1

Hi,
It took 10 days just to do a trip around N. Namibia.
Foget which tour company we used because someone else arranged it.
We did the luxury trip.

2

I strongly recommend to travel individual. It is really easy. Plus, I have seen the cars they use for guided tours (not the super luxurious ones, though) - aye... it does look adventourous, but not comfortable at all. I have tried one just for a lift within a city and that was enough for me.

Really - do it on your own. But north and south in 2 weeks will not be possible. For example, from Swakopmund to Sossuvlei you will need already most of the day. Of course you could stay on the tar roads at least when going down but that will not be very much fun.

If you orientate yourself on the 14 day tour they have, look at it, they head from Windhoek straight to Etosha, you miss one of the best parts of Namibia.

It also depends on your travelling path and if you travel with kids or not? Is it ok for you to only stay in one place for one night or not? Is camping ok for you?

Edited by: MissKellyMojo

3

There aren't that many of the Crazy Kudu/Wild dogs companies around that stick to Namibia only. If you jump on a trip in South Africa you probably got lots more options in the overlander category trips.

Got to agree with previous post that suggests self-drive, but I understand that it can be lonely in the long run. In some ways I guess it adds to the 'namib' (meaning open, empty landscapes) experience, but it might just become too much (or little) day after day.

It is possible to rush through and see the tourist attractions in the whole of Namibia in two weeks, but I wouldn't recommend it. At least not if you want some time to actually enjoy them and not just rush from one place to the next. Even though the roads are fairly good, we're talking long distances and hours of travelling.

A compromise is possible. Skip the far south (such as Luderitz/Kolmanskop/Fish River canyon and Aus), and go to Sossusvlei as your southern-most stop. From there, travel north towards Etosha and let the park be the northern-most stop of your travel. That can be a nice loop and it's suitable for a couple of weeks without too much stress.

Enjoy it.

4

MisKellyMoho and denafrikanskefarmen

To self drive I am assuming I would need to hire a 4wd vehicle. What the cost for that per day mate? Is 4 weeks a good enough timeframe to both North and South?

5

My first time in Namibia I travelled with Krazy Kudu - a great trip. They have grown bigger since then and use larger vehicles but like all these companies it is the mix of other travellers on your trip that can make your holiday.
If there is more than just you going then hiring a car might be a better option. If you are going on your own, the distances can be a bit daunting without company but perfectly safe.
#4 No you don't need a 4x4 unless you are seriously going off road. Ordinary 2wds are fine on all main tarred roads and most gravel roads. The higher clearance vehicles are better for spotting game but I don't think I have ever missed an animal because I was in a small car. (seeing one not hitting it I mean!)

6

4 weeks is definitly enough for decent travel! 3 would be ok as well, I guess.

Roughly I would estimate appr. 1.000 Nam $ per day for a 4x4 including camping equipment, roof top tent, unlimited kilometres and fridge - so the very comfy equipment already plus you safe money for accomodation because you only need camp grounds :)

I have recently uploaded some travel pictures to: misskellymojo.wordpress.com - just scroll a little down.

7

Thank you for aal your input and advice guys. I would quite happily do a self drive, its my boyfriend that needs convincing!! I will try and work on him!! Great to know that I would be rushing to do North and South in 2 weeks, I will rethink the itinerary.
Many thanks ;)

8

Thanks Ambarush and MissKellyMojo for your answers. Has helped with our planning greatly.

9

Feel free to ask whatever questions might be still open :)

10

I looked through your photos MissKellyMojo, thanks for the link.

We'll be doing a self-drive in Namibia in April, and your photos are making me even more excited for April to hurry up and get here.

11

Embo,
as there are two of you, hire a car yourselves, Decide whether to go North or south, too short for both and get planning. Remember that distances between towns are long, no villages or petrol stations along the way. I would suggest North, book Etosha soon and enjoy.

12

Happy you like them - yes. Nam is a place where you can fill hundreds of flash cards with the most stunning pictures ever. :) Enjoy it a lot!

13

Hi There,

I have just come from a two week trip around Namibia - and my recommendation would be - yes, do a self-drive safari through Namibia.
It is the best way to see the country, and you are not bound to anyone else's timetable. You can stop to take photos whenever you want, and take things at your own pace.

what I would suggest though is make the arrangements through a local ground handler, especially the vehicle rental. You will find that local ground handlers will have negotiated better rates and better inclusions and exclusions on your vehicle rental than you will get from the vehicle rental company directly - and most times, it will be cheaper than renting the car directly from the rental company.

there are two ways of travelling through Namibia - either building the tour, like a crescendo, then you start heading south first - that way if you do see the lone Oryx on the sand dune, the fact that these animals can actually survive in the harsh desert conditions.
If you are a tick-box type traveller, then I would say go North first - go to Etosha and then from there you can relax and enjoy the rest of your holiday.

the other major factor will be when you are travelling. The day before I left, we still had people coming in and telling us about the amazing game viewing at Etosha, but by the time we got there, the first rains had fallen and all the elephants had moved north - we had travelled south first! On the flip side though, I did see a hyena, two lion with a kill and a leopard with a kill. that kinda makes up for it :)

I would suggest having your itinerary pre-booked, especially if you are travelling in high season. during low season (November to March) this should not be such a big issue.

either way, I am sure that you will have an absolutely amazing holiday in Namibia!
Margo - ATI Holidays

14

Check out the Gap Adventures and Africa Nomad. I did a camping trip with Gap and it was an excellent experience.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/youngadventure/sets/72157625588268622/