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Namibia Holiday & Travel - Rentals & Self Drives |
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Rentals & Self-Drives 2009/2010
Car Rental & Self-drives
Car Rental Association of Namibia (CARAN)
CARAN, the Car Rental Association of Namibia, is a non-profit association of 17 members that was established to protect tourists and the car-rental industry against sub-standard service and quality. Car-rental companies must subscribe to minimum standards before they are accepted as members of the association.
caran@iway.na
The minimum standards
The car-rental company must:
• be legally registered and comply with the requirements of the Department of Trade and Industry of Namibia;
• have a vehicle fleet consisting of at least five vehicles;
• provide sufficient insurance;
• provide a 24-hour backup service in cases of breakdown or accident;
• provide vehicles that are 100% roadworthy and qualify within the age and mileage restrictions imposed by CARAN; and
service and maintain its vehicles regularly to ensure compliance with roadworthy requirements.
The Namibian Government, through its Department of Environment and Tourism, supports CARAN members by distributing their brochures and advertising material through its networks worldwide. (Non-CARAN car-rental companies don’t enjoy this courtesy.)
The stringent standards set by CARAN were necessary due to the vastness of the country, the huge number of self-drive tours undertaken and the unfortunate experiences tourists have had in the past due to renting vehicles of sub-standard quality. CARAN, through its members, undertakes to immediately address problems that may arise concerning a vehicle that has been rented from one of its members.
Which vehicles are the most suitable to rent?
Car-rental companies are frequently asked which vehicles are the most suitable for Namibia. The main choices are:
• Any 2WD with good ground clearance and standard high-profile tyres that is available in the outlying areas of our country.
• Any 4WD with suitable tyres as referred to above.
• A camper van or motor home with suitable tyres as referred to above.
Namibia has an excellent road system that reaches just about every popular tourist destination in the country. However, the majority of the roads are gravel, and in the more remote areas they become tracks, which require careful driving, and for safety considerations, a second vehicle. These areas are not recommended for the inexperienced driver, for whom guided tours or organised safaris are recommended.
Important facts to consider:
• 4WD vehicles cost more to hire and run, but have good ground clearance and are normally fitted with tyres that are better suited for our road conditions.
• 2WD vehicles have less ground clearance and carry less.
• 2WD camping cars come equipped with everything you’ll need.
• 4WD camping cars come equipped with everything you’ll need and are more versatile than normal sedans or other two-wheel-drive vehicles equipped for camping.
• Motor homes are usually better suited to tar roads as they tend to be top heavy and have poor ground clearance.
When you reserve a vehicle with a CARAN member, enquire about the class of vehicle for which they gave you a quotation. In CARAN vehicles are classed in five categories, with Class 1 representing the newest vehicles with the lowest mileage available for rent and Class 5 the oldest vehicles with the highest mileage available for rent. You will obviously pay more for a Class 1 vehicle than a similar model Class 5 vehicle.
Your final choice will come down to where you intend travelling and your budget.
Safety precautions
• First and foremost, in Namibia we drive on the left side of the road.
• Passengers in the back as well as the front seats must wear seatbelts.
• To drive a vehicle in Namibia, you need a valid driving licence and must carry it with you when you are driving. If your driver’s licence is not printed in English, it is advisable to travel with an International Driver’s Licence.
• Make sure you are fully insured.
• Before leaving on your self-drive tour, make sure the brakes of your vehicle are in good working order.
• Your tyres must have the correct air pressure for the roads on which you’re planning to drive and also for the amount of luggage and number of passengers in your car.
• Always carry at least one spare tyre. When visiting remote areas, it is advisable to carry a second spare tyre and a tyre-repair kit.
• In Namibia, four-by-four vehicles are recommended when travelling through remote areas.
• You should carry a well-equipped first-aid kit.
• Plan your trip carefully, ensuring that you have enough fuel for the journey you have planned. Fill your tank at every available opportunity, even though you may not be in immediate need.
• Always carry water when you travel. Plan to have enough water for your entire journey, also in case you have a breakdown or become stuck.
• It is advisable to leave your itinerary with your tour operator, hotel or friends. In the unlikely event that you become lost, authorities will be able to find you if they know your plans.
• Make sure you have a current, authoritative map before you leave on your trip. When you leave the official roads marked on your map, there may be no road signs to direct you and the condition of the road may be poor.
• Take time to listen carefully to the safety briefing given by your car-hire company. Ask advice on the condition of the roads in the areas you plan to visit. If your car has extra fuel and water tanks, use them.
• Watch out for animals crossing the road or grazing near the roadside. Both wild and domestic animals frighten easily and can jump directly in front of your moving car.
• Avoid travelling at night. Wildlife is most active at dusk, and the possibility of a collision at this time of day is vastly increased.
• When entering any game park or other area where there are wild animals, read the safety guideline available. It is dangerous to leave your vehicle when you are in a wildlife area. The only safe way to look at a wild animal is from the safety of your vehicle.
