Looking for the top tips before you go camping in Namibia?
You are on the right place! As an independent traveler, I have carefully planned my 10 days road trip in Namibia and I have done my full trip around the country camping on the tent on top of my 4×4 truck and it was the best things I have done in my life.
But you don’t go on a trip like this without before have done lots of research and planning. And I am here to help you to with these top 15 essential tips on how to go camping in Namibia, and it will make your life so much easier. This should be your one stop guide to start planning the trip of a lifetime!
You may also love these articles ❤️:
- Ultimate Self-Drive Itinerary in Namibia
- Self-drive Etosha National Park
- 7 Essential Tips to Safely Rent a Car in Namibia
- 22 Essential Tips to Drive in Namibia
- 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Namibia
- Camping in Namibia: 15 Essential Tips
- 1. Decide on your itinerary in Namibia
- 2. Camping in Namibia: Luxury vs. Budget
- 3. Book your camping in Namibia in Advance
- 4. Bare necessities for camping in Namibia
- 5. Safe tips to go camping in Namibia
- 6. Rent a 4×4 in Namibia
- 7. How to Choose a 4×4 Vehicle to go camping in Namibia
- 8. Driving safe in Namibia
- 9. Have Travel insurance before you go camping in Namibia
- 10. Decide when to go camping in Namibia
- 11. Pack accordingly when you go camping in Namibia
- 12. What else to consider?
- 13. Bring a satellite phone
- 14. Don't leave your shoes outside
- 15. Consider Namibia Camping Tours
- Camping in Namibia Conclusion

Camping in Namibia: 15 Essential Tips
1. Decide on your itinerary in Namibia
Fact is, you could pretty much drop a pencil on a map of Namibia and you’ll find a great place to pitch your tent. The country is filled with excellent campsites, tourist hot spots, and wonderful activities. Some of the best resorts in Namibia are found close to the top attractions in the country like:
- Etosha National Park
- Caprivi Strip
- Swakopmund
- Fish River Canyon
- Namib Naukluft National Park
- Skeleton Coast National Park
Many of these should top your bucket list for camping in Namibia, but don’t underestimate the power of a city stay or an impromptu stopover in a less well-known towns. I have a great road trip in Namibia itinerary where you can find all the details, and this should be a great start point.
Also, check these 15 most beautiful places in Namibia – it will really make you pump in a plane now and go explore one of the most amazing and unique landscape in the planet!
2. Camping in Namibia: Luxury vs. Budget
Luxury lodges and hotels are great, but nothing beats camping in Namibia. Camping puts you where you need to be to make the most of any African experience.
Namibia is a great place to camp. Wild camping (camping outside a designated campsite) is not allowed, but there are many excellent campsites across the country. Having a tent on your truck gives you the flexibility to either make camp or stay in a lodge if there is space. On this article you can explore some of the best camping options in Namibia.
Most of the campsites in Namibia have electric hookups, access to private or shared bathrooms, water, and a fire pit. Being able to set up a tent also gives you the ability to experience nature in a way that you may miss in a lodge.
3. Book your camping in Namibia in Advance
Since wild camping in Namibia is not allowed, your best bet is to search for campsites that offer the amenities you are looking for in advance, and book ahead. Keep in mind that you want to find a campsite that fits your needs and budget:
- Electric hookups
- Water faucet – for washing dishes at your campsite
- Private bathroom/shower at your campsite
- Ablution blocks (shared toilets/showers for the entire campsite)
- What time electricity goes out (particularly for the ablution blocks) or keeping your refrigerated cooler powered
- Location – near points of interest or along your travel path, or close to a town or market
- Water holes – some campsites offer private water holes which are lit up at night for animal viewing
- In-park vs Private – In park campsites (such as those in Etosha) or private sites outside of the parks will differ primarily on location and demand. In-park campsites usually fill up quickly so advance reservations are usually needed.
- Tented and non-tented – some campsites will offer tents that you can sleep in which can be very nice with comfortable beds and attached bathrooms. Other sites can be a basic parking spot on-site and you use your own tent.
- Do they offer on-site meals?
- Does your site have shade under a tree? This can be a blessing if you take a break from your sightseeing or safari in the middle/heat of the day.
- Does the campsite have a fire pit for cooking?
- Do they sell basic supplies in case you need something (matches, fire wood, canned food, potable water, etc.)?
- What is the distance to the nearest fuel station? This is always important in Namibia.
