A beginner’s guide to planning a self-drive around Namibia

Dreaming of a road trip? I can’t recommend Namibia enough. But if it’s your first time driving in another country, a self-drive can seem a little intimidating. When I was planning my self-drive in Namibia I spent hours scouring the internet to try and get my head around what to expect. So save yourself the searching, here are some answers to questions you might have about a self-drive in Namibia.

Namibia is a country in South Western Africa (just north of South Africa) and it’s home to jaw dropping scenery, fascinating wildlife, and unique towns and villages that are fun to explore so it’s pretty much the perfect place to take on a self-drive adventure.

What we’re covering

• What is a self-drive?
• How do I book a self-drive in Namibia?
• How to get a vehicle for a self-drive in Namibia?
• What documents do I need to drive in Namibia?
• Is it easy to drive in Namibia?
• Things to keep an eye out for while driving in Namibia
• Guided day tours
• What side of the road do you drive on in Namibia?
• Can you still do a self-drive in Namibia if you have no experience off-roading?
• Is a self-drive the right trip for me?

But first, what is a self-drive?

Great question. A self-drive trip is essentially just a road trip. Generally you work with a tour company to help you set up your itinerary and connect you with a vehicle ( and likely the tools you’ll need but that might differ company to company). Then… you drive yourself across the country, check yourself into your accommodations, fill up your own gas tank etc etc.

How do I book a self-drive in Namibia?

The easiest way to book a self-drive is to work with a local tour company that specializes in self-drive experiences. They can help you determine the right itinerary, will provide you with a list of driving requirements, will book the accommodations you’re staying in, and can provide support while you’re on the road in case you run into some trouble.

I booked with Explore Namibia and only have very positive things to say about my experience with them.

How do I get a vehicle for a self-drive?

When you book a self-drive your tour company should set you up (as always, make sure you confirm what is and what isn’t included before you book). When you arrive, they will have an office where you can pick it up.

We were supplied with a Toyota Hilux and I loved it.

What documents do I need in order to drive in Namibia?

I’m not a lawyer here so I do recommend you do your own research to confirm the documentation based on your license level, country laws, and tour requirements.

According to the Namibian Embassy’s website:

“The driving licence requirements in Namibia state that you must have a full driving licence that is valid in your country of residence. An international driver’s licence is also required if your driving licence is not in English.”

So at the very least you do require a valid driver’s licence in order to drive in Namibia (on top of whatever your visa requirements are for entry). Your tour company can support you with vehicle insurance (which you also require). Depending on the length of your stay and your country’s/tour group’s requirements you may also require an International Driver’s Licence.
_{[that link is to the Canadian government’s website, but your home country will have an equivalent]}

Is it easy to drive in Namibia?

Namibia is often considered a great “starter” country for driving in Africa because it’s much easier to drive in than many of its neighbours. It has excellent infrastructure, the roads are reasonably well kept (often the highways are in much better condition in Namibia than here in Canada) and outside of the capital you are often one of the only ones on the road.

Like with anywhere else in the world there are moments where driving is easier and when it’s more difficult. Following the rules of the road, buckling up, and paying attention while behind the wheel will always be important.

Depending on your itinerary you may experience some off-road driving (nothing over the top). You will almost certainly experience washboard roads which are more “uncomfortable” to drive on than difficult. And in some places you may cut through winding canyons with sheer drop offs which can be dangerous (especially if you’re speeding). 

Overall, it’s not a difficult place to drive but as always it requires you to stay on top of it.

Is driving in Namibia dangerous?

Driving anywhere can be dangerous and I can’t promise that anywhere or any activity is always going to be 100% safe so let’s just get that disclaimer out of the way. But car accidents can happen anywhere. It’s up to you and your discretion to decide if you’re willing to take the risks that come with navigating a car in a place you’ve never been to. 

Namibia is often quite safe all things considered. Most communities are safe, drivers here can be speed demons (like anywhere in the world) but as I said before it’s less stressful here than in many other countries across the world. Always ensure you’re following local laws, keeping your eyes on the road, buckling up, and all those good things.

The dangers driving in Namibia you might encounter are:

• Speeding:
  Look, I agree that driving for hours on end can be exhausting. And it absolutely sucks to be stuck behind someone on a two-way highway going 30km under the speed limit. But speeding is often the cause of most of the accidents you see so taking it slow isn’t always a bad thing.
• Sheer cliffs
  In some places you might drive through canyons with sheer drop offs and many skid marks. You need to be mindful as you go through these places and keep an eye out for oncoming traffic.
• Animals on the road
  Driving through Etosha means driving alongside some amazing creatures. However, a herd of zebra aren’t always predictable. So keep an eye out for our animal friends (for their safety and yours)
• It gets REAL dark
  In general, as a traveller to Namibia it’s not a good idea to drive outside of the cities in Namibia at night. When I say “there are no lights” I mean you’re about to see the most beautiful stars of your life but you will not see 15 feel ahead of you. It’s just not safe so make sure you arrive wherever you’re doing well before the sun goes down
  (plus, in places like Sesriem and Etosha you can get a huge fine for being outside the camp after the sun goes down)

As always, use your best judgment as you explore

Can I still get guided safaris or other excursions?

Absolutely! There’s a ton of local companies that you can connect with for guided day tours while you’re in Namibia. From sailing around Sandwich Harbour to searching for leopards, you can always find a tour to get you where you want to go.

While we were there, we had a day tour with Sandwich Harbour 4×4 where we sailed to a seal colony in the morning and out along the coast in the afternoon and it was a HUGE highlight. Places like these you actually can’t access without a tour guide so you should definitely check them out.

What side of the road do you drive in in Namibia?

You’re driving on the LEFT side in Namibia. Up until 1990, Namibia was considered part of South Africa so the infrastructure was built in the same style. If you’re going across a few countries, you’ll be driving on the left in Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

What if I’ve never off-roaded before?

Depending on your itinerary you may experience some light to moderate off-roading. Some tour companies offer a training session for off-roading, but you can also likely do some of that training yourself in your home country. 

For most experiences you don’t need to deal with extreme conditions. Places like Sesriem offer internal bussing for tourist you aren’t up to (or can’t) drive themselves right up to Deadvlei so don’t let this be the only thing that holds you back.

Is a self-drive the right trip for me?

You know what? I’ve got a whole blog post that can help you answer that question for yourself (but I’m biased. I loved it and highly recommend it). You should check it out!

Ready to hit the road?

Did I answer your question here? Leave a comment below to let me know or ask me something I’ve missed!