Self Drive Namibia

Self-drive in Namibia is one of the most rewarding ways to explore Namibia’s contrasting landscapes. If you are happy to drive on the left hand side of the road, without much traffic around. And on gravel road (as opposed to tar), then self-drive in Namibia is very do-able for many international visitors.

It is also one of the more economical ways to enjoy a Namibia safari trip. Private escorted tours are expensive because of the vast distances involved and guides in Namibia are well-educated, skilled workers.

On the other hand, small group scheduled tours travel at a pretty brisk pace to see the country's highlights in a very short period of time. Also -  in our opinion -  they often stay at larger, less interesting, hotels and lodges.

A happy medium could be to mix up some self-drive with some flying around the country (using Fly Namibia's schedule where available.) This allows you to get to the areas which are not accessible by flight. But also mixes it up a little.

Tips for Self Drive Namibia

• Ideally you need to enjoy driving, and view the road trip as part of the whole adventure. Namibia is a vast country and its scenic delights marvels are spread throughout the country rather than conveniently located close to each other!
• Preferably two people would share the driving.
• Similarly, make sure that you have set aside enough time. We reckon on 3 weeks to see the highlights in both the north and the south. If you only have 2 weeks, you'll need to leave some places out. Or risk needing another holiday to recover from this one!
• Why not mix some self-drive in Namibia with other modes of transport? For example, you could fly in and out of Sossusvlei by scenic charter flight. Then pick up a rental car in Swakopmund to continue. We especially recommend this if you're short on time.

It helps if you can change a tire, too. Punctures are not uncommon on gravel! (That's why we always recommend and book a second spare tyre for peace of mind.)

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

What little rain the desert country of Namibia does get falls during the southern hemisphere summer months from November to March. (And mainly January to mid March.) So during this latter time we do recommend a 4x4 vehicle. But, at other times of the year, an SUV with high clearance will do just fine.

It’s important to work with an expert when planning a self drive tour to Namibia. 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 provide detailed directions and a comprehensive itinerary for you.