10 Perfect Days Solo in Namibia Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & Do

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I just spent the most magical 10 days in Namibia and of course I have already begun sharing tips, things to do in Namibia, and even parts of what I would consider a Namibia travel guide of my trip via my Instagram and TikTok for the last few weeks, and my DMs have already been asking me and telling me that they need a written Namibia travel guide like yesterday!

Spending 10 days in Namibia has to be the BEST thing I have done for myself in a long time. The country is simply perfect and just so magical. And I can’t seem to get over that I’ve travelled to most of the world by myself, and still get to be woowed by countries like Namibia.

Going and living my BEST life for 10 days in Namibia was a real treat because every single city/place in Namibia was and is so different. The food is delicious, the people are so kind, funny and welcoming, and for someone who went and did 10 days in Namibia solo, it felt incredibly safe. So before we go any further anyone that is considering going solo and has already asked me “is Namibia safe for solo female travellers?” the answer is yes and I share more detail below.

What I will say though, that Namibia is not a country to do solo as your first solo trip. I would say that I am an advanced solo traveller, and so doing 10 days in Namibia solo for my birthday was nothing new to me, It was actually just perfect and I would highly recommend it if you consider yourself an avid solo traveller. I will talk more about this later in the post.

If you haven’t been to Namibia, or you are thinking of going, or you are just looking for a 10 day in Namibia itinerary, then this post is specifically for you. I will share details about where I stayed throughout the country with easy buttons and links to access, as what to eat in Namibia, the new food I ate and the things to do in Namibia that you will want to see and do while out in Namibia.

Read – How to Easily Travel from South Africa to Namibia Guide (2026).

Things to Do In Namibia & Know Before Going

• Internet: You’ll definitely want internet while exploring the country. 10 days in Namibia is not a small feat so I would advice getting an eSIM on arrival at the airport, with MTC for less than 20 euros, which gave me around 30GB.
• Travel Insurance: Please get it. I recommend that anyone travelling should have travel insurance, which you can get via SafetyWing here.
• The British High Commission: The Embassy is in Windhoek. Here is the address British High Commission, 116 Robert Mugabe Ave, Windhoek, Namibia. You can always check your country’s embassy/High Commission on Embassies.info. You should always do this before you travel.
• Load shedding: There is some load shedding in Namibia. I saw a couple of power cuts happen while I was staying in lodges and at the airport when I was flying to Zimbabwe. My advice would be to carry a power bank regardless of your trip, which you can purchase here.
• Plugs/Outlets: Namibia uses the same plugs as South Africa, the large three round-pin plugs (Type M) and the smaller three round-pin (Type D), and the voltage is 220V. Your UK, US or European plugs won’t fit, so make sure you pack a universal travel adapter, which you can purchase here.
• Quick note: Type M is the one you’ll see most, but some lodges have the smaller Type D sockets too, so a universal adapter that covers both is safest. UK devices are fine on 220V, but US readers should check their chargers say 100–240V (most phone and laptop chargers do).

About Namibia

Namibia is a country that has so much history; it’s a country in Southern Africa that gained independence in March 1990. First from German rule which ended in 1915, and then South Africa then ran the country, and independence came in March 1990. It is a country that relies heavily on imports from South Africa for goods, with the exception of farming. Tourism and cattle farming are the two main industries, and with the amount of meat Namibians eat, you see why.

The population of Namibia is approximately 3.17 million people as of 2026, which is insane because there is genuinely more land than people here, and you will feel that vastness every single day while travelling thought the country.

Entry Requirements for Namibia

For British, American and Canadian citizens, the visa costs around £76/$80, which you can pay and get on arrival at the airport. Worth noting that you can also pay by card; however, I will always say, please carry cash. I had about $100 with me.

Namibia is pretty strict about the number of blank pages you need in your passport to enter the country. You must have three consecutive blank pages in your passport; otherwise, you could be denied entry. I think this is because the visa itself takes up a significant amount of space in your passport. You can also check if you need visas here.

Travelling Through Namibia

As for travelling through Namibia, before you go ahead and do 10 days in Namibia is that getting around is very different to what you might be used to. There is no Uber in Namibia even in the capital, Windhoek, so you will need to plan your transport well in advance.

The roads in Namibia vary massively depending on where you are going. The main roads are generally fine but once you start heading to places like Sossusvlei and Etosha you will encounter gravel roads that can be quite rough and uneven. The locals call it an African massage lol. I had thought about getting a 4×4 rental in Namibia for myself and self-driving solo, but as time went on, I thought it would be so much easier for me to have a driver rather than worrying about driving solo in a new country.

