Our full 9 day Namibia road trip itinerary
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Overview
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Our road trip was a 9 day loop through the South West of this vast country. While people do travel this route it is not the most popular and you won't find it swamped with tourists. Affordable / budget accommodation options are limited, so planning is needed if you're keeping an eye on costs.
We hired a 4 x 4 in Swakopmund on the West coast of Namibia, drove East and South past Solitaire and Maltahohe, to Aus, and then West to Luderitz on the coast. From Luderitz we retraced our steps to Aus, then cut further West and North to Sesriem and Sossusvlei. From here we headed North East to Solitaire and then retraced our steps back to Swakopmund.
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Our road trip was done very much on a tight budget. We wanted to explore the vast wilderness of Namibia, but the 4x4 truck was a big chunk of our money, so we made an effort to stay in affordable places and did as many free activities as we could. In one or two places the accommodation was higher, but this was the most affordable option that we could find. Note: we did not camp. Camping would cost less per night, but renting a 4x4 camper costs more than just a 4 x 4 car, so we weighed up the options and chose not to camp. We did however take a small gas cooker and catered most of our meals ourselves, only eating out twice in the 9 days.
* Costs of accommodation are provided in Namibian Dollars and British Pounds. All currency conversions are as at November 2023.
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For photos and to get a real sense of what a road trip here is like, read our 3 part Namibia road trip blog.
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Planning a road trip of your own in Namibia? Don't miss our tips for self-driving in Namibia.
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Day by day breakdown
Day 1:
275km, 4 hrs 15mins + breaks
From Swakop to Walvis Bay on B2; Then picked up C14 heading East & South for 221km; Turned left, heading East on to D1275 for 19km, arriving at our accommodation Camp Gecko.
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Day 1, don't miss:
A- Photo opportunities at both Kuiseb Pass and Gaub Pass where the geology is other worldly. FREE activity.
B- Explore The Grotto, a cave formation towards the base of a rocky outcrop, on the left hand side, 7km from Kuiseb Pass heading East. FREE actvity.
C- Stop at the Tropic of Capricorn sign for the obligatory selfie, 3km south of the Gaub River. FREE activity.
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Day 1, where we stayed:
Camp Gecko Tented camp & camp site
Situated on the D1275, 15km from Spreetshoogte Pass, Namib Naukluft, Namibia
Call (WhatsApp): +264 81 346 6534
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Isolated, beautiful views and wildlife spotting opportunities. No electric available except at main farmhouse 1km from accommodation. Swimming pool and cold drinks available. Grill packs and breakfast can be provided if needed (book in advance). Warm and welcoming hosts. https://www.camp-gecko.com/
1 night in a 'superior tent' @ NAD$1120 (c.£45)
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Day 2:
194km, 2hrs 40mins + breaks
Headed West on D1275 for 19km; Picked up C14 South getting fuel for the car (and us) at Solitaire Gas station - followed C14 for 172km, arriving at the town of Maltahohe. We stayed in a guest house here for 1 night.
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Day 2, don't miss:
A- Tasting the pies and other baked goods at the Bakery & cafe at the fuel station in Solitaire.
B- Photo opportunities around the Solitaire fuel station which is adorned with rusty old cars and other quirky memorabilia from years gone by. An Instagrammers dream setting. FREE activity.
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Day 2, where we stayed:
Hudup Guest house
198 Johan Albrecht street, Maltahöhe, Namibia
Call: +264 81 323 0388
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Set behind the main street 100m from the hotel. Secure, safe parking. Spacious room with Air con. Good WiFi. Plenty of amenities for cooking, but food available at the hotel down the street. Warm welcoming hosts. Booked via www.booking.com
1 night in a unit with 1 double & 2 bunks @ NAD$756 (c.£32)
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Day 3:
249km, 3hrs 30mins + breaks
Continue South on C14 for 138km; continue straight on to C13 for 105km; Turn right on to B4, heading West for 4.5km, arriving at the town of Aus for the night.
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Day 3, don't miss:
A- stopping for refreshments at Helmeringhausen. The restaurant serves great apple cake and there is a shaded garden to sit in and nice toilets.
B- Exploring the old site of the Aus German PoW Camp at Ausnek, 1.5km after you turn West on the B4. It's not clearly marked and road is just a dirt track. FREE activity.
Day 3, where we stayed:
Orange House Self-Catering
20 Lüderitz Street, 23017, Aus, Namibia (Bahnhof House Hotel Reception)
Call: +264 67 240-901/2
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Entire house with 2 x twin rooms. Mosquito nets provided. Full kitchen facilities + outside braii (bbq) and outdoor seating. Comfortable lounge. House is gated. Walking distance to the main street and hotel restaurant. TV. No WiFi. No Air con. https://hotel-aus.com/rooms-suites/orange-house/
1 night in entire house @ NAD$969 (c.£49)
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Day 4:
123km, 1hr 15mins + breaks
Continue heading West on B4 for 123km, arriving at the coastal town of Luderitz. This is the largest town we had seen since the start of this trip. Banks, supermarkets and restaurants are here.
