Experiencing Namibia by sitting around the campfire, sleeping under the stars, and waking up the next day in the African bush… There is something special about camping in Namibia. In fact, our self-drive in Namibia was the perfect way to explore this amazing country, seeing all the highlights and at the same time getting so close to the incredible nature.
Last year we were lucky enough to visit Namibia twice and collected all the best campsites in Namibia we personally like the most. So if you are planning to do a self-drive in Namibia and looking for the best campsites in Namibia? Be sure to check them out.
Read also: Road trip in Namibia: the ultimate self-drive in 2 weeks
Camping in Namibia: Map of campsites in Namibia
Planning a self-drive in Namibia: rent a 4×4 in Namibia
Before we started planning our self-drive in Namibia, we searched online to rent a 4×4 in Namibia and ended up with a Drive Namibia. This company is owned by the lovely Jothea. She helped us through the whole booking process and welcomed us when we arrived in Windhoek.
Even when we’ve’ got a flat tire in the middle of Damaraland, she arranged a new tire for us in the nearest town so we could continue without any worries and with no extra costs.
If you are planning a self-drive in Namibia, we highly recommend to rent a 4×4 in Namibia.
Urban Camp – Windhoek
Distance from Windhoek: 3.7km
If you are planning a self-drive in Namibia and looking for a great place to stay when you arrive in Windhoek? Then Urban Camp is probably the perfect campsite in Namibia to stay at.
Urban Camp is lovely camping in Namibia and it has campgrounds and glamping tents with a central location in the heart of Windhoek.
The campsite has a lovely vibe with cozy and beautifully designed glamping tents, a BBQ garden with an outdoor pool makes it the perfect location to start or end your self-drive in Namibia.
Tip: Have diner in the famous Joe’s Beerhouse which is a few minutes walking from this amazing campsite in Namibia.
Read also: The 6 most beautiful lodges in Namibia
Okaukuejo Camp – Etosha National Park
Distance from Windhoek: 432km
Magical sunset views and face-to-face encounters with incredible wildlife… Welcome to Okaukuejo Camp! This popular campsite in Namibia is located inside Etosha National Park and makes it a great starting point to do some game drives and explore the Etosha Pan during a self-drive in Namibia.
The highlight of this campsite is that it overlooks a permanent waterhole visited by many wildlife after sunset. So beautiful! The viewing platform is about 50 meters from the hole. We saw rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and lions all drinking at the same time.
The Okaukuejo Campsite in Namibia offers different types of accommodation from campsites to chalets overlooking the famous waterhole. This is definitely one of the best places for camping in Namibia.
Olifantsrus Camp – Etosha National Park
Distance from Windhoek: 567km
Encountering the wild side of Etosha National Park? This is the place where you need to be for camping in Namibia! Olifantsrus Camp is an intimate and very special campsite in Namibia, inside Etosha National Park that offers a real camping experience and no accommodations. It’s located a little bit off the beaten path, in the unknown western part of Etosha National Park.
We recommend to rent a 4×4 in Namibia as this part of the park opened recently, so it’s still an untouched area with many good wildlife viewing possibilities.
There are 10 campsites at Olifantsrus Camp with power points and they’re all connected by a wooden walkway that leads to a waterhole and look-out point. The feeling of being so close with nature, surrounded by the bush and sleeping under the stars… Unforgettable!
Hoada Campsite – Damaraland
Distance from Windhoek: 540km
Always wanted to know how The Flintstones lived? At Hoada Campsite you’ll experience it yourself. This stunning campsite in Namibia is beautifully located between big granite boulders in the middle of wild Damaraland. The area around the campsites offers a chance to spot desert-adapted elephants. Each campsite has its own open-air shower, toilet, kitchen, and wonderful private settings. Water gets heated by a ‘donkey’ wood-burner every morning and evening, makes it also an eco-friendly camping in Namibia. There is also a swimming pool and sunset bar on top of the rocks offering amazing views. Pure magic!
