Auto

What is the ideal car for Namibia? 2×4 and 4×4 car rental in Namibia, Africa

There are a plethora of car rental companies in Namibia. Some reputable, some that would never be recommended and others that should do visitors a favor and just close shop. So how do you decide on the right car rental for your vacation in Namibia?

1. Match your itinerary with the roads you will be traveling on: gravel and/or paved (tar).
2. Determine the number of passengers, height/weight, etc.
3. Determine how many pieces of luggage each passenger is carrying. What is the luggage size?
4. Determine how much space you would like in the vehicle.
5. Is it worth the hassle to save money by renting a standard sedan?

When a large part of your itinerary takes place on the paved roads of the Trans-Caprivian and/or Trans-Kalahari Highway, a two-by-four (2×4) will be a better option. Why a two by four (2×4) and not a standard sedan? In a standard sedan, you’re just too close to gravel when you venture in from paved roads; Etosha National Park, the Waterberg Tablelands and the Cheetah Conservancy are all examples of times when you’ll leave the paved road behind. This makes your rides bumpy, uncomfortable, slow, and with a higher chance of blowing out your tires. Travel calmly and with greater reliability by paying the extra costs of renting a quadricycle (4×4).

Travelers to Namibia, time and time again, are glad they decided on a four by four (4×4) instead of a sedan or two by four (2×4). Although most itineraries never require “real” four-wheel drive off-road vehicles, the benefits and conveniences of a four-by-four (4×4) are numerous. The more obvious four-by-fours (4x4s) have plenty of clearance between you and the ground, allowing you to maintain speeds and keep the ride smooth. Also, most of the time, they are more spacious.

All travelers, especially those on a limited time frame, pray for a hassle-free and hassle-free vacation. The gravel roads in Namibia can be both rough and dangerous. Sharp stones, especially along the C19 road to Sossusvlei, and thorns in Etosha National Park frequently puncture tires and leave travelers stranded in remote corridors with few options. When renting a four by four (4×4), the tires are stronger and more reliable than sedans. Rental companies that supply, or even specialize in four-by-four (4×4) rentals, sometimes supply their customers with as many as two spare tires and an air compressor.

With only 10-12 days to see Namibia, travelers often follow the same route (Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland, Etosha NP) traveling between paved and gravel roads. Is it worth getting stranded in the middle of Namib-Naukluft just because you wanted to save a few bucks?

To a quiet expedition. What are some reputable car rental companies based in Windhoek, Namibia? http://wildsafariafrica.com/about/your-specialist-in-african-safari-planning/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *