Self Drive Namibia

A self-drive holiday in Namibia offers a great way to explore the country, and allows you to set the pace, so that you actually enjoy the landscapes as you travel through.

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Namibia Self Drive Tours

Namibia self drive holidays - Gemsbok on a gravel road

Where the roads are gravel, the horizons endless, and the petrol stations... sparse

Namibia is the kind of place that begs to be explored on four wheels. If you're happy driving on the left, comfortable on gravel roads, and keen to set your own pace, then a self-drive holiday in Namibia might just be the most rewarding adventure you'll ever take.

Why Choose a Self-Drive Holiday in Namibia?

Flexible, Affordable & Immersive

Let’s be honest: distances are long, roads are dusty, and help is not always around the corner. But that’s precisely why so many people love self-drive in Namibiaβ€”it’s immersive, exhilarating, and unforgettable.

  • Freedom to explore - to immerse yourself in the surreal landscapes and to set your own pace. (In contrast to small group tours which speed around the country’s highlights as a galloping pace.)
  • Cost-effective compared to private guided trips (which can be pricey due to distances)
  • Access to off-the-beaten-track gems that mainstream tours often skip
  • The excellent road network carries little traffic in this sparsely-populated country.
  • Detailed support from us, including maps, directions Β and emergency backup
Mix it Up

A happy medium could be to mix some self-drive with some flying around the country (using Fly Namibia's schedule.) This allows you to get to the areas which are not accessible by flight. But also reduces the overall number of days driving.

Tips for Self Drive in Namibia

Gravel, Distances & What It’s Really Like

Namibia self-drive - Etosha, White elephant walks on road of Namibia South Africa

Namibia has more gravel than tarmac, and that's part of the charm. It’s a vast country and its scenic delights are spread throughout the country rather than conveniently located close to each other!

However, with good clearance, you'll cover long distances comfortablyβ€”if not quickly. You’ll need to:

  • Enjoy driving, and view the road trip as part of the whole adventure.
  • Preferably two people would share the driving.
  • Have time to spare – we recommend 3 weeks to do north and south comfortably. If only 2 weeks, you’ll need to leave some things for next time. Or risk needing another holiday to recover from this one!
  • Be ready for the occasional tyre change – we always include a second spare

Want to skip the trickier sections? No problem. Many of our clients fly into Sossusvlei, then pick up a rental in Swakopmund. We especially recommend this if you're short on time.

Do you need a 4 x 4 for a self-drive in Namibia?

Where a High-Clearance SUV Is Enough

Not necessarily. Outside the rainy season (January to March), a high-clearance SUV is usually enough. During the wetter months, or for more remote regions like Kaokoland or the Skeleton Coast, a 4x4 is a wise choiceβ€”and we’ll advise accordingly.

Why Book Your Namibia Self-Drive with Cedarberg Africa?

Namibia self-drive - Damaraland, Spitzkoppe

Realistic Drive Times, Smart Routing

It’s important to work withΒ an expertΒ when planning a self drive tour to Namibia. Planning a self-drive in Namibia takes local insight. We know where you can (and shouldn’t) go, how long things really take.

Driving in Namibia takes longer than you might expect. So it's vital to know how far you can happily travel in enjoyment, rather than in exasperation.

We also:

  • Plan logical, well-paced itineraries (no 500km days unless you really insist)
  • Include detailed directions and time estimates
  • Book unique, characterful lodges en route
  • Stay on call in case anything needs changing mid-trip

Sample Namibia self drive tours

Namibia Adventure – Etosha, Damaraland, Swakopmund and Sossusvlei

Namibia Discovery – longer extension tour also covers Southern Namibia

Cape to Namibia – the ultimate cross-border odyssey

Namibia Explorer to Victoria Falls – 3 week adventure trip to Katima Mulilo and Victoria Falls

Useful Reads whilst you’re planning:

Tempted by the thrill of the open road in Namibia?

Let’s build an itinerary that balances adventure with comfortβ€”and leaves the ordinary far behind.Β We’ll handle the planning. You handle the playlists.

Back to main Self Drive Tours page or check out Self Drive in South Africa

Download our Free Guide to Car Rental in South Africa & Namibia

All you wanted to know about renting a car in South Africa or Namibia. Find out how easy it is, and what a great way to get around the country with our Frequently Asked Questions. Get our Free Guide
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Holiday of a lifetime
"Just wanted to write a quick note to say a big thank you for all your help in arranging what was a fantastic trip for the three of us. My dad loved every minute of it. And said it was a holiday of a lifetime – which is what I of course had hoped it would be for all of us. " - Jo & Family
Outstanding holiday
"The arrangements worked well. Many thanks for all the hard work. " - Mr Bund, UK
The trip was a great success, Thanks Cedarberg
"Thanks again to Cedarberg Africa and you Tash for arranging the bookings and being able to respond when delays in transportation became apparent. Again I have appreciated the significant effort that Cederberg Travel has put into your web information and the extra material on attractions provided with the itinerary. " - Mr R Brandon, USA
It was amazing
"Thanks Conrad for your help organizing all of this trip for us, it was amazing – and I’ll be sure to refer you to any future friends of mine wishing to come to Africa. " - Mr Ross, Melbourne
10 out of 10 for everything
"The holiday was exceptionally good and we all enjoyed every moment, especially my son Stephen (10 years old). The fact that Stephen enjoyed it says a lot since he is a seasoned traveller (as are most expat kids) having been to almost 20 countries already in his lifetime. We returned with more than a thousand photos and wonderful memories of what Africa can offer at its best " - Family De Waal,
 
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Leanne Koopman-Monk

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Leanne, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH