Book cheap flights to Namibia

Namibia is one of the sunniest countries in the world. The country experiences an arid climate, with hot days and cold nights. Temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius in summer and drop to -1 degrees Celsius in winter (the coastal areas tend to be cooler). The north-eastern areas receive the most rainfall (although rainfall is generally sparse). The best time to visit is during the dry season (mid-April to October). These months offer dreamy weather and excellent game viewing. This is peak season, so accommodation should be booked in advance. The wet season spans November to May. Game viewing is more challenging during these months, but the landscapes blossom beautifully and rates tend to drop. For cheap flights to Namibia, the best time to visit is from December to March and the shoulder seasons of May and November. This excludes the Christmas and New Year period.

South African passport holders do not require a visa to visit Namibia. You will need to ensure your passport has a validity of at least 6 months and empty pages for entry stamps.

The South African High Commission is situated in Windhoek.

Address: Cnr. Nelson Mandela Avenue and Jan Jonker Street, Windhoek

Phone: 264 61 205 7111

Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa. However, it is still recommended that you take certain precautions and use common sense as you would in any other unfamiliar country. Travel insurance to cover theft and medical expenses is recommended.

Avoid carrying large sums of cash, valuables and important documents, as pick-pocketing does happen. Be vigilant when driving outside of the city (especially at night) as wildlife pose a serious hazard. It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the local laws and customs before arriving. Keep clear of the prohibited Sperrgebiet area en route to Lüderitz.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are travelling from an infected area. Malaria and other insect-borne diseases are a risk in certain parts of Namibia, so the necessary precautions should be taken to avoid bites. Immunisation against hepatitis A & B, typhoid and rabies is recommended. Routine vaccinations, including MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio and influenza should be up to date.

Accommodation in Namibia ranges from rustic campsites under a canopy of stars to comfortable self-catering chalets, charming guesthouses and some of the most spectacularly situated luxury lodges in Southern Africa — and as one of South Africa’s most beloved and accessible neighbouring destinations, Namibia offers South African travellers an extraordinary range of wilderness experiences within a relatively short drive or flight from home. Self-drive travel is deeply embedded in Namibian tourism culture, and the country’s accommodation infrastructure is exceptionally well set up for independent South African road-trippers.

In Windhoek — Namibia’s compact, clean and walkable capital — accommodation is concentrated in the leafy suburbs of Klein Windhoek, Olympia and the city centre, with a good range of options at every price point. Well-regarded properties include the Hotel Heinitzburg — a beautifully restored castle-like landmark perched on a hill above the city with sweeping views over Windhoek and the surrounding hills, widely regarded as the most atmospheric and romantic hotel in the capital — the contemporary Hilton Windhoek in the city centre, and the charming boutique Olive Exclusive All-Suite Hotel in the Klein Windhoek suburb. For budget travellers, the well-regarded Cardboard Box Backpackers in the city centre is a legendary stop on the Southern African overland trail and an excellent source of self-drive route advice and trip planning assistance.

In the Sossusvlei and Sesriem area — home to the iconic red dunes of the Namib Desert and one of the most photographed landscapes in the world — accommodation ranges from the NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) campsite and chalets at Sesriem (the only accommodation within the park gates, giving guests privileged early morning access to the dunes before day visitors arrive) to some of the most extraordinary and architecturally striking luxury lodges in Africa. Well-regarded properties include the iconic Sossusvlei Desert Lodge — a minimalist masterpiece of glass and stone set within the NamibRand Nature Reserve with its own private observatory and some of the darkest skies in the Southern Hemisphere — the romantic &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, the photogenic Little Kulala (Wilderness Safaris) and the more accessible mid-range Sossus Dune Lodge within the park boundary. Staying as close as possible to the park gate at Sesriem is strongly recommended for those wanting to experience Deadvlei and Big Daddy Dune at sunrise — the most magical time of day in the desert.

In the Swakopmund area — Namibia’s most popular coastal town and a charming blend of German colonial architecture, Atlantic Ocean air and desert adventure — accommodation ranges from comfortable guesthouses and boutique hotels in the town centre to the landmark The Strand Hotel Swakopmund on the beachfront and the stylish Hotel Swakopmund in a beautifully restored German colonial building in the heart of town. Swakopmund is the adventure capital of Namibia — sandboarding, quad biking, kayaking with seals and skydiving over the desert are all organised from here — and its excellent restaurants, cafés and craft shops make it the most pleasant and well-provisioned town in the country for South African self-drive travellers to stock up and rest between long drives.

In Etosha National Park — one of Africa’s great game reserves and home to one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa — accommodation ranges from NWR-managed camps with comfortable chalets, swimming pools and floodlit waterholes (where game viewing from the comfort of your camp at night is extraordinary) to exclusive private concession lodges on the park’s borders offering guided game drives and walking safaris in private areas. The three NWR camps within the park — Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni — are the most affordable and conveniently located options for self-drive visitors, each with their own famous floodlit waterhole. Well-regarded private lodges on Etosha’s borders include the Ongava Tented Camp (Wilderness Safaris), Andersson’s at Ongava and the Etosha Aoba Lodge on the southern boundary — all offering a more exclusive and personalised experience than the NWR camps.

In the Damaraland region — a vast, ancient landscape of volcanic rock formations, desert-adapted elephants and extraordinary rock art — a handful of outstanding lodges offer some of Namibia’s most remote and memorable accommodation experiences. The Damaraland Camp (Wilderness Safaris) and the &Beyond Doro Nawas are among the most celebrated properties in the region, both offering guided desert walks, rhino tracking excursions and deeply immersive encounters with one of Africa’s most ancient and dramatic landscapes. Further north in Kaokoland, the extraordinary Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp (Wilderness Safaris) offers access to the remote Skeleton Coast and encounters with desert-adapted lions — one of the rarest and most awe-inspiring wildlife experiences in Africa.

