WHO WE ARE

Explore Namibia is a dynamic and professional travel company in Namibia, founded in 2006 by the Dutch couple, Marco and Elise.

Both have travelled through Africa extensively and they simply love it. When the opportunity occurred to go on an adventure to Africa, they did not hesitate, quit their jobs in Europe and moved 10.000 km South. And still today, after all these years they still love what they do – Explore Namibia and help others do the same!

Over the past 13 years Explore Namibia has grown and built a strong team in Windhoek, Namibia with a vast amount of local ‘know-how’ and up-to-date information. Here you will also find nearby support while travelling. And as recent as March 2019, Explore Namibia also opened an office in Haarlem, The Netherlands, so that experienced tour consultants can bring the next Africa adventure closer to your home.

In 2018, Julia joined Marco and Elise on this adventure. Julia was born and raised on a guest-farm in Namibia, was always closely involved with visitors from all over the world and fascinated by their passion for these southern African countries. After spending some years in Europe, Julia is happy to be ‘back home’ and share these unique experiences, the southern African countries have to offer, with others. Recently the activities were merged with My Namibia Safaris, and Mirela and Rainer were welcomed as partners, and so was Johannes, the better half of Julia.

ELISE VAN DER MEIJ

It all started in 2006 when me and my husband left the Netherlands to start a new life in Namibia.

Namibia had been our favorite destination for many years and this we wanted to share with others. Explore Namibia was born. Time flies and it is now already 13 years ago that we settled in Windhoek. During this time, we organized many self-drive tours. This self-drive concept is simply what we enjoy ourselves and I believe it is the way ‘to go’ for many others as well. Travelling should be at the traveler’s own pace, and focus on their own interests. And it has to be an adventure!

Elise

Nature lovers will be in their element in Namibia as it is 200% nature, with its landscapes, national parks, dunes and coast. Bird fanatics must go to Etosha to find the blue crane and to the Caprivi for the great eagle owl and the kingfisher family. Namibia is also perfect for a family holiday, as long as they take it easy and plan it well.

This amazing country is also a photographers paradise: get close to animals, enjoy amazing colors and contrasts and make spectacular photo’s of the milky way at night. Explore Namibia!

 

We listen and we plan. Based on your wishes we organize your self-drive adventure that will stay with you forever!

OUR TEAM

Our team, whether from Namibia or The Netherlands will assist you organize your dream holiday! We organize your car, equipment, accommodations as well as fun activities. We communicate with you throughout to ensure you will get exactly what you like and we treat your adventure with the same passion and care as if it was our own.

Riekie

Seven years ago, during our own first self-drive trip, I fell in love with this beautiful country. After having returned to Namibia several times, our inner feeling told us to do something with it. Together with my husband we decided to build up a living in Namibia. By joining the Explore Namibia team I could let other people fall in love with this beautiful Namibia and Botswana.

 

A little while ago, Explore Namibia opened new offices in Haarlem, The Netherlands. That was the moment that I left Namibia, but never in my heart. Now I am able to meet the travelers closer to home and still organize them the most beautiful journeys.

Riekie

Hilma

I am passionate about assisting travelers from all over the world with planning their own journey and to provide them with all kinds of information about Namibia and Botswana which are both the most special and amazing countries.

 

I go with the quote that says, “Do not let others tell you how amazing the world is, see it for yourself”. It is better to see something for yourself than to hear about it a thousand times from others.

Hilma
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Kerstin

Tourism seems to be hereditary in my family. My Grandfather was a Tour Guide all his life and this passion splashed over to me. I have been in the tourism industry since 2012, starting as a receptionist on one of Namibia’s bigger lodges. I eventually worked through the stages until I became a Lodge Manager. After 7 years on lodges, I moved back to my hometown, Swakopmund, where I worked in the Camps Reservations department and moved to Windhoek 2 years later to pursue another branch in tourism.

 

Tourism is not a job; it is a lifestyle and I enjoy every minute I spend living it.

Kerstin
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Jasper

For me personally, doing a road trip is undoubtedly the best way to discover a country!

