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Namibia Self-Drive Safaris & Tours
Namibia is perfectly suited to the self-drive safari and is one of the best and safest destinations in Africa whether you’re self-driving or not. It’s a fantastic country for combining wonderful wildlife viewing with spectacular landscapes and fascinating cultural encounters. It also has one of the most professional safari industries, and the variety of places you can visit is simply extraordinary. Getting around in your very own 4x4 adds a whole new dimension to your safari experience and is one of the best ways you can possibly imagine for getting to know Africa.
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Top Rated Operator
8-Day Etosha, Namibia Self Drive Adventure
$1,981 to $2,088 pp (USD)
Namibia: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & Tented CampYou Visit: Windhoek (Start), Okonjima NR, Etosha NP, Windhoek (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 254 Reviews
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Best Seller
12-Day Namibia, Chobe & Victoria Falls
$4,861 to $5,346 pp (USD)
Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe: Self-driveLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Windhoek (Start), Okonjima NR, Eastern Etosha, Etosha NP, Zambezi Region, Chobe NP, Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 130 Reviews
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11-Day Self Drive 4x4 Tour Camping or Lodge Accommodation
$4,250 pp (USD)
Namibia: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Windhoek (Start), Otjiwarongo (City), Etosha NP, Palmwag (Damaraland), Cape Cross (Seals), Walvis Bay (City), Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes), Hosea Kutako Airport (End)
CrissCross Namibia Safaris
5.0/5 – 55 Reviews
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7-Day Self-Drive Around Namibia Mid-Range Tour
$1,502 pp (USD)
Namibia: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Windhoek (Start), Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes), Swakopmund (City), Etosha NP, Windhoek Airport (End)
Go Self-Drive Tours
4.8/5 – 11 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![11-Day South Africa and Namibia Self Drive Adventure]()
11-Day South Africa and Namibia Self Drive Adventure
$2,558 to $2,684 pp (USD)
Namibia & South Africa: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Cape Town (Start), Springbok (Town), Fish River Canyon (|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld TP), Aus (Town), Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes), Swakopmund (City), Windhoek (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 254 Reviews
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Best Seller
![9-Day Namibian Highlights Exploration]()
9-Day Namibian Highlights Exploration
$1,524 pp (USD)
Namibia: Self-drive
Mid-range Lodge & HotelYou Visit: Windhoek (Start), Namib-Naukluft NP, Swakopmund (City), Damaraland, Etosha NP, Windhoek Airport (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 254 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
![5-Day Affordable Sossusvlei Short Stay]()
5-Day Affordable Sossusvlei Short Stay
$3,171 to $5,275 pp (USD)
Namibia: Self-driveLuxuryLodge & Guest House
You Visit: Windhoek (Start), Namib Desert, Sossusvlei (Sand Dunes), Windhoek (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 254 Reviews
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Tour Operators Offering Custom Tours
Didn't find the tour you were looking for? Get a free quote for a custom tour from the tour operators below. They can arrange private tours to any destination in Namibia.
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7 Questions About Namibia Self-Drive Safaris
Answered by
Anthony Ham
Anthony is a veteran of self-drive safaris in southern Africa and has written many Lonely Planet guidebooks to Africa, including Botswana & Namibia. He writes about Africa for magazines and newspapers around the world and is the author of The Last Lions of Africa.
7 Questions About Namibia Self-Drive Safaris
Anthony Ham
What are the pros and cons of a Namibia self-drive safari?
“The biggest advantage of embarking on a self-drive safari is the freedom it will give you. Although your tour operator will probably provide you with an itinerary to follow, you’ll decide when to stop and when to move on. If you’re in Etosha National Park and you’ve found a lion on a kill, you can stay as long as you want: it’s entirely up to you. Or perhaps you want to watch the sunrise over the dunes of Sossusvlei: again, it’s your call, and you won’t have to wait around for others to get out of bed. A self-drive safari is very much your safari and, for some, myself included, there’s no better way to travel. The downside of a self-drive safari is that you’ll be driving through Namibia all by yourself. You won’t have a guide and nor will you have other safari-goers as companions along the way. The latter may not be an issue: you’re sure to meet other travelers as you go. And for most who choose to travel on a self-drive tour, the freedom you enjoy more than compensates.”
1Where should I go on a Namibia self-drive safari?
“There are lots of choices for where to go on your 4x4 safari in Namibia. Etosha is undoubtedly one of southern Africa’s best parks for seeing wildlife, especially rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs and so much more. Other Namibia highlights include the sand dunes of Sossusvlei; the dramatic scenery in Fish River Canyon; the unusual wildlife possibilities (including desert-adapted lions, elephants and rhinos) of Damaraland; the rock art of Brandberg and Twyfelfontein; the shipwrecks, seals and sand dunes of the Skeleton Coast; and the opportunities to spend time with the Himba people in the northwest and the San in the Kalahari in the country’s east. More remote possibilities include the parks of the northeast, such as Khaudum, Bwabwata and Nkasa Rupara National Parks; the latter is especially good for birding. They’re all worthwhile experiences, and what you can see all depends on how much time you have to spare.”
2What is the condition of the roads in Namibia?
