The southern route

Namibia’s summer rains don’t occur only in the south. The whole country has been getting good rains for the past two years, but the farther north you travel off road, the wilder it gets. This year, the Damaraland and Kaokoland rivers flooded, and a few roads were impassable for days. (Travel with an experienced guide and in a convoy.) The south is more accessible and enchanting when wet. Choose dirt roads where possible – these are not only the most beautiful routes but also the most exciting in your off-roader.

I’d choose the D316 past Ai-Ais and the D324 (rather than the B1 through Grünau) once you’ve crossed the border at Vioolsdrift and heading for the Fish River Canyon. Keep north on the C12, and take a look at the Naute Dam on the D545 – it’s not every day you’ll see a full dam in Namibia. There’s also the Neckertal Dam – the country’s biggest – next to the B4. From there, you could take a shortcut on the C14 to Helmeringhausen, but you’ll reap far greater reward by going via Aus on the C13. That way, you can also take the D707, a beautiful detour around the Tiras Mountains, before travelling higher up north on the C27. This road takes you through the NamibRand Nature Reserve – a stunning place after rainfall – to Sesriem. Don’t miss the sodden dunes and pools of water in Sossusvlei and the Sesriem Canyon.

From Sesriem, there are several options to get to the north of the country. Heading to Swakopmund? Stick to the coast on the C19 and C14 (do check first in case the Gaub and Kuisebri rivers have flooded). In the other direction, the C19 or C14 are good options to Maltahöhe and Mariental, but you’ll skip some beautiful mountain passes in the Khomas Hochland. The Remhoogte (D1261), Spreetshoogte (D1275), and Gamsberg (C26) all belong on your list.