So, you’re planning a trip to Namibia? Yay! I think Namibia is one of the most underrated travel destinations (if not the most…) I have ever visited. I went to Namibia as part of a two-month overland camping trip with G Adventures. If I’m honest, Namibia was probably the country I researched the least, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Turns out, Namibia is now one of my all-time favourite countries. In this post, I share some of the must-visit spots to visit on any road trip through Namibia to add to your self-drive itinerary.
Deserts, giant sand dunes, safaris, and adrenaline-filled activities… Namibia is one of the most adventurous and beautiful countries in Africa. Planning a trip there can be a little bit of a headache though, but don’t let that put you off. Despite its lack of modern infrastructure, Namibia is relatively easy to get around if you hire a vehicle or join a group tour. It really is somewhere you need to plan though to get the most out of it. This certainly isn’t a case of let’s hire a van and see where it takes us. It’s a good idea to have an itinerary in place with accommodation and activities booked, especially when it comes to popular spots like Etosha National Park and Dune 45.
Below, you can find the must-visit spots for any road trip through Namibia. All these spots are epic places to add to your self-drive itinerary. If you’re not keen on driving, see below for how to see Namibia as part of a group tour.
How to travel around Namibia
Travelling around many countries in Africa can be a challenge and Namibia is no exception. Many of the roads are unpaved/unsealed and there is a noticeable lack of infrastructure and services. Despite this, if you’re keen to do a road trip through an African country, Namibia is a great option. Self-drives and campervan hires are becoming more and more popular.
Road trip/self-drive
Opting to hire a car or campervan and road trip around Namibia is growing in popularity and it means you have complete control of your itinerary. If you stick to the main route, you’ll find plenty of campsites along the way to aid with your journey. I did my road trip through Namibia as part of a group tour, but the guys over at Anywhere We Roam have an epic guide to self-driving in Namibia.
Group Tours
If you’re worried about driving yourself around, the other option is to join a group tour (this is what I did). There are a few companies that operate in Namibia. I’d personally recommend looking at G Adventures as they offer several tours in Namibia which range from camping to hotels. You could also consider their huge 55-day camping trip through Africa. This is what I did, and it’s one of the best things I’ve done.
Is Namibia safe?
This is a really hard question to answer. I was on an organised group tour so feel my view of this may have been sheltered. Even so, I never felt unsafe in Namibia. Everyone we met was incredibly welcoming. As with many less-travelled countries, the best thing to do is to stick to the major tourist spots which I’ve listed below.
When’s the best time to visit Namibia?
You can visit Namibia all year round. The dry season is between June and October and is considered the best time to visit, especially if camping or going on safari.
But it is a great year-round destination.
The Best Places to Visit in Namibia
Fish River Canyon
Fish River Canyon was one of the first stops on my road trip in Namibia. I don’t think any words can truly describe this place. This gigantic canyon is the largest in Africa, and the second largest in the world (behind only the USA’s Grand Canyon). The canyon is believed to have been formed hundreds of millions ago and is beyond impressive.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have also visited the Grand Canyon and while I hesitate to compare natural wonders such as these, I have to say Fish River Canyon was truly breathtaking. We did a walk along the edge of the canyon just before the sunset. We then reached a viewing area where we shared some drinks as the sun set over the canyon. It was truly stunning and is an itinerary must on any road trip or self-drive through Namibia.
There is also the option of doing longer day hikes here. You’ll need to speak to a local guide about doing this as it can be very dangerous in the heat.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a coastal town on the Atlantic coast of Namibia and is arguably the adventure capital of the country. I spent two days here and it didn’t feel like nearly enough time to truly tick off every activity. From skydiving, to quad biking, and dolphin cruises, there is an array of activities to choose from here.
If you’re looking for a base to do day trips from to minimise driving, Swakopmund could be a great option.
Here are just a few of the many things you can do in Swakopmund:
- Skydive over the Namibian desert: opting to skydive in Namibia gives you the unique opportunity to see this giant desert from above as you soar through the sky.
- Go sandboarding: Swakopmund is surrounded by desert which means there are plenty of fun activities right in the desert. I went sandboarding for the day and had so much fun. I couldn’t believe the height of some of the dunes we went down. Just be warned – it involves A LOT of walking uphill … in the sand…
- See the flamingos: Namibia is a hotspot for wildlife and a short drive from Swakopmund will take you to Walvis Bay where you can see hundreds, if not thousands, of flamingoes. November to April is the best time to see them.
