Jaunted

The Basics:
Namibia's a big country with a small population. (It has the second lowest density in the world; Mongolia ranks first.) And while taxis can be found in most major cities--and donkey carts rule the roads elsewhere--there's no real mass transportation system. This means that if you don't rent a car, Namibia can be a tough place to get around.

But it's still possible. Endless hours on the side of a long and lonely road may be a pain in the ass, but free hitchhiking through Namibia costs a lot less (i.e. nothing) than forking over the dosh for organized (though often unsafe, overused and overcrowded) transport.

Sure, forgoing your own car in favor of hitching a ride in someone else's has its disadvantages. For one thing, it puts Etosha off limits, as it's nearly impossible to free hike into Namibia's most famous game reserve. But as every seasoned traveler will tell you, talking to the locals is the best way to get a feel for a place. With endless stretches of tar to travel, they'll be plenty of time to learn the real lay of the land.

The Nuts and Bolts:
But just how does this free 'hiking thing work? Cities and towns usually have organized hike points for popular destinations. They're at Total or Engen stations, in store parking lots and in front of random tall trees. But these are the places that require riders to pay. Free hikers know that one of two approaches works best for securing a free ride. The ballsy hang out in gas stations and approach drivers while they're refueling. It's a bit like doing man on the street interviews, only this time, there's just one question: "Can you give me a lift?"

Service station employees can be a huge ally in the search for free transport, so it's a good idea to let them know your final destination as soon as you can. But if you choose to work alone, it's helpful to know that the last two letters on every Namibian license plate indicate the car's hometown. This can save a lot of time and help you avoid fruitless lines of questioning at busy stops.

The alternative is somewhat easier: Simply hang outside of town. Standing on the roadside with your packs on the ground usually indicates to drivers you're trying to get somewhere. And since you're not at an organized hike point, the majority will assume you're hoping to get there free of charge--though it's always good to double check.

It's best to stand on the main road out of town, heading in the direction of your destination. And it's ideal if there's a convenient place for drivers to pull off nearby. Hiking in pairs is, of course, preferable.

Is It Safe?
Females may find they have more offers for rides, but that's because there's slightly more risk. Free hikers quickly learn there are two types of drivers: those who pick up hikers because they worry they'll be taken advantage of and those who pick up hikers because they want to be the ones taking advantage. It's easy to avoid the latter by going with your gut and always asking where the car is heading before offering your destination. (This, of course, makes it easier to lie: "You're going to Tsumeb? Too bad. I'm on my way to Uiis!")

If you opt to free hike (and for the real Namibian experience, you should) don't try using the American signal for thumbing a ride. It won't fly here. Instead, use a hand wave similar to "slow down" or the motion for "lower" to flag passing cars.

Sure, free hiking through the countryside may not be the most convenient way to get around, but it's certainly the most adventurous.

Related Stories:
· Jaunted Embedded Travel Guide: Namibia [Jaunted]
· Africa Travel coverage [Jaunted]