Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is fully pressurised as you don't want to get stuck out in the desert with only three good
wheels.
HIRE
For a compact car, the least expensive companies charge around US$45 to US$65 per day
(the longer the hire period, the lower the daily rate) with unlimited kilometres. Hiring a
4WD vehicle opens up remote parts of the country, but it can get expensive at US$85 to
US$120 per day.
It's generally cheaper to hire a car in South Africa and drive it into Namibia, but you
need permission from the rental agency, as well as the appropriate paperwork to cross the
borders.
Most companies include insurance and unlimited kilometres in their standard rates, but
some require a minimum hire period before they allow unlimited kilometres. Most com-
panies also require a deposit, and won't hire to anyone under the age of 23 (although some
go as low as 21).
Naturally, you should always check the paperwork carefully, and thoroughly examine
the vehicle before accepting it. Car-hire agencies in Namibia have some very high ex-
cesses due to the general risks involved in driving on the country's gravel roads. You
should also carefully check the condition of your car and never
ever
compromise if you
don't feel totally happy with its state of repair.
Additional charges will be levied for dropping off or picking up the car at your hotel
(rather than the car-hire office) and for each additional driver. A 'cleaning fee' (which can
amount to US$50!) may be incurred - at the discretion of the hire company - and a 'ser-
vice fee' may be added.
Always give yourself plenty of time when dropping off your hire car to ensure that the
vehicle can be checked over properly for damage etc. The car-hire firm should then issue
you with your final invoice before you leave the office.
Avis
(
www.avis.com
)
Offices in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Tsumeb and Walvis Bay as
well as at Hosea Kutako Airport.
Budget
(
www.budget.co.za
)
Another big agency with offices in Windhoek and Walvis
Bay as well as at Hosea Kutako Airport.
Europcar
(
www.europcar.co.za
)
Offices in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Walvis
Bay and at both Hosea Kutako and Eros airports.
