Driving in Namibia is one of the best countries in Africa to drive, primarily due to good road infrastructure and availability of fuel and service stations, there are a number of vital points that must be taken into account to prevent unfortunate mishaps. However, driving in Namibia is also extremely dangerous, usually because travelers are not familiar with road conditions and the environment they are driving. As a result many tourists are seriously injured each year because they lose control of their vehicle in unfamiliar conditions.

Follow these simple steps to ensure a safer and more enjoyable driving in Namibia experience. If you follow this advice you will have a successful vacation in Namibia.

Driving in Namibia, General Tips

Rent the Right Car

Whether you rent a 2WD or a 4×4 Sports Utility Vehicle will depend entirely on your itinerary, destinations and season you plan to be driving in Namibia.

Route Planning

Route planning is essential to driving in Namibia, as Namibia is a big country and many tourists underestimate the distance between the towns. It does not pay to speed to your next destination, as you put your life and those around you at risk. Gravel roads are notorious for causing accidents, not only driving in Namibia but around the world.  If you’re running late, contact the place of accommodation and tell them that you might be late and inform them where you are coming from.

The Seasons in Namibia

What season will you be driving in Namibia? When you’re driving in Namibia, the road conditions will change according to the seasons. Namibia has many gravel roads, as well as tar roads, and both are well maintained.

Animals on the Roads

When traveling on the roads, always be alert and careful for animals. Many animals often graze alongside roads. Warthogs frequently run across. If you do see an animal, slow down your speed and approach carefully as there may be more members in the herd waiting to cross.

Wild animals should not be your only concern. Namibia is also home to many domestic animals (cattle, goats, and sheep) that roam and cross the roads to new grazing grounds. Animals make driving in Namibia especially dangerous.

Signs warning you of animals are to be taken seriously. Warthogs, Kudus and Elephants can pose serious problems. Also bear in mind that domestic animals wander around the countryside all the time, especially in the north where herds are grazed across communal lands.

Driving in Namibia needs caution, for example sudden braking maneuvers on a corrugated gravel road stands a good chance of overturning the vehicle. This would really ruin your vacation!

In dusty conditions, it is advisable to drive with your lights on so other motorists can see you.

It is highly recommended to avoid driving in Namibia at night, especially on the gravel roads. Wildlife is most active at night and due to their camouflage is already difficult to see. Kudus are especially famous for leaping into the path of oncoming vehicles at night. They are BIG and will do some serious damage!

If there is an animal or an object on the road, it is often better to keep control of the vehicle and to hit the animal than swerving to avoid it and risking your lives by rolling the vehicle. However, don’t try this with elephants.

Speed limits in Namibia

The majority of road accidents in Namibia are caused by excessive speed. It is not always an easy task to maneuver a vehicle on a gravel or dirt road, especially if there are any unexpected or sudden obstacles like rocks, sand drifts, potholes or animals on the road. Vary your speed according to the road conditions when driving in Namibia, always be alert and make sure that you have total control over your car.

Fuel Planning

Proper fuel planning is essential to driving in Namibia. Before setting out for your next destination a general rule of thumb is to make sure to have a full tank of fuel. Inform yourself where the next petrol stations are and fill your tank as often as you can, even when it is still half full. Driving in Namibia successfully is all about having enough fuel.

Driving in Namibia Guidebook

Although driving in Namibia is one of the best countries in Africa to self drive, there are a number of vital points that must be taken into account to prevent unfortunate mishaps.

In this guide, Wild Safari Africa’s Managing Director lists the vital points in great detail to ensure you stay safe and off the side of the road. Here is what you will learn from this guide:

• How to choose between a 2×2, 2×4, and 4×4
• How to plan the perfect route according to your driving abilities
• Essential must know tips for driving on gravel roads and through mud, sand, rivers, and over rocks
• What kind of drivers license is required
• The 2 most critical factors to avoid in order to stay safe and off the side of the road
• The importance of car insurance and what insurance to get and what to avoid
• Namibia’s top 3 car rental companies
• How NOT to get scammed by car rental companies
• Namibia’s road conditions and how this can affect your self drive holiday.
• The exact maps to use and where to get them
• The regulations for crossing into neighboring countries and across borders
• Best practices for wildlife viewing and how to approach closely while staying safe
• The most popular self drive itineraries
• How to self drive Namibia on a tight budget without sacrificing the experience (in fact if you follow this method your experience is even better than the alternative)
•  My personal secrets to keeping dust from getting into everything (This is my personal favorite and it’ll knock your socks off!)
•  And much more!

