{"id":30851,"date":"2018-11-27T14:20:40","date_gmt":"2018-11-27T03:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=30851&preview=true&preview_id=30851"},"modified":"2025-03-18T03:24:07","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T16:24:07","slug":"namibia-travel-know-before-you-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/namibia-travel-know-before-you-go\/","title":{"rendered":"7 things you need to know about an adventure in Namibia, according to a local leader"},"content":{"rendered":"

An adventure in Namibia<\/a>, the sparsely populated and exceptionally photogenic country on Africa\u2019s south-west coast, is one of the most incredible travel experiences on earth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Expect epic landscapes, amazing wildlife, rich culture and welcoming locals, but there are a few other important things about travel in Namibia to keep in mind. Intrepid leader Johannes Lekoloane spills the beans on what to know before you go.<\/p>\n

\"Intrepid

Johannes at Fish River Canyon.<\/p><\/div>\n

1. You\u2019ll be getting around in an overland truck<\/h3>\n
\"Travellers

Stopping for lunch, alongside our trusty truck. Photo by Michael Gutierrez.<\/p><\/div>\n

Not quite a bus, not quite a van, our trucks are custom-built for off-track adventures \u2013 and navigating some seriously<\/em> bumpy roads. You can expect electrical points for charging your gadgets (don\u2019t forget to pack your international power adapter though), and the air conditioning is au naturel, <\/em>meaning if you get hot, open a window. The trucks are regularly serviced, but we do experience the occasional \u2013 err \u2013 bump in the road. If your truck breaks down, our leaders and drivers are well trained in getting things fixed (and it\u2019s all part of the adventure).<\/p>\n

EXPLORE NAMIBIA ON OUR 13-DAY NAMIBIA DISCOVERY ADVENTURE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Expect a few long travel days<\/h3>\n
\"A

A quick pit stop at the Tropic of Capricorn. Photo by Jenny Gray.<\/p><\/div>\n

There are road trips, and then there are *road trips*. On an Intrepid adventure through Namibia, expect some long travel days on some pretty poor roads. Most of the roads in Namibia are corrugated, which means you should expect a LOT of bumps. \u201cThe roughness of the roads really makes you feel that you\u2019re in Africa!\u201d laughs Johannes when I ask him about the conditions. We suggest bringing a small travel pillow with you to sit on, and load up your phone with podcasts and music to help pass the time.<\/p>\n

RELATED: PLANNING YOUR FIRST TRIP TO AFRICA? HERE\u2019S WHY YOU SHOULD START WITH NAMIBIA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3. Pack for all types of weather (and bring a flashlight)<\/h3>\n
\"Travellers

Trekking out to Deadvlei. Photo by Michael Gutierrez.<\/p><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re travelling in winter, the mornings and evenings can be quite cool, but the days still get hot. Make sure you\u2019ve got a warm jumper\/sweater and a beanie for those chillier starts, along with light layers you take off and put on throughout the day. \u201cDon\u2019t forget your torch\/flashlight either,\u201d Johannes says, \u201cMany of our lodges are quite remote, and you\u2019ll need a light to find your way at night.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: 10 ACCESSORIES YOU\u2019LL BE GLAD YOU PACKED FOR YOUR AFRICA OVERLAND TOUR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4. The landscapes are spectacular, and ever changing<\/h3>\n
\"Kayaking

Kayaking in Fish River Canyon. Photo by Michael Gutierrez.<\/p><\/div>\n

The epic landscapes are one of Namibia\u2019s biggest drawcards: the shifting red dunes of sand in Sossusvlei; skeletal trees a stark contrast against a backdrop of white salt flats and bright blue sky in Deadvlei; a fossilised \u2018forest\u2019 in Damaraland; the truly unique sight of the desert meeting the ocean in Swakopmund; watching the sun rise over Fish River Canyon… I could keep going, but you really do<\/em> need to see it for yourself.<\/p>\n

CHECK OUT OUR RANGE OF TRIPS TO NAMIBIA HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5. Be prepared to work up a sweat<\/h3>\n
\"An

Just a casual stroll across the sand dunes! Photo by Michael Gutierrez.<\/p><\/div>\n

If you want to really experience Namibia\u2019s incredible sites, you need to put in a bit of legwork \u2013 which will mean walking under some fairly intense conditions. Hot sun, sand underfoot, some steep stairs… but it\u2019s all worth it. Climbing Dune 45 \u2013 that towering red sand dune you\u2019ve seen peppered through your Instagram feeds \u2013 will take around half an hour. We usually tackle this one either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid the heat, but it\u2019s still pretty tough going. Getting to Deadvlei, the so-called \u2018dead marsh\u2019 filled with dried-up trees and not much else, will take around 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

RELATED: HOW A DISCARDED BICYCLE CHANGED A COMMUNITY IN NAMIBIA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. You\u2019ll stay in some out-of-this-world locations<\/h3>\n
\"Trekker

Hiking up Dune 45. Photo by Jenny Gray.<\/p><\/div>\n

How does bunking down in a bush chalet overlooking a busy waterhole sound? One of our favourite places to stay on our Namibia Discovery tour<\/a> is the Okaukuejo Camp near Etosha National Park. After sunset, the waterhole is illuminated by floodlights, making it the perfect time to see the abundance of wildlife who stop by for an evening drink, while you enjoy your sundowner. Expect to see lions, elephants and, if you\u2019re lucky, the endangered black rhino. Seeing the wildlife surviving (and thriving) will give you a newfound appreciation of Mother Nature as well. In Swakopmund, you\u2019ll stay in a cosy desert bungalow within easy walking distance of the beach and town.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID\u2019S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL STORIES, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7. You\u2019ll eat the best apple pie on the planet<\/h3>\n
\"Abandoned

The tiny town of Solitaire. Photo by Jenny Gray.<\/p><\/div>\n

The tiny town of Solitaire isn\u2019t much of town really. It has no streets, no main road, no houses. Just a selection of rusted out cars, tractors and petrol pumps, cartoon-like cacti, a gas station, a lodge, and Namibia\u2019s most famous bakery. The Moose Macgregor Desert Bakery is renowned for dishing up delicious apple pie and, according to Johannes, no self-respecting sweet tooth can leave Namibia without having a slice. Johannes also recommends Namibia\u2019s locally produced gin, Namgin, and a Windhoek lager.<\/p>\n

Ready to roll? Join us on a small group adventure to Namibia now<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feature photo by Jenny Gray.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An Intrepid leader spills the beans on everything you need to know before you go. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15582,"featured_media":30910,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[65,1351,99,264,292],"class_list":["post-30851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-africa","tag-local-leaders","tag-namibia","tag-safari","tag-wildlife","ipf_region-namibia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNamibia: 7 Things You Need To Know Before You Go | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An adventure in Namibia is one of the most incredible travel experiences on earth. 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