Are you still hesitating to rent a car for your coming trip in Namibia? This may be your first time renting a car abroad and you are still unsure whether you are ready for the challenge? You can relax as this is the ultimate guide to renting a car in Namibia.
In this article, we will depict all the essentials for you to rent a car in Namibia and enjoy your road trip with a peace of mind.
Should I rent a car in Namibia?
Yes, Yes and Yes.
If there is one country where you should definitely rent a car, it is without hesitating Namibia. The country is simply so vast and so empty. Thus, we do not see any other way of visiting it than with a 4×4. You may decide to join an organized tour. Nevertheless, only consider this option if you are not able to find any friend to join you for a road trip. Â
Besides, the network of public transportation is not adapted to visiting the most interesting areas of Namibia. The country has so much to offer, but the distances are great. The most interesting sightings are off the beaten path. In addition, paying a tour each time to reach those remote places may not be the most economical option.
In a word, jump without hesitation into the driving adventure. We can guarantee you that, with what Namibia has to offer in terms of landscapes and outdoor options, this will be the trip of a lifetime.
Do I need to hire a driver?
Some people might find it reassuring to have a local guide driving them. However we consider that the driving experience in Namibia is very easy, safe. Therefore we do not see the need for a local driver.Â
We had never driven such a car before. However, we found it very easy and very straightforward to handle.
With this ultimate guide to renting a car in Namibia and a little savviness you should have more than enough information to drive the car on your own.
In what condition are the roads in Namibia?
The main roads connecting Windhoek to the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are paved highways. Also, the road leading to Etosha National Park is a paved Highway. Other than that, most of the roads are gravel roads. One must reduce its speed in order to keep full control of the vehicle in such type of roads.Â
NassPacker Tip : Make sure to always adapt your tire pressure when changing road type in order. It will help avoid having flat tires. It also helps you to have more steering control over your vehicle. Below are the recommend tires pressures per road type :
– 2.2 on paved roads
– 1.8 on gravel roads
– 1.1 on sand
There are also some sand sections in the country. Apart from a small manageable section in Sossussvlei, we strongly recommend avoiding sand. This is the case especially on the coast when visiting Sandwich Harbour. You can hire a driver there for the day. You will then enjoy the experience from the passenger side in all safety.
Read the NassPacker guide to visiting Sandwich Harbor in Namibia.
Is it safe to drive a car in Namibia?
As stated above in this ultimate guide to renting a car in Namibia, the roads are all very safe. They are mostly empty. Therefore the likeliness of accidents with other vehicles is very limited. In fact, the main danger comes from animal crossings. When in Europe, one easily overlooks the wildlife crossing signs, it is crucial to pay attention to them in Namibia. These crossings happen very frequently in all parts of the country.Â
Read the NassPacker guide to visiting Etosha National Park.
In addition, we would not recommend driving at night. Your chances of hitting wildlife increase exponentially. Instead, make sure to rest properly between locations. In fact, the main danger to tourists would be sleeping at the wheel and losing control of the vehicle.
Do I need a 4×4 when renting a car in Namibia?
While many roads are accessible with a sedan car, we would still highly recommend renting a 4×4. Not only does the height and strength of the vehicle give you confidence to drive around in peace, but some interesting sections of the country definitely need a 4×4. It is important to ensure that the car is in good condition and that it contains all the essentials for an enjoyable road trip.
Regulations when renting a car in Namibia
Speed is limited at 120 kph (75 mph) on highways, 80 kph (50 mph) on paved roads and 60 kph (35mph) on gravel roads. It is very important to abide by these speed limits. They will help you keep control of your vehicle in case there is a pothole or an animal that you need to avoid.
NassPacker Tip : Note that most rental cars companies have installed a GPS speed checker. In case of an accident, the rental car company will first check that you were not over speeding. If you were, your insurance will be null and void due to negligent behavior from your part.
The driver’s seat is on the right side of the car in Namibia. Therefore, driving is the left side of the road as in most ex-British colonies. Also, you may need an international driving license if your original is not printed in English, German or Afrikaans.Â
Disclaimer : Make sure to double check all local regulations as not all rules can be included in this ultimate guide to renting a car in Namibia
Gas stations in Nambia
As a general rule, we recommend to always fill up the entire gas tank anytime you see a gas station. While there are many gas stations on the main road, we loved exploring off the beaten track areas. It happened sometime for us to drive the whole day without seeing one single petrol station. For instance, in Damaraland, we also met a couple of fellow travelers that ran out of gas a few km away from their final destination.
