Many questions are answered at the end of the individual pages: visas and health under entry requirements, prices under costs. The rest are here.
Before you go
Is Namibia safe for self-drivers?
For self-drivers in Namibia the road is the biggest risk, above all gravel, wildlife and driving at dusk. In Windhoek, according to the German Foreign Office, robberies happen mainly on Sundays and public holidays; do not walk around there after dark. More under practical tips.
Do they drive on the left in Namibia?
Yes, Namibia drives on the left, as South Africa does. The steering wheel is on the right, and a route that starts with a few days on tar gives you time to get used to it.
Which route is right for a first trip to Namibia?
For a first trip of two weeks, choose either the south with the Fish River Canyon, Lüderitz and Sossusvlei, or the loop via Sossusvlei and Swakopmund to Etosha. If wildlife is the priority, take the Etosha loop; for landscape and less gravel, the south. All routes are under routes.
What should I book first for Namibia?
First the car with rooftop tent or 4x4, and the nights at the state-run camps at Sesriem and in Etosha. Both are limited, and the route is planned around those nights. The camps are booked directly with Namibia Wildlife Resorts.
On the road
Is there mobile reception on the road in Namibia?
In towns yes, between towns often not for long stretches. The network operator MTC has the better coverage in rural areas and has sold travellers a data-only eSIM since March 2024. Download offline maps for navigation before you set off.
What plug do I need in Namibia?
For the large three-pin sockets in Namibia you need an adapter for type M, the South African plug. Sources give 220 or 230 volts; chargers rated 220 to 240 volts handle both.
Can I pay with South African rand in Namibia?
Yes. The Namibian dollar is pegged one to one to the South African rand, and rand are accepted in Namibia.
How much cash do I need in Namibia?
Sources disagree on whether filling stations take cards, and in rural areas you should not count on it. Always carry enough cash for a full tank and small entry fees, and withdraw money from machines in shopping centres or banks.
This site
Where do the driving times on namibiareise.de come from?
Distances come from a route planner; driving times come from sources on each stretch or from the planning rule of 80 km/h on tar and 60 km/h on gravel, without stops. Every stage states the month its details refer to. All stretches under stages.
What is the 2005 travelogue on namibiareise.de?
The German version of namibiareise.de carries the travelogue of a self-drive trip in January 2005 from Cape Town via the Fish River Canyon, Lüderitz and Sossusvlei to Windhoek and back via Upington. The original texts and photos are kept, and each post has a dated box on what has changed since. It is available in German only.
Does namibiareise.de earn money from its recommendations?
namibiareise.de earns a commission on links to accommodation if you book through them; they are marked as advertising. The recommendations for routes, rental companies and camps do not depend on it.