Namibia has an excellent road system that reaches just about every popular tourist destination in the country. However, most of the roads are gravel, and in the more remote areas they become tracks, which require careful driving, and for safety considerations, a second vehicle.
Here are some tips to help get you to your destination safely.
Not all gravel roads are the same. Be aware of this and drive accordingly. Take note of the following before you set out:
A camping holiday in Namibia can provide visitors with a great opportunity to enjoy the country's vast unspoiled landscapes, spectacular scenery, fascinating flora and fauna and the experience of meeting rural people and observing their cultures.
The variety of camping places in Namibia is huge. Dedicated sites with full facilities are operated by local communities, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) and private tourism companies, while further opportunities to camp al fresco (with the landowner's permission) abound.
NWR offers the visitor a choice of twenty-two resorts, including must-visit destinations such as the Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, the Namib-Naukluft Park, Terrace Bay, Ai-Ais, Lüderitz, the Waterberg and, in the north east, Popa Falls. Four other NWR resorts are conveniently close to Windhoek.
All the NWR resorts have purpose-built accommodation and restaurant facilities, while a computerised central reservations system handles all bookings. Visitors are advised to book well in advance.
The private sector presents campers with a vast choice of camping places, ranging from basic natural sites to purpose-built facilities. The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) will gladly answer all enquiries, while the Namibian Tour and Safari Association (TASA) and the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) both hold copious amounts of information on behalf of their members.
From the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Trans-Frontier Park in the south to the Namib, Damaraland and the Kaokoland areas in the west, and the Kalahari and Caprivi regions in the east, campers face only one dilemma: how to see as much as possible.
Suitable camping equipment and thorough planning is a vital prerequisite for any camping trip. Imagine erecting your tent and finding you forgot to pack the tent poles or trying to light a campfire without matches. All visitors wishing to travel independently through the awesome but often isolated Namibian landscapes should ensure that they are fully equipped and self-sufficient.
Most visitors to Namibia will need to hire both a vehicle and all the camping equipment needed for their proposed trip. For those planning to explore more remote areas, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential. All Namibian car-hire operators will offer 4x4s but make your reservation well in advance. Many companies can supply their vehicles fully equipped for camping and are experts in providing everything you'll need.
Firewood should always be purchased in a pre-packed form, never collected loose in the veld. Take along a small hatchet, fire-lighters and matches, two powerful torches and plenty of spare batteries. Vehicle spares should include a spare wheel (preferably two), air compressor or pump, tyre gauge, battery leads, towrope, shovel and basic toolkit. Lastly, remember to take along sensible clothing and footwear, hats, sunblock, anti-malaria/mosquito treatments, toiletries and personal items.
And don't forget your binoculars and camera, for the holiday of a lifetime that awaits you in Namibia!
Car-rental companies are frequently asked which vehicles are the most suitable for Namibia. The main choices are:
Namibia has an excellent road system that reaches just about every popular tourist destination in the country. However, most of the roads are gravel, and in the more remote areas they become tracks, which require careful driving, and for safety considerations, a second vehicle. These areas are not recommended for the inexperienced driver, for whom guided tours or organized safaris are recommended.
Your final choice of vehicle will be determined by your itinerary and your budget.