 

The freedom of traveling over endless roads with a fully equipped 4WD is incredible. Going for an adventure in the most beautiful wildlife parks and remote areas. Ending the day together around a cozy campfire. Sleeping in a roof tent while hearing the sounds of wild animals in the distance.

 

For me, this makes Namibia and Botswana the ultimate destination for an adventurous road trip. And a proper dose of good on-the-road music should certainly not be missed.

 

After having lived and worked for two years at the local Explore Namibia office in Windhoek and organizing trips from the Netherlands after that, I am now back in the old nest again.

 

I am happy to assist you to organize your personal road trip adventure.

Jasper

Silvia

As long as I can remember my parents took me on self-drive safari trips through Africa. Sometimes we slept in lodges, but we also often slept outside, on campsites in roof tents on top of our old Toyota 4×4 Landcruiser. Although it was considered a “normal” holiday, it always felt as a great adventure to me. The sounds of wild animals during the night and sleeping under the millions of stars – that feeling is simply indescribable.

 

I am still passionate about adventurous camping trips, nature photography and teaching my little daughters the beauty of nature. I speak English, German & Afrikaans and can understand quite a bit of Dutch.

Silvia

Julia

As a child, a family safari was always a huge adventure – to discover new destinations, setting up camp, unearthing unknown plants and spotting animals. Still today, I enjoy a family holiday in our beautiful Namibia and learn new features of our country with every single trip or excursion.

 

I love to assist others with planning their own self-drive experience and consider it a real privilege to see that special twinkle and new knowledge in their eyes upon returning. There is simply no better escape from our busy life than spending time in nature.

Julia
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Luzelle

After finishing school and not being able to further my studies I started working in the tourism industry in 2003.

 

I’ve started as a receptionist and was later promoted to Tour Consulting and learned and experienced a lot of what Namibia and its people have to offer. I’m passionate about the industry and love helping local and overseas clients to plan their dream holiday and to share the knowledge of our country with them. Being part of the Explore Namibia Team is really and honor and I can say with pride it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

 

We have the best team that will always go the extra mile to make all our clients happy and plan the perfect dream holiday not to be forgotten. My dream and also on my bucket list is to travel the world one day and experience the diverse cultures and nature!!!

Luzelle
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Erika

Growing up in Windhoek and spending each holiday at the village was fun and seldom monotonous. I was curious to discover the reason why people kept saying: “Namibia is a top tourism destination.” I wanted to see it for myself and see something different from the everyday goats and cows. My curiosity led me into perusing studies in travel and tourism and now I passionately organize tours and love to interact with people from different walks of life.

 

Travelling to Namibia is more than just ‘safari’. It’s about the people, the culture, the environment and the history of the country. Explore Namibia gives the entire African Experience.

Erika
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Abigail

Only remembering a tiny detail about my childhood and travels, I know I loved nature, as I still do today. Sunrises and sunsets in our country are by far the most spectacular views I have ever seen.

 

I started working closely with the Tourism Industry in 2017 and in 2020 I started working directly with Tourists. It has been one amazing Industry to work in, as you get to hear everyone’s “Story” on where they come from. Working at Explore Namibia has now given me the platform to share “My story” about our beautiful country.

 

Only having recently started working at Explore, I am thrilled to be part of such energized and fun-loving team. I am looking forward to be the best I can, to our clients and to my colleagues.

Abigail
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Sonja

I was born and raised in the land of the brave – Namibia.

 

For the first 3-4 years of my life, we lived on a farm. We moved to a little town known as Omaruru. My dad had a business where he drove out to farms and lodges to repair and erect Windmills (Wind Motoren) and drill boreholes.

 

During school holidays we joined him on his “business” trips enjoying the sights and being taught about the various wild animals, trees, shrubs and bushes and everything about the vast landscapes Namibia has. While camping out in the bush, the star constellations were amazing to see too. Having “farmers blood” running through my veins, travelling through Namibia always fascinates me and it gives a sense of freedom. From the North to the South, from the East to the West, it’s just remarkably amazing. A country where a lot of memories are made and adventures experienced, the knowledge gained that can be passed on to the little ones.

