Driving in Namibia
 

I am planning on a driving tour of Namibia, hitting some of the highlights. To be specific: Windhoek to Etosha to Swakopmund/Walvis Bay to Sossusvlei, and then back to Windhoek.

I have 3 following questions I hope this thread can help me with:
1) For such a trip, is a 4x4 vehicle a must or optional?
2) From Etosha to Swakopmund, I was thinking about either C39 down to Skeleton Coast NP or C35, which is certainly faster. Do you have any opinions on which route is more interesting to see?
3) Any accommodation recommendations at Sossusvlei?

Thank you all.

Namibia's road and rail network was surveyed and built with German thoroughness and efficiency during colinial times over a century ago, and has stood the country in good stead ever since, with only minor upgrades and changes.

Unless you are adventurous enough to drive the Van Zyl's pass, visit Khaudom or remote corners of the Kaokoveld, you will not need a 4x4.

As for the route to choose: what time of the year are you visiting?

Johan

I (female and well over 60) drove from Cape Town to Etosha with a stop in Wallis Bay (among others). The roads are great. We had a bit of trouble getting to a park somewhere between South Africa and Windhoek because the roads weren't great. (I think at one point I mistook a dam for the road.) Sorry I can't remember exactly where.

July is dry season, so no issues with rain or flooding.

Namibia is an amazingly scenic country, albeit often in a stark way. I find it is at its most beautiful in March or April after a good rainy season (good luck predicting those), but the rest of the year is almost as good.

Through which gate are you planning to leave Etosha? I would be tempted to exit through Galton Gate, then south on the C35 to Kamanjab, west on the C40 to Palmwag, south again, west on the C39 and finally down along the coast.

The 35 is scenic too, so I guess it comes down to how much time you want to spend on the road.

Johan