Namibia – take a drive on the wild side!

Namibia is one of those places where the ethereal landscape and legendary coastline simply take your breath away. So, fasten your seatbelts as we take you on a self-drive adventure through Namibia's vast, jaw-dropping landscapes.

A road trip that's out of this world

Namibia isn't your average holiday destination. It's a place of incredible diversity, where towering red dunes meet the crashing waves of the South Atlantic, and where desert elephants roam freely. And the best way to experience it? By getting behind the wheel and exploring at your own pace.

Unmissable places

Starting in the capital Windhoek, you’ll set off and hit the open road, the first stop will be the ‘thirstland’ of the Kalahari where the bushmen and specially adapted wildlife make their home. Marvel at the wide-open spaces and the eerie sounds of the wind across the plains.

Looking like the set of a sci-fi film, the landscape around Sossusvlei will leave you speechless. Imagine dunes that look like they've been painted with fire, stretching as far as the eye can see - Dune 45, Big Daddy, Deadvlei – these names might sound like something out of an adventure novel, but they're very real, and an awesome sight to behold. Climbing these dunes at sunrise is an experience you won't soon forget.

Moving on to Damaraland, this is where you'll find ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But it's not just about the history; Damaraland's rugged landscapes are home to desert-adapted elephants, rhino, and other wildlife. Driving through this region, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time.

Etosha National Park is a must see for wildlife enthusiasts, the vast, shimmering Etosha Pan is the heart of the park, and around its waterholes, you'll find a staggering array of animals. Lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra – a self-drive safari here is an absolute thrill.

The mysterious Skeleton Coast is a place that lives up to its name, with shipwrecks scattered along its shores, a haunting reminder of the power of the sea. It is a place of stark beauty, and an experience that is like nowhere else. The foggy conditions can appear very fast, so driving conditions can change rapidly, and the landscape is always dramatic.

Linking Namibia with Botswana and Zambia is the Caprivi Strip – a geo-political anomaly which stretches west from Etosha and reaches as far as Zambia and Zimbabwe, sandwiched between Angola to the north, and Botswana to the south. The end of this trip is the world's only quadripoint - where 4 national borders intersect. This is a hugely rewarding drive through the wilderness teaming with wildlife but precious few other visitors. This journey can end at Victoria Falls or you can skip south into the panhandle area of the Okavango Delta.

Self drive essentials

Important pointers for self-drivers, all our self-drive trips are carefully planned to ensure driving times are reasonable and that you get to see the many sights Namibia has to offer, but that you aren’t spending all your holiday driving. In our opinion, a 4x4 is a must as many of Namibia's roads are gravel, and some are downright rough. The surface can change from smooth tarmac to rough potholes in just a few kilometres (does that sound like home?). We help you plan your route, including what you would like to see, and taking into consideration that Namibia is a vast country, so we plan your route carefully, and ensure you don’t have to drive in dusk or darkness. Some days you’ll drive long distances and see very few cars, so stock up on supplies as petrol stations and shops can be few and far between and fill up with fuel whenever you have the chance. For more detailed information, visit our Travel Essentials for Namibia page.

Your adventure, your way!

A self-drive holiday in Namibia is an adventure like no other. It's a chance to explore some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth, to encounter incredible wildlife, and to experience the raw beauty of the African wilderness. So, if you're looking for a holiday that's out of this world, Namibia must be your choice.

Wanting to combine Namibia with other experiences? That’s perfectly doable – with flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Windhoek, along with flights from Maun in Botswana, there are many combinations of ideas we can help you explore.

Let us craft the perfect Namibia experience for you.

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