Serenely peaceful, vast ocean of deep red, Namibia makes for epic, nostalgia filled road trips.

Desert sand dunes, solitary towns, rare wildlife and nights spent under the stars. These are just a few things that make this place unforgettable as Namibia will surely get under your skin, as will its sand.

Namibia is situated in Southern Africa, bordering South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Zambia, it also borders the Atlantic ocean. Windhoek is the country’s capital and also its largest city, the vast majority of the country is sparsely populated. Namibia’s economy is largely dependent on the mining and development of minerals for export.

Namibia is a predominately dry country.

Winter/dry season – May to October

It can get cold at night and in the mornings but the days are warm and sunny, there is also less vegetation making it easier to spot wildlife, especially around waterholes.

Summer/wet season – October to April

There are lower rates during these times and greener scenery after the rains, it’s also an excellent time for birding and seeing newborn animals. Rains are mostly short showers in the afternoon and it gets very hot from October to February.

Peak season is July to October but the best time to visit overall and across all the parks would be June to October. The best time weather wise being April to May with little rainfall, moderate temperatures and green landscapes.

Namibia is a vast country with vast distances between sights that can take you across remote terrain. The country does however have an excellent road network and a well developed air transport service, having around 300 airstrips across the country. In general most of Namibia’s public transport is aimed at the local population, with little use to travellers/tourists as most don’t stop at any of the countries major attractions.

Car Hire

Due to the good road network and limited public transport it is no surprise many people choose to road trip around Namibia, especially as this is also the best way to experience the wondrous scenery between each stop. 4×4 hire is generally recommended as although many of the major roads are tarmacked, it is likely you will need to drive off-road or on dirt or salt roads at some point and a 4×4 will make this easier. Another popular option is to hire a 4×4 with a pop up tent on the roof to combine a road trip with camping.

Air Travel

There are domestic flights available between the major towns, such as Windhoek to Walvis Bay, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Ondangwa and Luderitz. This is a convenient way to get around if you are short on time, however when you get to each destination there are very limited transport options.

Bus

There isn’t a huge amount of choice when it comes to bus travel in Namibia, but Intercape do operate modern buses with air conditioning and entertainment systems to and from the major towns. An example journey between Windhoek and Rundu will take 8 hours and costs between 470 NAD (saver ticket) and 590 NAD (fully flexible ticket). Tickets can be booked online via their website.

Namibian money is pegged to the South African Rand which is also legal tender in Namibia. The currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD) and note denominations are $10, $20, $50, $100 and $200.

ATM’s are found in major towns and most petrol stations and will accept foreign debit cards. It is a good idea to take money out at every town stop off as you’ll likely be driving long distances in between towns. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted in some places and the US Dollar is a good currency to bring as it’s the easiest to use/exchange throughout the African Continent.

Average Costs (in Namibian Dollars)

• Meal in an inexpensive restaurant 80–150
• 3 course meal for two people in a mid range restaurant 300–500
• Campsite 200–400
• Mid-range hotel or lodge 1000–1400
• A meal at McDonald’s 50–90
• A local beer 15–20
• A regular coffee 18–25
• A Bottle of water 6–14
• Gasoline/fuel per litre 10–13

Etosha National Park

A major draw to this park are the many waterholes where an abundance of wildlife congregate, giving almost guaranteed game sightings. The park is home to a huge number of mammals, including elephants, black rhinos, leopards, zebras, lions, cheetahs and giraffes. The largest salt pan in Africa is also located here and covers almost a quarter of the National Park. There are a number of accommodation options within the park from camping to luxury tents and lodges. The floodlit waterholes within the camps mean your game viewing can continue long after the sun goes down. For foreign visitors there is an 80 NAD fee per adult, per day and a 10 NAD fee per vehicle, per day.

Sossusvlei

Situated in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sossusvlei is a popular and photogenic destination that showcases Namibia’s unspoilt, sprawling, wondrous desert. Sossusvlei itself is a large, white, salt and clay pan, but it is the dramatic, towering, burnt-orange dunes surrounding it that draws in the visitors. The dunes here are some of the highest in the world, the tallest in the Sossusvlei area being Big Daddy, at 325 metres high and with some stamina and plenty of water you can trek to the top. Another dune you can climb is Dune 45, at 85 metres high, from the top you will have outstanding panoramic views of Dune Valley. Another popular, natural wonder here is Deadvlei, a clay pan defined by dark, dead camel thorn trees and the contrast between the white pan floor, black trees, striking orange dunes and bright blue sky make this a photographer’s heaven. The entrance gate to this area of the park is called Sesriem and although there is plenty of accommodation nearby, there are only a couple of options inside the parks gates that give you early access to the Sossusvlei area so these are recommended if you want to see sunrise from the top of a dune and avoid the crowds. Sesriem Canyon is also located in this area, about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the entrance gate.

Fish River Canyon

Located in the south of Namibia, lies the largest canyon in Africa and second largest in the world, it is 550 metres deep (1,800 ft) 100 miles long (160km) and 17 miles wide (27km). The entrance to the park is at Hobas and from there it is about 6 miles (10km) to the main viewpoint offering spectacular views of the canyon. Once in the park there are several other viewpoints you can drive to, some of which you may have all to yourselves. The entrance fee is 80 NAD per person and 10 NAD per vehicle. You can only hike down through the canyon between May and mid-September as it is too hot at other times of the year and the most popular hike is 53 miles (85 km) over 5 days.

