How to plan a trip to Namibia

Holiday style, the Namibian self-drive paradise?

View point, Puros, Kaokoland, Namibia 2012

Blog author taking a break in the middle of
the desolate Kaokoland on the way from
Orupempe  to Opuwo, Namibia, 2012

Self-drive?

In Namibia, you have it all—from budget tours to extreme luxury. However, what truly sets Namibia apart is its exceptionally good roads (tar, gravel, tracks), diverse landscapes, and relatively high level of security. This makes Namibia ideal for a self-drive road trip. You can explore the country at your own pace, go wherever you want, and encounter only a few other cars along the way. We've also done self-driving trips in other African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia), but Namibia has always been the most easygoing!

In many of the popular tourist areas, a standard 2WD car with lower ground clearance will actually suffice, saving you a lot of money on your travel budget. However, if you plan to venture into more remote areas such as Kaokoland, Kgalagadi, or Khaudum National Park, you'll need a 4WD vehicle with higher ground clearance. Additionally, it's advisable to carry a satellite phone and ideally travel with two vehicles for safety.

Travel agent or Plan the trip Yourself?

For many years, we have used Expert Africa (expertafrica.com) as our travel agent, specifically for trips to Namibia. This has worked out really well and we are happy to recommend their services. They have a lot of excellent route suggestions that you can review and, if needed, adjust with their office in the UK. However, since the UK is no longer part of the European Union, it’s advisable to check tax regulations before booking a trip through a UK-based travel agent.

Here you can see some of the trips we planned through Expert Africa:

• 2015, A father-son trip to "Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park". My 15-year-old son and I drove along two dry riverbeds in this part of the Kalahari Desert, experiencing the beautiful natural scenery that we have come to love so much: the vast open spaces, the emptiness, the silence, the clear stars, and the prominent Milky Way. Along with this, we encountered the many sounds at night—sometimes a bit too thrilling—and the diverse scents that were distinctly perceived through the tent fabric (link to trip).

My son (and I) taking a rest,
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 2015

• 2019, Family adventure exploring desolate coastlines, desert-adapted elephants, pristine rivers, and spectacular waterfalls. Our family—father, mother, and adult daughter and son—set off on an adventure in Namibia, with a small detour into Botswana (Okavango Delta) and a final stop in Zambia (Victoria Falls). We covered an estimated 3,500 kilometers, self-driving a 4WD vehicle from Windhoek in Namibia to Livingstone in Zambia, passing through Swakopmund, Skeleton Coast, Damaraland, Kaokoland, Kunene River, Etosha National Park, Caprivi Strip, and the Okavango Delta (link to trip)

Trekking in Etendeka Mountains,
From Mountain Camp to Main Camp,
Namibia, 2019. 

• 2022, luxury trip. My wife and I traveled from one beautiful place to another, indulging in luxury as we were pampered by the staff. The most extreme location was Wolwedans Dune Camp (blog link), where some of the guests even arrived by plane—and butler service was an option! One of the days, I decided to trek to the second-highest mountain in the Namib Desert (blog link). There were many highlight, like spending some exciting days in the Mundulea Private Reserve (blog link) and walking on the Tok Tokkie Trail in the Namib desert sleeping under open sky in the dunes (blog link).

Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, dinner is ready
Namibrand Nature Reserve,
Namibia, 2022.

Hiring a Car?

Bushlore Camper

If you book through a travel agent, it's best to use the car hire company they partner with. Otherwise, it's a good idea to check Namibian travel groups on Facebook, such as "Travelling Namibia & Botswana," DriveNam, Camping in Namibia, and NAMIBIA - Camp and Holiday. The question "Which car hire company do you recommend?" is often asked, and from the responses, you can see that some companies are recommended more frequently than others.

This time, we chose Bushlore based on many good recommendations. After our next trip, we will provide feedback on this company.

We always choose the best insurance option. However, please be aware that in this part of Africa, even the best insurance doesn't provide the same coverage as in Europe. There are many exceptions to the rules, and the phrase 'no cover if it’s your own fault' can be interpreted very loosely. Carefully inspect the car upon delivery. Take pictures of everything and fill out the report, noting any pre-existing damage, scratches, etc.

Camping or lodges?

Our camp "Little Hunters Rest",
Tiras Mountains, Namibia, 2009.

 

In Namibia, You Can Have It All—From Budget to Luxury!

How about your own "chiller pool" in the desert?
Wolwedans Dune Lodge, Namibrand Nature Reserve,
Namibia, 2022.

In Namibia, you can experience everything from budget travel to luxury. The most affordable way to travel is to rent a small 2WD car and bring your own tent and camping gear from home. We did this in 2009 and had a fantastic—and relatively inexpensive—trip. This approach requires some familiarity with camping and a love for sleeping in a tent. A step up from this is staying at the many excellent budget accommodations, such as guest farms and small hotels. Some of the places we remember as truly great "value for money" include BullsPort Lodge (link blog) and Klein Aus Vista (link blog), though there are many others. In this regard, Namibia has a significant advantage over Botswana, which is considerably more expensive.

You can also travel very comfortably from one luxurious place to the next, where the staff is ready to cater to your every need. For example, take a look at our 2022 trip, which was quite upmarket (link 2022 trip).

 

SIM Card / Satellite Phone?

Breakdown Land Rover (fan belt)
 40 km from Madisa Campsite, link blog,
Namibia, 2012.

