If you’re looking for eco-friendly accommodation in Namibia, then this guide is for you! A trip through Namibia is rightfully on many people’s bucketlist. The land of red sand dunes, vast deserts and safaris offer endless options to make memories, see wildlife and feel free.
In this post, I’ll share with you the fantastic eco-friendly accommodation in Namibia I tried and tested. Besides the best places to stay, I’ll also share my best recommendations for things to do in Windhoek and Swakopmund. If you’re on your way to Namibia, I’ve got you covered!
Best Accommodation in Namibia: From Windhoek to Swakopmund
Things to Know Before Traveling to Namibia
Best Time to Visit
Dry Season (May to October): This is the best time to visit. The weather is cooler and drier, making it ideal for game viewing as animals gather around waterholes. It’s also great for exploring deserts like the Namib and the Skeleton Coast.
Wet Season (November to April): The landscapes are lush and green, and it’s the best time for birdwatching. However, some areas, particularly the north, maybe less accessible due to heavy rains.
How to Get Around
Renting a Car: The most popular way to explore Namibia is by self-driving. If you plan to go on a tour across the country, consider a 4×4 car rental in Windhoek, Namibia to access remote areas like Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park, and Damaraland. Roads can be long, straight, and sometimes bumpy, so most companies only rent out sturdy vehicles that withstand the gravel.
Guided Tours: If you prefer not to drive, there are many tour companies that offer guided safaris and overland trips.
Public Transport: Public transport between major cities (like Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay) exists but is not extensive. Intercity buses (e.g., Intercape) can be an option, but traveling to rural areas often requires private arrangements which becomes expensive. Your best option is to go with Go2Namibia that have various shuttles available.
Internet and WiFi
WiFi Access: WiFi is generally available in most hotels, lodges, and cafes, but it can be slow and inconsistent, especially outside of urban areas.
Mobile Data: eSIM cards are currently not supported in Namibia. Your best bet is to get a local SIM card right at the airport. The MTC office in Windhoek sells them too, but it’s a time-consuming process. Remember you bring your passport and choose between weekly deals.
Best Accommodation in Namibia, Windhoek: Where to Stay & What to Do
Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, sits at the heart of the country. It blends modern amenities with a rich colonial past. The city’s streets are clean and well-organized, featuring many historic German buildings alongside newer structures. If you’re out and about, the best places to see are the Christuskirche, Independence Memorial Museum, and lively local markets.
Best Luxury Hotel in Windhoek
The Windhoek Luxury Suites offer a comfortable and elegant stay in the heart of Klein Windhoek. This accommodation in Namibia features stylish rooms with unique details, eco-friendly amenities, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and private balconies or gardens.
Amenities include a kitchenette with a Nespresso coffee maker, free Wi-Fi and a work desk for your business trip. The location is convenient for exploring the best that Windhoek has to offer. Furthermore, the hotel offers services such as airport transfers, car rentals, and 24-hour security.
It also has a wonderful, lush garden area that attracts many bird species. Besides its rooms that are named after wine types, you also find a fantastic swimming pool, ideal to unwind. Your complimentary breakfast will be on the opposite side of the road at the Stellenbosch Tasting Room and Stellenbosch Wine Bar. Both restaurants offer an excellent dining experience, ranging from premium Namibian meat to a selection of 150 wines from the Stellenbosch region in South Africa.
The hotel also offers wine service by the pool – what more could you wish before or after your Namibia adventure?
Top Budget Accommodation in Namibia: Windhoek
Since I spent quite some time in the capital, I also got to experience two hostels, the ParadiseGarden Backpacker and TaTe Village. Both are located in West Windhoek and in walking distance to the city center. The area felt perfectly safe, however, there are no restaurants nearby. Both backpackers however feature a kitchen, and dorm beds ranging from 2-beds at TaTe Village and from 4-beds at Paradise Garden Backpackers.
TaTe Village is a newly built hotel with a rooftop, two kitchens and even a small bar selling drinks. The only downside is its quietness and not really a backpacking vibe going on.
Paradise Garden Backpackers has been around for many years, making it feel more like a home and with many people coming through.
Ready to book your city getaway in Windhoek? Check out all hotels here: Top Accommodation in Namibia, Windhoek
What to Do in Windhoek & Beyond
Windhoek will most likely be your starting point in Namibia and is the gateway to Namibia’s deserts and safaris.
Etosha National Park
One of Namibia’s best places to visit is the Etosha National Park, a prime safari destination in Africa. Located in the north of the country, it spans over 22,000 square kilometers, centered around a vast salt pan. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including desert elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species.
