The best way to experience Namibia at your own pace is a self drive roadtrip through Namibia. Renting a car and driving around Namibia is the most flexible way to enjoy this amazing country. The roads are in good conditon, traffic is light and the scenery is breathtaking so pick your route pack the snacks and prepare for the best roadtrip of your life!
Below is an outline of each area of Namibia to help you decide where you want to spend your time as you explore and uncover Namibia.
Windhoek
Recommended stay 1 night
Most people came to Namibia for the wide open spaces, wildlife, culture and scenery so Windhoek is not high on peoples lists of must sees and to be honest I would have to say that if you don’t get to spend any time in Windhoek you would not have missed out on a great deal. However if you do have time around Windhoek there are some of the places that are worth visiting while in the capital of Namibia
Namib Desert
Recommended stay 2 to 4 nights
The Namib Desert runs several hundred kilometres along the southwest part of Namibia and there are many beautiful places to experience the beauty of this remote place and from all of them you can drive into the heart of the desert to experience the well known highlights - Sesriem Canyon, Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, Dune 45, Elim Dune and Big Daddy Dune.
Swakopmund
Recommended stay 1 to 3 nights
Two nights in Swakopmund will give you a taste but if you could easily spend several days here both exploring the surrounding area, Sandwich harbour, Skeleton Coast, Goanikonties , desert scape, beach fishing, coastal adventures and taking part in the activities. Swakopmund town itself has all the essential shops for resupply, repairs and rest while the cooler weather you get in Swakopmund is appreciated by visitors to this quaint seaside town.
Damaraland
Recommended stay 2 to 4 nights
This is a large area just in from Skeleton Coast north of Swakopmund and is a beautifully wild area of Namibia, characterised by Namibia’s two highest mountains (Brandberg and Spitzkoppe), undulating hills, San bush paintings and engravings, geological oddities and desert adapted wild animals roaming free.
Etosha National Park
recommended stay 2 to 8 nights
One of the worlds largest game parks Etosha National Park is a unique wildlife experience where you will see so many animals.
Head to a waterhole and watch life unfold in front of you as animals and birds interact around the essential life that is water in a desert environment.
A wildlife observer and photographers delight.
Waterberg Plateau
Recommended stay 1 to 2 nights
The Waterberg Plateau Park is located near Otjiwarongo in central Namibia and the actual game park itself where the animals are is on top of the plateau which rises 400 metres from the surrounding area. There is a natural spring that rises up under the plateau and surfaces on the lower slopes of the Waterberg Plateau giving life to the area.
Fish River Canyon
Recommended stay 2 to 6 nights
In the far south of Namibia is the Fish River Canyon, the canyon is approx 160km (100miles) long and the river it is named after, the Fish River, is 650km long making it Namibia's longest river. The river flows intermittently, usually flooding in late summer; and when it ceases to flow it becomes a chain of long narrow pools on the sandy rock-strewn floor of the chasm
Aus
Recommended stay 2 to 4 nights
Desert plains sweeping into the mountains at Aus create a stunningly beautiful area of natural beauty. Opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, seeing the wild horses, ostrich, or like me just sitting with a drink and admiring the beauty of Aus.
Luderitz
Recommended stay 1 to 2 nights
The sheer isolation of Luderitz, the curious way in which its colonial – style buildings cling to the rocks overlooking the bay, on some days a deep iridescent blue, on others grey and stormy, the crispy fresh climate, fishing boats bobbing up and down on the Atlantic Horizon, penguins and seals diving beneath the waves, give the town a curious other world allure.
Kaokoland / Kunene
Recommended stay 2 to 4 nights
Kaokoland is a true wilderness area. The Kaokoveld is a rugged wilderness for the intrepid adventurer, accessible only by 4 wheel drive or light aircraft. This part of Namibia is home to the Himba people and their traditional nomadic lifestyle.
Skeleton Coast
Recommended stay 1 to 4 nights
So called because of the whale and seal bones (not human bones) that litter the beaches, Skeleton Coast offers wild desolation and excellent fishing from the beach.Visit the Cape Cross Seal colony and prepare for wind.
Okavango River
Recommended stay 2 to 4 nights
In contrast to the rest of Namibia the Kavango river area of Namibia is lush, green and well watered, perfect for game viewing, bird spotting, river trips and fishing.
Zambezi Okavango Delta
Recommended stay 1 to 4 nights
The very top of the Okavango Delta in Namibia is this truly remarkable place, river trips, fishing, game spotting, bird watching and swimming with crocs! Africa at its wildest.
Chobe River
Recommended stay 1 to 3 nights
In an area where four countries and 3 rivers meet in the most easterly part of Namibia is this magical corner, herds of animals, amazing birdlife, river fishing and truly African views.
Kalahari Desert
Recommended stay 1 to 3 nights
While not known for its towering sand dunes like the Namib Desert the Kalahari Desert is still a remarkable, beautiful and often overlooked part of Namibia. Home to the San people (Bushmen) a host of wildlife and breath taking landscapes this haven of peace and tranquility is well worth a visit.
Namibia is a land of beautiful contrasts with its abundant and adaptive wildlife, dramatic pristine remote landscapes, friendly people and amazing diversity. Namibia is a large country 824, 269 square kilometres (approx four times the size of the UK) but Namibia only has a population of 2.13 million people, this makes Namibia one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world (second after Mongolia).