Self-Drive information

Route 1: Etosha-Swakopmund-Sossusvlei
This relative short tour can best be ridden, when you are 'short in time' (a week is possible), but longer is preferred. If you have more time, the biggest advantage is that you don't have to travel such long distances every day. This route makes use of tarmac and sand/gravel roads. All the roads in Etosha and from Walvisbaai up to Mariental are sand and gravel. These roads are fine for 2wd.
All the natural beaties of Namibia will be visited with this tour: Etosha: wild animals walk around your car, Swakopmund: sea and dessert in one glimp, and Sossusvlei: the biggest sanddunes in the world.

Route 2: Fish River Canyon-Luderitz-Sossusvlei
This relative short tour brings you to the southern part of Namibia. Fish River Canyon is definitly a good choise to go to, but enroute to Fish River Canyon you won't find as much as places of interest as when you go to the north ot the coast.
Almost all the roads from Fish River Canyon are sand and gravel, some which are badly maintained, so be aware while you a driving there. The places of interest for this route are: Fish River Canyon: the second largest canyon in the world (a tour in Fish River Canyon will cost you some days), Luderitz: (Kolmanskop) mining city, Sossusvlei: the biggest sanddunes in the world.

Route 3: Swakopmund-Skeleton Coast-Damara Land-Etosha
In distance, this is a short route, however this route takes you through Skeleton Coast National Park. This is one of the most desolate (reachable) places in Namibia, and therefor a difficult route. You can only spend the night in Skeleton Coast if you have booked in advance, otherwhise you can get a day permit, than you can drive from Henties Bay till the other site of Skeleton Coast. This will take you almost a day, and be prepared that you won't see a lot of other traffic.
In Damaraland you often have to pass a riverbed, mostly the rivers are dry, but in the rainy season, the rivers can change in fast rapids, so be aware (inform for the local road condition before you leave, so you won't be suprised). If you take the most northern route, a 4x4 is a must, the roads are not wel maintained in this area, so be aware.

Route 4: Victoria Falls-Poppa Falls-Etosha-Skeleton Coast-Swakopmund-Sossusvlei
This is in distance the longest route. You need (minimum) at least 2 weeks for this route, but more time is recommended.
All the roads in this route are 2wd accessible. If you choose to drive via Maun-Nata-Kasane (Botswana) you need to stay aware for potholes, especially the route between Nata and Kasane has many, many potholes.
The route between Maun and Kasane is only accissible for 4x4. This route brings you to the most special places of interest in Africa: The Victoria Falls, which can be viewed from Zimbabwe and Zambia (the Zimbabwean site is the one with the best view, but watch the political situation!), Etosha and Sossusvlei.

Route 5: Fish River Canyon-Luderitz-Sossusvlei-Swakopmund-Skeleton Coast-Damara Land-Etosha
If you want to see Namibia, this is route is the best option for you. This route brings you to all the places of interest in Namibia, starting from Etosha, Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei and the second largest canyon in the world: Fish River Canyon.
Most of the roads are 2wd accissible, only the area in and around Fish River Canyon can be treasures for 2wd.
If you want to go into Fish River Canyon, you need to go with a guide, this will cost you some extra days, around 4 is common. This route will cost you at least 3 weeks. But at the end you can sertainly say that you have been in Namibia.

Tip 1
Namibia is a beautiful country, but also one of the most desolated countries in the world. If you are going to explore Namibia yourself, be prepared and take some extra precautions: bring extra fuel and water.

Tip 2
If you have rental car, always insure your car with a glass insurance. The stones gravelroads in Namibia are known to severily damage car windows.

Tip 3
On all the main roads, close to some of the larger cities are police checkpoints. Don't panick, normally these check- points, only check your drivers license.

Do not speed close to larger cities, because of the police checkpoints, the police often has lasergun speed control in progress, so when you speed, you will have to pay a fine at the police checkpoint, the fine won't be high, but it will take a lot of your time.

Tip 4
When you drive from the Caprivi into Central Namibia, you will have to cross a veterinary checkpoint. They wil examine your car for animal products, don't try to take big pieces of meat from one side to another.

Veterinary checkpoints are very common in Botswana. The governments tries to keep animal diseases within their regions. Recently, for example, there has been a break out of food-and-mouth-disease in west Botswana.