Hoada Campsite is our favorite camping in Namibia and is located in a remote area of Damaraland. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended to rent a 4×4 in Namibia if you want to explore this area.
Madisa Camp – Damaraland
Distance from Windhoek: 376km
From an unforgettable campsite in Namibia to the most impressive camping in Namibia. Madisa Camp is without a doubt a truly hidden gem and definitely one of our favorite campsite in Namibia. The bumpy roads and the long drive is more than worth it.
The campsite is located near Twyfelfontein between incredible rock landscapes and has access to an ancient desert elephant route that often gets visited by these beautiful giants.
Each campsite has braai facilities and a shower, sink, and toilet situated on stilts overlooking the wilderness. Wanna have hot water? Then you need to heat first you water through fire. The campsite has a lovely swimming pool and bar area, which makes it a super relaxing spot to stay.
Tip: Drive slow, safely, and have a spare tire with you as the road from Swakopmund to Madisa Campsite is very bumpy. We had a flat tire ourselves and we saw a lot of cars with a breakdown
Spitzkoppe Community Restcamp – Spitzkoppe
Distance from Windhoek: 269km
Some experiences will leave you speechless, and this is one of them. Spitzkoppe Community Restcamp is world-famous and one of the most untouched campsites in Namibia. There is no power, running water, or formal ablutions at the campsites – only a dry toilet. (and is only at the entrance of the reception) The campsites are spaced far apart so that it feels like you have the entire place to yourself and gives a lot of privacy to everyone.
360-degree views of the Namib desert, unique rock formations, endless sunset views, and a sky full of stars… This place is truly the most amazing campsite in the world and definitely the highlight of our trip with Acacia Africa through Namibia.
Read also: An African camping overland tour: everything you need to know
Sossus On Foot – Solitaire
Distance from Windhoek: 265km
A quiet place, stunning views in every direction and beautiful surrounding makes Sossus on Foot truly special camping in Namibia. You can see as far as your eyes reach.
Its located 40km from Solitaire and Sossusvlei, which makes it a great campsite to stay. The campsite has shared ablutions and the owners are offering guided walks to track the desert animals.
Note: we couldn’t find any website to link to where you can check more information or prices about Sossus on Foot. We visited this campsite as part of our camping overland tour with Acacia Africa.
LOCATION
Sossus on Foot Campsite, Namibia
Sossus Oasis campsite – Sesriem
Distance from Windhoek: 321km
The Sossus Oasis Campsite is located at the main entrance gate of Sossusvlei, which makes it such a great place for camping in Namibia. After a day of exploring the dunes, there is nothing better than sitting back and relaxing around a campfire, listening to the sounds of the desert, and watching the sun goes down in front of your campsite.
Every campsite has its own toilet and shower facilities, kitchen with wash-up basin, BBQ facilities, and electricity points. Furthermore, there is also a small pool to relax after a day of exploration, a shop to buy some drinks and snacks, and a fuel station.
Read also: Travel budget for 2 weeks in Namibia
A little Sossus Campsite – Sossusvlei
Distance from Windhoek: 305km
Little Sossus Campsite is a very isolated and quiet campsite in Namibia, about 40 km from Sesriem. On the other side of the road is the Little Sossus Lodge that offers rooms and chalets and where you can find a restaurant.
The campsites have all their own en-suite bathroom with hot water, a power station, and a kitchen where you can prepare some food. There is a small shop, bar, garden area to relax and a cute swimming pool. The desert scenery is truly amazing and the thing we loved the most about it.
Felix Unite River Camp – Noordoewer
Distance from Windhoek: 807km
This is a wonderful location to explore the Orange River, the natural border between South Africa and Namibia. The Felix Unite River Camp is an amazing place for camping in Namibia with BBQ facilities and shared ablutions.
This is also a great place in Namibia to go river-rafting on the Orange River and for those who like to relax, you’ll have a lovely swimming pool and bar overlooking the Orange River.
Read Also: South Africa in 3 weeks: the ultimate travel itinerary
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