HOW TO EASILY PLAN YOUR EPIC ROAD TRIP TO NAMIBIA

To get the best out of your road trip to Namibia, forward planning is key. Self driving Namibia is a wonderful way to explore the country’s spectacular landscapes.

Here is where you’ll find the oldest desert in the world and the deepest canyon in Africa.

Explore the past at rock art sites, watch wildlife, transverse a shimmering white pan, and climb the world’s highest sand dunes. Namibia is like nowhere else and definitely somewhere to find adventure.

But how do you start planning such a road trip? Where do you go if you want to see animals in Namibia? How do you decide on a suitable Namibia itinerary?

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Don’t worry. We have written this article just for you! We will take you through a step-by-step guide to enable you to start planning. The following topics will all be covered:

• The best time to visit Namibia
• What to expect when self-driving in Namibia
• Activities in Namibia to book
• Booking accommodation in Namibia
• Best attractions in Namibia
• Creating your own Namibia itinerary

Let’s start planning your Namibia self-drive itinerary so that you see all the beauty this underrated country has to offer!

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHILST PLANNING YOUR NAMIBIA TRIP

Whatever your Namibia itinerary, rest assured a trip of a lifetime is in store for you! As you read this guide bear in mind the following points:

• Namibia roads are mostly gravel and although easy to navigate, travel is very slow. Stick to the legal speed limits and your rental company’s instructions and you will be fine.
• Distances between attractions are lengthy and journeys cannot be rushed.
• Be sure to include adequate time into your itinerary, not just for the actual drive, but also for stops along the way.
• What is your travel style? Do you want to travel at a slow pace and fit in fewer stops? Or do you prefer a faster pace to fit in more attractions?
• Accommodation in Namibia must be booked early, as much as 9 months prior to your trip.

FLIGHTS: Search for cheap flights on Booking.com
ACCOMMODATION: Find the perfect place to stay at Booking.com
CAR RENTAL: Find the best rental deals at Discovercars.com
ACTIVITIES: Book memorable activities with GetYourGuide

STEP 1 – DECIDE THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NAMIBIA

Namibia in South Africa is partly covered by desert, so enjoys a semi-arid climate. Daytime temperatures are hot (especially in Summer), and nights are cool. Rainfall is sparse, with the northeastern areas (tropical) of Namibia getting the most rain.

Whilst it’s possible to travel to Namibia year-round, some months offer better weather conditions than others.

Avoid going during Namibian school holidays as places will be busy with local visitors, especially rest camps.

SUMMER MONTHS – Namibia in December to March

• This is the “wet or rainy season” marked by the arrival of the first rains and a drop in temperatures.
• Landscapes come to life and are greener.
• Animals begin to disperse from waterholes as other water sources become available.
• Daytime temperatures reach around 40°C (104°F) in the desert and 35°C (95°F) elsewhere.
• Expect occasional heavy showers, mainly in the afternoon.
• Great time for birdwatching in the Caprivi Strip and seeing flamingos in Swakopmund
• Lower accommodation prices

WINTER MONTHS – Namibia in April to November

• Known as the “dry season” as rains have usually stopped, and daytime temperatures are usually around 25°C (77°F). Night temperatures hit a low of around 13°C (55°F) at night, (cooler in the desert)
• Expect green landscapes and increasingly dry weather conditions.
• May is the beginning of Namibia’s winter with low humidity and little to no rainfall. Night’s start getting cooler from June with blue skies and temperatures in the mid-20°Cs.
• Water sources such as rivers dry up forcing wildlife to gather at waterholes.
• September enjoys low humidity, clear skies with pleasant temperatures.

BEST TIME TO VISIT NAMIBIA FOR SAFARI

• One of the best places to visit in Namibia is Etosha National Park. The ideal time for wildlife viewing is July-October. This is peak tourist season and accommodations must be booked well in advance.
• We visited mid-September to mid-October and found this an ideal time as it’s warm with clear blue skies and lots of wildlife at waterholes.

