8 Picturesque Drives in Namibia: Top Roadtrip Routes to Experience

Ranked among the most stunning landscapes in all of Namibia, Fish River Canyon resembles a snake rather than a fish that winds its way up to the clouds. Although the area is popular among locals and travellers, it is one of the least touristy natural attractions in the country. The viewpoint at Hobas is arguably the best although reaching this particular area can be challenging if you're not driving in a 4x4. The road to Fish River Canyon can also be tough in spots but well worth the effort as it requires a full day to take in the views from every observation point around the canyon.

Travellers based at Avani Windhoek Hotel and Casino will find that embarking on a road trip to Kuiseb Pass is among the top things to do in Windhoek. Located between the Sossusvlei sand dunes and Walvis Bay, the Kuiseb Pass occupies a stunning setting inside Namib Park. While it is necessary to secure a permit before you set out from Windhoek or Swakopmund, the drives along both the main roads and the lesser-known routes are equally captivating.

Identified as the most visually arresting coastline in the country, there are few scenic drives in Namibia that can equal the beauty of the Skeleton Coast. This northern region shoreline named after the stranded ships clinging to its cliffs has long been associated with great seafaring tragedies due to the inhospitable and rugged terrain. Lined with deserted beaches and towering sand dunes, the drive along the Skeleton Coast also acquaints visitors with the continent's biggest sea colony.

Home to desert cats, black rhinos and elephants that have adapted to its arid climate, the mountainous routes crisscrossing Damaraland can only be described as otherworldly. Those who camp out near Damaraland will find that the morning hours are ideal for spotting wildlife along the Huab River Valley as elephants, in particular, occupy the river bed in large herds.

Setting out from Sesriem, the C27 takes you to southern Namibia's Namibrand Nature Reserve. As the most expansive privately-owned wildlife sanctuary in the country, visitors may be surprised to find that they are not charged for driving across this game park known to be inhabited by oryxes, springboks and ostriches.

Nature lovers with an interest in local vegetation will find the Welwitschia Drive the most engaging off-road journey of their holiday. With the route taking the name of the lichen plant Welwitscha Mirabilis that grows abundantly in the area, it's the perfect day trip option for those who are short on time.

If encounters with seals, local birdlife and other desert species sound like your cup of tea, then look no further than the route across Walvis Bay to Sandwich Harbour. Although the road gets steeper and steeper until you reach the sand dunes of Namib, the seal-spotting opportunities alone make this coastal drive a treat for the senses.

Seaside drives in Namibia rarely include penguin and flamingo sightings but that's just what's up for grabs for those who set out to reach the town of Lüderitz.