Fuel & Service Stations

There is one particularly pleasant thing about refuelling in Namibia: somebody else usually does it for you.

Service stations are attended, so a fuel attendant will fill the vehicle while you remain beside or inside it. Many will also offer to clean the windscreen, check tyre pressure or assist with oil and water.

A small tip for good service is appreciated.

Fuel availability

Namibia has a good network of service stations along the main travel routes and in most towns.

That does not mean fuel is available everywhere.

In remote regions the distance between stations can be considerable, and smaller stations may occasionally run short of a particular fuel type or operate limited hours.

The old Namibian road-trip rule remains a good one: if you are travelling somewhere remote and you have the opportunity to refuel, do it.

Petrol or diesel?

Both petrol and diesel are widely available.

Make sure you know which fuel your vehicle requires and confirm it with the attendant before filling, particularly if you are driving a rental vehicle that is unfamiliar to you.

Putting the wrong fuel into a vehicle is a remarkably expensive way to make a simple road trip more memorable.

Can I pay by card?

Card payment is common at many Namibian service stations, particularly in towns and along major routes.

However, card machines depend on electricity and connectivity, and neither is guaranteed everywhere all of the time.

Carry enough cash to buy fuel if electronic payment is temporarily unavailable, especially when travelling outside larger centres.

Where should I refuel?

On the main routes, you can generally plan fuel stops around established towns and settlements.

Before travelling through sparsely populated areas, check the distance to your next reliable fuel stop and compare it with the practical range of your vehicle.

Do not calculate this too tightly. Detours, road conditions, headwinds, sand and simply exploring somewhere you did not originally intend to visit can all increase fuel consumption.

Remote travel

If your route takes you deep into remote areas, ask your vehicle-rental company or accommodation provider whether additional fuel capacity is recommended.

Do not carry petrol or diesel in unsuitable containers. If extra fuel is genuinely required, use approved containers and follow the vehicle provider’s safety advice.

Service-station shops

Many larger service stations have convenience stores where you can buy drinks, snacks and basic travel supplies, and some include restaurants, ATMs or other services.

In smaller towns the service station can become a surprisingly important part of local travel infrastructure, but do not assume every station has a fully stocked shop or operates around the clock.

Tyres and windscreen checks

Fuel attendants may offer to check tyre pressure or clean your windscreen.

If you are driving long distances, tyre pressure is worth monitoring regularly, but use the pressure recommended by your vehicle manufacturer or rental company rather than simply choosing a number at the pump.

Fuel prices

Fuel prices in Namibia are regulated and adjusted periodically.

For that reason, we do not publish a fixed per-litre price here. It would probably be wrong by the time you arrived.

If the exact current price matters for budgeting, check the latest official fuel-price announcement before travelling.

The useful rule

You usually do not need to panic about finding fuel in Namibia.

You simply need to avoid passing a perfectly good service station in the middle of nowhere while telling yourself that the tank is still half full.