BEST TIME TO VISIT NAMIBIA FOR BIRD WATCHING

• The rainy season between October to April, is deal for bird watching. Summer migrant birds arrive from the north, and the Etosha Pan is filled with aquatic bird species, including flamingos.

OVERALL BEST TIME TO VISIT NAMIBIA

• September to October is an ideal time to plan your trip to Namibia. The daytime weather is warm and sunny and nights not too cold. Great game-viewing opportunities due to limited water sources.
• Hike through the Fish River Canyon, spot minke, humpback and southern right whales off the coast around Walvis Bay and climb sand dunes in Namib Desert.
• Decide what you are interested in and time your visit accordingly.

STEP 2 – DECIDE WHERE TO GO IN NAMIBIA

NAMIBIA MAP WITH REGIONS

Below is a map of the various regions in Namibia.

If this is your first trip to Namibia you will probably have a list of must-see sights, and highlights that you want to see. The attractions in Namibia are spaced out distance wise, so it would be pretty much impossible to include everything in a 7-day trip.

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOUR FIRST TRIP

When planning your Namibia road trip, these are the most popular attractions to include, namely:

1. SOSSUSVLEI:

The orange-red sand dunes around the Namib Desert and Sesriem, should be included on any Namibia Itinerary. Climbing the enormous Big daddy Dune at sunrise is incredible, and one of the fun things to do in Namibia, plus the desert scenery around Sossusvlei is unforgettable.

2. ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK:

One of Africa’s best game reserves, Etosha is the perfect place to showcase the animals in Namibia. With an expansive silvery-white pan, surrounding bush, and the Big 4 to spot, a Namibia self drive safari is definitely a highlight of any trip.

3. FISH RIVER CANYON

With a vast rocky Mars-like landscape, the Fish River has formed and shaped the second-largest canyon in the world. Peering down into Fish River Canyon is impressive to say the least.

4. DAMARALAND

Among the flat-topped mountains typical of Damaraland are the slopes of Twyfelfontein, which contain concentrations of rock art. Made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, the boulders strewn around the hillsides are dotted with ancient engravings, and paintings.

5. SWAKOPMUND

The lively coastal town of Swakopmund has old German architecture and is a great base for fun activities in Walvis Bay, and Sandwich Harbour.

STEP 3 – HOW LONG TO SPEND IN NAMIBIA

The length of your trip will depend on budget and personal circumstances. How flexible are you able to be? If you only have a week, then we suggest concentrating on one or two reasonably close regions.

Ideally, we think you will need at least 10 days. Two weeks is even better.

While driving in Namibia is the best way to explore independently, and set your own pace, be mindful however, that you aren’t facing long daily drives, which can be very tiring.

To give you an idea of driving distances between places, look at the chart below:

STEP 4 – BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO NAMIBIA

Now you have decided the length of your trip and which attractions you want to see, it’s time to book your flight.

SEARCH FLIGHTS TO NAMIBIA ON BOOKING.COM

Most international flights arrive at Namibia’s Hosea Kutako International Airport located 45km east of Windhoek. Airlines with scheduled flights include South African Airways, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.

Windhoek is an ideal place to begin your road trip itinerary, as it is in the centre of the country. You can also pick up your rental vehicle from the airport on arrival.

NAMIBIAN VISA

All visitors require a valid passport to enter Namibia. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay and have at least three blank pages for the entry and exit stamps. All visitors must also have a valid return ticket.

Visitors from 55 countries do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. These include Australia, European countries, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, UK and USA. For all visitors, check with your nearest Namibian Consulate about obtaining a visa.

SEARCH FLIGHTS TO NAMIBIA ON BOOKING.COM

STEP 5 – HIRE YOUR RENTAL VEHICLE

Driving in Namibia may feel scary, but roads are easy to navigate, and the country is best experienced by car. Major rental companies operate from Hosea Kutako airport, including Avis, Budget, and Hertz. You will need an international driver’s license, and a sense of adventure.