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Day 4, don't miss:
A- stopping at the Garub Wild Horses viewpoint, to see herds of wild horses on the plain, hidden from view of the road. FREE activity.
B- exploring the deserted Garub train station and railway track. FREE activity.
C- Visiting the ghost town of Kolmanskop (before 1pm). www.kolmanskuppe.com
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Days 4 & 5, where we stayed:
Ville Lodge
111 Werft Street, Burenkamp, 9000 Lüderitz, Namibia
Call: +264 81 149 4336
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Set on outskirts of town. Small units in a courtyard setting with shared kitchen facilities. Room was small but pleasant with en-suite bathroom. Good WiFi. Friendly and available manager. Close to shop. https://villelodgeaccommodation.com/
2 nights in budget room @ NAD$500 per night. Total: NAD$1000 (c.£42)
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Day 5:
No travel.
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Day 5, don't miss:
A- Photo opportunities around the town, including the hilltop Felsenkirche, Shark Island viewpoint, and the Luderitz sign on the northern shore
B- Exploring Tsau Khaeb National Park coastline, and rocky plateaus on the Western peninsula. Also visit historic Dias Point, and you may get to see Wind Surfers on the speed challenge channel. FREE activity.
C- Eat seafood and watch the sun go down at The Portuguese Fisherman restaurant.
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Day 5, where we stayed:
As day 4.
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Day 6:
329km, 4hrs 45mins + breaks
Drive East on B4 for 127km; Turn left heading North on C13 for 101km; Turn left onto C27 for 99km, arriving at our accommodation Betta Camp on the road junction.
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Day 6, don't miss:
A- Stopping at the Garub Wild Horses again. Both times we went were different and both were worth the 1km detour. FREE activity.
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Day 6, where we stayed:
Betta Camp
Corner of D826 & D831 & C27 Roads, 9000 Maltahöhe, Namibia
Call: +264 81 149 4336
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In the middle of nowhere, this place is literally on a road junction so you can't miss it. Camping spots and cabins available. Fuel station, restaurant, fairly well stocked shop. There's a pool down the road from the main cabins as well. https://bettacamp.com/
1 night in a comfort chalet @ NAD$1050 (c.£44)
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Day 7:
142km, 2hrs 45mins + stops
Drive West on D831 (C27) for 141 km arriving in Sesriem.
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Day 7, don't miss:
A- Detouring 20km along the D826 to visit Duwisib Castle built in 1908 by a German Baron. Day visitors can explore the castle for a nominal fee. Note, we didn't do this, but very much wish we had.
B- Getting a drink at the Sesriem fuel station and talking to the locals and customers about their travels.
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Day 7, where we stayed:
Desert Camp
On D826, 2km East of Sesriem, Namibia
Call: +27 21 930 4564
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The most affordable option we found (other than camping) in this area. Beautiful sully equipped accommodation. Incredible views all the way around. Swimming pool and bar available. Good WiFi. Opportunity for wildlife viewing. https://www.desertcamp.com/
1 night in a lodge @ NAD$2421 (c.£101)
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Day 8:
58km, 1hr 10mins (+ 120km driving round trip to Dead Vlei)
Head East on the D826 for 8.5km. Turn left on to C19 heading North for 42km. Arriving at the gate for our accommodation, we turned left, headed through the entry gate and on for 5km to the Namib Desert Lodge and Camp.
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Day 8, don't miss:
A- Visiting the incredible 900 year old trees at Dead Vlei and Hidden Vlei by tour or self drive. The site is 60km from Sesriem. You need a permit to enter the national park.
B- Climb Big Daddy sand dune, or one of the others. FREE activity (if you already have a permit)
C- Explore the beautiful landscape around Sesriem and take lots of photos. FREE activity
D- Drinking a beer and watching the wild animals congrugating around water holes when the sun goes down. FREE activity
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Day 8, where we stayed:
Namib Desert Camping 2Go
C19 35 km south of Solitaire, 9000 Solitaire, Namibia
Call: +264 61 427 271
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A large well furnished canvas tent with 4 x single beds, air con. Attached to a built bathroom and with a terrace and outside kitchen and sitting area. Beautiful views. Opportunities for wildlife watching. Pool & restaurant nearby. https://store.gondwana-collection.com/accommodation/namib-desert-lodge
1 night in a Namib Desert Tent @ NAD$1611 (c.£67)
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Day 9:
298km, 4hrs 40mins
Head North on C19 for 29km; Turn left on to C14 and continue for 230km; At Walvis Bay, turn right, heading North on B2 for 32km, arriving at Swakopmund.
Returned car at 5pm.