Sonja
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Etienne

Tourism is in the heart of most Namibians and so central to what makes Namibia a unique destination. It plays a central role in the economy of Namibia, including the spin-off effects on other industries, so I am glad to have finally landed up at Explore Namibia. As a former scout and outdoor archery range owner, as well as camping enthusiast, I could not be happier.

Etienne
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Africa

A few years ago, I was focused on something completely different, but without abandoning my great passion: travelling around the world and discovering new places.

 

Today, thanks to Explore Namibia, I have found a way to combine my passion for travelling and discovering the roots of my name and the wonderful continent that is Africa.

 

And thanks to this, I am able to help other travelers around the world to pass on the beauty of this continent. Sleeping under the stars, while listening to the wild animals or waking up with a view of the African savannah, is something to fall in love with and is impossible to forget.

Africa
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Kim

Ever since I was a teenager and confronted with the question “What do you want to be when you are done with school?”, my answer was: “I want to be in tourism!” It is such a broad perspective, and it can place me in any position connected to tourism.

 

So, after matric I went to the Tourismusschule in Bludenz, in Austria! They offer a college program which includes everything connected to the tourism industry, with the main emphasis to management, hospitality and languages! Tourism gives back pride and opportunity to preserve culture, heritage and nature!

 

To have the thought in the back of your mind that we are the only country in this world….

That has the Welwitschia mirabilis – one of the oldest plants in the world

Where the San people are the oldest inhabitants of Southern Africa, where they have lived for at least 20 000 years.

And many many more…… facts that arise pride and joy in presenting Namibia!

Kim

Aishe

Well, childhood was lit, the only girl among boys best feeling ever, and jah I grew up in a small town which is called Ondangwa in the north, I’m not really a city kind of girl but I am grateful to be in the city, like the saying goes “there’s many opportunities in the city” and that was true, indeed there is, here I am, blessed with the best job I could ever imagine, great colleagues that turned into families.

 

Tourism industry has a lot of opportunities, but my most one is that I get to meet a lot of people from different countries and meeting them is always a great feeling to express, they get to show you their culture and I also have a good opportunity to show my culture too. And jah I am a travel buddy ,to check out new places and get to see different areas, the best thing FOOD, coming from a small town is a bit hectic, you don’t get to meet a lot of different food and people, but now I can loudly and proudly say YES, I can feel, see and taste new things.

Aishe

Keana

I am born and bred Namibian, I come from a big family that loves to travel. I grew up all around Namibia so I have seen quite a bit but there is yet so much more to be seen and experienced, so I can undoubtedly say that this is one of the most beautiful and unique country’s to explore, there is so much to see, too much for just one trip😉, if you prefer to drive yourself or allow us help you decide, both will be an amazing experience. From the beautiful African desert to the stunning Zambezi river with an bananadines of different wild life and even the African plains where the elephant, rhinos and predators walk together. You can even experience the native cuisine and all the different traditions of all the amazing cultures, as Africa in one of the country’s in the world with het most different cultures and languages.

 

So why not make us your next amazing adventure!

Keana
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Johannes

Namibia is a land of contrast, full of natural wonders and cultural diversity: a perfect place for a multi-cultural soul to fit right in! I’m not an “original” Namibian, growing up in the country has left an unerasable Africa-shaped mark on my heart, and I’m hoping to help as many others as possible discover this wonderful country and continent for themselves.

 

There’s something awe-inspiring about the solitude of wide-open and untouched nature of Namibia which you can’t explain, it just has to be experienced!

Johannes

Marco

Millions of bright stars at night, a cozy BBQ campfire in the middle of nature, the sights of free-roaming wildlife and breathtaking landscapes with endless horizons. In a search for adventure and ultimate freedom, these elements made me fall in love with Africa.

 

And until today, I realize that Elise and I have been very fortunate being able to make our dreams come true, something that I will be grateful for the rest of my life.

Marco