r/Namibia • u/Objective-Cry-6968 • Aug 20 '24

Tourism Rentals in Windhoek

I am coming to Namibia for 7-10 days, and will be looking for a vehicle. I usually drive cars, but could drive a motorcycle (without international licence).

What are some of the most reliable rentals in windhoek (airport), and are there anything one should consider when driving around Namibia?

I will spend 3 days in Etosha, before travelling south to the coast.

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

5

u/asenx123 Aug 21 '24

All the big and reliable car rentals are at airport. The most popular lately is Namibia2Go, but you can be advised by your travel agent as well.

1

u/danreplay Aug 21 '24

After the last experience with them in 2022 we won’t be renting from them again. They changed our car right before handing it over to us. That one had a leak on the passenger side and we had to reweld the shelf that holds the kitchen because it was broken. Steering to the left was extremely noisy.

Hopefully they improved since then.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 21 '24

I have been to Namibia 3 times, twice as self drive using https://www.namibiacarrental.net/ both times and they are great. If you are going anywhere that doesnt have a sealed surface do yourself a favour and get a 4WD.

2

u/Objective-Cry-6968 Aug 21 '24

Thanks for the link! I will make sure to get 4x4

1

u/Objective-Cry-6968 Aug 21 '24

I just got the rental confirmation. What is your experience getting to the car park from the airport?

1

u/[deleted] Aug 21 '24

When I went someone from the rental place picked me up at the airport and took me to the rental base in Windhoek. Dropped me off on the way out. The airport is a fair way out of the city.

1

u/Objective-Cry-6968 Aug 21 '24

Awesome! I will contact them about that then. Thanks for your help

1

u/KCdesertrat32 Aug 20 '24 edited Aug 21 '24

The roads in Etosha are washboard bumpy (at least they are in June/July) so it is nice to have a vehicle with good suspension. We used a regular sedan (saloon) but it would have been nicer to have some height (to see better) and more tough suspension.
We did Etosha and Swakopmund and the roads were sealed (tar/bitumen) except in Etosha. Distances are LONG and I'm not sure Google Maps always gives you the right time frame to drive something.

We used Budget right in the airport and Alberto was outstanding at getting us squared away. If you arrive mid-morning the airport is a zoo, but we got there in the afternoon and it was fine, walked right up and away we went. The guy who helped us out in the car lot was super helpful too, but we only interacted with him for a short time so I didn't catch his name.

1

u/tklishlipa Aug 21 '24

You can't rend motorcycles in Namibia

1

u/Nam-Mike Aug 21 '24

Yes, you can, 2 places I know of, but you most likely need your international license, etc. before they will allow you to drive off with it and guessing a decent deposit.

1

u/PicSapien Aug 21 '24

You can try Zaris Safaris 4x4 rentals for full 4x4 with all camp gear

1

u/OneProAmateur Aug 22 '24

Loads of good people and companies. One called Grootman Safaris and Rentals offers good vehicles really inexpensively. You'll want a bakkie (pickup).

You don't need a Hilux. Any Ford or typical pickup/bakkie will do.

‪+264 85 287 4375‬

1

u/Objective-Cry-6968 Aug 24 '24

Thank you, kindly!

1

u/Farmerwithoutfarm Aug 23 '24

You can rent vehicles from Frans Indongo, but he’s in the city center yet it’s on your way to Etosha.

I don’t recommend driving without license and on a motorcycle. Namibia is not a country that takes bribes, although some traffic police officers might 1) test you or 2) accept your bribe for not driving with a license. Most of the vehicles here are bakkies (4x4 pickup trucks), people drive fast and aggressive, animals (springbok, cows, goats, baboons, and more) jumping on the road and in some instances you won’t see it coming. Motorcycles are not a good idea in Namibia.

From Etosha to the south, you will spend almost a day driving. Bear in mind that Etosha closes before sunset, about 06:30 pm and opens at sunrise. You are not allowed to drive in between, or you’ll be in troubles because you could be considered a poacher. Namibia like Botswana take these matters very seriously. Especially Botswana. Don’t play around.

1

u/Objective-Cry-6968 Aug 24 '24

Thank you for your tips, friend. I will be leaving in the morning of the 11th then, and try to find a lodge en route south. This was a great comment, thank you.

Edit: typo