You have two main options for getting around Namibia:

• Self Drive– You can hire a 4×4 rental in Namibia and drive yourself around. This is a popular option and gives you complete flexibility and freedom. However the distances between destinations are vast, you can expect long drives of between 3 to 6 hours between locations, so you need to be comfortable driving with long drives on gravel roads and navigating with limited signage. The good thing is if you drive in the UK you will see that Namibians drive on the same side us as. Just be mindful that there are a number of people driving 4×4 rental in Namibia, so you will need to be pretty confident to do so alone.

• Private Tour Guide/Driver – This is the option I went with and I cannot recommend it enough especially if it is your first time in Namibia and you are doing it solo. Having a private driver means you can sit back and enjoy the incredible landscapes without worrying about navigation, road conditions or logistics. My guide/driver was knowledgeable, professional and made the whole experience so much easier for me and the best bit was that I was able to sleep most if not all of the journeys despite the African massages lol! You can contact my driver here +27617286742 and you book through them directly and they can sort out your accommodation or just driver here.

How to get to Namibia

The most affordable and easiest way to get to Namibia from the UK, US or Canada is to fly into Johannesburg, South Africa, and then fly to Namibia. There are many more flight options and flying directly to Namibia is not really always option, and direct flights can start from around £999 from London at least.

I flew into Johannesburg from London for £368 and then took a separate flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek for around £126, which I personally think is an absolute bargain! The flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek with Airlink is less than two hours and is very convenient.

If you do go ahead and fly into Namibia from South Africa, I would highly recommend giving yourself at least a day or two in Johannesburg either side of your Namibia trip. I have written a full post on how to spend a day in Johannesburg, which you can read The Ultimate Johannesburg in Just 1 Day Guide: Stay, Eat & Joy.

Where to Stay in Namibia

If you are looking for where to stay in Namibia then you should know that I stayed in a mix of lodges and hotels as I was moving around a lot (roughly every 2 days over the 10 days in Namibia), because of the different destinations I was visiting. I will write about these lodges in more detail soon.

Most of the lodges included breakfast and dinner as part of the package, which was incredibly convenient for me, as in the more isolated areas like Sesriem there weren’t really restaurants close by to go too. And because the meals were buffet-style, I didn’t always feel the need for lunch either, which suited me perfectly as I don’t eat a huge amount on a normal day.

Here is the accommodations I stayed over my 10 days in Namibia:

• In the capital, Windhoek, I stayed at Hilton Hotel Windhoek; it’s a super cute hotel and has an amazing spread for breakfast, a gym, rooftop restaurants with a pool and shops within the hotel, and it is pretty central and only 30 minutes from the airport. You can book the same hotel here.

• In Sesriem at stayed at a lodge called, Hammerstein Lodge, it was only for a night so was manageable. I was able to see stars which I haven’t seen clearly at night since I stayed in the desert in Wadi Rum, Jordan. You can book the same lodge here.

• In Swakopmund I was going to stay Swakopmund Sands Hotel, but I opted for Desert Breeze Lodge, which is literally in the desert. You can wake up to the views of the desert with camels walking right outside your window or past you. It was truly so calming to they eyes. The only think I will say is they only do breakfast and no meals so you will need to go into Walvis Bay for lunch/dinner etc. You can book the same lodge I stayed in here.

• In Etosha for the Etosha National Park I stayed at Toshari Lodge which was another beautiful lodge. I had a hot stone massage, great food and entertainment. It has a similar vibe to the Desert Breeze where you have your own stationed home, but slightly different because it wasn’t in the desert. You can book the same lodge here.

There are of course a range of lodges and hotels you can choose from. The country is literally filled with so many lodges and hotels so you will not be stuck for where to stay over your 10 days in Namibia. Just worth noting that places do fill up quickly so do book as soon as possible! All the same I have posted a interactive map that not only helps you visualise how big the country is but will also help you book hotels below:

What to Eat in Namibia

I mentioned earlier that most of the lodges come with both breakfast and dinner, so this section on what to eat in Namibia will look quite thin, compared to other post I have done. This was because there wasn’t a huge amount of space to go to lots of different restaurants. However, I did buy a few lunches, but within the lodges I was staying in. And other times where I could I would go to local restaurants close by my lodge.