“Namibia’s paved road network is generally excellent, with the roads in good condition. This is good news in a country where distances between attractions can be vast. For the more popular off-road attractions in Namibia, the unpaved roads are usually good: they are most often wide, graded regularly and well maintained. This is certainly true in Etosha National Park, along the central sections of the Skeleton Coast and around Sossusvlei, although soft sand can be an issue in some areas of the latter. Trucks rarely travel these roads, which means the damage that can be caused by heavy vehicles is seldom an issue. Some of these roads are gravel, others are sand and/or dirt. In some of the more isolated areas, such as away from the main trails through northern Damaraland, some of the tracks are quite rocky and you’ll need to drive slowly and carefully. And in Khaudum National Park, you’ll need to travel in a group with at least one other vehicle as many of the trails are soft sand and it is really remote country.”
3What is the best time of the year for a 4x4 safari in Namibia?
“When it comes to the weather, the best time to go on safari in Namibia is from June to September, although May and October are generally also fine. During these months, you can usually expect clear skies, dry conditions and cool nights, especially in desert regions. With the best weather conditions come the best road and track conditions. Many unpaved roads can be quite difficult after rains, but thankfully, rain is rare during these months. High season in Namibia runs from July to October. Roads, campsites and national parks can all get busy at this time. Prices are at their highest, and limited availability may mean you have less choice unless you book well in advance. April, May and June can be a cheaper but nonetheless good alternative. The Wet season months of November to April aren’t all bad: rains are rarely constant or too disruptive, and with low season comes lower prices and fewer crowds. Other advantages of traveling at this time include the birding (many migratory species arrive in September and stay until April) and the opportunity to see newborn animals in the parks.”
4Do I need 4x4 experience for a self-drive safari in Namibia?
“Prior experience driving a 4x4 is not necessary for going on a self-drive safari in Namibia, provided you’re not too ambitious about where you go. And if you don’t have much 4x4 experience, you should, of course, drive with great care in the unfamiliar conditions. For most destinations, including Etosha and Sossusvlei, the roads are easy to drive and you shouldn’t experience any difficulties. In national parks, speed limit maximums are usually 40km/h (25mph), which is a safe speed well suited to those not accustomed to driving off-road. If you’ve never before driven a 4x4 vehicle off-road, it’s probably best if you avoid more challenging destinations such as northern Damaraland and Khaudum National Park. If you’re concerned about your lack of 4x4 experience, consider taking a 4x4 familiarization course, either before arriving in Namibia, or before setting out after you arrive in the country. And whether you take such a course or not, make sure that you spend time asking lots of questions and getting to know your vehicle when you first pick it up. ”
5How much does a Namibia self-drive safari cost?
“Prices for a 4x4 safari in Namibia vary greatly, depending on a number of factors. One of these is the time of year that you travel (high-season prices apply from July to October). Another is the type of vehicle you choose. Prices can also differ depending on whether you’ll be camping (which is cheaper) or staying in lodges or tented camps (which are more expensive). And, of course, some self-drive safari operators are simply more expensive than others. It is worth remembering that the per-person cost will change notably depending on how many people will be traveling in the vehicle. If you’re traveling alone, the per-person cost could be very high. It will be less if there are four people in the vehicle. As a general guide, and without factoring in any of the above, expect a Namibia self-drive safari to start at US$200 to US$250 per person per day.”
6Is it safe to self-drive in Namibia?
“Namibia is considered one of the safest safari destinations in Africa, and this is certainly true for those going on a self-drive safari in the country. Crime rates and the prevalence of traffic accidents is generally lower than in some other African countries. And Namibia’s low population density usually means that you’ll share the road with relatively few other vehicles. As long as you drive carefully, and take particular care when driving off-road, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a safe safari experience driving through Namibia. Tips for ensuring that you stay safe on gravel, dirt or sandy roads include driving extra slowly, because it’s very easy to lose control if you have to brake suddenly. Avoid driving at night. And always be vigilant for animals crossing the road without warning.”
7Namibia Reviews
Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.
Sand, salt pans and stars: Southern Africa’s wild west
With the exception of the verdant Zambezi Region, most of Namibia is comprised of harsh and inhospitable desert, but I’ve always found it staggeringly beautiful. Namibia was the first place I really travelled in Africa; I’ve been back...
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
The stark beauty of Namibia
Most of Namibia’s environment is arid and harsh, and yet there are few people who wouldn’t call this country beautiful. The desolate landscapes of the Namib Desert are picture perfect. Photographers, myself included, love to get...
Epic landscape and lovely people
We did an 11 day wildlife, dunes and canyons trip, booked by Indigo safaris and organised locally by Chameleon safaris. From the time we landed to the time we left, we saw amazing landscapes - it’s really a breathtaking variety of...
PT
Namíbia Is the most civilized country and also one of the most beatifull from the ones i know.
Namibia is a country with very beautiful landscapes.
It is also a country with excellent natural parks where we can observe its abundant fauna and flora.
all this in a country with a very friendly, civilized and welcoming population.
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Spectacular
We choose to visit Southern Namibia including the Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon, Kolemanskop, Luderitz, the colossal dunes of Sossusvlei. Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe and Windhoek. Each destination offered great scenery, wildlife, beautiful...
A wonderful few weeks in an extraordinary country. We will be back as much more to see
We booked very late really, early August but our tour organiser, Lilly of Great Explorations Namibia, pulled out all the stops to ensure we had our agreed car and accommodation which was great. Time is always an issue with trips as there is...