4. Bare necessities for camping in Namibia
Unless you plan on staying in “all-inclusive” campsites, you may want to make sure you start your trip prepared to camp under the stars. Below is a list of things you want to include in your kit to be ready for this epic road trip:
- Sponge and dish soap to clean your dishes and cookware and clean towels to dry them with
- Firewood and matches
- Propane stove and enough propane
- Canned goods and food that you can make over a fire
- Cooking grate and cookware
- Headlamps with red lights so you don’t attract bugs at night
- Bug spray and mosquito netting
- A refrigerated cooler in your vehicle to keep your food from spoiling
- Eggs in a cleaned out milk carton (so you don’t have broken eggs from the bumpy gravel roads)
- Plenty of potable water
- DC to AC converter to charge electronic devices/batteries
- Trash bags to collect all your garbage for safe dispoal
- Flashlight to peer out of your tent at night when you have animal visitors passing through
- Tupperware and plastic zip lock bags to put food in that you want to save
- Coffee and/or tea to get your day started (with a French press or instant)
- Wet wipes or baby wipes for the impromptu bath
- First aid kit and spare tires for the vehicle
5. Safe tips to go camping in Namibia
As you may know, you are not allowed to drive after dark due to the danger of running into wildlife. Once at your campsite, for your safety, go to the ablution blocks before sunset and take a shower. Wandering from your campsite to the ablution blocks after dark can be nerve wracking, and potentially dangerous. After dark it is best to stay at your campsite.
If you can help it, do not get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Depending on where you are camping, there are likely to be wild animals nearby. I found hyena tracks running right through one of my campsites in the morning, and heard lions and other animals from the tent at night. Once my tent was closed for the night, I didn’t open it until the sun was up the next morning.
Even during the day, you want to be aware of your surroundings. Things change in a heartbeat. I have been in my campsite for lunch and a rest when a family of elephants grazed through the site. It was not dangerous, but I am so glad I got to fully experience it. One evening after dinner I was washing the dishes at our campsite and a hippo ran through right past me on its way to the river. Always keep your eyes open while you are on the ground, even during the day.
Keep water, snacks, lotion, wet wipes and sun protection close at hand when travelling in Namibia. A map also comes in handy and a cell phone charger is important to keep your phones charged in case of emergency. If you arrange a 4WD rental that comes ready-fitted with camping equipment, you’ll have no problem wondering how to fit everything into your vehicle. It’s all done for you, all you need to do is throw in your bags and hit the road.
Sun protection and water are absolute necessities in Namibia. Always carry a spare stash of water bottles wherever you go. Most Namibia caravan parks and campsites have excellent ablutions with hot showers and clean water. Fill up your water bottles whenever you can. Wear a hat and sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors.
You’ll need some lotion to help your skin keep the dry climate at bay too.
There aren’t a lot of mosquitoes in Namibia, but it pays to pack a mosquito net to prevent any stray insects from keeping you up all night.
6. Rent a 4×4 in Namibia
I have written this very detailed guide on renting a car in Namibia, between these two articles, you should be very prepared to design your own self-drive Namibia adventure.
Since there are different providers, offering different rental car options. Therefore, you will need to decide if you will rent a 4×4 truck or a 4×4 truck with a tent on top (if you are planning to camp around the country).
The good news is that you can get a 15% off your rental car when you book through this site. I use and recommend Discover Cars because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places. If you choose any of the car rentals from Discover Cars, you can pick up your car at the Windhoek International Airport.
7. How to Choose a 4×4 Vehicle to go camping in Namibia
Now that you know you will need a 4X4 to self-drive in Namibia, what else you will need in your car?
If you choose to go camping in Namibia, you will need a fully equipped car with some basics for survival: A tent on top, cooking gear, a refrigerator, and an emergency radio. Because of the long-distance off-road driving, your vehicle will have to have at least 2 spare tires, 2 batteries, and an extra-large gas tank or reserve fuel containers. Gas stations can be few and far between.
I recommend reading my full guide on how to drive in Namibia for additional tips on road conditions.
You can save on your rental car when you book through this site. I use and recommend Discover Cars because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places.
Discover Cars
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8. Driving safe in Namibia
Before you continue reading this long list of the essential things to know before you go camping in Namibia, you need to know how to safely self-drive here. If you answer “no” to any of the 4 questions below, I would consider hiring a private driver like this one.
- Do you feel comfortable driving a 4×4 vehicle off-road?
- Do you feel comfortable driving a manual car?
- Do you feel comfortable changing flat tires?