Namibians are serious carnivores, and you will notice this very quickly while travelling. If there is things to do in Namibia is to try the local food. Here are a few of the local dishes and foods you absolutely have to try:

• Kapana is charcoal-grilled beef cut into small pieces, seasoned with Kapana seasoning, which they use in absolutely everything. I loved it so much I bought some to bring back home the seasoning to make my own.
• Vetkoek is essentially Namibia’s version of Nigerian puff puff. Fried dough with flour, sugar, water and yeast. It is made to be soft on the inside and golden on the outside. I made this as part of my cooking class.
• Tête is a type of spinach dish cooked with onions and tomatoes, fried, and eaten with Vetkoek (as mentioned above). It kind of reminded me of efo, but not directly.
• Pap is a traditional maize meal staple served with almost everything, and I ate this in many countries in Southern Africa.
• Mopane worms are a Southern African delicacy. I had it in Namibia and it was quite chewy and tasted a bit like crayfish. You can eat this at Hafeni a traditional restaurant in Swakopmund.
• The Solitaire Apple Pie is famous apple crumble pie. If you are driving through Solitaire on your way to Sossusvlei, do not skip this. It is is served with ice cream.
• Namibian coffee if you take the boat tour in Walvis Bay and my pilot actually told me that if you drink a whole bottle, you will see a giraffe in the water. I am still not entirely sure what that means, but I thought it was worth sharing. You can book the same boat tour here.

I did get Hungry Lion, which is like a very affordable KFC, and Ocean Cellar for my birthday at the Strand Hotel, Swakopmund, with a lovely Zambian couple that I met on the boat tour, where the wife shared the same birthday as me! We had fish soup as a starter and a fish platter for two. I also ate out at Hafeni a traditional Namibian food restaurant and had Mopane worms.

Things to Do in Namibia

There are many things to do in Namibia below is an extensive list of things to do in Namibia that you will want to add to your Namibia travel guide.

• Namibian Cooking Class – One of the things to do in Namibia is a cooking class. On my very first day I did a Namibian cooking class where I cooked and learnt about the local cuisines of Namibia. I learned to make Vetkoek, Tête, braised beef, fried fish, pap and tomato and onion salsa (all dishes I mentioned earlier that you just have to eat). You can book the Namibian cooking class here.

• Deadvlei and Sossusvlei – This was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my entire life, it felt like I was on another planet. The trees in Deadvlei are apparently over 900 years old and have refused to decompose because the desert air is so dry. I would recommend starting as early as 6 am before the heat kicks in. Climb Dune 45 first, which is 45km from the gate. Once you have walked up, you can then make your way down into Deadvlei. You can do a trip here.
• Big Daddy Dune – My tour guide suggested we climb Big Daddy first thing because it is the tallest dune in the area and gets incredibly hot as the day goes on. It took about an hour and a bit to climb, but the views over Deadvlei from the top were absolutely worth every step. You can do the same tour here.

• Sandwich Harbour – If you do nothing else you have to add this to the things to do in Namibia list while here. This is where the desert meets the ocean, this is one of the most dramatic places where the desert meets the ocean. I was completely in awe. You do this with a 4×4 excursion, and along the way you may spot flamingos, seals and jackals. I did this tour for my birthday and loved it so much and was given balloons, cake and all of that. You can do the tour here.

• Walvis Bay Boat Tour – A must-do tour if you are in Namibia. I saw seals, dolphins, and flamingos even fed the seals. I didn’t know this at the time, but a friend of mine paid for this tour for me, and I didn’t realise until evening so I don’t have the excat tour that she booked but here is one I have found that has good reviews. You can book your tour here.

• Pink Lakes of Walvis Bay – The Pink Lakes of Walvis Bay is also stunning and worth seeing. Worth noting this is not a tourist attraction; it is a real working salt lake, so it’s slightly challenging to stay there for a long period.
• Etosha National Park – Etosha is 22,000 square kilometres of pure wildlife with nearly 380 different species of birds. I got to see almost the BIG 5. I saw elephants, giraffes, lions drinking from waterholes, hyenas eating the leftovers of lions, zebras, flamingos and even squirrels digging holes. You can book there same tour here.

• Windhoek City – Namibia’s capital is a really relaxed and charming city with wide boulevards and lots of German colonial architecture. Worth spending at least half a day exploring and going to the Single Quarters, which is one of the historical districts where you can get local food. You can book the same city tour here.

