Namibia or Uganda

I’ve never been to Africa but travel.state.gov travel advisory gives Namibia a two, meaning exercise increased caution and Uganda a three, reconsider travel. However, I believe you would be safer on a guided tour than doing it yourself. I know someone who visited Namibia and loved it. I don’t know anyone who’s been to Uganda but seeing the mountain gorillas would be awesome.

We visited Tanzania and Kenya in August 2022 and loved our tour and safari. Consider those countries for a safari and go during the Great Migration, late July early August. It was amazing.

Uganda would be great for seeing Gorillas.

In my opinion, the ONLY way to see Africa is on a guided tour. We had four persons in our family group and our own vehicle with private guide and driver. We used Good Earth Tours.

Like the other responders to your post, I have not been to either country but have been to 6 other African countries. Namibia and Uganda are polar opposites. Namibia is a desert environment famous for its spectacular sand dunes and, of course, wildlife. As a photographer, I would love to go and photograph those dunes, the landscape and the animals which have adapted to live there. Uganda is a forest environment famous for its gorillas. Friends of mine have been to Uganda to see the gorillas. They described the trek to see the gorillas as arduous/grueling as has photographer Joel Sartore of the world famous Photo Ark. A short while after my friends’ trip to Uganda, there was a kidnapping of tourists but that was several years ago so I can’t speak to the situation there now. Research and due diligence on your part would be called for. That being said, seeing the gorillas up close and personal would be a once in a lifetime experience.

I have not been to Namibia, but have been to Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabawe. We went to Uganda in 2022 for the Gorillas and if you are healthy and able-bodied it was THE most amazing wildlife experience I have ever had, and I have had a few! If I had had more time, I would have done more in Uganda. There are some other awesome things to do there. I am now fascinated by the Shoebill Stork and this can be seen in Uganda. I would go back to that country in a heartbeat!❤️
Here is my photobook
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kAjYxRWEKv8wu1Vf8

If you haven't already done so, I would suggest you post your questions on the TripAdvisor Forum sites for those two respective countries. The target audience for this site comprises mainly Europe-bound tourists, and while some of them may wander off elsewhere at times, you are probably more likely to find dedicated Africa experts on TripAdvisor. You will have noticed that several of the respondents above -- to their credit -- admitted not having been to one or both of the countries you're interested in. On TripAdvisor you're more likely to hear from travellers who have actually been there, and recently.
Also, as suggested in the first response, definitely check the State Department travel warnings if you're so inclined, but try to get additional recent information as well. I say this because I've had several safe and rewarding visits to countries that the State Department told me to "reconsider."

Namibia is much easier - it is a fairly "mainstream" outdoor destinations for German tourists who can afford it. Also French ones - I have family members who went, and is is quite high on my "list". A tour is not mandatory; self-driving tours of Namibia are quite commonplace. The main risk is flat tires, basically, otherwise tourism infrastructure is of a fairly good standard.

I'm following this thread as both places are in my travel goals. That stork is so cool. I'd love to see it too. The gorillas would be a dream come true.

Thank you everyone, really helpful!

As a female in their mid 30s I feel that a tour might be best, just in case anything bad happens.

I’ve posted on the trip advisor forums as well ☺️

If only there was more time to travel more!

I have been to both countries - Namibia was in 2013 as part of an overland tour that started in Cape Town, traveled through Namibia, and Botswana and ended in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Here is the latest version of that trip which takes you up the western cape, through Namibia including stops at Swakopmund, Soussevlei, Namib/Nakluft NP, Etosha NP, Windhoek before crossing into Botswana. We got to climb Dune 45 and also see the Fish River canyon. Stayed at two different watering holes in Etosha. This provides great wild life viewing since the camps are enclosed and the animals are outside. These watering holes were lit by lights which enabled one to go and sit and view the animals even in the middle of the nigh
https://nomadtours.co.za/this-year/cape-town-to-victoria-falls/

Uganda was in 2017 which was a self organized trip doing almost a full circuit around lake Victoria - starting in Kampala and then traveling through Rwanda, Tanzania, and finishing up in Nairobi. I organized the Uganda portion through Red Chilli Tours. I wasn't interested in the Gorillas - so had them pick me up in Kampala,
- spent a few days in: Murchison Falls NP (this is where the Nile river is squeezed into a cleft that is only about 50 ft wide which results in a thunderous waterfall) - great wildlife viewing - including leopards but didn't see lions IIRC. Took a boat cruise on the Nile to get close to the falls
- next traveled south and spent 1 night in Fort Portal to break up the long drive to Queen Elizabeth NP. Along the way stopped in one of the forest patches to see a troop of chimpanzees
- Crossed the Equator (took the obligatory picture) and spent a couple of days in QENP - again, great wildlife including lions and leopards. Did an afternoon boatride on Lake George. The lodge we stayed at was on a bluff overlooking the lake and you could see warthogs, giant forest pigs, hippos, etc. just sitting on your front porch
Points to note about Uganda - most of the trips seem to start and end in Kampala - we organized ours to drop us at the Rwandan border and then made our own way to Kigali (short 2 hr bus ride from the border). We enjoy the afternoon/evening boatrides and never miss a chance to do this - it is a relaxed way to see wildlife (did one of these in Chobe NP in Botswana too). Also, none of the 2 NP we went to have rhinos though there is a rehabilitation center that you can visit if this is of interest to you.

The key is that the two countries are quite different as noted by Mary above. Namibia is almost all desert which means the animals are highly concentrated around the watering holes in Etosha. Uganda is forested lying along the Great rift valley with some of the large lakes and the mighty Nile flowing through. You need to decide what it is you prefer. Also, if you are mainly going for wildlife, then timing will be important. In general, if you go during the rains or after, then the animals will be spread out since there is a greater abundance of food and water. Hence, most of the recommendations will be to try and go during the dry season where the animals are more concentrated. We traveled through Namibia in early June and were in Uganda in late July

Thank you for all your help it's been really useful. I've decided I'm going to go but with a tour or guided driver. I am now trying to decide between November and December. I've heard there is a better chance of seeing the Gorillas in December so I'm leaning towards that.

Best places for a safari is in Kenya and/or Tanzania.
We did a fantastic one in both countries last August with a company called Good Earth Tours.
Go in early August when the Great Migration is taking place, it is fantastic.

Our safari cost $4500 pp and we stayed in top hotels or lodges with a great guide/driver. It was 9 days.