I recommend this adventurous 4-Day Etosha and Swakopmund Tour that covers game drives in the Etosha National Park, cultural visits in Damaraland and ends in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most iconic and breathtaking destinations. It’s located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is known for its stunning red sand dunes. Imagine, some of them are among the highest in the world, reaching up to 300 meters (about 980 feet)! Driving there requires a 4×4 which can increase the cost of your Namibia adventure quite a bit. If you prefer to take a tour, I recommend this 3-Day Sossuvlei & Namib Desert tour that take you to all the best spots!
Stylish Accommodation in Namibia, Swakopmund: Where to Stay & What to Do
Swakopmund is a coastal town in Namibia, known for its blend of German colonial architecture and desert landscape. It sits along the Atlantic Ocean and is a lot cooler than the other parts of the country. Popular for its distinct charm, the town combines European influences with African culture, visible in its cafes, restaurants, and historic buildings.
Swakopmund is also a gateway to adventure, offering activities like sandboarding, quad biking, and skydiving in the nearby Namib Desert.
Charming Boutique Hotel In Swakopmund
Villa Margherita is a charming boutique hotel located in the heart of Swakopmund, Namibia. It’s a historical house that’s run by a local family, who put lots of love into it. Each of the rooms is individually designed, and decorated with unique furniture, artwork and details that make it special.
The hotel offers a range of luxury double rooms and suites, many with private outdoor areas, ensuring a comfortable and secluded stay. The hotel puts a big focus on sustainable amenities such as eco-friendly shampoos and locally produced souvenirs that support the community. Your stay will including complimentary Wi-Fi, room service, a great on-site restaurant serving breakfast and dinner and a massage studio.
The team is one of the most special part of the stay, very welcoming and always there to assist. Since it’s a lot colder than the rest of Namibia, the hotel offers movable heaters and a fireplace to make it even more cozy!
One of the highlights of this boutique hotel is the amazing breakfast. Instead of a buffet, each person receives a high-tea-like tray with all the goodies. Think homemade marmalade, yogurt & granola, cheese, meat cuts, little muffins and nuts. On top, you’ll order a hot dish including eggs benedict or pancakes. Definitely one of the best accommodations in Namibia I got to stay at.
Top Luxury Accommodation in Swakopmund
The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a luxury beachfront hotel located in the heart of Swakopmund. It offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby beaches. The hotel features modern, well-equipped rooms with interesting details, including suites with ocean views.
The hotel has several on-site dining options, including the Farmhouse Deli café for breakfast, Brewer & Butcher Brewery featuring award-winning beer and the Ocean Cellar, a fantastic seafood restaurant. Visiting all three places really made it a great culinary experience and a highlight of staying at the hotel. All are open to outside visitors, so you can pay them a visit no matter where you stay. Furthermore, the sustainable hotels feature amenities including a spa, fitness center, and eco-friendly toiletries.
One of my favorite things to do was walking along the promenade for sunset. The greenery and clean paths along the coast is such a relaxing activity. During the day, it’s also nice to spend some time by the beach and join the locals – especially on the weekends!
Other attractions near the hotel are a local craft market and Swakopmund Museum.Ready to book your Namibia beach hotel? Check out all options for accommodation in Namibia, Swakopmund.
What to Do in Swakopmund & Beyond
Swakopmund is the adventure destination in Namibia and the starting point to activities like sandboarding, quad biking, and skydiving in the nearby Namib Desert.
Sandwich Harbour Tour
One of the most spectacular trips you can go on is the one to Sandwich Harbour. The unique beauty of the dunes seemingly emerging from the ocean makes this one of Namibia’s top sights. If you don’t have your own car, you can join a guided Sandwich Harbour 4×4 Tour that takes you to all the best spots.
Living Desert Tour
The tour I opted for was just on the outskirts of Swakopmund and one of the best tours I’ve ever done. While you think the desert is only sand and shrubs, you fail to see all the wildlife living there – if you don’t know where to look for it! This Living Desert guided tour takes you right into the Namib Desert to discover its incredible flora and fauna. You’ll learn about the desert and encounter fascinating wildlife such as the translucent Namib gecko, the stunning Namaqua Chameleon or small desert vipers.
Other things to do in Swakopmund circle around strolling through the city, admiring the German architecture and lighthouse. You can visit the local craft market, browse the cute shops for a souvenir or two and unwind by the beach.
I hope you get to see the beauty of Namibia for yourself and have the best time in an eco-friendly accommodation!
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Women Travel Essentials I Can’t Live Without
Travel Insurance
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Travel Money Card
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