Unlike East African destinations such as Kenya or Tanzania, countries where the self-drive is more difficult for the average traveler, driving in Namibia is regarded as one of the safest destinations in Africa to travel, and arguably the safest in all of Africa in terms of a self drive safari destination. Grab your copy today and ensure you and your family stays safe and off the side of the road when driving in Namibia.

Driving in Namibia During the Rainy Season

Driving in Namibia during the rainy season adds an additional element to the situation as the roads can be especially bad and even the tarred roads may be prone to substantial flooding.

It is possible you may be faced with a river you cannot cross in a small vehicle while driving in Namibia. Do not try your luck; instead enjoy the adventure and scenery. The 4×4 vehicles can cope with much more, but we urge you not to cross a river that is flowing. My experience tells me that patience will prevail as most rivers stop flowing after a few hours. When they stop you will then have to drive through mud.

Looks can be deceptive. If you are in doubt as to whether it is safe to cross, walk through the river first to establish a safe route. If there are crocodiles or other animals in the area, wait until the flow is diminished first, and drive through when it is shallower.

Driving in Namibia is already a daunting task. Don’t complicate the matters more by driving into a river if you have never done this before. Driving into a river with a hot engine can cause serious damage. Remember patience prevails!

4×4 Off Road Driving in Namibia

Driving in Namibia is a 4×4 drivers paradise. There are numerous places where 4×4 is not merely recommended but quite simply required. Other places a convoy of 4×4’s is required due to its harsh environment and remoteness.

Driving in Namibia is not like driving at home. Even if you drive a 4×4 at home, be aware that driving a 4×4 off-road is very different indeed from driving it to work.

If you’re serious about 4×4 driving in Namibia to the more obscure areas, prepare well. There are numerous good maps to be had (notably, Shell produces a passably good map of Kaokoland), but better still is a 4×4 trail guide, which will tell you exactly how bad the road is likely to be, suggested routes, GPS coordinates, detailed maps of those areas where normal cartographers never go. A good one is Jan Joubert’s imaginatively titled 4×4 Trail Guide (available in many places around the country, including Cymot in Windhoek), which covers Kaokoland, Damaraland, the Kaudom, and other parts of the country in sufficient detail to keep you happy, busy and dusty for weeks. It contains hand-drawn maps, extensive notes and lots of other good stuff pertaining to the places way off the map.

Detailed topographical maps are available from the Surveyor General’s office in Windhoek, Tel. (061) 245056. Be aware that tracks marked on these maps may well have moved, and that they’re most useful for landmark orientation.

A GPS device is not really necessary, as long as you have a decent map. However if it makes you feel more secure, then you better get one.

Any 4×4 you hire should be equipped with at least 2 spare tires, and if you’re heading out into the bush make sure that it is also equipped either with a long-range fuel tank or additional petrol canisters. If you’re doing sand driving, remember also to bring a shovel and a tire pump.

More tips and techniques are offered in the guide book mentioned above.

Plan Your Driving in Namibia Experience with a Specialist

There are a dozen good reasons driving in Namibia is the preferred experience. But it’s still a good idea to come prepared and that’s where I come in. At Wild Safari Africa we have years of knowledge to help assist in creating the perfect itinerary for driving in Namibia – from what to see, when to see it, Namibian road conditions, accommodation establishments, camping sites, vehicle rental and anything else that strikes your curiosity. I will help you plan your driving in Namibia tour and will recommend (and book) your accommodation in Namibia (as well as other southern Africa countries), organize the vehicle you require, and generally take all the hassle out of the planning process. It’s a fantastic way for me to share the knowledge I have acquired!

Driving in Namibia is completely customized to your schedule, desires, and requirements. Your tour can range from 3 days to 24. It can take you to the coast of Swakopmund or throughout the entire country and they are a great way to add differentiation to your travels if combining driving in Namibia tour with a fly-in safari in Botswana.