About Namibia
Essential travel information for planning your self-drive adventure.
Practical travel information to help you plan your self-drive adventure in one of Africa’s most spectacular countries.
Travel Information
Everything you need to know before exploring Namibia.
Fun Facts
- Second least populated country in the world (after Mongolia).
- Largest population of free-roaming cheetahs (±2,500–3,000).
- Largest population of free-roaming black rhinos.
- The Namib Desert is one of the world’s oldest deserts.
- One of only two countries with desert-adapted elephants.
- Sossusvlei dunes are among the highest in the world.
Money Matters
- Bureau de Change available at airport, Grove Mall, Maerua Mall, Wernhill Mall.
- Namibian Dollar (NAD) is linked 1:1 with South African Rand (ZAR).
- You can use NAD and ZAR in Namibia, but only ZAR in South Africa.
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted, including most fuel stations.
- Keep only a small amount of cash on you.
- Car guards are common and work for a small tip.
Climate
- Average summer temperatures: 20°C to 40°C.
- Average winter temperatures: 0°C to 25°C.
- Summer: October to March.
- Oct–Dec: hot and dry. Jan–Mar: hot and wetter.
- Autumn: April to May (short).
- Winter: June to August (short and cooler).
For Your Suitcase
- Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential.
- Lightweight clothing for extreme heat.
- Long sleeves for sun and mosquito protection (north is malaria area).
- Nights can be chilly, even in summer.
- Winter nights can drop below 0°C — layer up.
- For winter camping: bring body warmers, socks, and a beanie.
Recommended Campsites by Region
A selection of popular camps and lodges across Namibia for self-drive travellers.
Lüderitz Area
- Shark Island (Lüderitz)
- Klein Aus Vista, Desert Horse Campsite (Aus)
Fish River Canyon
- Canyon Roadhouse Campsite (Fish River Canyon)
- Quivertree Forest Restcamp (Keetmanshoop)
Kalahari Desert
- Kalahari Anib Lodge
- Kalahari Farmhouse
- Lapa Lange Lodge
- Kalahari Game Lodge
Swakopmund & Skeleton Coast
- Moon Valley River Camp (Swakopmund)
- Goanikontes Oasis
- Tiger Reef Campsite
- Windpomp 14 Campsites
Kavango & Caprivi
- Livingstone’s Camp (Nkasa Lupala NP)
- Hakusembe River Lodge (Okavango River)
- Rainbow River Lodge (Okavango River)
- Caprivi Mutoya Lodge (Katima Mulilo)
- Camp Kwando (Kongola)
- Chobe River Camp (Ngoma)
- Nambwa Lodge Campsite (Kongola)
- Zambezi Mubala Lodge & Camp (Katima)
Damaraland
- Aba Huab Camp (Twyfelfontein)
- Ongongo Waterfall Campsite (Warmquelle / Palmwag)
- Desert Rhino Camp (Palmwag)
Etosha Region
- Etosha Safari Camp
- Eldorado (Anderson Gate)
- Kamanjab Restcamp
- Oppi Koppi Restcamp
- Otjitotongwe Cheetah Guestfarm
- Sachsenheim Guestfarm
- Taleni Etosha Village
Erongo & Central Namibia
- Spitzkoppe Tented Camp & Campsite
- Ameib Rhino Sanctuary
- Cheetah Conservation Fund
- Waterberg Plateau NP Campsite
- Mount Etjo Safari Lodge
Windhoek
- Urban Camp
- Arebbusch Travel Lodge
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