Namibia in Feb/Mar (rainy season) - 4x4 required, or...?

Hi all,

We will be spending roughly 4 weeks in Namibia in late Feb and March next year, and are wondering about weather conditions. We know it is part of the rainy season, but are curious how that is likely to affect things (in terms of impassable roads etc).

Also, we know that the roads in most places are pretty good, but are wondering whether a combination of our route/wet season would make a 4x4 necessary, or whether a standard 2wheel drive saloon would suffice.

Our current very rough plan is a kind of loop Windhoek - swakopmund/walvis - sossulevi/namib-nauk nat pk - back north to skeleton coast - etosha - okahandja market - windhoek in either direction. We'd also love to see Fish River Canyon, but time/distance may be prohibitive. So, do experienced namib travels/residents think a 4x4 is necessary/recommended/daft for that in wet season or...?

Thanks
Rich

I was in Namibia last February in the areas of Swakopmund, Etosha, Spitzkoppen, Fish River Canyon, basically we travelled from Botswana, along the west of the country and into South Africa. It was pretty hot most of the time and never saw a drop of rain. I was travelling in an overland truck but some of our group broke off, some in a standard car and others in 4 x 4. When we all met up again in SA, the standard car group had made it ok with just one puncture but completely covered in sand, whilst the 4x4 group had had a marvellous time with no problems.
So, not essential for a 4x4, but will give a greater degree of comfort. Plus being slightly higher up, especially going through Etosha, you will see more, and have the option of going off the beaten track a little. If you plan to visit the dunes (highly reccommended, as is Fish River) a 4x4 may be a wise choice, you can then drive into the desert which really is somethng else. The 'Dead Vlai' is something I shall never forget, plus sitting on top of dune 17 (?) watching paragliders as the sun went down was spectacular.
Have a wonderful time!