First time Namibia 4x4! Route check: Swakopmund to Etosha & Etosha back to Windhoek. Do we need stops?
Hi everyone! Planning my first self-drive trip to Namibia with a Bushlore 4x4. English is not my first language, so please excuse any mistakes!
I am looking at two major long-distance drives in my itinerary. Google Maps says they are fine, but I want to be safe and absolutely avoid driving in the dark! 😅
1. Go: Swakopmund ➔ Skeleton Coast ➔ Etosha (Andersson Gate) in 1 day?
Can we leave Swakopmund early, drive up to see the Skeleton Coast (Cape Cross/Ugab Gate), and reach Etosha South Gate on the same day? Or is it too much? If we must stop for a night in between, where is the best place/area in Damaraland?
2. Return: Etosha (East Gate / Von Lindequist) ➔ Windhoek in 1 day?
On the way back, we will leave from Etosha's East Gate (near Namutoni) to Windhoek. Is this too long for one day, or is it easy since it's the B1 paved highway? If it is too rushing and we should make it a 2-day drive instead, where would be a great, scenic place to stop for one night?
Would love some brutal honesty and real advice on road conditions and good stopovers. Thank you so much! 😊