Namibia 4x4 Trip: Tips to Keep in Mind

As most of the locations in Namibia are very remote, being safe when driving a 4×4 is essential. When you hire a 4×4 vehicle from us, you need to familiarise yourself with the ins and outs of the off-roader before you leave the tarmac. After all, you wouldn’t want your self-drive adventure through the Namib Desert to be ruined by something that’s easily avoidable!

According to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, the most causes of accidents are pedestrians who do not take responsibility for their own safety, as well as drivers who lose control of their vehicles due to speed, drunk driving, and poor road conditions. However, there’s a lot more you can do to stay safe off-road. Let’s take a look at some useful tips for 4×4 driving in Namibia.

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General Driving Tips

Before you start your engine, take some time to read through all the information supplied with your rental vehicle. You’ll be handed a bunch of paperwork at the reservations office, and no matter how excited you are to hit the road, it’s essential that you read through everything.

Here’s a checklist of things to do before you set off:

• Ensure that you rent a 4×4 vehicle with a suitably high ground clearance if you intend to travel to remote areas such as Sossusvlei, Twyfelfontein, Keetmanshoop, and the Skeleton Coast.
• Familiarise yourself with all the technical features of your vehicle.
• Insist that the reservations office staff explains all the aspects of the vehicle.
• Take the time to read the vehicle’s user manual. You’ll need to remember things like ideal tyre pressure and the type of fuel you should use.

Once you set off on your adventure, you’ll need to keep the following things in mind:

• Seatbelts should be worn at all times – even by passengers on the back seat.
• Do not underestimate your journey: the midday heat combined with long distances between Namibian towns can quickly tire you out.
• Carry enough water and snacks with you.
• Filling stations are few and far in between – ensure that you always have sufficient fuel in the tank.
• After the summer rainfalls in Namibia, the gravel roads tend to be in a poor condition, as all the topsoil has been washed away and a lot of loose rocks are strewn all over.
• Drastically reduce your speed on bumpy gravel roads so as to avoid stones damaging the undercarriage of your vehicle.
• Do not swerve for animals. Instead, try to slow down as much as possible. Remember to put your hazard lights on!
• Slow down when animals are at the edge of the road.
• As a rule, do not drive through water unless you have to.
• If the vehicle should leave the road, keep the steering wheel straight and brake gently
• Do not slam on the brakes in case of a flat tire. Instead, keep straight and coast to a stop
• Drive with your lights on at all times, even during the day.
• Adhere to the speed limits.
• Read the road conditions!
• Keep a safe distance from wild animals.
• Keep well to the left when going over a rise, especially on gravel roads.
• Do not stop just over a rise or on a blind turn.
• Remember that phone reception is extremely limited in certain parts of Namibia – always notify your next destination of your time of departure, so that a search party can be sent in case of an accident/mechanical failure en-route.

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Your Namibia 4×4 Packing List

In addition to these tips, you’ll benefit from carrying the following things with you. Some of them might be supplied by the reservations office, but you’ll need to double check before you depart. Here’s the list:

• Lots of extra water
• A first aid kit
• An extra spare tyre
• Tow rope
• A shovel
• Jumper cables
• Warm clothing
• A flashlight/torch
• A paper map – in case you lose GPS signal
• Insect repellant

If you need to keep the family entertained along the way, check out our 10 greatest games to play with kids on the long road.

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Safe Sand Driving

Driving on sand can be a tricky business, even if you’re in a solid 4×4 like a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Land Rover Defender. Remember to keep these tips in mind when you’re attempting to drive on sandy roads, whether you’re on the beach or a game farm.

• Only drive on the beach and desert where permitted.
• Deflate your tyres sufficiently to increase traction on sand. The staff at the reservations office will show you how to do this.
• The coastal areas around Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, and Henties Bay forms part of conservation zones. The environment at the coast is very fragile to outside influences like off-road driving. Therefore, off-road driving in the dunes as well as on the beach is not permitted. However, certain sections remain open for off-road driving.
• Beware of tidal washouts.
• Do not drive in the water.
• Maintain momentum in deep sand.
• Do not brake hard when stopping. Instead, roll to a halt to avoid digging in.

Remember that dune driving is strictly prohibited in rental vehicles. If you want to experience this particular thrill, book an off-road excursion with one of the many tour operators in Namibia.

Photo: Unsplash

There you have it: the basic guide to staying safe in a 4×4 on your Namibian adventure. Once you’re ready to explore the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, and all the other incredible natural areas in Namibia, browse through our impressive selection of 4×4 rentals to find the right one for you. You can also use the handy booking tool at the top of the page!

Safe travels, and remember: drive as fast as necessary and as slowly as possible.