Kolmanskop

An abandoned ghost town in the Namib desert, near to the port town of the Luderitz. Germans settled in the area after diamonds were discovered in 1908 and built a town with German architecture, including a school, hospital and casino. Eventually everyone left the town in 1954 when there were no more diamonds to find, leaving the desert to slowly start to swallow the remaining, desolate buildings. A permit is required to enter Kolmanskop and they can be purchased at the Kolmanskop gate or Luderitz Safaris and Tours. An adult pass is 85 NAD that allows entrance between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm. This pass includes a 45–60 minute guided tour at 9:30 am or 11:00 am Mon-Fri or 10:00 am on a Sunday. There is also a photo permit pass that allows access to the park between sunrise and sunset for non-commercial photographers. This pass is 230 NAD and includes the guided tour, this is highly recommended if you want early or late access to the park with fewer visitors around.

Cape Cross Seal Reserve

This reserve is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of Cape fur seals in the world. At any given time there are over 100,000 seals here and in breeding season in November and December there can be over 200,000 seals. The reserve is open between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm and the entrance fee is 80 NAD per person and 10 NAD per car. Due to the sheer number of seals here, be prepared for a strong smell.

Waterberg Plateau National Park

Situated about 174 miles (280km) north of Windhoek lies this magnificent plateau rising 200 metres above the surrounding African Savannah. Established in 1972, this protected area is a wonder to explore. Its brick-red sandstone, lush, green vegetation, animals and many species of birds make this a paradise to hike around. There are campsites and lodges located in the park and they make a great base to discover what this beautiful park has to offer and allow you to take in the stunning views of the vast landscapes below. The entrance fee is 80 NAD per person and 10 NAD per vehicle.

Swakopmund

A coastal city in Western Namibia, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert. There are old, German colonial buildings dotted throughout the city, giving this area the feel of being a German coastal town with an African flair. Swakopmund is a popular holiday destination for Namibians during long weekends and summer holidays, not only for some relief from the intense heat inland, but also for the huge range of activities and tours around the city. If you are looking for adventure, this is the place to come. Activities range from sandboarding, quad biking, hot air ballooning, desert tours and sky diving. The town itself is enjoyable to explore with many restaurants and cafes, art galleries, beaches a museum, snake park and aquarium. Nearby Walvis Bay is a harbour town, around 20 miles (32 km)  south of Swakopmund, the lagoon is a popular attraction as it frequented by thousands of flamingos. Cape Cross Seal Reserve is around 80 miles (129 km) north of Swakopmund and is a popular day trip.

Windhoek

The capital of Namibia will most likely be your starting point into the country if you are arriving by air and it is located almost exactly in the centre, making it a great place to start exploring this amazing country. If you are doing a self drive you will find plenty of car rental companies located at the airport and in the city itself. The international airport is located about 40 minutes outside of the city and you can use a taxi or shuttle service to get between the two places. Many visitors don’t tend to stay here long, in favour of venturing out to see the diverse landscapes Namibia has to offer, but for those who do want to stay and check out the country’s capital, this is a clean and modern city with German colonial buildings, outdoor spaces, plenty of places to eat and a variety of nightlife choices.

Zambezi Region (formally known as Caprivi Strip)

The ultra narrow strip and classic panhandle in northern Namibia separates Botswana and Angola and runs 280 miles (450 km) from the main part of Namibia in the west to the eastern border. Due to its remoteness and the fact it was off limits for some time during the long border war, the lodges and campsites are still sparsely spread out and the area still feels somewhat off the grid. Due to the wide, tropical rivers and lush vegetation in the area, it feels like more like you are in Botswana or Zambia than Namibia as the contrast to the rest of the country is abundantly apparent. There are five protected areas in this unique area of Namibia and you will find many species of animals, some of which are mostly absent from the rest of Namibia, such as hippos, crocodiles and buffalo. There are also elephants, sables, reedbuck and many species of birds found here.

Damaraland 

This area is inhabited by the Damara people, from whom it derived its name. It is a sprawling, expansive, rugged region and due to it’s semi-desert landscape it is here you will find the desert-adapted elephants and black rhino. Here you will also find Namibia’s highest mountain, Brandberg, rising up to 2,573 metres (8,441 ft). This mountain contains one of the world’s richest galleries of rock art, of which the most famous and most accessible is The White Lady of Brandburg. You must be accompanied by a guide and it takes about an hour or so to reach the painting. The mountain itself can also be climbed, but due to the searing heat, it would be a very demanding hike. Another popular area here is Spitzkoppe, which is an imposing mountain in a cluster of other granite rock formations. It is a popular hiking location and Bushman rock art can also be found here. The area of Twyfelfontein is another popular place to see a large concentration of ancient rock art engravings. The Organ Pipes, the Burnt Mountain and the Petrified Forest are also popular destinations in Damaraland.

• The country gets its name from the Namib Desert, which also happens to be one of the world’s oldest deserts.
• Namibia was previously known as South West Africa when it was German Territory and then after the First World War South Africa administered the territory, the country only then became independent in 1990.
• Namibia is one of only two countries in the world that has desert elephants and is home to the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos in the world.
• It was the first country to sign a statement that includes the protection of the environment into the country’s constitution.
• It is one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
• More free-roaming cheetahs live in Namibia than anywhere else in the world.
• When the UK and Germany were splitting up southern Africa, the Germans wanted the thin panhandle area, now known as the Caprivi Strip as they thought it would give them access to the Zambezi River. The UK were fine with this as they knew the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls, would actually prevent their access.
• Around 90% of the land in Namibia remains natural habitat.
• Pedestrians in Namibia can be breathalysed if they are involved in a collision with a vehicle and they would be treated in the same way as the drivers if they were found to have caused the accident while being under the influence.