Setting out in our 4×4 rental complete with rooftop tent, we never could have imagined how incredible our time in Namibia could be. It’s the ultimate road trip destination. It took us to some of the most remote places we will probably ever go to. We climbed sand dunes the size of mountains, went on safari through Etosha, visited abandoned mining towns and drove through deserted national parks.
We have also written an ultimate guide to planning a road trip through Namibia, but wanted to share our 30 day itinerary too. Reading other people’s itineraries helped us to plan our trip through this vast, varied and magnificent country.
Our 30 day Namibia Road Trip Itinerary
The driving times and distances below are without stopping. This is to give an idea of the minimum time a journey between each place will take.
We usually stopped to visit a tourist spot, for food and drink, to stock up or to stretch our legs at least once on all our journeys. So our actual driving times were always longer than stated. The extra time to allow for these stops should be factored into any Namibia road trip.
Day 1 – Windhoek – 1 Night
We arrived pretty late (9.30 pm) into Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. There were no taxi’s around so we asked the guy at the car rental company for some help. Luckily he offered to drop us to our accommodation for the same price a taxi would charge. We stayed in a small apartment for one night In Windhoek. It was near to where we would pick up our rental vehicle the next day.
Minimum Driving Time – none for us, but the airport is situated 30-40 minutes from Windhoek
Our Stay – Windhoek in a small apartment
Day 2 – Stopover On The Way To Fish River Canyon – 1 night
Our car hire company picked us up from our accommodation and showed us around our fully equipped 4×4, complete with rooftop tent – our home for the next 28 nights. It came with everything we would need including bedding, a fridge, cooking equipment, 2 spare tires and 2 petrol tanks. We were relieved to see the rooftop tent went up and down within minutes and were excited to start our Namibia road trip adventure.
We stocked up on lots of food, water and a few beers from a nearby supermarket before we set off. This is something we highly recommend doing as large supermarkets are few and far between in Namibia. Stocking up in Windhoek is a great way to ensure you have plenty to keep you going for the start of your trip. Make sure you also buy condiments and speciality food in Windhoek too. Certain items can be much more difficult to find across the rest of Namibia.
We set off on the way down to Fish River Canyon, but knew we would never make it there before dark on our first day. So we stayed at a lovely camp called Bastion Farmyard. It’s 2.5 hours from Windhoek and just off the main B1 highway.
We had a private bathroom and an open space to cook dinner. While the food was cooking, we set up our rooftop tent for the first time. The tent was bigger and more comfortable than we had imagined. Falling asleep in the middle of the vast, quiet desert was incredibly easy.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance– Windhoek to Bastion Farmyard ~ 2.5 hours & 256 km
Our Stay – Bastion Farmyard Camp
Tip – stock up with plenty of supplies in a supermarket in Windhoek and use an ATM before you set off
Day 3 & 4 – Quiver Tree Forest & Fish River Canyon – 2 nights
We woke up early to the sun slowly rising over the open, desert landscape and instantly knew this was going to be one epic adventure.
The Quiver Tree Forest & Giant’s Playground are on the way to Fish River Canyon so we planned in a stop. They are about 2.5 hours from Bastion Farmyard near the small town of Keetmanshoop.
Although you will see other Quiver Trees throughout Namibia, the Quiver Tree Forest has by far the most all in one spot. It is well worth the visit. Giant’s Playground is next to the forest and consists of massive piles of huge, dolerite rocks. They look as though a giant’s game of Jenga went horribly wrong!
After a couple of hours we continued onto Canyon Roadhouse Camp, where we would stay for the next 2 nights. We loved our stay at Canyon Roadhouse. A lot of effort has gone into making it a highly photogenic place to stay. There is a swimming pool and on-site restaurant, but no shop. Although we were able to buy some firewood.
The drive to the entrance of Fish River Canyon is around 20 minutes from Canyon Roadhouse. It’s a magnificent place to visit. The canyon is unbelievably huge, the largest in Africa. There are numerous viewpoints along the canyon, that get more deserted the further you get from the main entrance. We spent over 4 hours exploring the various viewpoints and easily could have spent longer.
