Namibia is known for an infrastructure on a par with many European countries. However this is still Africa and being prepared for the little differences can make your trip so much more pleasant. Here’s everything you need to know for your self-drive safari in the land of open spaces.

Roads in Namibia

Occasionally, you will find corrugated iron roads. The unpleasant grooves are usually 5 to 10 centimetres deep, and are gradually formed by  speeding vehicles. The car – and of course the passengers – are shaken on corrugated slopes in an extreme way. In general, a 4×4 isn’t necessary for a trip to Namibia. Only  Sossusvlei, Kaudom National Park, the Kaokoveld and sand dunes on the beach or in river beds require a 4×4.

Traffic rules

In Namibia has left-hand traffic. The traffic rules are similar to the European standard. A special feature is, however, the four-way stop intersections. Here it is not yield to the right, but first come – first serve. Where appropriate, drivers communicate with the other drivers at the intersection.

Car Hire

It is easy to hire a car or a 4×4 vehicle, as well as expedition style off-roaders if you can afford it. A four-wheel drive is generally not required. Sometimes if you are on an extended journey it is cheaper to hire a vehicle in South Africa and drive it into Namibia. This usually requires special permission from the company, but nothing prohibitive. Getting in and out of Namibia by car is relatively easy. Border officials are fond of rubber stamps so plenty of pages in your passport are a good idea, but otherwise corruption is limited and the process fairly hassle free. An international driving license is required.

Types of Roads and Numbering

National roads in Namibia are the most frequently used. They are paved, mostly two-lane main roads. The national roads are the major arteries of the country. Namibia currently has seven national roads, which are designated with a B and a serial number. The road symbols are pentagonal and green, with yellow writing on it.

	National Road B1 from Noordoewer to Oshikango (1600 km)
	National Road B2 from Walvis Bay to Okahandja (327km)
	National Road B3 from Grünau to Ariamsvlei (160km)
	National Road B4 from Lüderitz to Keetmanshoop (330km)
	National Road B6 from Windhoek to Buitepos (290km)
	National Road B8 from Otavi to Katima Mulilo/Ngoma (930km)
	National Road B10 from Ohangwena to Rundu (412km)

List of Roads in Namibia

This is a list of the road types in Namibia. The Namibian road network consists of 45 387 km and is categorized according to the majority of the pavement surface. The term pad (Afrikaans for road) refers to any kind of road regardless of the surface. You will find “Teerpads” but also “sand” and “saltpads”.

• B-roads are main intercity trunk roads that are two lane highways of black-top construction (ca. 120 km / h maximum speed).
• C-roads are main roads with a gravel base that link most of the smaller hubs (ca. 80 km/h maximum speed).
• D-roads are well maintained gravel roads that are for the most part accessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles (ca. 80 km/h maximum speed).
• M-roads replace or complete the names of the C and D roads.
• P-roads (new F-roads) are narrow and not regularly maintained private access roads to farms which are not reachable directly via one of the     other road types.

Tourist Attractions

Namibia is famous for its wildlife, vast deserts and diamond mines. Tourist attractions in Namibia include:

• The capital city of Windhoek, which is famous for its scenic charm and German colonial architecture
• Etosha National Park is one of the finest game sanctuaries in the world
• Sossusvlei is famous for its towering red sand dunes
• The town of Katima Mulilo, which is famous for its handicrafts and soapstone carvings
• Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and is considered the second largest canyon in the world.
• Waterberg Plateau Park – Namibia’s only mountain resort and home to many rare and endangered wildlife species
• Lake Otjikoto is a lake of about 76 meter deep water-filled sinkhole
• Kaudom Game Reserve in Kavango
• Namib Naukluft Park
• Mahango Game Reserve

Visitors can also enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, sand gliding, boat cruising, balloon safaris, game viewing and bird watching.

About SafariFelix

Felix Küchenberg has written 3 posts in this blog.

Alexander von Humboldt once said that the most dangerous of all world views is the world view of those people that have not viewed the world.

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