A tour through Namibia is an adventure you won't soon forget. You'll sometimes drive for hours on gravel roads without seeing another soul, and it's precisely that emptiness that makes the experience so special. Along the way, endless deserts, sand dunes, safaris in Etosha, and encounters with local cultures alternate.
In this article you will find itineraries and example-roadtrips From 2 to 5 weeks through Namibia, with tips to tailor them to your travel pace and interests. You'll learn how to plan a compact tour of the highlights, or take your time exploring the rugged north and border regions. We'll also show you how to combine your route with neighboring countries like Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Here's where you can start planning your trip. roadtrip through Namibia!
The starting point
Most Namibia tours start in WindhoekWindhoek, the capital and central hub of the country. This is where you land after an international flight and usually pick up your rental car. From Windhoek, you can head in any direction: to the dunes in the south, the coast in the west, or the safari parks in the north.
For practical preparation, such as visa, health and financial matters, we refer you to Namibia travel preparation – everything you need to know.
Namibia Itinerary 2 weeks
If you have two weeks to spare, you can experience Namibia's most important highlights on a short but intensive tour. The pace is a bit faster, but you'll get a good sense of the country's diversity.
Route in brief
Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Swakopmund → Skeleton Coast & Damaraland → Etosha National Park → back to Windhoek.
What you see along the way
- The red dunes of Sossusvlei en deadadvlei
- German colonial influences and activities in Swakopmund
- Rugged nature and desert elephants in Skeleton Coast & Damaraland
- Safaris in Etosha National Park with a chance of seeing lions, elephants and rhinoceroses
Tips for this route
- Please allow for long travel days, sometimes six hours or more of driving.
- Plan enough time for Etosha: at least three days to really experience the park.
- In Swakopmund you can spend a day recovering from the first week of driving and doing something active.
- Make sure your tank is always full, especially between Swakopmund and Etosha the distances are long.
This itinerary takes you through the heart of Namibia in two weeks: from the red dunes of the south to the safaris of the north. It's a full trip, but a great introduction to the country.
Namibia Itinerary 3 weeks
With three weeks, you'll have time to explore Namibia in more depth, including the south. You'll travel along the dunes of Sossusvlei, descend into the Fish River Canyon, and discover the abandoned mining towns near Lüderitz. Via Keetmanshoop and Swakopmund, you'll then continue to Etosha National Park for a few days of safari.
Option 1: Route in brief
Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Lüderitz & Fish River Canyon → Keetmanshoop (kokerbooms) → Swakopmund → Skeleton Coast & Damaraland → Etosha National Park → back to Windhoek
What you see along the way
- The red dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
- The impressive Fish River Canyon
- Abandoned mining towns near Lüderitz and Kolmanskop
- Quiver trees at keetmanshoop
- The coast and colonial atmosphere in Swakopmund
- Safaris in Etosha National Park
Tips for this route
- Please take into account long travel days in the south.
- Lüderitz can be chilly and windy, so bring warm clothes.
- Plan an extra rest day in Swakopmund or Etosha.
Namibia and Botswana itinerary 3 weeks
If you want to experience Botswana as well as Namibia, three weeks is just enough to combine both countries. You'll start in Windhoek, travel via Sossusvlei and Etosha to the Caprivi Strip, and then cross the border into Botswana. There, the famous Chobe River awaits you, and if you're interested, the Okavango Delta.
Route in brief
Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Swakopmund → Etosha National Park → Caprivi Strip → Chobe National Park (Botswana) → Okavango Delta (optional) → return via Windhoek
What you see along the way
- Highlights of Namibia: Sossusvlei, Swakopmund en Etosha
- The green Caprivi Strip full of rivers, elephants and hippos
- Elephants and other wildlife in Chobe National Park (Botswana)
- Optional: a unique mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta
Tips for this route
- Allow extra time at border crossings.
- In Botswana a 4×4 is highly recommended.
- Consider an organized tour for the Okavango Delta.
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Namibia itinerary 4 to 5 weeks
If you have four to five weeks, you can truly experience Namibia in its entirety. You'll take a grand tour through the entire country, from the desert in the south to the green Caprivi Strip in the far north. Along the way, you'll see both famous highlights and more remote regions that few travelers visit.
Route in brief
Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Lüderitz & Fish River Canyon → Keetmanshoop (kokerbooms) → Swakopmund → Skeleton Coast & Damaraland → Etosha National Park → Kaokoland & Epupa Falls → Caprivi strip → return via Windhoek
What you see along the way
- De red dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei
- De Fish River Canyon, one of the largest gorges in the world
- Abandoned mining towns near Lüderitz and Kolmanskop
- Quiver trees and the rock formations of keetmanshoop
- The coast and colonial charm of Swakopmund
- Safaris in Etosha National Park
- The remote kaokoland and the impressive Epupa Falls
- The green Caprivi Strip with rivers, elephants and hippos
Tips for this route
- Expect longer travel days, especially in the south and north.
- For Kaokoland and Epupa Falls a 4×4 is necessary.
- The Caprivi Strip feels very different from the rest of Namibia: take the time to experience this green area.
- Four weeks is the absolute minimum; five weeks makes traveling much more relaxed.
One-way routes and combinations
Besides the standard tours, you can also choose to combine Namibia with neighboring countries. This often requires a one-way rental car (with drop-off in another country), but it adds a touch of adventure to your trip.
Namibia + South Africa
Start in Cape Town or Johannesburg and finish in Windhoek, or vice versa. This way, you can combine the deserts and safaris of Namibia with the winelands, coast, and culture of South Africa. Perfect for travelers who want to experience not only nature but also the city and gastronomy.
Namibia + Botswana and Zimbabwe
From the Caprivi Strip you can easily cross the border into Botswana. Here you will see the elephants of Chobe National Park and possibly the Okavango Delta. You can extend this route to Zimbabwe to experience the impressive Victoria Falls to visit.
Namibia + South Africa + Botswana/Zimbabwe
For those with three to five weeks to spare and wanting to see as much as possible, this is the ultimate combination itinerary. For example, you'll start in Johannesburg, travel into Namibia via Victoria Falls and the Caprivi Strip, complete the classic loop through Etosha, Swakopmund, and Sossusvlei, and finish in Cape Town. This way, you'll experience the absolute highlights of southern Africa in a single trip.
Tips for combination routes
- Check in advance whether your rental car is allowed to cross the border, not every rental company allows this.
- Please note that additional costs may apply for one-way rentals and border crossings.
- Plan enough time: even a month is a full trip.
Tips for the road
Want to gift a roadtrip Namibia is fantastic, but it also requires some preparation and realistic expectations. Our most important tip: see driving as part of your journeyIn Namibia, you can sometimes drive for hours on gravel roads without seeing a soul. It might sound boring, but that's precisely what makes it special. The empty landscapes, the silence, and the unexpected encounters along the way are just as much a part of the experience as the highlights themselves.
In addition, there are a few practical matters that will make your journey easier and safer:
- Refuel as soon as possible – the distance between stations can easily be 300 km and in small villages fuel is not always available.
- Download offline navigation – in the desert and natural areas you often have no reception.
- Don't drive in the dark – animals cross unexpectedly and the roads are unlit.
- Always take water with you – a few liters per person in the car is not a luxury.
Slot
Whichever route you choose, a tour of Namibia is always an adventure. From the red dunes of Sossusvlei to safaris in Etosha and the deserted Skeleton Coast, this country's diversity makes every day different. Want to learn more about these routes? Check out our other Namibia articles below.
Located in southern Africa, Namibia is an ideal destination for an unforgettable tour. With its stunning landscapes, indigenous culture, and the Big 5, the country has so much to offer.
From desert safaris to coming face to face with a group of Hyenas to eating schnitzel with fries and a Paulaner beer - a trip through Namibia will be one you will never forget.
- Beautiful wildlife parks
- The Big 5
- Vast deserts and valleys
- German history (and cuisine)
