Driving SUVs in the Namibian desert
In one of the episodes of Grand Tour, Jeremy, Richard and James drive beach buggies on the beach of Namibia. At the end of the show, they thanked the government of Namibia for allowing them to shoot their program in this area. Is it possible for us as well to rent an SUV there and drive it alongside the coast of Namibia? Do we need a special permit of any sort or military protection? This is a picture of the coast from a drone:
Best Answer
There are no restrictions, according to the official Namibia Tourism, and exploring by car is encouraged as the best way to see the country. It offers detailed route maps available in multiple formats (online, pdf, high res e-mag). You do not need a permit to drive on the sections of beaches where it is allowed and posted; in some areas there are dedicated paths you must use. To rent a vehicle, you would need your national driving license, along with an International Driving Permit (IDP) (translated to English if your home country license is not).
Pictures about "Driving SUVs in the Namibian desert"
Can you drive on the Namib desert?
Some people decide to do a fly-by; however, to really experience these wrecks, driving into the desert is best. The desert is a protected area, and large areas are used for diamond mining, so you can't just attempt to drive to the wrecks yourself.Do I need a 4x4 for Namibia?
A question most people ask is "do I need a 4x4 for Namibia?". Technically, no. The road system in Namibia, save for the most remote locations, is comprised of well maintained tarred or gravel roads and most of the main tourist sites can be reached without a 4x4 specifically (but something robust is recommended).Can you drive a car in a desert?
There may be very few opportunities to fill your vehicle up with gas when driving through the desert. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you leave and take opportunities to fill up when you get the chance. Nobody wants to run out of gas and get stuck on the side of the road, especially in the heat.Can all wheel drive go in desert?
However, that is not to say that a well maintained AWD cannot take you into the desert on a camping trip, especially if you know what you are doing and take care. 4x4s are usually often more expensive, but with an experienced driver behind the wheel should be able to traverse a variety of extreme terrain.Extreme 4x4 Driving in Namibia's Largest Desert! - | Exploring With Cody
More answers regarding driving SUVs in the Namibian desert
Answer 2
Yes You can (or could), because I did it in 2011 and visited many of the same places as the Grand Tour trio did - go do it, its fun. Just dont break down or get lost - Namibia is a lovely but huge and desolate place.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Sergo Karakozov, Denys Gromov, ArtHouse Studio, ArtHouse Studio