Solo in the Sands: Conquering Namibia's Wild Beauty Alone

They say Namibia is a land of extremes-harsh yet beautiful, vast yet intimate, ancient yet always changing. But nothing could have prepared me for witnessing the Namib Desert—Earth’s oldest—drenched in a rare, decade-in-the-making downpour. Traveling solo as a single woman might sound daunting, but with the right preparation, it became the adventure of a lifetime.

Deadvlei - 24 March 2025

A Once-in-a-Decade Sight: Water in the Desert

When I arrived in Namibia, the landscape was transforming before my eyes. Deadvlei, the iconic white clay pan surrounded by towering dunes, is known for its skeletal trees and cracked earth. But against all odds, I saw it holding water for the first time in 10 years! Rivers that had been dry for years now flowed, cutting through the ancient sands like veins awakening the desert’s soul.

Sunrise Over the Dunes: A Private Moment with Nature

One of the most surreal moments of my journey was watching the sunrise from the top of a dune, overlooking Deadvlei in complete solitude. Staying at Sossus Dune Lodge, situated within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, made this possible. This lodge offers guests the unique advantage of accessing Sossusvlei before sunrise and staying until after sunset, unlike other visitors who are restricted by the park's main gate hours. The main gate at Sesriem opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, and it's approximately 60 kilometers from the dunes. By staying within the park, I could embark on my journey to the dunes as early as 5 a.m., ensuring a serene experience before the influx of daily visitors. Seeing the desert awaken in hues of gold and crimson, with only the whispering wind as company, was nothing short of magical.

Getting There: Making Solo Travel Work

I flew from Johannesburg to Windhoek—a quick and affordable two-hour journey. Flying into Windhoek and renting a vehicle gave me an extra day in Namibia, allowing me to explore even more of this stunning country. I opted for a rental through Namibia2Go.com, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. Their fleet of off-road vehicles is top-notch, and each one comes equipped with a tracker. The peace of mind that any unexpected issue—like a burst tire—would be covered was invaluable, especially after covering 3,088 km on my adventure.

Safety First: Navigation & Emergency Planning

Being alone in one of the most remote landscapes on Earth requires preparation. I rented a satellite phone and a Garmin GPS preloaded with Tracks4Africa from sat4rent.co.za. With Namibia’s vast emptiness, having a reliable navigation system was a game-changer. I also printed out all my accommodation details and emergency contacts—because when you’re out there, cellphone signal isn’t always a luxury you can rely on.

Additionally, I flew to Windhoek with my own dual tire deflator, which gave me ease of mind whenever I reached tricky terrain. The dual function made it quick and efficient to let my tires down when needed—an essential tool when tackling Namibia’s off-road conditions. I recommend the Indeflater brand.

Lessons from the Road

1. Solo Travel Isn’t as Scary as It Sounds – With careful planning and the right tools, I felt completely secure throughout my journey.

2. Print out emergency information to have on hand for when mobile connectivity is unavailable.

3. A Good 4x4 is Worth Every Penny– Driving through rivers that hadn’t flowed in years was surreal, and my vehicle handled it all like a pro.

4. Pack for All Seasons – The desert’s weather is unpredictable, especially when it's unexpectedly drenched.

Would I Do It Again?

In a heartbeat. Namibia, in its wettest and wildest form, was an experience few have witnessed. And doing it solo? That was the ultimate freedom. If you’re contemplating a solo trip to Namibia, take the leap—you’ll return with stories as vast as the dunes themselves.