English 
Updated on February 26th, 2025
I am now back from my latest adventure and can report that road tripping around Namibia, while sleeping in a roof tent was an incredible experience! The country’s vast landscapes, wildlife, and starry skies made for a truly unique camping experience. Fancy doing something similar? Then here are my top tips:
1. Choose the Right 4×4 Vehicle…and Tent
Namibia’s rugged terrain requires a reliable 4×4, especially for off-road spots “not-to-be-missed” like Etosha National Park and Sossusvlei. Ensure the roof tent is easy to set up and pack away, and check if it includes a sturdy ladder and rain cover. Luckily, we only used the rain cover once, and a little prematurely when we felt two drops of water, later discovering that the area had not had rain for over two years 😳.
2. Plan Your Route Carefully
Namibia is vast, and gas stations can be sparse. Plan your route to avoid running out of fuel, particularly in remote areas like Damaraland. Apps or offline maps can help you find fuel stations and nearby campsites. I downloaded Google maps which came in very useful when we were in areas with limited signal and made sure that we were always generally not less than ½ a tank of diesel, just in case.
3. Pack for Temperature Extremes
Namibian weather can swing dramatically, with scorching days and chilly nights, especially in the desert. Pack lightweight, sun-protective clothing for the day, warm layers for the evening, and a good-quality sleeping bag suitable for cold nights. I remembered Namibia being very cold at night but during our whole trip we were lucky, and it stayed very mild.
4. Carry Enough Water and Food
Access to fresh water can be limited in remote areas. Plan to carry enough drinking water and non-perishable food, especially for longer stretches. Most campsites have basic cooking facilities or spots for braais (barbecues), so bringing along cooking gear is essential. We had a fridge on board our truck which was really useful, but we were also flagged down a couple of times by locals who had run out of water. We had plenty so were more than happy to share.
5. Respect Wildlife
Namibia is home to incredible wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, and lions, particularly in places like Etosha. Keep a safe distance from animals, secure food supplies, and avoid wandering around campsites alone at night to prevent unwanted encounters. One of the biggest thrills of the trip was seeing zebras grazing on the grass in our campsite in Etosha and hearing hooves outside our tent to discover a giraffe looking in! However, we had checked before that there was nothing more harmful that could be emerging from the bush as we slept. Having been attacked by lions while camping before, sleeping on the roof did make me feel a little bit safer! You can read more about that encounter HERE!
In addition, while in Waterberg Plateau, a baboon nearly made off with my partner Larry’s dirty washing bag and leaving our dishes outside to soak attracted a little too much attention from a honey badger and an awful lot of ants! Lesson learned!
6. Protect Against the Sun
The Namibian sun can be harsh. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, apply high-SPF sunscreen, and pack a lightweight long-sleeve shirt for extra protection. Polarized sunglasses and lip balm with SPF are also essential. I particularly found driving in the harsh sun of the afternoon a challenge on the endless straight roads.
7. Be Prepared for Dust
Namibia is dusty, and you’ll encounter gravel and dirt roads that can stir up a lot of it. Bring bandanas or dust masks, especially for off-road driving, and use bags or covers to protect sensitive gear like cameras. We had a great vehicle for off-road moments but for long drives on gravel roads (or any roads for that matter) proved more of a challenge. This meant we were overtaken a lot and had to deal with dust being kicked up at us for long swaths of some our journeys.
8. Practice Roof Tent Setup and Pack Down
Before you go, practice setting up and packing down your roof tent a few times. When we picked our vehicle up, they gave us an hour’s tuition which included some good instructions on this. The more we did it, the more efficient and quicker we became. This was especially useful when we decided to head into Sossusvleifor sunrise one morning so had to take everything down in the dark. That was definitely the downside of having our bed on the roof of your vehicle!
9. Embrace Slow Travel and Allow Extra Time
Namibia’s roads can be rough, especially in remote areas, so avoid rushing. Give yourself extra travel time, and don’t be surprised if you need to slow down for sand drifts or wildlife crossings. Take time to enjoy the landscapes rather than sticking to a rigid schedule. Because our truck was slow (we genuinely think there was an issue with it), we ended up predicting that for each journey that said 4 hours on Google, it would take us 5 ½. Not getting stressed by that proved a big advantage. One of the most special moments was when we pulled over in the Erongo Mountains and set up our table and chairs for lunch. We sat for 40 minutes and not a single other vehicle came past in that time!
10. Capture the Night Sky
Namibia’s night sky is one of the most beautiful in the world. Bring a camera with manual settings to capture the stars, or simply lie back and enjoy the Milky Way. Campsites in areas like the Namib Desert offer some of the darkest skies for stargazing. Our tent was called “Stargazer” and made this particularly magical. We were able to roll down the roof sections to just watch the stars while we lay in bed.
If, like me, you are a fan of a road trip and want to read all my top tips for hitting the road as a solo traveller, check out my blog post HERE.
I have loads more to share about our Namibian adventure which provided some truly memorable experiences but driving ourselves was a unique way to see this magical country.
So, does a road trip in Namibia appeal to you? Or where has been your favourite road-tripping destination? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to get any answers to your questions.
This week, over on YouTube, join me on the final stretch of the Portuguese Camino, walking from Padrón to the stunning Santiago de Compostela! See gorgeous landscapes and the excitement mixed with sheer exhaustion of reaching our goal after a long 28km journey!
Whether you’re a seasoned pilgrim or dreaming of your first Camino adventure, I hope this video will inspire you to take your next step towards Santiago! You can see it for yourself via THIS LINK.
🚗 Road Trip Tip: Plan Your Route, But Leave Room for Discovery
The best part about a self-drive trip is the freedom! While it’s wise to map out key stops, aim to stay flexible. Research some “must-sees” but leave space to explore hidden gems or breathtaking vistas you discover along the way. I actually found the places we discovered when we were least expecting it, gave us some of the best memories.
This week, I was thrilled to see my name appear in an article on msn.com, it was a piece I contributed to a while ago, featured at the time in HuffPost – Amazing Destinations for a Last-Minute Solo Trip. Interested? Click the link HERE to read it for yourself.
Did you find this email useful? If so, why not forward it to a friend?
Until next time,
Safe Travels
Sue x
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…
Blog - Solo Road Trip Essentials – Top Tips for Hitting the Road Alone
Blog – 5 Ways to Avoid Being Attached By Lions
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
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