In short
Windhoek is the capital and the only real point of entry to Namibia. The city itself is seen in half a day: what you come for is hundreds of kilometres away.
Sossusvlei is five hours off, Etosha four, the Skeleton Coast five. The country is covered by self-drive, and Windhoek is where it starts.
What it really costs
The car is the central item: a four-wheel drive with two spare wheels is the standard, and hiring one over several weeks dominates the budget.
City prices are reasonable, but the desert lodges and park campsites are booked months ahead and cost far more.
What nobody tells you
The visa changed in 2025: Namibia now charges French citizens to enter. It is recent, and much of the information online is out of date.
Gravel tracks make up most of the network. You do not exceed eighty kilometres an hour, you do not brake sharply, and you do not drive after sunset because of the game.
Distances between petrol stations run into hundreds of kilometres. You fill up whenever you pass one, and always keep a water reserve in the vehicle.