Region
Khomas
Base in Windhoek, 1–2 nights; use Khomas as the arrival buffer, not a destination in itself.
Key facts · Namibia
- Currency
- Namibian dollar
- Language
- English is the only official language
- Plugs
- M · D · 220–230 V
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
Khomas is the highland region around Windhoek, the capital, and the only place in Namibia with an international airport and a full road network. Most travellers land at Hosea Kutako (WDH), sleep one night in Windhoek, then drive out. Add a second night only if you want a mountain pass, a cave, or a farm stay on the escarpment before heading to Sossusvlei, Swakopmund or Etosha.
Sleep
Which bed, for how many nights, and what to do from it
Where to sleep
- WindhoekTrip line
Airport transfers, car rental, restaurants, the only real city services in the region.
Best Apr–Oct
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Night sequences
- 1 nights
- Windhoek 1 night, collect the car in the morning, drive out
- 2 nights
- Windhoek 1 + farm stay or pass drive on day 2 (Spreetshoogte or Bosua), then west or south
- Windhoek to Swakopmund is a half-day drive on gravel passes; do not add a pass detour and a sunset arrival on the same day.
- Fuel up in Windhoek or Dordabis before any C- or D-road; stations are far apart.
- Khomas sits at about 1,700 m; the first night can feel dry and cold after a long flight.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windhoek | Windhoek | 20 min | unknown | City sights are a half day; combine with a township or craft-market stop. |
| Spreetshoogte Pass | Windhoek | 150 min | unknown | D2175, drops about 1,000 m to the Namib. No trailers, nothing over 3.5 t; first gear down. |
| Arnhem Cave | Windhoek | 180 min | unknown | About 130 km east via the B6 and C23/D1808. Guided tour about an hour, 100 m underground; bring a torch and clothes you can throw away.About 81 mi east via the B6 and C23/D1808. Guided tour about an hour, 100 m underground; bring a torch and clothes you can throw away. |
Bags between cities
No luggage forwarding in Namibia; you carry your own bags between stops.
When and how
Months, arrival and passes
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windhoek | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | ok | ok |
| Namibia (country-wide) | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | go | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windhoek and the Khomas highlandCentral plateau, 1,600–1,800 m | wet | wet | wet | ok | ok | dry | dry | dry | dry | ok | ok | wet |
- Windhoek and the Khomas highland
- Rain falls mainly December–March, often as short afternoon storms. May–August days are mild but nights drop near or below freezing. October–November is hot and dry before the rains.
The highland is cooler than the coast or the Namib at the same time of year; pack a warm layer even in summer.
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDH (Hosea Kutako International) | Windhoek city | Rental car or pre-booked shuttle/taxi | 45 km, ~45–60 min | Namibia's only international airport. No public transport from the terminal; arrange the transfer before you land. |
| ERS (Windhoek Eros) | Windhoek city | Taxi | ~10 min | Light aircraft and domestic charters; in town, not for international arrivals. |
| Cape Town / Johannesburg | Windhoek | Long-distance coach | check | Coaches run on the B1 corridor; book ahead, they are not daily on every route. |
| Swakopmund / Walvis Bay | Windhoek | Train (freight with one or two passenger cars) | check | A few times a week, late-afternoon departure, stops often and takes most of a night. Cheap and safe, but slow. |
Regional passes
Eat and move on
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Game steak (kudu, oryx, springbok) | Windhoek, city-wide | The default Namibian main; portions are large, so one plate between two works at lunch. |
| Kapana (grilled beef) | Windhoek, Katutura market | Sold by weight, eaten with your hands and chilli; cheapest and best before 14:00.Sold by weight, eaten with your hands and chilli; cheapest and best before 2:00 PM. |
| German-style cakes and coffee | Windhoek, city centre | A colonial-era habit that survived; good for a slow morning before the drive. |
Go next
Windhoek and Khomas
Same area
City-level detail for the capital.
Erongo
plannedB2/C28 west, ~4 h to Swakopmund
Coast, dunes and adventure sports; the usual next stop.
Hardap
plannedB1 south, ~4 h to Mariental
Gateway to Sossusvlei and the Namib-Naukluft.
Omaheke
plannedB6 east, ~3 h to Gobabis
Cattle country and the road toward Botswana.
ǁKaras
plannedB1 south, ~5 h to Keetmanshoop
Fish River Canyon and the far south.
Kunene
plannedB1 north then C-roads, long drive
Remote north and Epupa Falls; plan two days of driving.
Kavango
plannedB1 north via Otavi, ~8 h
Rundu and the Okavango river.
Caprivi
plannedB1 north then B8 east, ~12 h
Zambezi region; break the drive over two days.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source