Namibia

Know before you go

• transport

  Self-driving is the way to see Namibia, but gravel roads shred tyres — rent a 4x4 with two spares, keep under 80 km/h on gravel, and never drive at night because of wildlife.

• money

  The Namibian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the South African rand, and rand is accepted everywhere; carry cash for farm stalls and remote fuel stops.

• safety

  Distances are vast and phone coverage vanishes outside towns — carry plenty of water, fill the tank at every opportunity, and tell your lodge your route.

• connectivity

  Grab an MTC SIM at the airport; coverage is decent in towns and along main roads but absent in the dunes and bush, so download offline maps first.