Road tripping Namibia has been a dream of mine for years, and after making this dream a reality in June of 2024, it quickly became one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. I am thrilled you’re considering doing it yourself!
From the otherworldly landscapes of Sossusvlei and the Sandwich Harbor to the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha, road tripping Namibia is the best way to experience the very best of this incredible country. Let’s dive in!
There is so much to see and explore in Namibia. 10 days is, in my opinion, the minimum amount of time you should set aside for this adventure.
It’s important to note that public transportation is not well set up for tourists in Namibia, so the best way to see the country is by either renting your own 4x4 vehicle or doing a guided tour. We opted for a self-driving experience through Bushlore Africa and it was EPIC!
But be warned – road tripping Namibia requires a LOT of driving. It’s the third most remote country on earth and everything is very spread out, requiring you to drive thousands of kilometers and dozens of hours over the course of your trip.
Much of Namibia’s roads are gravel, sand, or salt, with tons of uneven surfaces and potholes and TONS of dust (it will coat everything including you) so it’s not for the faint-hearted. I recommend getting a 4x4 vehicle so you’re ready for anything. We rented our vehicles from Bushlore and they were amazing.
Make sure you ask your rental company for information on tire pressure because you will have to manually adjust your tire pressure throughout the journey. And on top of all that, you will be driving on the left hand side of the road.
Here is a great blog post about the roads in Namibia.
I highly recommend getting full insurance from the company you rent the vehicle from because something will more than likely happen – whether it’s a flat tire or a shattered window (both happened to us.)
And whatever you do, DO NOT drive at night unless absolutely necessary. There are no lights on roads outside of cities and wild animals are drawn to the roads at night for warmth, so it’s very easy to get in an accident.
You can visit Namibia all throughout the year, but from my research, it seems that May/ June through October are the best months to plan your road trip. Temperatures are slightly lower during the day, cooling off tremendously at night, and wildlife viewing is at its peak.
This is also Namibia’s dry season so there’s also a low chance of rain which reduces the chance of getting caught in flash floods.
Be sure to plan and book your flights and campsites in advance since this is peak season to road trip Namibia.