Hello, we are Maé and Oré @travelburners, and we have been travelling extensively across the African continent aboard our Land Rover Defender. During this long journey, Namibia has become particularly close to our hearts, and we would like to share some tips with you. Today it's all about off-road driving and adjusting the tire pressure.
As you can see, exploring Namibia by road is an incredible adventure that offers an exceptional sense of freedom. However, you must remain cautious at all times in this wild and challenging environment.
If you plan to go on an expedition to a very remote area of Namibia where the tracks are rarely marked, don’t set out on a whim and, above all, never go alone. We recommend travelling with at least one additional vehicle for safety and security reasons — mechanical breakdowns are rarely predictable. We travelled in the Hartmann Valley with a couple of friends who broke their clutch in the middle of nowhere — if we hadn't been there to help them out, imagine the trouble they would have been in ...
Additionally, outside of cities and villages, you won’t find any supermarkets or gas stations.
Therefore, it’s important to carry enough food, water, and diesel according to the type of expedition you plan. For this, you should outline a daily itinerary with distances to cover and estimate the duration of your trip. Also, leave room for improvisation and, most importantly, potential unforeseen circumstances.
Adjusting your tire pressure is crucial for safe driving and adapting to the various types of terrain you may encounter during a trip in Namibia.
Here are our recommendations — no exact science, these are guidelines rather than a step-by-step manual ;)
On tare roads, normal tire pressure provides good grip, even wear, and reduced fuel consumption. There's no need to lower the pressure on this type of surface, as doing so could lead to a loss of handling and premature tire wear.
For a standard rental 4x4, e.g. Namibia2Go recommends 2.0 bars for all four wheels. For 4x4s designed for long-distance travel, like ours — heavy vehicles — we recommend 3.0 bars for the front tires and 3.2 bars for the rear tires.
Lowering tire pressure increases the contact surface with the ground, which allows for better floatation and prevents getting stuck in sand or mud. However, be careful not to lower the pressure too much, as this could damage the tires if they come into contact with obstacles or hidden rocks.
In these situations, we generally reduce the pressure to 1.2 bars at the front and 1.5 bars at the rear. However, we have gone as low as 0.8 bars when driving on large sand dunes by the ocean. For a standard 4x4, the recommended pressure ranges between 1.5 and 1.8 bars.
Slightly reduced tire pressure allows the tires to better absorb shocks and helps avoid punctures from sharp stones. This also reduces vibrations and protects the vehicle. However, be careful not to lower the pressure too much, as this could cause pinching on the tire sidewalls (and result in a puncture).
We recommend a pressure of 2.5 bars at the front and 2.7 bars at the rear if you have a 4x4 similar to ours. Otherwise, for a standard 4x4, Namibia2Go recommends an overall pressure of 1.8 bars.
>> Note: these figures depend on the weight of your vehicle, the quality of your tires, and your driving speed. We recommend adjusting your tire pressure after each terrain change, checking it regularly, and monitoring the temperature of your tires — Namibia can get very hot, which may cause an increase in tire pressure.
To conclude this long section dedicated to driving in Namibia, we remind you that self-driving is a unique experience that will delight travellers seeking adventure and thrills.
However, we understand that this type of experience may not appeal to everyone. So, for travellers who do not feel comfortable with this type of driving or simply do not wish to, know that it is entirely possible to hire a driver-guide for your stay in Namibia. This option is, of course, available through the Gondwana Travel Centre.
To be continued.
This article is part of the series “Overland Namibia” with valuable travel tips:
05/12/2024 Choosing your Vehicle | Plan your Itinerary
19/12/2024 Safety and Preparation | Driving Gravel Roads
02/01/2025 Off-Road Driving | Adjusting the Tire Pressure
16/01/2025 Respect for the Environment and Communities | Health and Hygiene
30/01/2025 Documents and Assurance | Land Border Crossings
Article series written by Manon Glasberg for Gondwana Collection Namibia
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Website: www.travelburners.com