On a Namibian Road Trip - a few things to know!

A road trip in Namibia is one of the best ways to experience the vastness of this beautiful and peaceful arid landscape. We have a saying in Namibia that you only cry twice…when you arrive in Namibia and when you leave Namibia. The wide-open spaces where less than 2.5 million people live can sometimes be overwhelming at first but it does not take long before the mesmerizing beauty of the land grows on you and you wish that your “going nowhere slowly” may never end.  As a Namibian myself, I have travelled many times to every corner of this part of the continent which has been rated the safest country in Africa. There are however a few things that nobody tells you when doing a road trip to Namibia which may make a huge difference to your overall experience.

Your vehicle:

If you go in your own car make sure that it has recently been serviced and are in tip-top condition!

Distances between towns in Namibia are far and it is not always possible to find the proper parts in the closest town should you have a breakdown. If using your own vehicle it will be money well spent to take your vehicle for that long overdue service.  When eyeseeAfrica arranges a vehicle for you we ensure that your vehicle is in perfect condition and we stay in contact with all our clients 24 hours a day should any mechanical problems arise during your trip.

Tyres and spare wheel

Most of the roads you are going to travel on will be gravel roads. Namibia’s excellent infrastructure includes a major road system of which only 5% are tarred or sealed road surfaces. The rest is made up of excellent gravel roads. Standard tyres are not suited for gravel roads, especially if they are low profile. The lower the profile of your tyres, the less capable the vehicle is of navigating, so keep this in mind before your trip. You should have at least one spare tyre ready to rumble and should you have to replace it during your trip, always repair the flat one at the first opportunity. Last but not least, make sure you have all the proper tools you need to change a flat tyre, in your trunk.

Another word to the wise: Take along a spare set of keys in case they get locked inside the car or get lost in the desert.

Tyre pressure

When you pick up your car from the airport, the tyres will normally have been inflated to the correct pressure for driving on tar roads. The precise pressure will usually be indicated somewhere in the car’s handbook, or on a small label fixed to the car. For a better ride and traction on gravel we suggest reducing the tyre pressure by around 10–20%. Doing this allows the tyres to act as an additional shock absorber, taking the bite out of the corrugations. It also increases the amount of time that the tyre is in contact with the gravel surface, and thus increases their traction. Rule of thumb is 1.8 bar for gravel roads. When you drive in really thick sand like the dunes of the Namib or even small stretches on your way to Sossusvlei it can be as low as 1.2 Bar.

NB!!!  If you decide to slightly deflate your tyres for driving on gravel roads, which isn’t essential, then remember that it is absolutely essential that you remember to reflate them when you return to the tar. Driving on tar on low-pressure tyres will cause heat to build up in the tyre, and increases your chances of a blowout.    

Maps:

You’ll probably start your trip with a planned route but be sure to take an old-style printed map of Namibia for backup just in case you end up in a remote area where modern navigation tools don’t work.

Another good idea is to download the Namibian map on your phone (Google maps app). It works brilliantly and it is sometimes difficult to believe how accurate all the roads are listed, even in the most remote parts of Africa.

Google maps work offline absolutely flawlessly.

A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit is a handy gadget to take along, as well – some travellers say they wouldn’t leave home without one! Many cars have navigation systems built-in, but if your car isn’t factory-equipped, you can pick up one for a small amount.

Crossing the border:

Have your paperwork ready

Crossing borders in Africa is always stressful with lots of red tape and having the correct documents will help a lot to get this done as fast as possible.

Crossing into Namibia you will need :

1. A Passport – Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages and is valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
2. Registration papers of your vehicle should you cross the border with your own vehicle. Most of our clients will collect their rental vehicles at an airport within Namibia and will not need this document.
3. A ZA sticker on your car if you are from South Africa.
4. Have your driver’s license and contact numbers for roadside assistance readily accessible.
5. Most countries will get a 30-day visa to Namibia at the port of entry. Even if you plan to travel for fewer days rather than ask for a maximum of 30 days to make provision for unforeseen circumstances. The maximum is 90 days and please make sure that the stamp clearly indicates your exit date. The Namibian authorities are very strict and you will have to do a lot of explaining wanting to leave the country if your visa has expired.
6. Some cash (We recommend at least 500 Namibian Dollars/Rands) to pay for road tax at the point of entry. (Lately you can pay with credit card if the machine works)

Be friendly and never lose your temper

Although the border control officials may look intimidating, Namibians are considered to be some of the friendliest people in the world and a big smile on your face and friendly greeting will be a good start to get you into the country as fast as possible.

Long Distances:

Namibia is about 3 times bigger than the United Kingdom.