Plans to restrict self-drive 4x4 vehicles from accessing Namibia’s iconic Sossusvlei and Deadvlei have been postponed following strong opposition from tour operators and industry stakeholders.
According to reports from Namibia, concerns raised by the tourism sector prompted further engagement with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), resulting in a delay to the proposed access changes at two of the country’s flagship desert attractions.
Heiko Dörgeloh, CEO of About Africa, confirmed that the current self-drive arrangements will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Speaking after recent stakeholder consultations, Dörgeloh said the implementation of the proposed restrictions has been deferred while authorities review feedback from the industry.
“Following recent stakeholder input and engagement with MEFT, the implementation date has been postponed and self-drive access will remain unchanged until further notice, pending the release of an updated implementation schedule,” he said.
The revised implementation schedule is expected to be finalised and communicated in early 2026. Until then, travellers planning a self-drive visit to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei can continue to access the sites under the existing regulations.
The announcement provides welcome clarity for independent travellers and tour operators alike, particularly as self-drive 4x4 travel remains a key part of Namibia’s tourism offering and a popular way to explore the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
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