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Adventure Junkies Africa

Adventure, Explore, Safari

An epic self-drive Safari through Namibia

Namibia is known for being best travelled by 4×4. It’s the most effective way to travel here, allowing you to see every view as it comes. Namibia also lends itself to adventure with an incredible selection of stunning campsites and exciting lodges. Furthermore, the country has an excellent road infrastructure and is a very safe place to travel.

The perfect destination for your first self-drive safari in Africa.
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The country is massive, so we carefully plan your itinerary to avoid you covering huge distances, and to make sure you have plenty of time for relaxation and activities (from rhino tracking to hot air ballooning) before your exciting journey continues.
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If this is your first-time self-driving in Africa, do not fear, Namibia will welcome you warmly. Or, if you’re an adventurer wanting to go into the unknown, be careful what you asked for, as some remote corners of Namibia are off-world.

 

WHAT DOES A SELF-DRIVE HOLIDAY IN NAMIBIA ENTAIL?

Namibia’s vast landscapes do take some time to traverse, but while distances can be lengthy a tour operator will plan your itinerary to allow you to travel at a relaxed pace, making sure you spend more time out exploring than sitting behind the wheel.

Windhoek, Namibia’s sleepy, German-influenced capital is the typical starting point for self-drive holidays. Forget the chaotic, traffic-choked streets of other African cities; Windhoek is a pleasantly clean and orderly place to get your adventure underway. Most holidays will give you a chance to unwind after your international flight and arrange for you to pick up your hire car at your hotel, rather than enforce a frazzled drive from the airport. You’ll be provided with a quality sat nav and detailed instructions, and will have a chance to discuss the route, and your car, with a local representative before you set off. Additionally, many hire companies in Namibia equip their cars with a system that allows them to track your journey – so while this epic road trip is all yours, you’re never really on your own.

You won’t need technical 4×4 skills to negotiate a safari in Etosha National Park either, so most self-drive holidays will leave you free to seek out its enormous bull elephants, lions, rhinos, and cheetahs independently. Roads through the park are in good condition and are well mapped out meaning self-drive safaris are a popular option here. However, guided game drives in the company of an expert naturalist can be arranged at your lodge (typically at extra cost) if you prefer, leaving you free to relax and give your full attention to the spectacular wildlife around you.

 

WHAT IS IT LIKE DRIVING IN NAMIBIA?

A 4×4 car is driving through sand dunes in Namibia

 

Don’t be scared off by the thought of driving in Africa; this isn’t a country where the roads are more pothole than tarmac, or indeed not tarmac at all. Namibia’s highways are well maintained, smooth and enjoyable. And if you stick to the main routes from Windhoek to Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, and Etosha you don’t necessarily even need a 4×4 vehicle – although the higher clearance can make wildlife viewing easier during game drives.
Towns are few and far between, and while you may pass through a few small roadside markets on the way to Etosha, or on the main highway north towards Botswana, most journeys will encompass unbroken desert wilderness. An adventure, yes; but it means planning and preparation is an important part of your trip. You’ll be advised to always carry extra fuel – both for the car and for you – and toilet breaks will often be au naturel; there’s no waiting until the next town in Namibia. When you finally come across them, the towns you do reach, like Swakopmund, Luderitz, or Windhoek, happily hark back to their German colonial roots, with orderly, quiet streets making for stress-free journeys.
This is not a country of winding lanes and tricky navigation. Namibia does vast desert landscapes on a grand scale and you’ll follow the same well, maintained road for miles, often in a straight line, before arriving at your destination. You’ll need to be aware of your speed though; the long straight drives through unchanging desert scenery make it easy to travel faster than you think. Ease off on the accelerator and you’ll avoid any unwanted on-the-spot fines.

 

Can I Take the Family?

Unlimited (natural) loo stops and frequent snack breaks – there’s no doubt that self-drive adventures give families much-needed freedom. However, the romance of Namibia’s endless deserts, which will captivate parents, maybe a little lost on younger minds. To stave off boredom and “are we nearly there yet?” families need to plan routes carefully to minimize driving time and maximize fun. Teenagers are going to find more to appreciate in Namibia than tiny tots; however, kids of all ages will be enchanted by Etosha’s wildlife, and all the family will have a ball in the towering sand dunes at Sossusvlei and with the wealth of adventurous activities around Swakopmund.

4×4 self-drive in Namibia

How long are the journeys?

The following times give you a rough idea of the driving times between the main attractions in Namibia. Driving after dark is not recommended on most routes because of the risk of colliding with wildlife; there are no street lights in the desert.
Etosha-Damaraland: 4 hours
Windhoek-Swakopmund: 4.5 hours
Windhoek-Sossusvlei: 5 hours
Swakopmund-Sossusvlei: 5 hours
Swakopmund-Damaraland: 6 hours
Windhoek-Etosha: 6 hours
Windhoek-Fish River Canyon: 8 hours
Windhoek-Luderitz: 13 hours

 

GALLERY

  
         

 

WHAT TO SEE

Fish River Canyon

Africa’s ‘Grand Canyon’, Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in the southern hemisphere. This vast rock formation is one of Africa’s most fascinating attractions.

 

Kaokoland

The Kaokoland is an area which is difficult to reach for most tourists, but not self-drivers! It’s vast, unspoiled and eye-opening. A real favorite for the photographers.

 

Damaraland

The Damaraland’s semi-desert wilderness is simply stunning. It is also home to the country’s famous desert-adapted elephants and black rhinos.

 

Sossusvlei

The hauntingly beautiful big dunes of the Namib are a must for any visit to Namibia and a sunrise trek to the largest dune reveals spectacular vistas of the desert.

 

The Skeleton Coast

Famously known for its shipwrecks and dense fogs, the Skeleton Coast is one of the most unique and authentic attractions in Africa.

 

Etosha National Park

One of Africa’s best National Parks! Here you will have the enjoyment of driving over Etosha’s Pans whilst viewing an incredible array of Wildlife.

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