From the airport to the city centre Namibia

Unlike most of the big African capitals, the arrival in Windhoek is quiet and you will not have to negotiate the cab ride to the city center: the fare is fixed, 350 NAD per person. You will recognize the cab drivers by the yellow vests they wear. Otherwise, a counter is available shortly before the airport exit. The trip takes about 45 minutes, which will give you the opportunity to enjoy your first savannah landscapes and to meet some monkeys and warthogs!

Arrival by train Namibia

The railroad is not well suited to the expectations of tourists. Most travelers will avoid this slow and unsuitable mode of travel. The Desert Express luxury train (www.desert.express) has ceased operations until further notice

Arrival by boat Namibia

You don't really travel by boat in Namibia, but it is possible on the coast and in the Kavango/Zambezi region to float on Namibian waters. See the corresponding sections for coastal marine safaris and mokoro rides on the Okavango and Kwando Rivers (a must for the region). Lodges also offer small motorboat tours, ideal for discovering waterfowl and birds.

Public transport Namibia

Unless you are traveling on an organized tour, getting around by public transport is a rather tedious task, and should be excluded if time is short. On the other hand, it is possible to rent minibuses, an ideal solution for groups. Many car rental companies offer them. For those who want to use public transport, Intercape Mainliner (www.intercape.co.za) is the most suitable company for international travelers (connecting the main tourist cities and even going as far as Victoria Falls). There are also daily shuttles between Windhoek and Swakopmund. Local minibuses are often overcrowded, unreliable and involved in many accidents. The Windhoek bus station on Independence Avenue is the largest in the country.

Bike, scooters & co Namibia

Although one sometimes meets on the roads some passionate motorcyclists, thrown to the discovery of the country and insensitive, it seems, to the dust, the motorcycle is not a type of vehicle very adapted in Namibia, because the crossing of the parks is generally prohibited to them. This is understandable in game reserves, but is there a valid reason for banning entry to natural parks that do not contain dangerous wildlife? This restriction is gradually being lifted. Just like motorcyclists, we meet very few cyclists on Namibian roads and tracks. However, it is possible to ride a mountain bike in the guestfarms and lodges that rent or lend them on site.

By car Namibia

Although some towns are accessible by public transport, Namibia requires that you have your own vehicle or that you travel on an organized tour, without which the vast majority of points of interest will remain out of reach of the traveler.

Road works are constant in Namibia, so it is best to bring a good, up-to-date map. Excellent road maps are available locally, published by the Tour and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA) and can be purchased at all bookstores and many gas stations

In addition, drivers will find that it is difficult to get lost on Namibia's trails, which are clearly marked (although the signs do not always follow the changing trail numbers!). The tourist sites and hotels are also very well indicated. Nevertheless, in addition to the directions noted in the articles relating to the various addresses recommended in this guide, do not hesitate to consult the official website of the tourist office, as well as the guidebooks in which a certain number of establishments can be found on regional maps.

The car remains the best way to visit Namibia and renting a vehicle is a serious matter when preparing your trip. The Namibian road network is mostly on dirt roads, but these roads are of very good quality and standard cars drive very well. Nevertheless, the small tracks are not accessible to standard vehicles, it is necessary to have a high chassis and possibly a 4 × 4 to pass there. Some of the tracks leading to the different accommodations are sometimes quite damaged after the rainy season.

Type "B" roads are tarred, type "C" roads are on track or tarred and are very wide, type "D" tracks are generally accessible to all vehicles, but difficult stretches may occur. Below that, the tracks are generally accessible to 4×4. The current trend is to rent a 4×4 vehicle (usually Toyota Hilux) equipped for camping with a tent on the roof. Admittedly, this is an ingenious technique, although it does require the tent to be folded up for travel. Most travelers will rarely leave the first three categories of roads. Indeed, it is important to know that most travelers will not go alone on the small, difficult trails and that, if the decision is made to go "solo", mastery of this type of driving is required. For game drives or scenic drives in difficult environments, professionals at lodges, camps and national parks welcome travelers in their vehicles. Note, however, that this choice may depend on the season of the trip and the type of accommodation adopted, because the real advantage of the 4 × 4 is to be able to cross small rivers in water during the rainy season and possibly to camp. This is particularly true in areas such as Damaraland, Kaokoland, Bushmanland and Zambezi. The 4×4 option allows you to compose a more original itinerary and to travel to beautiful and less visited places. The savings on accommodation can then make up for the extra money spent on the vehicle.

Rent a car safely. Take the time to decide what type of vehicle to choose and compare offers on the Internet. Ask your rental company if there is a minimum age and experience requirement, and if there is an extra charge for each additional driver. Make sure you choose the right insurance. Always check the condition of the car with the rental company, the small scratches, the dents... because you will not be missed when you return! Being rigorous is the only solution and you have to accept the rule of the game according to which if someone scratches the car on a parking lot, the bill is for you. Ask for two spare wheels if you plan to go on difficult roads (discuss your roadmap with your car rental company). Don't panic, though: in most cases, the trip will go off without a hitch if you follow the safety instructions

Road traffic. An international driving license is not always required by car rental companies, but you will be asked for it in case of a police check on the road (at least an official translation is useful). Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, inherited from the British code. The speed limit in cities is 60 km/h, on paved roads 120 km/h and on gravel roads 80 km/h. Signs at the edge of the tracks are precise. The hazards posted on the trail, such as the risk of wildlife and crossing farm boundaries (ground grids and narrowing of the trail), are worth slowing down for. Once off the main paved roads, it is not uncommon to find no vehicles for more than an hour on the secondary roads that crisscross the country, you will be in the middle of the desert.
Although the infrastructure for fuel supply has improved considerably in recent years, your fuel reserves should never be neglected because the distances between cities are great, and as soon as you move away from the central region the villages or hamlets become scarce

Safety first. It cannot be repeated often enough, the biggest danger in Namibia is on the road, speeding is the cause. Remember to drive on the left side of the road. Beware of the (French) reflex to turn to the right when a vehicle coming in front of you surprises you. Beware of narrow passes and small hills on trails: keep to the left when crossing them. Avoid driving after dark and at night because warthogs, kudu, zebras and other animals (elephants in Zambezi) cross the roads and can cause very serious accidents if they collide with a vehicle, especially since the light of headlights attracts them!

Some smart tips on the road. Get a blanket to protect your luggage from dust. Carry jerry cans for 4×4 trips in remote areas, especially if you don't have a double tank. Find out about the most common breakdowns (flat tires) and the appropriate tools (often provided by the rental company). For 4WDs, change the tire pressure according to the road conditions (the wheels should be under-inflated on tracks, especially on sand).

Accessibility Namibia

Namibia is a feasible destination for people with limited mobility or parents who need to use a stroller. For disabled people, the 4 × 4 or minibuses are quite comfortable vehicles, it is more than likely that the necessary space is sufficient. Some lodges have adapted rooms (ask beforehand), in all cases the rooms are always on the first floor, but the ground to access them is often a stony path that will be difficult to face in a wheelchair.

Tourist traps Namibia

Namibia is a destination where you won't be bothered by crooks. However, be sure to check with your taxi driver in advance that the fare is the right one: airport to city centre for NAD 350, short ride to city centre NAD 12, ride from city centre to a suburb NAD 24.