When it comes to fuel planning for self-drive trips in most countries, a "long-stretch" between fuel stations would be about 100km. In Namibia, it might be 300. and one of those stations might be closed, out of stock, or cash-only. If you pass a station and you're below half a tank, I'd recommend stoping (depending on how far your destination is of coarse). Windhoek to Sossusvlei is a pretty thinly stretched journey. Once you leave Rehoboth heading west, the next reliable fuel is Solitaire, roughly 250km away. Sesriem to Swakopmund via the C14 is the longest thin stretch on the standard tourist circuit. Solitaire is your last fuel before the 280km Namib crossing to Walvis Bay, and there is genuinely nothing in between. Fill in Solitaire. Fish River and the south: Bethanie, Helmeringhausen, Aus, Keetmanshoop and Grünau are your dependable stops. Distances between them look modest on the map but the roads are slow, so keep the half-tank habit going. Damaraland: Khorixas is the reliable one. Palmwag has fuel most of the time but has been known to run dry. Sesfontein is small and its supply is inconsistent. If you're heading north of Sesfontein into Kaokoland proper, you're in serious fuel-planning territory and you should carry extra fuel in a proper jerry can, not maybe. Etosha access: Outjo is the last big station before Anderson Gate. Tsumeb or Grootfontein for Von Lindequist on the east side. Kamanjab if you're coming in via Galton on the west. Fill up in whichever you pass. This matters more this year than it used to, which brings me to the next point. The park camp fuel situation, 2026 Worth knowing before you plan: fuel supply at the Namibia Wildlife Resorts camps inside Etosha (Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni) has been unreliable for well over a year now, with long periods of no fuel at all. Assume you can't refuel inside the park and plan around it. Fill up before you enter and again on your way out. Same principle applies to Sesriem to some extent, though the Engen at Sossus Oasis just outside the gate has been more reliable than the in-park pumps. Check with your rental company or lodge for the current picture close to your travel date. Extra fuel For most standard itineraries (Etosha, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Fish River, Damaraland along the main routes) you do not need to carry extra fuel if you're using the half-tank rule. For Kaokoland, Van Zyl's Pass, Marienfluss or Skeleton Coast Park north of the Ugab, you should carry extra. Metal jerry cans, properly secured. Check with your rental company on their policy because some don't allow them, some provide them, and some charge for them. Cash vs card Most main-town stations now take cards. Rural ones are more mixed. Carry more cash than you think you need anyway. Fuel attendants expect a small tip, 10-20 Namibian dollars is standard. Nobody self-serves. Wave the attendant to your fuel type (diesel or 95 unleaded) and confirm the amount before they pump. That's the main stuff. Happy to answer questions about specific routes if anyone's planning around one.   submitted by   /u/AdvancedCarHireNA [link]   [comments]