Due to this area being miles from any light pollution, it was an amazing place to see the stars light up the sky.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Bastion Farmyard to Canyon Roadhouse near Fish River Canyon ~ 4 hours & 374 km
Our Stay – Canyon Roadhouse Camp & Lodge
Tip – Make sure you stock up before you arrive. There aren’t any shops nearby and the whole area is pretty secluded. We were able to get some very basic supplies from a small shop at the entrance to Fish River Canyon, but we didn’t see anywhere else to stock up. There was a petrol station at the camp – cash only.
Day 5 – Drive To The Town Of Luderitz – 1 Night
Our drive to Luderitz from Fish River Canyon was one of the most deserted of our trip. We left without breakfast, and didn’t pass any shops until we reached the small town of Aus some 3 hours later. We stopped at a small camp on C12 after about 45 minutes. There was a place selling coffee and water, but the only food they had were biscuits.
On the way, there were still signs counting down the kilometers to a town called Goageb. We had our fingers crossed for a shop, but when we got there it was completely abandoned. Pretty surreal to see.
Aus is a small town with a petrol station, accommodation and a couple of small shops. On your way to Luderitz you may see the wild horses of the Namib desert. Luck wasn’t on our side during our visit and we didn’t see any.
Luderitz is a coastal town, with shops, supermarkets and restaurants. Although our main reason for visiting was to go to Kolmanskop, a deserted mining town being slowly swallowed by the desert.
We had read that the only campsite available in Luderitz was on Shark Island. It can get extremely windy there as it is open to the elements. So we opted to spend one night in a small B&B. We wanted to a good night’s sleep and to get up early for sunrise.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Canyon Roadhouse near Fish River Canyon to Ludertiz ~ 4 hours 20 minutes & 385 km
Stay – we booked Villelodge, but they overbooked us and put us up in Kairos Cottage B&B
Tip – make sure you get petrol before leaving Fish River Canyon. We didn’t go past any petrol stations until the town of Aus which is 260 km away.
Day 6 – Kolmanskop & Stopover On Way To Sossusvlei – 1 night
We woke up at 5:00 am, made some strong coffee and drove to Kolmanskop, just a short drive from Luderitz. It was still pitch black, with a low lying mist when we arrived. Around 5:45 am it started to get a little lighter. Equipped with torches we ventured into the eeriest place we have ever been to. There was no-one else around and the mist hung in air.
It was much lighter around 6:30 am and the mist cleared, leaving us in awe at the beautiful morning light cast upon this once bustling mining town.
We carefully explored the dilapidated buildings, many that were once people’s homes and still complete with bathtubs and furniture. The sand has slowly crept in, anyway it can, creating mini indoor sand dunes and partially burying staircases and window frames. It’s an incredible place to take photos, especially at sunrise. We had the place to ourselves till 8:00 am.
The rest of the day was spent driving to Betta Campsite, a small, quiet camp on road C27. We used this camp to break up the drive to Sesriem (near Sossusvlei). This was a great place to stay in the remote desert. It had a small shop, restaurant and vast views over the desolate landscape.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Luderitz to Betta Campsite ~ 4 hours & 329 km
Our Stay – Betta Campsite
Tip – you could drive from Luderitz to Sesriem in a day, although it would take over 6 hours. We opted to add a stopover on the way, as we didn’t know what time we would leave Luderitz and knew much of the journey would be on gravel roads.
Day 7 & 8 – Sesriem & Sossusvlei – Sand Dunes & Deadvlei – 2 nights
After a leisurely morning, we set off on one of our shortest drives of the trip through incredible desert scenery to Sesriem. Sesriem is the gateway to Sossusvlei. It is where to stay when visiting the mighty sand dunes and salt pan deadvlei.
The NWR Sesriem Camp is huge. We checked in and got our campsite number, which was one of the bigger campsites, situated under a large tree. There is a restaurant and small shop at Sesriem Camp, but if you need more supplies there is also a larger shop and a petrol station over the road.
We decided to drive to Sossusvlei in Namib-Naukluft National Park. It’s an hour from the camp, some 60 km away. Luck, however, was not on our side. As we got closer to the dunes we saw a huge sand storm coming our way. Realising it probably wasn’t wise to continue, we turned round and headed all the way back to our camp. Unfortunately, on the way back we got our first flat tire (yes, we had more than one on this trip!). We pulled over and changed the tire in the blistering heat and feeling somewhat disheartened we drove back to camp.
It was swelteringly hot on our first night and extremely windy so we didn’t get much sleep. As we were awake by 4:30 am we decided to get up and get in the queue for the gates to open to Namib-Naukluft National Park. The gates opened at 5:45 am. Some people zoomed past us, keen to be the first there. This is a popular place and there were lots of people up early so it’s not a place you will ever have to yourself.
We spent a few hours at Sossusvlei, climbing the monstrous sand dunes and exploring the surreal Deadvlei landscape. As this is the desert, it is extremely hot and there isn’t anywhere to buy water. So make sure you take plenty with you from the camp.
During the hottest part of the day we went back to the camp to relax under the shade of a tree. At around 4:00 pm we drove back to Dune 45. It takes around 40 minutes from the camp to get to there. The climb to the top was tough, but worth it. It was really windy, but the views of the surrounding sand dunes were amazing. As the sun started to set over the burnt-orange dunes, we shared a Savana Dry cider. Watching as the huge, bright sun disappeared below the horizon. The sun set around 7:00 pm. We had to quickly head back before the gates to the camp closed at 7:45 pm.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Betta Camp to Sesriem ~ 2 hours & 137 km/Sesriem to Sossusvlei – 1 hour & over 60 km to the first car park. Last 5 km is on sand roads and takes a further 10-15 mins.
Our Stay – Sesriem Camp NWR
Tip – The NWR Sesriem Camp is situated within the first main gate of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. You are able to enter the second gate to visit Sossusvlei an hour earlier and stay an hour later than those not staying within the first main gate. If you want to watch sunrise or sunset from the dunes, this is highly recommended. The long drive between Sesriem and Sossusvlei will not allow for this if you stay outside the main gate.
Tip – the first 60 km of road from Sesriem to Sossusvlei is tarred, but the last small section of around 5 km is very deep sand. You are able to drive on this yourself to the second car park if you have a 4×4, let down the tire pressure and are confident driving on sand. It does get very deep so make sure you’re prepared before making the trip. If not, park in the first car park and take one of the jeeps or tractors to the dunes – there is, of course, a fee for this service.
Day 9, 10 & 11 – Sesriem Canyon & Swakopmund – 3 nights
Before starting our drive to Swakopmund we went to Sesriem Canyon, about 5 km from NWR Sesriem Camp. Early morning is the best time to visit as it’s much quieter and cooler.
We then set off for Swakopmund, a good-sized coastal city with a large German influence. You will find lots of restaurants, shops and large supermarkets there, so you can eat out and stock up before you leave. It’s a lot cooler there than the surrounding desert regions. This is a welcome relief, but just remember to pack some layers.
We camped at Alte Brucke Camp & Resort, which is in a great location and has campsites with private bathrooms. Chalets are also available and there is a fantastic on-site restaurant called Old Steamer.
We spent our time in Swakopmund, exploring the city and incredible nearby sand dunes. This included climbing Dune 7, the largest sand dune in Namibia. These dunes were a lot quieter than the sand dunes in Sossusvlei and equally impressive.
As much as we loved the remoteness of Namibia, it was enjoyable to have a choice of lots of restaurants during our time in Swakopmund. Plus a short break from the long drives.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Sesriem to Swakopmund ~ 5 hours & 346 km
Our Stay – Alte Brucke Camp & Resort
Tip – C19 is a gravel, bumpy and winding road so allow extra time for driving on this as you will need to take it a bit slower. The Gaub Pass takes you through incredible moon-like landscapes. The roads are a little hair raising with sheer drops and sharp bends. You will need to take it slow as the road cuts through and around the rock. There are a couple of places to safely stop and take in the view. While you’re driving you’ll need to concentrate on the road.
Tip – the Tropic of Capricorn sign is just before the Gaub Pass if you’re heading from Sesriem to Swakopmund or just after if you’re doing the opposite route. There is a sign on both sides of the road.
Day 12 – Spitzkoppe – 1 night
Spitzkoppe had been one of the places in Namibia we were most looking forward to and it didn’t disappoint. We set off early and as we got closer to Spitzkoppe we were amazed to see the dramatic peaks standing tall, surrounded by the flat plains below.
We stayed at Spitzkoppe Campsites where each camp is surrounded by a different part of the mountains, with just a drop toilet and place for a fire. There are flush toilets and hot showers at the reception. When you’re at your camp you’ll feel as though you have the mountains completely to yourself.
We spent the day exploring the area, climbing up onto the rocks and taking in the unique and remarkable scenery. We watched as the sunset cast a beautiful, orange glow over these magnificent formations. As darkness set in, we lit our campfire and were in awe at the complete remoteness of Spitzkoppe.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe ~ 1 hour 45 minutes & 152 km
Our Stay – Spitzkoppe Campsites
Tip – get to the campsite early, as you can pick your own campsite from the 31 available. They vary in size and privacy. When you arrive you can drive around the different camps and choose which one you like best.
Tip – there is a small restaurant at the camp, but no shop, so ensure you bring supplies if you want to cook your own food. There is no electricity at the campsites though so you won’t be able to plug in your fridge. They did sell firewood at the camp.
Day 13 – Zeila Shipwreck & Cape Cross – 1 night
We woke up to watch a dramatic sunrise over the mountains in Spitzkoppe, before driving back to Swakopmund. After stocking up on supplies in Swakopmund our journey along the coast began.
On the way to Cape Cross, a few kilometres before Henties Bay there is a shipwreck called Zeila. It is the most intact shipwreck along this section of coast so we stopped to take a look. You will find some locals there trying to sell you rocks. We politely declined before heading over to the shipwreck to take some photos.
Cape Cross Seal Reserve is very near to Cape Cross Camp & Lodge and is well worth the visit. There are thousands of Cape Fur Seals at this breeding colony. The wooden boardwalks allow you to observe the seals up close in their natural habitat, without causing them any distress.
It’s staggering to see so many seals in one place, from small babies to huge males. Some were sleeping or relaxing on the large rocks, others were fighting and many were also fishing in the ocean.
It was cold at Cape Cross Camp as it’s on the coast, but it had clean, communal hot showers and charging points in each camp.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Spitzkoppe to Cape Cross Camp & Lodge via Swakopmund ~ 3 hours & 271 km
Our Stay – Cape Cross Lodge & Camp
Day 14 & 15 – Driving Through Skeleton Coast & Damaraland – Stay At Hoada Camp – 2 nights
We set off early as it was going to be one of our longest drives. Taking us through the salt roads of the Skeleton Coast and gravel roads of Damaraland.
The landscape of the Skeleton Coast is vast and desolate; we didn’t see another car for hours. We drove through the gates to the Skeleton Coast National Park and the emptiness of our surroundings was evident immediately.
Stopping a few times to wander the desolate shore, led us to find broken parts of shipwrecked boats and bones of different types of animals. There was nothing in any direction for miles. As we continued through the national park we witnessed the changing landscape from dry and barren, to rocky and moon-like.
As we turned away from the coast and started to drive back inland, the landscape changed again. We noticed hundreds of the unusual Welwitschia plants. They can live for over 1000 years and are endemic to the Namib Desert. These extraordinary plants were dotted all along both sides of the road. We stopped to take a closer look, being very careful not to disturb them.
Once we left the national park, we headed for Hoada Camp. It’s situated on the other side of the incredible Grootberg Pass, which takes you up and through the magnificent mountain.
Hoada Camp was basic, but imaginative, with each camp looking like it should be on the set of the Flintstones. Surrounded by boulders and cleverly integrated into the surrounding rocks. A bar was nestled upon some of the higher, larger boulders. It was a welcome place to enjoy a cold drink and views of the low-lying desert plains that went on for miles.
There wasn’t any electricity at the campsites, but the lovely owner allowed us to store our meat in the fridge in the reception. The camp is pretty remote and the surrounding roads are all gravel so getting to any of the attractions in the area would have taken a lot of driving, so we took it easy and relaxed in another epic Namibian landscape.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Cape Cross Camp & Lodge to Hoada Camp ~ 5.5 hours & 359 km
Our Stay – Hoada Camp
Day 16 – Etosha National Park – Olifantrus Camp – 1 night
To maximise our time in Etosha National Park we made an early start and checked into the park at Galton Gate. We took a slow drive through the national park to our first camp – Olifantrus. This is Etosha’s newest camp and only offers camping accommodation.
The main attraction for us was the wooden hide at the camp, overlooking the vast plains surrounding the camp. Under the hide was a man-made waterhole, which was very popular with elephants. It was incredible to safely get so close to the elephants and watch them bathe and play in the mud and cool themselves down.
Unfortunately we were given a campsite near the shower block and next to a huge, noisy tour group so we didn’t sleep well. If we stayed here again we would ask for a camp furthest from the hide, which would be much quieter.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Hoada Camp to Olifantrus Camp in Etosha National Park – enter via Galton Gate – 3 hours & 202 km
Our Stay – Olifantrus Camp
Day 17 & 18- Etosha National Park – Okaukuejo Camp – 2 nights
Early starts are best on safari so we went out to explore more of Etosha, focusing on driving to the different waterholes. In Etosha we found the waterholes to be the best place to spot wildlife and often where there was a waterhole, a lion wasn’t far away either.
We have a guide to Etosha National Park if you want to find out more about this fantastic place to safari.
Okaukuejo Camp is huge and by far the most popular camp in the park. The main draw to this camp and our favorite part was the huge waterhole that is lit up at night. It meant our time viewing wildlife wasn’t over just because we were back in the gates of the camp. Sitting watching the sun go down as a variety of wildlife ventured to the waterhole was a huge highlight for us in Etosha, and both nights we stayed till after dark.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Olifantrus Camp to Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha National Park – 2 hours & 125 km
Our Stay – Okaukuejo Camp
Day 19 & 20 – Etosha National Park – Onguma Tamboti Camp – 2 nights
Another early start and more time exploring, took us over to the far east side of Etosha, where we left the park to stay in an excellent camp just outside.
Onguma Tamboti Camp was a relaxing camp and it was great to have our own bathroom after sharing in the Etosha camps. There is an on-site bar and restaurant and a swimming pool with resident warthogs chilling in the shade beside it!
As the camp was right next to Etosha it was easy to go back into the park for more wildlife viewing, before retreating back to a quiet space at our private campsite and enjoy a beer at the bar.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Okaukuejo Camp to Onguma Tamboti Camp (just outside Etosha) – 3 hours & 161 km
Our Stay – Onguma Tamboti Camp
Day 21 – On Our Way To Caprivi Strip Via Rundu & Mukuku Camp – 1 night
This was a long day of driving, but for most of the journey you’re on the main tarred road. We headed up into the northern part of Namibia to the more remote area of the Kavango and Zambezi regions. Formally known as, and still often referred to as the Caprivi Strip.
Rundu is Kavango region’s largest town. We knew supplies would be limited during our time in the Zambezi region, so we went to one of the large supermarkets in Rundu to stock up on supplies.
Mukuku Camp wasn’t far from Rundu and was a great stopping off point on our way into the Zambezi Region. It’s situated on the river, near to the border of Angola. The friendly owners provided us with firewood and as it was quiet we were able to have a campsite with our own bathroom.
Although it was not yet rainy season in this area, there was a heavy night of rain during our stay, but luckily this cleared by the morning and we didn’t get too wet!
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Onguma Tamboti to Mukuku Camp 5 hours & 480 km
Our Stay – Mukuku Camp
Day 22 & 23 – Caprivi Strip – Mukolo Camp – 2 nights
As we entered further into this area of Namibia, it felt different from anywhere else we had been on our road trip. A tar road takes you through the thin, narrow strip of the country with small, traditional villages lining either side of the road. Due to the large rivers in the area, it’s also a lot greener than any other Namibian landscape we’d been to.
At Mukolo Camp we were lucky enough to be given a campsite right on the river. The surroundings make for a peaceful and secluded setting among the trees.
The friendly owners were lovely and we chatted to Veronica about how they set up the camp. She told us more about this fascinating country from a residents point of view.
We wanted to go out and explore the area, but were advised to leave going to the Kwando Core Area of the Bwabwata National Park till the next morning when the sand would be cooler and easier to drive on. We instantly knew exploring this area was going to be a wild experience.
