Driving in Namibia — self-drive essentials Left-hand traffic, gravel-road tips, fuel spacing, and where to check official road conditions with the Roads Authority. Built for namibia.na trip planners. Last checked: 2026-10-14 Rules of the road Namibia drives on the left. Carry a valid licence recognised for visitors; many rental companies ask for an International Driving Permit—check with your rental contract. Seatbelts are mandatory. Speed limits are signposted; gravel requires lower speeds than tar. Distances & daylight Namibia is vast—plan shorter driving days than the map suggests. Wildlife, livestock, and unfenced roads make night driving hazardous. Aim to arrive with daylight to spare. Use the namibia.na map planner to space fuel and overnight stops. Gravel technique (practical) Reduce speed before corners, avoid sudden steering on corrugations, and keep longer following distances for dust. Carry at least one good spare (two is wise on remote C/D roads). Check tyre pressures with your rental brief—do not invent PSI from memory. - Never drive off indicated park roads (MEFT rules) - Open vehicles / riding in open load bays are restricted in parks—see MEFT FAQ - After rain, washaways happen—check RA notices before southern or Caprivi legs Fuel & breakdowns Fill up when you can; stations can be far apart on remote legs. Keep water, a charged phone, and your rental emergency number. For national-road damage reporting, Roads Authority lists contacts such as 061 284 7167 / 061 284 7059 and pr@ra.org.na (verify on ra.org.na). Official road conditions Check current closures and flood notices on the Roads Authority website and Facebook channel before long gravel days. Seasonal rains can close district roads at short notice—check with Roads Authority, not social rumour. Q: Do I need a 4×4? A: Many classic loops use good gravel passable in a careful 2WD SUV in the dry season. Remote Kaokoland, Khaudum, and some dune/park tracks need high-clearance 4×4 and experience—check with your rental and MEFT for the specific park. Q: Where do I check road closures? A: Roads Authority of Namibia: https://www.ra.org.na/ and their press releases.
Namibia Tourism Portal
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