- Go dolphin and whale watching: Swakopmund is right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and is a prime spot for dolphins and whales. Southern Right Whales and Humpbacks are known to frequent the area from June to October. There are several boat operators which offer tours.
- Quad biking: join a quad biking tour and explore the desert while riding up and down the dunes. I didn’t do this but someone in my group did and loved it.
There are also many day trips and overnight trips which take you out into the desert including to see the likes of the famous Dune 45.
Spitzkoppe
The last thing I ever want to do with my blog is oversell somewhere. So I don’t say this lightly… spending a day and night in Spitzkoppe is in my top 5 travel experiences of all time. I had zero idea of what to expect from Spitzkoppe. Our guide had told us it was great for hiking and we’d spend the night ‘bush camping’. As we pulled up at our campsite, I instantly fell in love with the area.
Spitzkoppe is a remote region of Namibia and consists of isolated granite peaks which create some breathtaking scenery. The area also offers some brilliant hiking and climbing. There area is also full of history and local guides can show you some of the world’s oldest cave paintings.
There are a variety of hikes you can do in the area – however many of the trails aren’t well-marked or easy to follow so it can be a bit of a challenge. Our guide told us we can either hire a hiking guide or just see how far we get. Seeing as it was late in the day, we opted to give one of the summits a go. It’s fair to say the hike quickly became borderline bouldering and without the right equipment, we turned around.
The area is also known for its stargazing. I’ve stargazed at dark sky reserves all around and nothing compares to the stargazing I experienced here. I’d suggest walking down to the Spitzkoppe Arch for some of the best views.
Sossusvlei
Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s most spectacular areas. It’s in the heart of the Namibian desert, the oldest desert on earth, and is home to some of Namibia’s most famous sights.
One of these spots is Dune 45 – a giant sand dune in the desert – which is a must-visit on any trip to Namibia. Dune 45 gets its name from being exactly 45km from the entrance to the National Park. You can climb up to the top of the dune for amazing views of the area. I’d highly recommend going as early in the day as possible to avoid the worst of the heat. Climbing the dune will require some effort as the towering dune reaches over 500ft.
Nearby to Dune 45 is Deadvlei, a clay pan near the sand dunes which is full of dead trees and offers otherworldly views. I’d highly recommend adding this to your trip in the desert.
If you’re visiting the area by yourself and not keen on joining a tour, here is a guide on how to plan your visit.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park was the first time I ever had been on a true safari before. And one word… wow.
If you’re in Namibia and want to experience a true African-style safari, then Etosha is the answer. I spent two nights camping in the park and our campsite was right beside a water hole, meaning we could spend our evenings watching animals including rhinos and giraffes help themselves to water. During the day, we hopped onto a safari vehicle and were lucky enough to see an endless amount of animals including, white rhinos, lions, giraffes, elephants, and zebras.
The great thing about Etosha is that you can self-drive, so if you have your own car, you can use this to explore the park. I’d personally suggest hiring a guide and jumping in a safari vehicle. Your guide will know all the spots to find the animals and be able to give you information on what you’re seeing. Driving around Etosha is no easy task in a regular vehicle, and the last thing you want to happen is to run into trouble. If you have a flat tire and there are animals nearby… good luck.
If you’re keen to drive yourself, here’s a self-drive guide to Etosha.
Tropic of Capricorn
This is a brief stop, but Namibia is home to the Tropic of Capricorn. You’ll find a stop on the road between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay where you can pull over for a photo. It’s a quick stop, but fun nonetheless. For those who don’t know, the Tropic of Capricorn is the southernmost point where the sun can be seen directly overhead. This happens during the December solstice.
Skeleton Coast
The Skeleton Coast runs along the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most unique places to visit in Namibia. The name came from the thousands of shipwrecks and whale skeletons which litter its beaches. The area is over 500km long and on your drive, you’ll encounter shipwrecks, seal colonies, and otherworldly scenery. Completing the desolate drive is a hefty feat considering its remoteness, but is one of the top things to do in Namibia.
Sesriem Canyon
The Sesriem Canyon is on the drive between Windhoek and Sossusvlei. It’s a narrow 100-foot-deep gorge that was believed to have been carved out around 2 million years ago. You can walk along the ridge of the canyon and hike down into it too. You won’t need long here, but it’s worth a stop if you have the time.
