Written by Jess Tyrrell

You’ve planned where your self-drive trip in Namibia will take you, but have you considered what car to rent or borrow when you get there? When visiting countries in Africa, this is one of the most important factors to consider, as it could spell the difference between getting stuck in the sand outside of a National Park, or watching elephants drink from a waterhole at sunset – drink in hand. We know which one we'd prefer... and we know how to get you there!

Read on to learn about the benefits of a 4x4 and the wild places they can take you to in Namibia. 

With 48.875 km of road to traverse, Namibia is jaw-droppingly vast. Most of these roads are graded gravel, with tar roads only really found in major towns. If your trip is short and sweet and you are only travelling to the major attractions in Namibia, you do not need a 4x4, but a 2x4 with high ground clearance is recommended. Namibian roads are generally in good condition, but gravel can damage the tyres of smaller vehicles and if you travel to Namibia during the rainy season (December to March), the roads can become slippery, muddy, flooded and pot-holed, through which you can only navigate with a 4x4 with high ground clearance.

If you are planning on getting off the beaten track and going to some of the more remote areas of Namibia, you should rent a 4x4 (also known as a 4WD) to make your journey comfortable and safe! 4x4s are also roomier with lots of space for your bags and legs, hold more fuel, and have larger ranges - important for those long trip stretches. Remember that Viatu offsets your carbon footprint, for free!

So what is a 4x4 (or 4WD)?

Four-wheel drive, and a low range gearbox, are what make 4x4s suited for all-terrain. Cars with four-wheel drive use 2 axles to drive 4 wheels. This means that you can split energy to both the front and back wheels at the same time, giving you more traction and that extra oomph when driving on sand, dunes, sandy roads or dirt roads. Four-wheel drive high range (4H) is what you’d put your car into if you need slightly more traction than normal while maintaining faster speeds (on level dirt roads). Four-wheel drive low range (4L) is the gear that gives you the most traction. You would use this gear when very slowly rock hopping, dune driving or rocky road driving. 

Where can you go with a 4x4 in Namibia?

• Namibia’s beautiful mountain passes require a 4x4 

• To the foot (and not the parking lot) of the dunes at Sossusvlei, including Deadvlei 

• Kuiseb Canyon

• The Namibian Kalahari 

• The road to the Skeleton Coast from Swakopmund

• Twyfelfontein Rock Art, Petrified Forest, and Organ Pipes in Damaraland

• Palmwag Desert Elephants in Damaraland

• The Zambezi Region

• The Kaokoveld region in north-west Namibia 

No matter what car you use, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with changing a car tyre, and make sure your rental has all the tyre changing equipment you will need before leaving the dealership. 

Important road rules for any road trip:

• Always drive slowly and look out for potholes, rocks and animals

• Never brake suddenly or swerve as you could spin your car 

• Switch your headlights on when driving on dusty roads so that oncoming traffic can see you 

• If you are driving through sand, let your tyres down slightly so that they are more pliable (don’t forget to re-inflate them when you’re back on gravel or tar roads)

• Check your fuel gauge regularly, and keep a jerrycan full of fuel in the car

• If you get stuck in the sand, switch the car off immediately, and dig around the front and back wheels to clear an area for them, placing sticks or rocks under the wheels so that the tyres have something to grab onto as you drive forward

With isolation and self-reliance comes responsibility, so make sure you are prepared for the wide-open, sometimes rough, roads of Namibia. Now picture yourself cruising to that waterhole at sunset, watching elephants loll in the mud, drink in hand. A 4x4 will get you there! And so will Viatu.