- Do you feel comfortable driving on the left side of the road?
First thing first: You drive on the left in Namibia, which is the same as in neighboring South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia.
Also, you will need to have a 4×4 vehicle to go on your Namibia road trip. Keep in mind that most of your options will be a manual transmission. If you need an automatic, you will pay more and have fewer options to choose from.
9. Have Travel insurance before you go camping in Namibia
I found Namibia a very safe country to visit. I didn’t see any signs of violence during the time I was visiting. Nevertheless, unexpected things can happen such as illness, lost luggage, traffic accidents, etc.
If you are wondering if you need travel insurance to travel to Namibia the answer is YES! You absolutely need travel insurance in Namibia. Request a quote from this link and you will be surprised how cheap is to have your trip covered and travel safely.
I use a service called HeyMondo and can highly recommend them — they offer affordable prices, great coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out-of-pocket fees.
🌟 Get 5% off your policy by booking through this link.🌟
10. Decide when to go camping in Namibia
Namibia is warm in winter and hot in summer, so if you don’t mind the heat, it’s a year-round destination. The closer you get to the desert, the chillier the nights become, so pack warm clothing if you’re going camping at this time of year. In lieu of a rainy season, you might come across a few afternoon showers in the summer, from November to March. These are normally dramatically beautiful and short-lived, so they don’t often put much of a damper on your plans.
11. Pack accordingly when you go camping in Namibia
You want to pack light….but at the same time, you will be so remote for many days that you will want to pack heavy. So, let me help you PACK SMART!
- GPS and a good Botswana map.
- Extra flashlights and batteries
- A well-equipped First Aid kit (including a snake bite kit)
- Rehydration solution
- A day daypack
- Satellite phone
- Inflatable LED Solar Lantern.
- Bring a warm blanket for cold nights.
- Camera and safari lens
- Toilet paper
- Sunscreen
- light hiking pants
- long sleeves shirts
- good face cover
- polarized sunglasses
- Hand sanitizer
- LifeStraw Filtered Water Bottle and Emergency water supply
- External battery charger
12. What else to consider?
Bring an extra blanket and warm clothes: Despite daytime temperatures regularly rising above 40°C (104°F), it is advisable to bring an extra blanket and warm clothes for your camping trip in Namibia. With nightfall the temperatures begin to plummet, sometimes even ending up below the freezing point. Days in the desert are hot, while the nights are cold. Be prepared for this rapid change of temperature.
Camping Equipment: As far as camping equipment goes, Namibian 4×4 rentals that come fitted with all your camping kit are by far the easiest route. These vehicles are also geared up for the unique Namibian conditions with long-range fuel tanks and spare wheels in case of emergency. There aren’t a lot of mosquitoes in Namibia, but it pays to pack a mosquito net to prevent any stray insects from keeping you up all night.
13. Bring a satellite phone
Cell phone coverage is available just 30% of the time during your journey. To ensure you’re prepared for situations like getting stuck in deep sand or other emergencies, we suggest renting or bringing a Satellite phone. On some routes, you may not see another vehicle for hours on end.
14. Don’t leave your shoes outside
If you do not want to step into a scorpion or a spider in the early morning, we recommend to not leave your shoes outside. Scorpions and spiders appreciate the warmth of shoes and hide in them during the night, so the first thing for you to do in the morning is to properly shake out your shoes. Alternatively, wear flip flops before sleeping.
15. Consider Namibia Camping Tours
Last but not least on this list of essential things you need to know before you go camping in Namibia is to consider to choose a reliable organized tour. If you don’t feel comfortable renting a car, or just don’t want to have to organize all the details yourself, you can always book a Namibia camping tour.
Some of the best options include a 12-Day Namibia Camping Safari, which hits all the highlights of this amazing country. Or you can choose a shorter a 7-Day Namibia Camping Safari, which doesn’t include Etosha National Park.
Camping in Namibia Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this article, and include this on your bucket list. Namibia was one of the best destinations I have been in my life.
Camping in Namibia offers a unique adventure, where vast desert landscapes, starry skies, and wildlife encounters create unforgettable memories. From the towering dunes of Sossusvlei to the rugged beauty of Etosha National Park, Namibia is a paradise for nature lovers seeking a raw, untamed experience.
- Ultimate Self-Drive Itinerary in Namibia
- Self-drive Etosha National Park
- 7 Essential Tips to Safely Rent a Car in Namibia
- 22 Essential Tips to Drive in Namibia
- 15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Namibia
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