NassPacker Tip : Make sure to rent a car that has a double gas tank. It gives you more autonomy and freedom while exploring the country’s vast national parks. Our car had 2 tanks of 80L and 60L summing up to 140L. It gave us around 900km-1000km of freedom (560-620 miles).
GPS and Maps
Today, most of us have phone with GPSs and maps. Some even download offline maps prior to traveling. However, we still recommend using the good old physical map to double-check if you are on the correct road. Your rental car provider should normally provide you one at the time of collecting your vehicle.
Which model should I get?
In general, most rental companies will be proposing the same vehicle models. The most popular are the Toyota Hilux 4×4 and the Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4. We also met some tourists driving small Suzuki Jimny’s. However, we would really recommend sticking to the above models.
It is very important to check that the car is quite recent and in very good condition. Make sure to check that the air conditioning is functioning properly as temperatures can get very hot. Besides, roads get too dusty to be able to open the window.
Insurance or not for renting a car in Namibia?
Usually, I tend to stay away from costly insurance when renting a car. I stick to the basic one that is already included. After all, the decision should be very simple. Compare what would be the maximum premium to pay in case of an accident VS the cost of the insurance extra.
This time for our trip in Namibia, a few interesting options were proposed. We decided to take one that included tires and windshield. These two components are usually extra. Indeed, they tend to break much more than the rest. Lots of gravel roads means much wear and tear for the tires. It also means a higher risk of rocks hitting the windshield. In this ultimate guide to renting a car in Namibia, we recommend to include at least this type of insurance.
Tent on top of ground tent?
We selected a Toyota Hilux with a tent that pops up on top on the roof. The car rental company shows you how to open and properly close the tents. It is very easy and intuitive. Besides, it saves a great amount of space for your luggage inside the car.
There are many different options. They have cars with 1 tent, 2 separate tents and even way more sophisticated movable houses. The sleeping experience on the roof of the car is very comfortable, safe and stable. Therefore, we recommend opting for a tent on top.
Make sure the below equipment is included?
- Safety :
- Spare tires.
- All tools necessary to change the tires
- Air compressor to inflate and deflate the tires
- Tow rope
- First aid kit
- Camping gear :
- Fridge/Freezer
- Chairs
- Table
- Cooking utensils and cutlery
- BBQ set
- Hatchet
- Gas bottles
- Water containers
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Matress
What company to rent with?
As a general rule, you always want to do as much research as you can, looking at prices, reading reviews and discussing directly with the rental companies to inquire about what is included and what is not.
From our side, we decided to rent our car with Savanna Car Hire. After discussing with a few fellow travelers and comparing all offers we considered it to be the best compromise between reputation and economical price.
We were very satisfied with them. They have plenty of vehicle types, all of them being very well maintained. They make you feel very safe prior to handing over the car and make sure to spend the necessary time training you with all the equipment and answering all questions you may have.
Overall NassPacker satisfaction : 5/5
PS : Only thing we would improve is the closing mechanism of the tent covers đŸ˜‰
Don’t forget the essentials of your road trip
- USB recharge cables for cameras and phones
- Power bank
- South African Socket adapter (Beware that Universal socket adapters very often don’t have the South African socket type)
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Plastics trash bags to protect luggage against the dust
- Your medicines
Now that you are ready, make sure to prepare your ultimate playlist, to pack on your favorite snacks
Ultimate 10 days itinerary in Namibia
- Day 1 : Start by getting used to your new car and gear and pack up your supplies in Windhoek. Read the NassPacker guide to Windhoek, Namibia
- Day 2 : Meet lions, elephants and other big animals at the Etosha National Park
- Day 3 : Go for an early morning safari in Etosha and drive through the amazing DamaralandÂ
- Day 4 : Visit a Himba village and drive through the amazing Torra Conservancy and Skeleton Coast
- Day 5 : Walk amongst tens of thousands of seals in Cape Cross, recharge your batteries in Swakopmund and Stargaze at the amazing Spitzkoppe
- Day 6 : Go full adventure mode in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. In addition, explore Sandwich Harbor where the desert meets the sea
- Day 7 : Stop for the Best Apple Pie in Solitaire and explore Sesriem Canyon
- Day 8 : Explore planet Mars, the moon and any other planet you wish in Sossusvlei
- Day 9 : Fly back home or continue your trip somewhere else from Windhoek Airport
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