed. Our guide Omumborobonga did a great job of ensuring we were fed, safe and happy. The hiking is mostly just walking, but due to the pace of travel, early mornings and dusty roads, it seemed harder at times than it was. Overall, a very enjoyable trip. My advice would be to tack on a cultural tour in your free time in Swakopmond to get to meet local people and see their lifestyles.

This trip exceeded my expectations, the country is fantastic. We camped and walked in some gorgeous landscapes, and saw so much wildlife. Our guide was brilliant, looking after us so well and with huge knowledge of the places we visited and the wildlife we saw.

Wow what an amazing place. I didn’t know what to expect but I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Who would have thought the desert could be so interesting and beautiful? Our guide Omumborombonga (Samora to some) was knowledgeable, hard working, funny and amazingly kind. I couldn’t fault him.

This was an incredible and magical trip where we were so so lucky to see a leopard on our safari drive. The scenery , the people, the country are all beautiful Our guide Omumborobonga was so knowledgeable, funny and ridiculously hard working as he drove, guided, cooked, organised absolutely everything he made the trip even more special. I’m leaving wanting to return……

Another great trip booked through MBA and the local hosts Samora and Happy were exceptional. Hikes were pretty easy throughout including the chain walk assuming your fairly active, no need to be super fit. Highlights for me was running down dune 45 after sunrise and seeing wild animals at Etosha national park including lions, rihinos, elephants and giraffes to name a few.

Incredibly experience. We covered a lot of ground, which meant early starts most mornings, but 100% worth it. The landscapes and wildlife were breathtaking and unlike anything I had seen before. Our guides (Samora and Happy) added to the trip - helpful with any request and able to answer our endless questions. From a physical fitness level, the "Easy" rating is accurate (even the chain walk on the Olive Trail was easier than expected thanks to Samora's excellent guidance). Book now!

This is an absolutly brilliant trip, the holiday of a lifetime. I slept out in the desert under the southern cross! climed stunning dunes at sunrise, saw masses of big game, flew over the Namib desert and much much more. The group were all great, all interseting, fun and we had a brilliant time. We had the best Guide ever, Gabriel and MC cooked great meals throughout. Namibia is a shear joy, the Itinary was great, it takes you out of your normal comfort zone on just a couple of occasions but we all coped and actually, that makes a good trip. My advice to MBA, don't change anything, my advice to you - Book Now!

What a wonderful holiday. I was very nervous because there was only going to be seven of us but as it turned out we were one big happy family with a wonderful guide called Mike and a lovely Cook called Ruben. The trip was absolutely amazing a good combination of hiking sightseeing Safari. Lots of laughs and giggles. Especially when I was always at the back because everyone else was super super fit. I would recommend this company again and look forward to travelling with them in the future

Throughly enjoyed cold beers watching sunsets over amazing scenery with great company. Our guides were fantastic too. That said you should double check what phase the moon is in if you want to star gaze. Despite this being one of the key selling points we had a full moon (which was beautiful but not ideal for star gazing). Transport does not have air con. I’d advise having an extra night before the tour to recover from the flight as you need to hit the ground running on this tour. Early starts, intense heat, little sleep and altitude (Windhoek is 5700ft asl) makes for a heady mix. My 2 season sleeping bag was waaaay too hot for the last two weeks in April. I ended up buying a light weight blanket to help with the cold mornings. Take some rehydration salts like HiQ. Campsites have hot water and flushing toilets.

A trip of a lifetime. I had to arrive a day late but the team were very accommodating and made it happen. I am going home having had an incredible adventure. Our guides, Omumborumbonga and Robert were incredible. Very caring, knowledgable and fun and the people I met on the trip - well, I feel like I’ve known them for years.

One of the most special weeks of my life.

A fabulous trip that immerses you in the wide range of incredible landscapes that Namibia has to offer. From vast deserts with towering red dunes, through mountainous moonscapes of the Spitzkoppe, to the imposing red cliffs of the Waterberg plateau. A real feast for the eyes and a photographers paradise. Patient and knowledgeable guides support the trip, offering an authentic camping experience under an endless canopy of stars.

Amazing introduction to a fabulous country, 1500 million years of geology laid bare. The hikes are a good stretch in some intense heat but that makes getting up early so worthwhile.

If you’re having doubts - book this trip! A truly amazing time from start to finish. It is go, go, go so, as some other reviews have said, don’t book if you want a relax. You see such a varied section of the country from city to mountains to desert. Breakfast after climbing sand dune 45 was especially great. Mr Happy and Gabriel, our chef and guide, absolutely made the trip. They worked not stop and were always happy and knowledgeable. We were a group of 9 people and we had so many laughs. You will come away in love with Namibia.