Mudumu National Park was also nearby and we were advised it was easier to drive around. So we spent the first afternoon exploring this wild and deserted national park. Most of the roads were gravel or thin sand, although there were sections that quickly turned into deeper sections of sand. We saw a huge herd of elephants crossing the river and others walking through the park. Instantly we recognised the animals here were far less used to cars than in Etosha and were easily spooked. We ensured we took it really slowly as we drove through.
The next morning we went to the Kwando Core Area of the Bwabwata National Park. Almost as soon as you enter the park you’re driving on sand. The tracks are well established, but there are some very deep sections. You must ensure you have a 4×4, the tires on the car are deflated and you’re comfortable driving on sand to go here. The park was incredible to drive around with barely another car in sight, with the best spots for viewing wildlife situated along the river.
We have a guide to the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) if you want to find out more about this remote and incredible area of Namibia.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Mukuku Camp to Mukolo Camp – 3 hours 45 minutes & 358 km
Our Stay – Mukolo Camp
Day 24 – Caprivi Strip – Mashi River Safari Camp – 1 night
Our next camp was very near to Mukolo Camp. One of the main reasons we booked it was to do a river safari. We had checked with the owner in advance and he advised we could arrange the river safari on arrival. Unfortunately, when we arrived we were told by the staff that the owner was away and a river safari would not be possible. Although we were disappointed, the camp was in an amazing location along the river. The camp was basic, but we had all we needed, with a private bathroom and unobstructed view of the huge hippos in the river.
We ventured back to into the national parks for more 4wd through the sand and plenty of wildlife viewing, before relaxing in the outdoor dining room on the river at our camp.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Mukolo Camp to Mashi River Safari Camp – 10 minutes & 9 km
Our Stay – Mashi River Safari Camp
Day 25 & 26 – Caprivi Strip – Ngepi Camp – 2 nights
It was now time to venture back to other other side of the Zambezi Region that we had driven near to on the way to Mukolo Camp.
The entrance to Ngepi Camp led us down more roads of sand and as we past some of the comical signs we knew this was a camp with a sense of humour! It’s a large camp with most of the campsites being situated along the river, opposite another area of Bwabwata National Park.
This quirky camp is full of funny signs and crazy outdoor bathrooms. It was busier than the other camps we had stayed at around the Caprivi Strip.
We spent our days exploring the Mahango Game Reserve in Bwabwata National Park. At night we enjoyed a cold beer around a campfire right on the river. The sound of hippos filled the air – sometimes sounding like they were a little too close for comfort, but we knew it was unlikely the hippos would make it up the steep river bank (that’s what we kept telling ourselves anyway!).
On one of our journeys to Divundu to go to the small supermarket, someone pointed out we had another flat tire. As luck would have it the same guy showed us there was a tire repair place right by the supermarket, so we got it fixed there and then for a small fee.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Mashi River Safari Camp to Ngepi Camp – 2 hours 45 minutes & 232 km
Our Stay – Ngepi Camp
Day 27 – Ghaub Camp Near Hoba Meteorite – 1 night
Our time in the Caprivi Strip had come to an end. We had thoroughly enjoyed staying in the incredible camps in the region and exploring a part of Namibia so different from the rest of the country.
Another long day of driving lay ahead, back down the long, tar road to Ghaub Camp. Our last stop in Namibia was Waterberg Plateau and Ghaub Camp, although a little out the way, was a great place to break up the journey for a night. We stopped at the nearby town of Grootfontien to stock up before we arrived as we knew the camp would be very secluded.
The Otavi Mountains surrounded the stunning grounds of the camp and lodge. Our private camp was one of 3 in a remote area in the grounds.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time for any of the experiences on offer there, but we really enjoyed our stay. Although at night we retreated to our tent pretty early as there were hundreds of bugs flying around everywhere and some were as big as a bird! All part of the Namibian adventure we know, but we had never seen so many.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Ngepi Camp to Ghaub Camp 5.5 hours & 520 km
Our Stay – Ghaub Camp
Day 28 & 29 – Hoba Meteorite & Waterberg Plateau Camp – 2 nights
On the way to Waterberg Plateau we made a brief stop at the Hoba Meteorite. In 1920, a farmer ploughing his field discovered the huge meteorite. It is the largest known meteorite on earth. It’s an impressive sight to see something so huge that’s millions of years old, but apart from some picnic spots there isn’t anything else to do here so we continued on to the final camp of our epic Namibia road trip.
