4x4 Safaris

Namibia with its wide-open spaces and good road network provides for easy self-drive trips, however driving on gravel roads and long distances has had its toll on plenty a visitor, hence see our travel section on safety tips and insure that you require local car rental and tour companies to instruct you well on driving and vehicle recovery.

Although the country and regions is easily accessible some regions do lend themselves to some serious “off-roading� meaning that tracks which insist on the driver knowing his stuff, do exist and will satisfy any urge, however off-roading does not mean to literally chase all over the place ruining the pristine environment and for those who will follow. These 4x4 experiences are offered guided-self drive and self-drive, some off the best driving experiences are found in the sand sea of the Namib Desert and operators like Coast Way Tours offer guided self drive tours all the way from Luderitz to Walvisbay, exploring the barren sandy coast.

Some dedicated 4x4 routes are available to the novice and some off the best can organised through the Henties Bay Tourism office, their selection includes the following routes:

MESSUM CRATER ROUTE, OMARURU RIVER ROUTE, UGAB MENHIR ROUTE, BRANDBERG WEST ROUTE, TWYFELFONTEIN ROUTE, DOROS CRATER ROUTE and DAMARALAND MINERALS ROUTE.

For more information please visit
www.hentiesbay.com/Tourism/4x4Route_files/4x4route.htm

Self-drive guides focus on looking after the vehicles and seeing beautiful sunsets and sunrises and camping in rugged wild places where the true beauty and solitude of Namibia’s beauty can be most appreciated. Single vehicles or groups of a maximum of four vehicles can be accommodated from a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 20 days. Conditions that can be expected in Namibia is slow driving over rocky tracks, sandy stretches, plenty of sunshine but every day a beautiful campfire with lively discussions.

Depending on the requirements of individuals or the group, daily driving distances include many stops to indicate interesting places, plants, birds and animals or for having refreshments. Evening stops are early during the afternoon to give individuals plenty of privacy and if camping safaris are undertaken, enough time to prepare food for the evening and refreshments for the next day’s driving.

Traveling through Namibia may include the more remote parts of Damaraland, the Ugab and Huab valleys to follow elephants during their daily wanderings, as well as an extensive visit to the rugged and sparsely populated Kaokoland with its Himba inhabitants.

Prior to a safari operators will inform guests of the basic food and fuel requirements for the length of the drive. Guests are required to join their guide for the first day for a briefing and help given in planning the logistics.

A nominal guiding fee per day is charged by some operators per group of vehicles and not per individual. However, fuel is for the account of the group.

courtsey Namibia Tourism Board