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Check out the car beforehand to make sure everything works. One consideration that may save you from a fine is to make sure the insurance, registration and license are all up to date and in order before leaving the rental compound. We got a fine leaving Lesotho for expired something or other, which other places let go.
This is similar to South Africa and anywhere in southern Africa...In cars, SUVs and especially motorcycles, you really have to be aware of animals on the road... and in the air above the road. While horses, cows, elephants, impalas and other barnyard animals aren't much more common than encountering people on the roads, you need to watch out for them. Goats are quite common. Keep in mind also that many people walk along the sides of the road, and they don't seem to fully appreciate what damage a car doing 120kph could do. So we have to watch out for them. Animals can be encountered any time on any road. One of the problems we had with animals were birds who weren't bright enough to get out of the way fast enough. Total birds killed in our wake here: 5.They didn't break anything, but we had feathers where feathers don't belong.
This should be straightforward, but its not. The most direct roads between the 2 are not paved and are a hard hard drive. If you are not experienced on long stretches of gravel I would suggest you stay on the sealed roads to get to the beach from Windhoek. Take the B1 North and then the B2 West. This is certainly not the country to try and learn how to drive on gravel. I met a guy who flipped his car and put a passenger in hospital. Drive to stay alive and take the long way round. It’s a good road.
It is against the law in Namibia to drive while holding a telephone. It is also mandatory that all passengers wear belts and children be in appropriate seats. This is not just the law, it’s smart. In Windhoek and Swakopmund you risk a fine from the Police and it’s very easy to detect when your are violating either of these laws. Across the rest of Namibia violating either of these laws could easily get everyone seriously injured or dead. Roads can be rough and suddenly dip. Train crossings have no gates. And then there are animals. Wild animals love to run out in front of cars, especially at night. These are the big ones that can destroy cars and you. Don’t do it. Drive safe and smart and stay alive.
The best way to see Namibia is in a private vehicle with a guide that knows people, places and animals. You can go on your own game drives and stay in lodges or tent camps off the between path (i.e., away from crowds). Also, if you hire a professional guide they will have a safe vehicle appropriate to the terrain and camping equipment (stoves etc.) saving you the trouble of hauling it through Africa.You get 3 unbeatable advantages - 1. your guide will know the safe way to travel through the country (e.g., certain parts of the country (the best parts) are unfenced, therefore night driving is too dangerous - you'll hit an animal.) 2. your guide knows the people in the lodges etc. so you get to hang out and talk with people when you stop at night. 3. your guide will know a lot about the animals and, I can't stress this enough - they are experts at finding animals so you get to see all kinds...
One of the joys of a holiday in Namibia is that you can drive yourself - perfect if, like us, you prefer to be able to stop when, where and for as long as you please. And you don't need a four-wheel drive for most of the main roads, although as almost all of them are gravel rather than tar you need to drive carefully. It’s all too easy to skid and spin the car, as we found out!If you book a hire car you’ll be given a map, and as there are relatively few roads it would be quite difficult to get lost. There are also relatively few petrol (gas) stations, so we were pleased that our map indicated where these were. Our car had one of those in-built computers that estimate how many more miles you can drive on what you have in the tank which, although not 100% reliable, was a reassuring extra.Make sure your car comes with a good spare tyre, tools and a fuel tank too – we didn’t have any...
As mentioned, the roads are usually good. In tar roads you can drive well over 100-120 km/h.On gravel roads you can drive even 100km/h on some but I would be more careful and would not drive more then 80km/h. Depends on your experience, be very very careful, especially on the curves, gravel roads always intend to slide you off the road and using the breaks will be too late when losing control, it is almost like driving on the snow in Finland, but not exactly the same ;-) On some of the smaller roads you cannot drive even more then 30-40km/h, so be patient. On park roads the speed limit is 60km/h.
Best way to get to Namibia if you are not living in the neighbouring country is to fly, and that would probably be to the Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport. It is located about half an hour drive from Windhoek. Nice small airport, no need to queue, no hassle and even nice duty free store to spend your last local currency.
I do not think that public transport is a good way to travel and see Namibia as I did not see any. if you do not want to drive your own, I guess the other option is to join a safari tour, this way you do not need to worry about finding your way or miss any special attraction, but you will be compromise on your comfortability and flexibility.
The best way to see Namibia is by your own car. Main roads are tar and great. Other roads are gravel and still good conditions. A normal car will be able to take you almost anywhere beside the rough part of the dunes in the desert where there you must have a 4WD.Remember to tank your car when ever possible, we never had a problem anyway.Also, must have at list two spare tyres as punctures are common, luckily I got only one.
Hotel Heinitzburg Windhoek
1 Review and 63 Opinions We only stayed for one night sadly, as on our return to Windhoek we travelled on to a game farm. But...
Rostock Ritz Namib-Naukluft Park
1 Review and 15 Opinions It is a desert Motel - in the middle of nowhere but the accomodation is great. Make your...
Hansa Hotel Swakopmund
1 Review and 65 Opinions the hotel was well located and the rooms that I had to pass by on the way to mine looked good. Mine...
Reviews and photos of Namibia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Namibia sightseeing.
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Q: Hi, I've been looking into planning a trip to Namibia and Botswana, but I haven't been finding much useful information as to how...
A: The two countries share a huge border. I've been through the crossings at either end of the Caprivi Strip so could offer general comments (although better travelled...
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