10 Days in Namibia Travel Guide Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive Windhoek – Arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport, check into the Hilton Windhoek and explore the city centre. Relax in the evening as you have a busy day.
2. Day 2: Namibian Cooking Class: You can do a cooking class on your first fully day, which I would highly recommend as a great introduction to Namibian food and culture. You can book the same Namibian cooking class here.
3. Day 3: Drive to Sesriem – Head out at around 9 am for the 5-6 hour drive to Sesriem through stunning desert landscapes. Check into Hammerstein Lodge in time for dinner. In the afternoon, you can do a guided nature walk in the surrounding desert.
4. Day 4: Deadvlei, Sossusvlei and Swakopmund – Start early at around 6 am. Visit Deadvlei, and if you are feeling up to it, climb Big Daddy. After your desert adventure, drive to the charming coastal town of Swakopmund and check into Desert Breeze Lodge.
5. Day 5: Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay – In the morning, do a boat tour at Walvis Bay to see seals and dolphins. During the day at the pink salt lake. In the afternoon, you can do the 4×4 tour to Sandwich Harbour, one of the most dramatic places where the desert meets the ocean. For dinner, you can eat at the Ocean Cellar at the Strand Hotel, Swakopmund.
6. Day 6: Drive to Etosha – Morning drive North to Western Etosha National Park. Check into the stunning Toshari Lodge and just rest by the pool; you can even get a massage and have dinner at the lodge.
7. Day 7: Etosha National Park – Start with an early morning game drive at sunrise, leaving at 6 am as the gates open at 7 am. This is honestly one of the best times to be out at a safari as you will see the most animals.
8. Day 8: Drive back to Windhoek – Mid-morning, you can set out and drive back to Windhoek. Explore the city, visit local markets and pick up some souvenirs. The Singles Quarters is worth visiting to get some Kapana meat.
9. Day 9: Windhoek – A free day to relax, explore more of the city or do any last-minute shopping. I ordered room service at my hotel which was soo nice.
10. Day 10: Depart – Head to the airport and begin the journey home or, in my case, on to the next leg of the trip!

Is Namibia Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Since I have been back lots of people have asked me if “is Namibia safe for solo female travellers” and I would say sooo yes. However, this is for those that are advance solo travellers and I am not saying this lightly. Namibia is safe, however, I will say that if this is your first solo trip I would not recommend it.

And if you are planning to self drive and going to get a 4×4 rental in Namibia then you need to be very mindful of the very long drives which can consist of 3-5 hours sometimes more. If you are looking for countries to travel solo then read – 16 Best Countries for Black Women to Solo Travel (Safe & Real Experiences).

As a women I did contemplate getting a 4×4 rental in Namibia and self driving, but I was overthrown with a little anxiety when I thought what would happen if Google Maps didn’t work, and if anything happened while driving like a busted tyre etc. So in the end decided to get a hire out a driver who knows the roads much more than I do and it worked out really well.

Neverthertheless, I never once felt unsafe throughout my entire 10 days in Namibia. The people are incredibly kind and welcoming, my tour guide was professional and attentive, and even in the more remote areas like Etosha and Sossusvlei I felt completely at ease.

A few things that also helped my 10 Days in Namibia solo:

• Having a private tour guide: I booked through TS Tours and having a dedicated Namibia travel guide meant I was never navigating anything alone. I would highly recommend this especially if it is your first time in Namibia. You can of course as I mentioned earlier get a 4×4 rental in Namibia which you can do via KAYAK here.
• Staying in well known lodges: all of the accommodations I stayed in were reputable, secure and in safe locations and I was very keen on reviewing reviews.

Overall on “is Namibia safe for solo female travellers?” the one thing I would say is that Windhoek as a city requires the same level of awareness you would apply in any major city in the world.

Other tools and Travel Resources

• My Instagram and TikTok have quick snap videos on the specifics of things to do in Namibia and more, and DM me if you have any questions about your trip.
• Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
• Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for Namibia. Please read the reviews before booking!
• Get travel insurance. I recommend that anyone travelling should have travel insurance, which you can get via SafetyWing here.

See You Soon Namibia

And there you have it! The most perfect, magical 10 days in Namibia well spent travelling the country solo. There are so many things to do in Namibia, which I absolutely loved about the country. I don’t even think I scratched the surface so will defo be going back soon.

And funny enough I am actually considering to go back again, but this time with my travel company Ayoviama. Namibia is the kind of place that gets under your skin (literally) and makes your mind truly wonder.

I felt like I was left memorised and also deeply connected to myself. I also think mainly because I was there solo, but also because I was just constantly seeing a new part of the country that I had seen online that once in my life could only dream off. And when I was stepping in Deadvlei and other locations I was constantly blown away when I saw it in person. I don’t think I have been anywhere else like this before in my life.

If you are thinking about going to Namibia my advise it to just go. You will not regret it for a single second. I hope my Namibia travel guide helped.

Have you been to Namibia and if you haven’t do you have any questions? Drop them in the comments below, and I will do my best to answer every single one.

Speak soon,

MBV x