Namibia on Your Own: An Unforgettable Self-Drive Adventure
Many of you have reached out asking about my self-drive itinerary and tips for Namibia. So, I'm excited to share the detailed journey I took. Get ready for an adventure!
Flight Details
My journey involved two main flights:
- SGN to Kenya, with a layover in Malaysia, on Airasia. This round trip, including 20kg of checked baggage, cost around 17 million VND.
- Kenya to Namibia, with a layover in Ethiopia, on Ethiopian Airlines. This round trip, with checked baggage, was approximately 19 million VND.
Since I flew with two different airlines, I had to go through immigration in Kenya before catching my next flight. If you're carrying a drone and not planning to visit Kenya, you might find it more convenient to fly via India. This could help you avoid potential hassles with Kenyan immigration officials regarding drone regulations.
Visa and Entry Procedures
I obtained my visa on arrival through the official Namibian immigration website. When you visit the site, you'll see options for Visa on Arrival and Holiday Visa. For a simpler process, choose Visa on Arrival. It's an automated system. After filling in your details and paying the fee of 1600 NAD, you'll receive your results, including the visa on arrival document, within a minute. This document will list what you need to bring for entry. In reality, you just need your passport and the VOA paper. Immigration officers will ask basic questions like where you're from, what you do, and how long you're staying, and then you'll be good to go.
To expedite your entry, head straight to the immigration counter as soon as you land. The officers are few and work at a slower pace. Even with only two flights landing simultaneously when I arrived, I waited nearly two hours in line. They might ask where you're coming from to check for any disease outbreaks. I mentioned Vietnam, and they didn't inquire about any yellow fever vaccinations.
Transportation: Your Namibian Ride
I opted for a self-drive rental from Namibia2go. The cost was around 5 million VND per day for a 4-seater car and 3.3 million VND per day for a 2-seater. This price included comprehensive insurance, meaning no extra costs for vehicle damage unless it was intentional. I traveled during the winter, so rental prices were about 1.5 times higher. If you plan your trip during the low season, you can expect significantly lower rental rates.
Driving License Requirements
My Vietnamese driving license, which is bilingual, was sufficient for driving in Namibia. I didn't need an international driving permit, as confirmed by emails from both the Namibian embassy and their Road Traffic Department. However, having an IDP would be an added advantage if you possess one.
Your Namibia Itinerary
Day 0: Travel to Windhoek, Namibia
Your journey begins with a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Windhoek.
Day 1: Windhoek Exploration
I landed at 2:30 PM. The car rental company has an office at the airport, so I picked up my vehicle immediately. The process of handover and vehicle orientation took about two hours. The drive from the airport to the capital city is around 30-45 minutes on a smooth, empty asphalt road, making for a pleasant drive.
Day 2: Windhoek to Spitzkoppe
The drive to Spitzkoppe took about 4-5 hours, including stops for photos. The roads were beautiful asphalt until the last 20 kilometers, which were gravel. You likely won't need to deflate your tires for this stretch. You'll encounter roadside vendors and individuals signaling for stops. It's best to ignore them. According to information shared on the Namibia Budget Traveller group, one such individual has been signaling for help for 3-4 years without completing their repairs. If you plan to stay at a campsite within Spitzkoppe, arrive early. Campsite spots are first-come, first-served, and desirable locations like 11A and 11C are often snapped up quickly. For those wanting to be near the iconic rock arches, consider spots 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Spitzkoppe offers various activities like hiking and climbing. You can book these at the reception desk or through external services (price list attached). Near Spitzkoppe, there's a Himba village that costs about 200 NAD per person per hour to visit. I found this village more engaging than the one in Masai Mara, Kenya, so I highly recommend a visit.
Day 3: Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund
The drive to Swakopmund is about 2.5 hours on excellent asphalt roads. After lunch, I headed to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, which took another 1.5 hours of driving at speeds around 100 km/h. Along the way, I encountered a police officer who cautioned me for not stopping at a stop sign. A sincere apology and presenting my Vietnamese driver's license were enough to be let go. So, always be mindful of police presence and stop signs, pulling over for checks.
Just past the police checkpoint, you'll spot shipwrecks, which are quite scenic. It's best to stop here on your way back to Swakopmund from Cape Cross, as the setting sun creates a magical, hazy ambiance.
In Swakopmund, I rented an entire house, Vogelstrand Holiday House, which was comfortable, beautiful, and reasonably priced at around 750,000 VND per person per night. Dinner was at The Tug Restaurant.
Day 4: Swakopmund to Sandwich Harbour
I booked a self-drive tour to explore Sandwich Harbour with Red Dune Safaris for about 1600 NAD per person. What makes this tour unique is that you drive yourself through the sand dunes. The tour company leads the way with a lead vehicle, and you follow with your own vehicle, equipped with walkie-talkies for communication. They provide thorough instructions on how to drive in the sand, and they offer assistance if you get stuck, so you can relax and enjoy.
The tour runs from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. As I visited during the winter when the tide comes in early, the tour timing is fixed and cannot be moved to the afternoon. This meant I missed out on a highly recommended Swakopmund activity: kayaking with seals (which runs from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM). If you wish to do this during winter, plan to stay in Swakopmund for at least three days and two nights.
After the driving tour, you receive a certificate for successfully driving up a 50-meter sand dune. In the afternoon, I went shopping for groceries to cook dinner myself.
Day 5: Swakopmund to Sossuvlei (Deadvlei)
The adventure continues to Sossuvlei and Deadvlei. More details to follow!
Credit: Danh Nguyễn