Waterberg Plateau National Park
Waterberg Plateau is a giant mountain in the center of Namibia. We camped here for one night and I thoroughly enjoyed the area. ‘Waterberg’ means water mountain and it gets its name from the many springs which come from the mountain.
The area is known to have some of the best hiking in all of Namibia. We hiked the ‘Aloe Circle, Fig Tree Walk, and Mission Way’ hike which takes around two hours. The hike takes you up to the top of the mountain for awesome views of the surrounding scenery. You can also hire guides to take you further afield.
This area often gets missed on road trip itineraries, especially when self-driving. If you’re into hiking, it’s well worth a stop. Just beware of those pesky baboons. They are rife here and enjoy causing havoc.
Kolmanskop (ghost town)
The wild west of the USA may be known for its ghost towns, but none come close to Kolmanskop. It was once one of the richest towns in Africa but became abandoned in the 1950s when its inhabitants flocked elsewhere to find work. Some of the houses are open to visitors. It’s an eerie experience but cool nonetheless.
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital of Namibia. Many use this as a stopover before starting/ending/continuing their journeys. If I’m being completely honest, this wasn’t my favourite place in Namibia. It’s very much a typical city and there isn’t a lot of things to do. I’d suggest staying only for a night or two to allow you to learn more about the country and the capital. Here are some of the best things to do in Windhoek.
Your Namibia Itinerary (self-drive)
Unless you’re doing a group tour, you’ll get to plan your Namibian itinerary exactly how you want it to be. Where you start and end the trip will have a big impact on your chosen route. Many people will travel across the South African or the Botswana borders which will have a big impact on the route.
If you’re starting and ending your trip to Windhoek, here is my suggested itinerary for your road trip through Namibia. It’s a circular loop and can either be done in reverse, or tweaked to be in a different order.
Stop one: Windhoek
How long to spend in Windhoek: one night
Land in the capital city and pick up your rental vehicle. There isn’t much to do in Windhoek, so don’t plan to spend a long time here.
Stop two: Fish River Canyon
How long to spend in Fish River Canyon: at least one night (or longer if you’d like to hike here)
Fish River Canyon is a LOOOONG drive (about 7 hours from Windhoek). If you don’t want to cover this distance in a day, look at spending the night in the Hardap region. They have the Quiver Tree Forest here. We didn’t get to visit here but I’ve heard great things.
Stop three: Kolmanskop
How long to spend here: you’ll only need a couple of hours in the town itself, plan to stay in the area for one night
This eerie ghost town is a must-visit for any trip to Namibia. It’s located between Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei. I’d suggest looking for accommodation in the nearby town of Luderitz for the night.
Stop four: Sossusvlei
How long to spend in Sossusvlei: I’d suggest at least 2 nights and one full day
This is your chance to experience one of the world’s oldest deserts. Visit Dune 45 and the nearby Deadvlei. I’d personally suggest booking a tour for this. Driving in the desert can be a nightmare and cars often find themselves getting stuck in the relentless sand. It’s not somewhere you want to mess around.
Stop five: Swakopmund via Walvis Bay
How long to spend in Swakopmund: at least 3 nights depending on what you want to do
Welcome to the Adventure capital of Namibia! This is your chance to skydive, sandboard, quad bike or whale watch. On your way to Swakopmund, be sure to stop at Walvis Bay to see the flamingoes.
Stop six: Skeleton Coast
How long to spend driving the Skeleton Coast: I’d recommend two days to make sure you have enough time
Now it’s time for a real road trip as you make your way up the Skeleton Coast. Be sure to stop at Cape Cross to see the seals.
Stop seven: Spitzkoppe
How long to spend in Spitzkoppe: at least one full day
On to my favourite place in Namibia – Spitzkoppe. This is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever witnessed. You can camp here or look for nearby lodges. Read more in my guide to Spitzkoppe here.
Stop eight: Etosha National Park
How long to spend in Etosha: plan at least one full day for safari, if not more
It’s safari time! This is your chance to see rhinos, elephants, zebras, and lions to name a few…
From Etosha, you can head back down to Windhoek.
How long to spend in Namibia
Namibia is MASSIVE. Like… HUGE. You can drive for hours along desert roads and not see any sign of life. You don’t want to spend every single day driving, so I’d recommend a minimum of 14 days so you can get the most out of your road trip.
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