This loop takes fourteen days through southern Namibia and back to Windhoek across the Namib, largely on the roads of our 2005 travelogue (in German). In all it covers about 2,250 kilometres, some 1,300 of them on tar and just under 900 on gravel. The first three driving days stay on the B1. The Kalahari near Mariental, quiver trees near Keetmanshoop, then on to the Fish River Canyon, Lüderitz, the dunes of Sossusvlei and the coast at Swakopmund.
Most driving days take two to six hours. The longest is day six: from the canyon via Seeheim and Aus to Lüderitz, about 415 kilometres, a little over 100 of them gravel. Allow five and a half to six and a half hours at the wheel. After that you stay two nights. On four days you do not change base: at the canyon, in Lüderitz, at the dunes and in Swakopmund. Day eight is short, just the 120-odd kilometres back to Aus.
Why the south first? Three days on tar give you time to get used to the car and to driving on the left before the long gravel roads begin. The D707 between Aus and Sesriem is sandy in places, and after the floods in April 2026 the C12 to the canyon was passable only with four-wheel drive. A 4x4 is the safe choice. Since April 2026 the Fish River Canyon and the Namib-Naukluft Park charge the top tier of park fees, N$ 280 per adult per day (as of October 2026).
Our tipVisit Kolmanskop on the morning of day eight. The ghost town lies on the B4 between Lüderitz and Aus, guided tours run in the morning, and from there it is only a short drive to Aus.
Day by day
| Day | Stage | km | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Windhoek | Windhoek, 1 night | |
| 2 | Windhoek to Mariental | 267 | Mariental and Kalahari, 1 night |
| 3 | Mariental to Keetmanshoop | 229 | Keetmanshoop, 1 night |
| 4 | Keetmanshoop to Fish River Canyon | 159 | Fish River Canyon, 2 nights |
| 6 | Fish River Canyon to Aus Aus to Lüderitz | 415 | Lüderitz and Kolmanskop, 2 nights |
| 8 | Lüderitz to Aus | 124 | Aus, 1 night |
| 9 | Aus to Sesriem | 342 | Sesriem and Sossusvlei, 2 nights |
| 11 | Sesriem to Swakopmund | 350 | Swakopmund, 2 nights |
| 13 | Swakopmund to Windhoek | 360 | Windhoek, 1 night |
| 14 days, 2,246 km, 29.5 to 34.5 hours at the wheel | |||
Distances and times as of October 2026, driving time without stops or detours.
The south and the Namib in 14 days: frequently asked questions
Is 14 days enough for southern Namibia and Sossusvlei?
Fourteen days are enough for a loop from Windhoek via the Fish River Canyon, Lüderitz, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund. The route is about 2,250 kilometres long, you stay put on four days, and the longest driving day is about 415 kilometres.
Do I need a 4x4 for a self-drive trip through southern Namibia?
For the route via Aus to Sesriem a 4x4 is the safe choice: the D707 is sandy in places, and after the floods in April 2026 the C12 to the Fish River Canyon was passable only with four-wheel drive.
How much gravel is there on a road trip through southern Namibia?
On the loop via the Fish River Canyon, Lüderitz, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund you drive just under 900 of about 2,250 kilometres on gravel, the rest on tar.
Where should I stay between the Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei?
Between the Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei, two nights in Lüderitz and one night in Aus work well. From Aus it is about 340 kilometres of gravel to Sesriem.