We cover all the top tips you need to be aware of in our Driving in Namibia guide.

As at least 80% of roads in Namibia are gravel, you will be driving at a much slower speed (it is recommended that you do not exceed 80 km/h), so it will take you longer to reach your destination.

Be sure to include adequate time into your itinerary not just for the actual drive, but also for stops along the way.

Prices for renting a vehicle vary by model. However, the extra charge for a sturdy 4×4 is worth the cost, for the added clearance, power benefits, and comfort.

Click to check out the current deals in Namibia.

STEP 6- PLAN YOUR ROUTE

The fun part of planning your self-drive holiday through Namibia, is deciding on a route. If your time is limited, we recommend that you decide between the north and the south of the country. Here are two suggestions to follow.

If you want to see lots of wildlife, north Namibia is your best option. If you want to experience Namibia’s unique landscapes, south Namibia is best.

NAMIBIA ITINERARY 7 DAYS: THE NORTH

Day One: Okonjima Lodge – Stay at Okonjima Nature Reserve and spot leopards, while learning about the long-term conservation of Namibia´s wildlife.

Day Two/Three: Etosha – Enjoy an exhilarating Namibia self drive safari in Etosha National Park.

Day Four: Damaraland – Explore the ancient rock art at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day Five/Six: Swakopmund – The town of Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay seaport, offer adrenaline-rush activities ranging from quad biking, dune surfing, skydiving, fishing, and desert tours.

Day Seven: Drive to Windhoek for your flight home.

NAMIBIA ITINERARY 7 DAYS: THE SOUTH

Day One: Kalahari – Discover this fossil desert with its dunes, home to the San /Bushmen.

Day Two: Fish River Canyon – Peer into the 161km long, 27km wide canyon. Hike the bottom or simply enjoy the serene and stunning landscape.

Day Three: Luderitz – Admire the town’s architecture and enjoy exploring the old mining town of Kolmanskop.

Day Four/Five/Six: Namib Desert, NamibRand and Sossusvlei – Climb endless red-orange dunes, walk around the bleached white pan of Deadvlei with its knotted ancient trees, and watch stunning sunsets.

Day Seven: Drive to Windhoek for your flight home.

STEP 7- BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION

When it comes to accommodation Namibia has a great range of luxury lodges, guesthouses, apartments, and camping sites to choose from.

The most important thing to remember is to book your accommodation at least 9 months in advance to ensure you have the best choice and prices.

Now that you have a good handle on what you want to see, and where you want to visit, start by booking any overnight stays in campsites within Etosha National Park.

Then fill in your itinerary with your second choice of accommodation, whether this is in lodges, hotels, or guesthouses.

Search for accommodation in Sossusvlei, Etosha National Park, Skeleton Coast, Windhoek, and Waterberg Plateau Park.

STEP 8- BOOK YOUR NAMIBIA ACTIVITIES

Swakopmund makes a great base for adventure activities, and fun experiences. These are just a sample of top-rated trips that you can book with GetYourGuide.

If learning about history and culture, plus relaxing is more your style, check out these activities.

GetYourGuide offers a huge range of traveller-rated activities for you to make memories on your trip.

Book in advance because even if your plans change, you can enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, no questions asked.

Namibia is a captivating country, filled with spectacular scenery, prolific wildlife, and enormous curved sand dunes. A road trip to Namibia is the best way to experience all this grandeur.

Hopefully you now feel able to start planning your own epic adventure! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and we will be happy to help.

MORE POSTS ON MADEIRA

We have several interesting articles for you to read and help with your planning:

• How To Self Drive Namibia Confidently
• How to Visit Sossusvlei Namibia
• Treat Yourself To A Self Drive Etosha Safari In Namibia
• An Exhilarating Namibia Self Drive Safari In Etosha National Park
• The Best Places to Visit in Namibia
• Visiting Namibia: Everything You Need to Know
• Climbing Big Daddy Dune
• Fun Things To Do in Namibia
• Okonjima Nature Reserve

And click here to find guides to other destinations.

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