Road Tripping Namibia (Mapstudio), by Fiona McIntosh

Road Tripping Namibia (Mapstudio), by Fiona McIntosh. MapStudio 2nd edition. Cape Town, South Africa 2017. ISBN 9781770269439 / ISBN 978-1-77026-943-9

'You're planning on driving virtually the whole of Namibia in a sedan?' was the incredulous response that Fiona McIntosh received, as she headed north to do a final check of the routes in this guide, Road Tripping Namibia by Mapstudio.

Fiona McIntosh  Willie Olivier  

This view is pretty typical. Most people's impression is that touring Namibia requires a 4x4, an impression that is reinforced by the fact that most of the vehicles on the typical tourist circuit are 4WD. It's certainly true that there are parts of Namibia that you simply can't reach without a 4x4 and other routes where a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is infinitely kinder on both you and your car. But almost all of my trips in 25 years of road tripping around Namibia have been in sedans. Sure, there have been moments when, in the height of the rainy season, we had to wait for flooded rivers to subside. And I well remember coaxing a low-slung Z3 along the horrendously rocky road that leads from the Hobas viewpoint Most along the rim of the Fish River Canyon and wishing that we had higher clearance. But, except after rain, if you drive slowly and carefully you can negotiate most Namibian roads in a 'normal' car. That said, road tripping in Namibia, especially in the arid, sparsely populated southern half of the country, is an adventure very different to road tripping in South Africa, the States or Europe. Although Namibia's road network is regarded as one of the best in Africa, most of your driving will be on gravel or, occasionally, salt roads that vary from well-graded to rocky and/ or sandy. Generally C roads are perfectly drive-able in a sedan if you take it slowly, but beware of the D roads. If planning on driving these, seek advice from a local tourism office or lodge before setting out. Most importantly, note that most Namibian roads are not fenced. Encountering animals - both domestic and wild — is very likely, so stick to the speed limit, be alert at all times and avoid driving at night. [...] To help you focus on your particular areas of interest, the routes described in Road Tripping Namibia (Mapstudio) are themed. There is a Wildlife Route, an Adventure Route, a Cultural Route, and so on. But travelling Namibia is full of surprises. On most routes you can expect game sightings and cultural interaction - and on all of them you will be blown away by the diverse, incredibly photogenic landscapes, so factor in plenty of time for unscheduled stops! The routes selected for this book can all be driven in a 'normal' car. Where there are sections of road that require extra caution or are likely to be difficult after heavy rain we have flagged them and given suggestions on whom to ring for updated information. There are also recommended extensions for those with 4x4s. If you're in a small car and want to travel those routes, don't despair. Ask whether there's anyone going that way when you arrive at a lodge or camp. Chances are someone will offer you a lift - and what will follow will be a journey of discovery and a chance to make new friendships. The trick to self-driving Namibia is to avoid over-extending yourself. It's tempting as a visitor to be over-ambitious and to try to see everything on one trip. But Namibia is a vast country and driving on gravel roads, watching out for wildlife, donkey carts and other hazards, is tiring. If you try to do too much you'll end up driving the whole time and finish the trip exhausted. Most of the time we have described the most direct route between the places featured in each chapter, but if you have the time, and the right vehicle, consider taking the road less travelled. Your reward will be discovering hidden gems that no guidebook has the space to properly describe.

This is an excerpt from Road Tripping Namibia (Mapstudio), by Fiona McIntosh.

Title: Road Tripping Namibia
Authors: Fiona Mcintosh, Shaen Adey, Willie Olivier, Ron Swilling, Katy Sharpe
Genre: Road atlas, routes to travel
Publisher: MapStudio
2nd edition. Cape Town, South Africa 2017
ISBN 9781770269439 / ISBN 978-1-77026-943-9
Softcover, 21 x 30 cm, 184 pages, countless images