As we approached Waterberg Plateau we felt we had another puncture, so we pulled over. Another stone had punctured the same tyre we had repaired in the Caprivi Strip. As we were about to get all the equipment out the car to change the tire, a massive group of locals pulled up and jumped off the back of the pick up truck they were standing on. In record time and without them letting us help they worked together to change the tire for us and just like that we were ready to go again. We were so grateful for their help and couldn’t thank them enough.
Waterberg Plateau Camp sits within the Private Nature Reserve of Waterberg Wilderness. A stunning area with Namibia’s very own table mountain surrounded by flat plains as far as the eye can see. The nature reserve also has lodges, each with different surroundings. Two of them have magnificent views, one from the plateau and one of the stunning valley. The other is nestled deep into the valley where some of the hiking trails begin.
We were blown away by the scenery there, and what made our stay even more incredible was the rhino tracking. In the early morning we trekked through the Kalahari bush with an experienced guide in the hope of tracking white rhinos. Our guide blew us away with his tracking skills and bought us within metres of 5 of these beautiful animals. Throughout the trek there was also the opportunity to learn more about these wonderful creatures and closely observe their behavior.
The camp was a great place to spend our last 2 nights in Namibia. We sat around our campfire in awe of the thousands of bright stars in the night sky. We had become accustomed to seeing them by now, but were no less amazed.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Ghaub Camp to Waterberg Plateau Camp – 2 hours 45 minutes & 172 km
To include a visit to Hoba Meteorite it means going a little out the way, but if you’re in the area, it is worth seeing – Ghaub Camp to Hoba Meteorite – 69 km & 1 hour/Hoba Meteorite to Waterberg Plateau Camp – 2 hours 15 minutes & 143 km
Our Stay – Waterberg Plateau Camp
Day 30 – Drive Back To Windhoek & Say Goodbye To Namibia
With magnificent memories and a heavy heart we drove back to Windhoek to drop back our car that had taken us all around one of the most breathtaking countries we have ever been to.
Our journey took us through astounding landscapes, away from technology, closer to nature and rewarded us with a truly, unforgettable experiences.
Minimum Driving Time & Distance – Waterberg Plateau Camp to Windhoek – 3 hours & 288 km
The company we rented our vehicle from arranged free transport to the airport.
Total Kilometres Driven On Namibia Road Trip & Petrol Costs
While planning our road trip to Namibia we wanted to have a rough idea of how much driving we would do and how much we should budget for fuel.
The distances between many of the best places to visit in Namibia are huge. On top of this there is all the extra driving you will do within the national parks and visiting other nearby places from where you’re staying. We knew we would drive a lot during our road trip, but even we were surprised by the final number! Was all the driving worth it? YES!
Total Kimometres Driven – 7500 km (4660 miles)
Although our vehicle had 2 petrol tanks that would last for around 1000 km, we still made sure we filed up regularly to ensure we wouldn’t run out. Most major stops will have at least one place to fill up with petrol, but whenever you leave a larger town it’s always worth leaving with a full tank.
Total Petrol Cost – £620 (~$770 USD)
What Was The Weather Like On Our Namibia Road Trip?
No matter what time of year you visit Namibia, the weather will vary in the different parts of the country, especially as you move from the desert to the coast.
We were in Namibia for the whole of October. In the desert, inland regions and the Caprivi Strip it was very hot in the day, although it did cool down to more pleasant temperatures to be able to sleep at night – apart from one night we had at Sesriem. It only rained once the whole time, although it was heavy, which was while we were in the Caprivi Strip.
The coastal areas of Luderitz, Swakopmund and Cape Cross were much, much cooler, with some of the days being more overcast.
It was a great time to visit Namibia. Bright blue skies and sunshine filled most of our days. We took lots of layers so we were able to adjust to the changing temperatures as we moved around the country.
