Namibia

When to Visit Namibia?

The best time to visit Namibia is during the dry winter months, from June to mid-September. This period offers cooler temperatures and minimal rainfall, which makes for an ideal condition to enjoy all the stunning and surreal landscapes Namibia is known for. You will also be able to see more animals out and about in places like Etosha, as well as clear skies, which makes it great for photography.

You can visit in May or October, but daytime temperatures tend to be higher, making outdoor activities more challenging. I visited in October, and while the morning was comfortable, it got quite hot in the afternoon as the heat intensified. Thankfully, with this itinerary, most active activities are planned for early morning and late evening, while much of the afternoon will be spent driving, so you should be okay visiting during the shoulder season.

Although the climate in the places we'll be visiting in Namibia is mostly desert, some coastal areas like Aus, Lüderitz, and Swakopmund can get quite chilly in the morning and at night. I remember waking up in Aus to temperatures close to 10°C, with fog and clouds covering much of the area.

It was incredible but also a bit of a shock to the system since it had been hot throughout our trip, except here and a few other coastal spots. Essentially, the desert climate is contained inland, while the coastal areas feel more like Cape Town, with sea breezes bringing in the cold. Be sure to pack some layers!

How to Get to Namibia?

This itinerary begins in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, which is where you'll need to fly to. You can either choose Lufthansa, which offers flights to Windhoek with transits through Frankfurt from almost anywhere in the world, or fly to South Africa—Cape Town or Johannesburg—via major airlines like Emirates or Qatar, and then catch a budget-friendly Airlink flight to Windhoek. You can find plenty of flight options on platforms like Skyscanner or Expedia.

Once you arrive in Windhoek, your car rental company should be waiting for you at the exit terminal. They will assist you with organizing SIM cards, using the ATM, and taking you to their office to pick up your car for the trip.

How to Get around Namibia?

Since this is a road trip itinerary, you'll need to rent a car and drive across the country. There are many car rental companies to choose from in Namibia, but after extensive research, I went with Namibia2Go, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them. I rented a 4x4 Toyota Fortuner, which was in perfect condition when I received it and performed exceptionally well throughout the trip. Despite encountering some terrible roads in Namibia, the car handled everything like a champ!

I chose Namibia2Go because they offer a car rental plus accommodation package, which saved us more money than booking them separately and saved me a ton of time as well. Although you have to stay in their designated lodges, most of them, run by Gondwana—the parent company of Namibia2Go and one of the largest lodge collections in the region—were incredible.

There were a few I wish had been closer to tourist attractions, but overall, I’m glad I went with them. They made trip planning much easier and helped me save money too. If you want to learn more about them, you can check my review of Namibia2Go here, and check out tips and tricks on how to drive in Namibia as well.

Based on my experience doing this exact road trip, you'll be driving a little over 4,000 km across the country. While that might sound overwhelming, the driving is spread over two weeks, with two-night stays in most places. This gives you plenty of time to explore each area and rest from driving every other day.

Road conditions in Namibia range from well-paved highways to headache-inducing gravel roads, and you'll encounter them all on this itinerary. That's why I highly recommend renting a 4x4. It provides peace of mind and offers high clearance, which helps you drive faster and more comfortably on gravel roads.

Also, be sure to learn how to change a tire before embarking on this trip, as the rough roads can be quite punishing, and you'll likely need to change a tire at some point. My tire was punctured overnight at Fish River Canyon, but thankfully, many Gondwana lodges have service stations, and they fixed my tire for free — a lifesaver! Yet another reason to go with Namibia2Go. Just to clarify, I'm not paid by them; I'm simply a happy customer 😉.

Here are things I wish I knew before renting a car and driving in Namibia:11 Things to Know Before Driving in Namibia

How much does it cost to visit Namibia?

From Namibia, considering you rent a car with a tent and camp, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here (minimum) as follows:

Is it Safe to Visit Namibia?

You might be surprised to learn that Namibia is considered to be the safest country in Africa, and after spending over 2 weeks in the country, and going from Namibia to Cape Town after, I can confirm this wholeheartedly. I've experienced all kinds of things when I was traveling in other parts of Africa, and Namibia was the smoothest experience I had without question.

The people here are trustworthy, extremely friendly, and warmly welcoming. I didn't encounter any scams or face any threats or difficult situations during my stay. Namibians love their country, and you can truly feel it in your interactions with them.

I did run into a bit of trouble with a national park ranger once when I was 10 minutes late exiting the park. Initially, I feared it might turn into a bribery situation, similar to what I experienced in Kenya. However, to my surprise, they simply took down our license plate and let us off with a warning not to do it again. This really shows the integrity of Namibians, which really impressed me.

Sure, poverty exists everywhere, just like in any other city, and I spent much of my time within the tourist bubble. However, whenever I stepped outside it—like when I was eating at a local restaurant in Swakopmund or walking around these coastal cities—every interaction with the locals was always positive.

If you're planning to visit Namibia, whether solo or in groups, there's nothing to worry about. Just make sure you're prepared for the road trip by packing enough water and snacks, knowing how to change a tire, and keeping an eye on when to fill up on gas (which should be every chance you get). If you do that, you're golden.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Namibia?

There is no eSIM available in Namibia at the moment of writing, and since the country is sparsely populated with limited cell phone coverage, your best option is to get a physical SIM card from the MTC kiosk in the exit terminal at the airport. The staff from your car rental company should take you there and wait while you get the SIM card. It can take quite some time as there are often long lines of tourists getting SIM cards, but you are going to need it for navigation.

You can choose their Aweh package, either the 5 GB or 18 GB option, which also includes 100 to 300 minutes of calls and costs 100 NAD (6 USD) and 250 NAD (15.5 USD), respectively. I opted for the 18 GB package and had plenty of data left at the end. You don't really need calls or SMS, but in case anything happens on the road, it's good to have them available so you can call your car rental company or emergency numbers, and they’ll help get you out of trouble in no time.

What to Pack for Namibia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Namibia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.