NS-3 is extremely difficult to install, learn and use. You need to learn C++, Python, QT, Mecurial, TCP Dump and more. And then you need to write code for analyzing trace files, and separate codes for visualization.
I would suggest you use the academic version of a commercial tool like OPNET or NETSIM (https://www.tetcos.com)
Both Opent++ and Ns-3 can be used for the simulation of ad-hoc routing. however, each simulator has a different feature. for example, you can read and cite the related paper
Article Simulation based comparison of routing protocols in wireless...