Travel agency, small group or guide: going through a professional in Namibia

Independent or professional: how to decide

• Self-drive suits you if: you are comfortable on gravel and with the preparation (campsite bookings, route, budget): our guides and free pages cover those steps.
• An agency or local ground operator makes sense if: you have little time to prepare, travel in high season when park lodging fills up early, or want a single point of contact if something goes wrong.
• A guide makes sense if: you want the most out of wildlife viewing, don't want to drive the tracks, or visit areas where a guide is required.

Choosing an agency or local ground operator

• A French agency selling a package (transport + lodging, or several services) must be listed on the travel operators register kept by Atout France (an "IM" number on its documents) and hold a financial guarantee. Packages fall under Directive (EU) 2015/2302: the organiser is responsible for the proper performance of all the services.
• A local ground operator in Namibia: tourism businesses register with the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB). Ask for the registration number. Membership of a trade body (TASA, the Tour and Safari Association of Namibia) is an extra indicator, not a guarantee.
• In every case: a written quote listing every night, every transfer and what is not included (park fees, meals, fuel, insurance).

Small-group travel in Namibia

• A small-group tour is a guided trip: a driver-guide drives the safari vehicle (4x4 minibus or adapted truck), nights are camping or lodge depending on the tour, and the vehicle is shared with other travellers. You don't drive the gravel roads and handle no bookings.
• Get it in writing: the maximum number of guests per vehicle and per departure, the minimum number of bookings and the date the departure is confirmed, a window seat for everyone on game drives, and what the price covers (park fees, meals, drinks, tips, flights).
• Sold by a French agency, it is a package: the same rules as above (Atout France registration, financial guarantee, Directive (EU) 2015/2302). Sold directly by a Namibian operator: ask for its Namibia Tourism Board registration.
• In between: travel independently as a group, each family in its own 4x4, on the same route. Our day-by-day itineraries then serve as the shared road plan.

Describe my guided tour projectour day-by-day itineraries

Renting an equipped 4x4

• The headline price matters less than the insurance: excess, excess waiver, tyre, windscreen and underbody exclusions, the deposit blocked on your card.
• The rental company's written authorisation to cross a border (Botswana, South Africa, Zambia) and the related fees.
• The equipment actually supplied (rooftop tent, fridge, dual battery, two spare wheels, compressor) and a joint check-out inspection.
• In Namibia, membership of CARAN (Car Rental Association of Namibia) is an indicator, not a guarantee.

Our Namibia 4x4 insurance decoder goes through these quote lines.

Hiring a guide

• South Africa: a tourist guide must be registered with the provincial registrar (Tourism Act 2014); FGASA qualifications indicate a field guide's level.
• Namibia: ask the guide or their employer for their Namibia Tourism Board registration.
• Check what is included: vehicle, fuel, park fees, the guide's meals, maximum number of guests per vehicle.

Questions to ask before signing

1. What is included, and what isn't?
2. What are the cancellation and deposit terms?
3. Who do I contact on the ground for a breakdown, an accident or a change of plan?
4. Which insurance covers what (vehicle, liability, assistance)?
5. Can you give me your registration number?

Would you rather travel independently after all?