For South African self-drive and camping travellers — the backbone of Namibian tourism — the country’s network of private guest farms, NWR rest camps and Namibia Tourism Board-registered campsites is exceptional by any standard. Campsites are generally well-maintained, clearly marked on maps and apps including tracks4africa, and equipped with ablution facilities, braai areas and often spectacular settings. Camping in Namibia — whether in the shadow of Spitzkoppe’s granite peaks, on the edge of the Fish River Canyon or beneath a baobab tree in the Caprivi Strip — is one of the great Southern African travel experiences.

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Getting around Namibia is one of the great Southern African road trip experiences — and for South African travellers in particular, self-drive travel through this vast, spectacularly beautiful country feels both accessible and deeply rewarding. Namibia drives on the left, English is the official language, road signs are clear and the country’s exceptionally low population density means that long stretches of perfectly maintained gravel road can pass without seeing another vehicle — a genuinely liberating experience for those who appreciate the solitude and scale of the African wilderness.

A self-drive hire car is by far the most popular and recommended way for South African travellers to explore Namibia — and the country is perfectly set up for it. The main sealed highways connecting Windhoek with Swakopmund (the B2), the Sossusvlei turnoff (the B1 south), Etosha’s southern gate (the B1 north) and the Fish River Canyon (the B1 south to Keetmanshoop) are in excellent condition and easily managed in a standard 2WD vehicle. However, for accessing the most spectacular and remote areas — the Damaraland wilderness, Kaokoland, the Skeleton Coast, the Caprivi Strip (now officially the Zambezi Region) and the more remote campsites within national parks — a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance is strongly recommended, and in many cases essential. Namibia’s gravel roads are generally in good condition by African standards but require a respectful approach — reduce speed significantly compared to tarred roads, watch for corrugations (washboard surfaces) that can cause loss of control at speed, and be alert to sand drifts, blind rises and wandering livestock at all times.

Tyre care is critically important for self-drive travel in Namibia. Namibian roads — particularly gravel routes — are hard on tyres, and a puncture in a remote area can be a serious situation. Always carry at least one full-size spare tyre (not a temporary spare), a tyre repair kit and a quality jack. Many experienced Namibia self-drivers carry two spare tyres for remote routes. Ensure your hire car agreement covers off-road and gravel road driving — not all standard agreements do, and driving on gravel without the appropriate cover can leave you liable for damage.

Fuel planning is equally essential. Namibia is a vast country and distances between fuel stops can be enormous — particularly in the north-west, the Caprivi Strip and the remote southern regions. Always fill up whenever fuel is available, carry a reliable fuel range calculation for your vehicle and consider a supplementary fuel jerry can for the most remote routes. Fuel is available in all main towns and at NWR rest camps within national parks, but it is wise never to assume a filling station will be open or stocked on a given day in smaller settlements.

The B2 highway between Windhoek and Swakopmund (approximately 360km) is Namibia’s most travelled and best-maintained road — a spectacular drive through the dramatic Khomas Highland and the lunar landscape of the Moon Valley (Mondlandschaft) near Swakopmund. The C26 route through the Naukluft Mountains between Solitaire and Sesriem is one of Namibia’s most scenic gravel drives and a highlight of any Sossusvlei self-drive itinerary. The legendary Skeleton Coast highway (C34) running north from Swakopmund to the Skeleton Coast Park is a remote and extraordinary drive along one of the world’s most dramatic and desolate coastlines.

Domestic flights are an excellent option for South African travellers wanting to cover Namibia’s vast distances more efficiently — particularly for reaching the most remote destinations such as the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and the Caprivi Strip, which involve very long drives on challenging roads. Wilderness Air Namibia and Scenic Air operate scheduled and charter flights connecting Windhoek’s Eros Airport with Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast (Möwe Bay), Damaraland and various private lodge airstrips. Fly-in safaris — where travellers fly between lodges in light aircraft, covering Namibia’s greatest highlights without the driving — are a popular and spectacular option for those with a more limited timeframe or who simply prefer to let someone else navigate the gravel roads.

In Windhoek, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the most practical way to get around the compact capital. Yango operates in Windhoek and is a reliable and transparent option. Regular metered taxis are available throughout the city — always confirm the fare before departing. The city centre, Independence Avenue and the Klein Windhoek suburb are all manageable on foot during daylight hours. Most international car hire companies — including Avis, Budget, Europcar and specialist Namibian operators including Asco Car Hire and Odyssey Car Hire — have desks at Hosea Kutako International Airport, making it easy to collect your vehicle immediately on arrival and begin your self-drive adventure without delay.

Between Namibia and South Africa, the most commonly used border crossings for South African travellers are the Vioolsdrift/Noordoewer bridge on the Orange River (on the N7 from Cape Town — a spectacular approach through the Richtersveld), the Nakop/Ariamsvlei crossing on the N10 from Upington, and the Ariamsvlei crossing further east. The drive from Cape Town to Windhoek via Vioolsdrift is approximately 1,400km — a long but extraordinarily scenic two-day drive through some of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere. Between Namibia and Botswana, the Buitepos/Mamuno crossing on the Trans-Kalahari Highway is the primary connection, linking Windhoek with Gaborone in approximately 8 hours on a mostly tarred and very good road.

Planning to explore Namibia’s desert highways, national parks and legendary gravel roads at your own pace? Search, compare and book a car hire in Namibia at Travelstart and find the best rate for your Namibian adventure.