Advice from the road, figures checked

"Is Namibia expensive?" is the question we hear most. The honest answer: it all depends on three sliders — accommodation, season and vehicle. Here are the real figures for a 15-day self-drive for two, line by line, without the vague ranges you read everywhere.

The 4x4 rental is your biggest on-the-ground expense — and the one where nasty surprises are counted in thousands of euros. After Namibian gravel, drop-off disputes are a national sport. Here are the 9 classic traps, and the counter for each.

There is no bad season for Namibia — there are different trips. The dry season (May-October) maximises wildlife; the green season (November-April) offers landscapes, light and gentle prices. Here is the honest comparison, then the month-by-month detail.