Driving in Namibia
It is advisable always to use your rental car in Namibia, as public transport systems are not always reliable.
A 4x4 is good to have, but it is not necessary. Unless you plan on travelling in mostly off-road destiantionsas you can drive almost any quality car in Namibia.
For information on the driving procedures at a traffic light, traffic circle, 4-way stop and for parking advice, please consult our car rental Driving Tips section.
Fuel Availability
You should not struggle to find fuel in Namibia. Although there are long stretches of road where fuel stations will be few and far between, you should not struggle to find the fuel you need in Namibian towns.
Speed Limits
In towns, the speed limit is 60km/h. On tarred national roads, the speed is 120 km/h, but we recommend a speed of 100 km/h until you are familiar with the tarred roads and local traffic conditions. On dirt roads, the speed limit is 100km/h, but until you are accustomed to driving on gravel roads, we recommend a speed of 60 - 80km/h.
Standard driving precautions
On long journeys, make sure you have plenty of drinking water : refreshment stops are rare, the weather is hot and if you break down somewhere, you will most likely have to wait some time before another vehicle appears.
The dirt and gravel roads in Namibia are usually well maintained, but in some areas there are grooves in the road 10 - 15 centimetres deep, caused by deepening tyre tracks. The best way to ensure a smooth drive is to glide over these grooves at approximately 80km/h (50mph).
Do not drive too close to the edge of a gravel road; inexperienced dirt road drivers are more prone to rolling cars when attempting to turn too abruptly, or at too-high speeds, on arched gravel roads.
Do not travel in the dust cloud from another vehicle. Visibility will be extremely poor.
Watch out for animals on the road. Most common are kudu, warthog, low-flying guinea fowl and some domestic animals such as dogs, horses or cows.
If you do not already own a mobile phone, or if your car rental package does not include a free mobile phone, we recommend hiring one for your journey.
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