Travel Guides

Namibia

Car rentals Namibia

Filled with seascapes, mountains, deserts, colonial architecture and wildlife, this stunning Southern African country will leave any American in awe. Over 700,000 tourists arrive each year, and Americans do not need a visa to enter. The journey, which usually consists of a short stopover in either Frankfurt or Munich, is well worth it.

Travelers’ favorites

The capital city of Windhouk is the gateway into the country and worth visiting for a day or two, if only for tasting the local cuisine and visiting the parliament buildings. From here, a safari though the Namib Desert is easy to arrange. The desert town of Sossusvlei is a great place to use as a base for exploring the desert and can be reached within a day drive of the capital. Further South is the famous Fish River Canyon Park, which is the second largest canyon in the world and one of Africa’s most visited sights.

Skeleton Coast National Park is home to a large seal colony and nearby Spitzkoppe boasts mountains and colorful rock formations. Further north is the Etosha National Park that houses some amazing wildlife including elephants, black rhinos, lions, zebras and giraffes. Adrenaline junkies should visit the seaside town of Swakopmund where sand boarding, surfing and skydiving can be enjoyed. It also has a great beach.

Best time to visit

Each region experiences different weather patterns due to its geographical locations. The Namib Desert is hot year round and in the summer the temperature can sometimes be well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The northeast sees the most rainfall and has a subtropical climate. Americans will generally find the most bearable weather to be between October and December.

Driving in Namibia

The road system is very reasonable in Namibia and a car rental is a great way to get around and there are numerous car hire agents in the capital. Be sure to compare car hire as many have some odd restrictions. Additionally, drivers should be aware of wildlife on the roads, especially when driving at night. An international driver’s license is not required although you must be at least 23 to acquire car hire in Namibia.