How I travel on a student budget in Namibia, even when I'm broke

Travel is not about how much you spend. It’s about how deeply you experience everything you have explored. People often think traveling is only for those with full-time jobs or big bank accounts but I’ve learned that’s not true. As a student living in Namibia, I don’t have much money to spare, yet I have still managed to explore beautiful places without breaking the bank. For me, travel is not about luxury, but it is about experience, discovery, and creating memories.

The first trick is transport. Instead of booking expensive buses or private transfers, I use shared lifts, which are very common in Namibia. Travelling from Windhoek to Swakopmund for N$300 is possible if you use shared taxis. Sometimes I even organize group trips with friends to split fuel costs. Travelling with others not only makes it cheaper, but also more fun.
When it comes to accommodation, I avoid hotels. Instead, I check backpackers, hostels. Places like Skeleton Beach Backpackers in Swakopmund offer beds for around N$250 per night, which is perfect for students.
Food can get expensive if you rely on restaurants, so I pack snacks, cook where possible, and buy from local street vendors. A kapana plate for N$30 tastes just as good as a fancy for N$150 meal  sometimes even more better. When planning activities, I look for free     and  low-cost experiences like walking along the Swakopmund jetty, hiking Daan Viljoen Park, and watching sunsets in the dunes. 
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. What I have learned is this: you do not need to be rich to travel  you just need to be creative and intentional. If you wait for “one day” when you have money, you may never go anywhere in life. Start small, explore locally, and appreciate the beauty around you.