We are in serious problems at Skeleton Coast with
120 km to nearest town and no satellite phone,
link blog, Namibia, 2019.

If you travel in the regular tourist areas of Namibia, you don’t need a satellite phone but can instead purchase a local (MTC) SIM card at the airport upon arrival. You’ll need to show your passport and typically buy data packages that each lasts for a week. The staff at the MTC store will handle everything and can show you how to top up with new data packages.

If you plan to travel outside the regular tourist areas to more remote regions, it is highly recommended to rent a satellite phone. It has saved us from some very stressful situations. For example, when our car almost caught fire in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (link blog), and when all the electronics in our vehicle failed and we were stranded on the roadside south of Palmwag Lodge (link blog). We also wished we had brought a satellite phone when we were stranded on the Skeleton Coast, 120 km from the nearest town in a very remote area—probably the most extreme experience we've had to date (link blog).

You can typically rent a satellite phone from the same place where you rent your car. This year 2024, we bring a sattelite phone given the remote areas we visit.

8 km southwest of Leopard Pan,
Central Kalahari Game Reserve,
Satellite phone came in handy!
link blog, Botswana, 2012.

Remember to Bring?

Download the Tracks4Africa app and buy the Namibia
map, and you'll always know where you are
 (does not require internet).

Besides the usual items, consider bringing the following:

• You need good travel insurance: Medical treatment and hospitalization can be very expensive, and it could ruin your finances if you have to pay for an air ambulance back to, for example, Europe, on your own!
• Maps/Apps: A good physical map, such as Tracks4Africa (link), and a reliable app with offline maps, like the Tracks4Africa app. We've used it many times; it works excellently, and you always know exactly where you are. Even small trails, like those in Kaokoland, are included on the map.
• We also recommend the "iOverlander" app, where you can find campsites and much more. It works offline.
• Hiking boots: It's a good idea to bring a pair of lightweight hiking boots that cover your ankles. They help protect against sprains but also to some extent against snake and scorpion bites. 
• International driving permit: If your driver's license is not in English, it is important to bring an international driving permit (along with your regular driver's license). This way, the local police will have no excuse to issue you a fine.
• Lighting is essential: A headlamp is perfect as it keeps your hands free, and it's good to have a lamp for campsite ambiance if you're camping.
• Don't forget chargers for your devices and an adapter for the local power outlets.
• Regular batteries are easy to buy locally.
• Lighter/Matches can also be purchased easily locally.
• Prescription medicine (with your name on it).
• Medicine kit: I might be a bit biased as a doctor, but we bring antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-itch cream, anti-diarrheal pills, nasal spray, antifungal cream, blister bandages, pain relievers, and more.
• There’s usually a first aid kit in the car, but consider supplementing it with extra bandages and an elastic bandage.
• Clothesline.
• Hammock: It's really cozy to have, and there are lightweight versions that take up little space.
• Solar shower (container): Sometimes available in rental camping vehicles.
• Eco-friendly washing products (shampoo, soap) that are gentle on the environment.
• It might be nice to bring your own sleeping bag liner/extra sheets and possibly your own sleeping bags. We've used them as a supplement to what’s provided in the camper van. Alternatively, you can just buy a warm blanket upon arrival as a supplement.
• Thermal underwear (base layers) for cold evenings and nights, and possibly a pair of thermal socks (especially important in the winter, as it can get very cold at night in the Namibian desert).
• Extension cord.
• Organizer bags can be very practical.
• Pack in soft bags that can be easily stowed in the vehicle.

Reorganising our stuff at
Madisa Campsite,
Namibia, 2012.

Our Medicine kit, Madisa Campsite,
Namibia 2012.

Currency and cash?

Bring South African Rand (ZAR). They can be freely used in Namibia and are much more widely accepted in the rest of the world, for example, if you need to exchange them back. We bring about 5,000 ZAR per week that we're in Namibia (less for longer trips). Almost all places accept Visa and MasterCard without any problems, but there's always a risk of no internet connection, so having cash is essential.

What we do in practice is start paying in cash towards the end of the trip to use up the foreign currency. We withdraw the cash from FOREX in Denmark, as they will exchange it back if we keep the receipt.

Some emergency Contacts

Always update your emergency contacts before departure, below some you can consider e.g. (May 2024):

Emergency Services:

• Ambulance: 10 177 (public) or 112 (private)
• Police: 10 111

Tourist Assistance:

• Namibia Tourism Board: +264 61 290 6000

Roadside Assistance:

• Automobile Association of Namibia (AAN): +264 61 224 201

Medical Assistance:

• Windhoek Central Hospital: +264 61 203 9111
• Mediclinic Windhoek: +264 61 433 1000

Denmark Consulate in Windhoek

• Address: Eland Street 11, Finkenstein Estate, P.O.Box 24236, Windhoek, Namibia. 
• Phone: +264-85-1244219
• Fax: +264-88-619548
• Email: carsten@iway.na

Embassies and Consulates:

• United States Embassy: +264 61 295 8500
• British High Commission: +264 61 274 800
• German Embassy: +264 61 273 100
• Denmark Embassy list in Namibia link +27-12-4309340, pryamb@um.dk

Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL):

• General Enquiries: +264 61 209 4111

TAC (tourism against crime)

•  +264 81 399 7615

NB:

• Your travel insurance information and emergency number
• You bank/credit card information and emergency number

Health Precautions?

Read my blog about malaria risk in Namibia (link malaria blog)

Anopheles stephensi, female, 
Photo by Jim Gathany