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Etosha National Park, Namibia

© www.123rf.com / Dmitry Pichugin

Getting Around Namibia

Air: 

Flying is the quickest and often the most economical way to travel around the country. Air Namibia (SW) (www.airnamibia.com.na) links Windhoek's Eros Airport to all of the major towns in the territory. A number of local charter companies can arrange flights and tours by light aircraft.

Road: 

Traffic drives on the left. Roads are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac. Although a 4x4 vehicle is not strictly necessary, in practice this will reduce journey times and bone rattling dramatically. There are 64,799km (40,266 miles) of road, of which 7,841km (4,872 miles) are tarred. Traffic is very light indeed, but people and animals sometimes walk in the road, so it’s necessary to be alert. Driving after dark can be particularly dangerous, especially on dirt roads. If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stay on the tarred road. Petrol stations are few and far between, so keep a good map, top up on fuel whenever possible and keep a large bottle of emergency water in the car in case of breakdown. Always keep a charged mobile phone handy in your car, or ask your rental company to include a satellite phone in your rental agreement.

Side of road: 
Left
Road quality: 

Roads are generally well maintained but away from the main highways surfaces are gravel or dirt, not tarmac.

There are 64,799km (40,266 miles) of road, of which 7,841km (4,872 miles) are tarred.

Although traffic is very light, people and animals sometimes walk in the road; driving after dark can be particularly dangerous.

If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stay on the tarred road.

Car hire: 

Cars and 4x4 vehicles, with or without camping equipment, can be hired for pick-up at Windhoek Airport. Vehicles can also be hired in Windhoek city centre and some other cities. Both major international and local firms are available.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Regulations: The minimum driving age is 23 years. The speed limit is 60-80kph (37-50mph) in built up areas, 80-90kph (50-56mph) on gravel roads and 120kph (75mph) on tar roads. Seat belts are compulsory, and the use of mobile phones when driving is illegal.

Breakdown service: 

AAN (Automobile Association of Nambia) (061 224 201).

Documentation: 

An International Driving Permit is required.

Getting around towns and cities: 

There is a local bus service in Windhoek, and taxis are available in all Namibian towns.

Rail: 

With the exception of its dedicated luxury services, rail travel in Namibia is not geared towards tourism: progress is slow, the network is limited and most trains run overnight. The main routes on the TransNamib StarLine passenger network (061 298 2032; www.transnamib.com.na/Starline.htm) are Windhoek-Keetmanshoop-Upington, South Africa, Walvis Bay-Swakopmund-Tsumeb, Windhoek-Tsumeb and Lüderitz-Keetmanshoop. First- and second-class carriages are available and light refreshments are offered on some services. On overnight voyages, seats in first-class compartments convert to four couchettes and those in second class to six couchettes. Local passenger trains run daily. The luxury Desert Express (061 298 2600; www.desertexpress.com.na) runs between Swakopmund and Windhoek, a 20 hour journey which includes several stops to give travellers the opportunity to go on safari, see the Namib Desert, walk in the dunes and admire the stars. A three-course dinner is included, as well as overnight accommodation with ensuite showers. The Northern Desert Express is a luxury service to Etosha National Park. Other tourist rail services include Rovos Rail (012 315 8242; www.rovos.co.za) which runs seven days trips each May from Pretoria to Swakopmund or vice versa, stopping at the Fish River Canyon and Etosha National Park en route. More details on rail services are available from TransNamib (061 298 2175; www.transnamib.com.na). Click ‘products’ then passenger services.

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