• As distances are long, take regular breaks. However, take care at roadside picnic stops – robberies are known to occur.
Absolute speed limits:
Tarmac roads: 120 km/h
Gravel roads: 80 km/h
Towns: 60 km/h
Special safety precautions for gravel roads
Not all gravel roads are the same. Be aware of this and drive accordingly. Take note of the following before you set out:
• Punctures are common on gravel roads, so carry two spare tyres.
• Do not exceed the prescribed limit. The safest speed on a gravel road is between 60–80 km/h.
• Observe road traffic signs conscientiously, particularly those indicating a gentle or sharp curve ahead, and reduce your speed accordingly.
• In dusty conditions it is advisable to switch on the headlights of your vehicle so as to be more easily observed by other road-users.
• When there is oncoming traffic, reduce speed and keep to the left of the road as far as possible.
• In rainy or wet conditions, beware of slippery roads, sections of the road that have washed away, and running and/or stagnant water at drifts and/or causeways.
• Be on the lookout for animals, domestic and wild, at all times.
• Be constantly on the lookout for the unexpected, such as loose and sandy patches, potholes or a sharp bend in the road.
• Other hazards are dry stream crossings and dry dips in the road. These are often eroded or rocky.
• Be constantly on the alert, as road signs have sometimes been removed or run over.
• Overtaking on gravel roads is dangerous. Draw the attention of the driver in front of you by flicking your headlights, indicating that you wish to overtake.
• The simple rule when going into a skid is: skid left, steer left – skid right, steer right. Gently! In other words, if the car starts to slide towards the left side of the road, gently steer to the left, and vice versa. Take your foot off the accelerator for a moment as the car is gently brought under control and stay off the brakes!
• Be careful when you approach the top of a blind rise, as there is often a slight bend just out of sight which could catch you off-guard.
• The major hazards when driving on gravel roads are: driving TOO FAST, not concentrating or taking a chance by overtaking ‘blind’ into the dust of another vehicle.
Tips on towing
• First and foremost, ensure that your trailer is in a good roadworthy condition.
• The tyres fitted to your trailer should match the towing vehicle in size and should be in good condition, as they will travel the same roads. Having that extra spare for the vehicle may be a lifesaver.
• Tyre pressure should be the same on the trailer and the tow vehicle.
• It is advisable to have a break coupler that may be locked to de-activate the brake system. Excessive and unnecessary stress is placed on a trailer’s breaking system during severe off-road conditions.
• Maintain a manageable and safe travelling speed at all times.
Pack the trailer to place a positive weight distribution of between 30 kg and 80 kg on the tow ball of the vehicle.
Driving on sand
The experts will tell you that the keys to successful sand driving are momentum and tyre pressure. Momentum and speed stop the vehicle from becoming mired in the sand, while dropping your tyre pressure creates a bigger tyre ‘footprint’, spreading the vehicle’s weight over a larger area and giving you more grip.
So drop your pressures when you are driving in hot sand or in gravel (it will give you a more comfortable ride), but remember that fast cornering on soft tyres is highly dangerous (you can roll the tyre off the rim), and don’t forget to re-inflate when you are back on hard ground.
Rules when driving on sand:
• Never brake hard in soft sand. Your wheels will dig in and you’ll stop faster that you expect. Simply decelerate, as the loss of momentum will halt the vehicle.
• Always stop on a downhill or on the flat.
• Avoid wheel-spin – the vehicle will simply dig down into the sand.
Danger of flash floods
Due to the erratic nature of Namibia’s rainfall, the rivers in the interior of the country are ephemeral and usually dry. Runoff occurs only when the intensity of a rainstorm is high or if its duration is long enough to produce runoff. In terms of driving, all dry riverbeds should be considered as hazardous during the rainy season, especially when clouds are visible on the horizon. Devastating flash floods can occur in the period between the late afternoon and early morning. Visitors should, therefore, never drive along a dry riverbed or camp near the river in the rainy season.
Self-drivers, please take note
• The Namibian landscape is extremely fragile, so please follow only well-defined tracks and roads. Deviating off existing tracks not only spoils the scenery and enjoyment of others, but also destroys plants and small creatures. In certain areas, such as the gravel plains, a single set of tracks can remain visible for decades.
• Respect the culture and traditions of those inhabiting the area through which you are travelling. Disrespect causes resentment and ill feeling towards other tourists.
• Bear in mind that assistance could be days away in the event of an unexpected breakdown. A minimum of two vehicles travelling together is, therefore, strongly recommended.
• Vehicles must be equipped with at least two spare wheels, basic spares and tools for emergency repairs, jumper cables and recovery equipment such as towing ropes.
• Engage four-wheel drive and manually lock front hubs (if required) before negotiating difficult terrain such as loose sand, rocky terrain or steep inclines or declines. Inspect the terrain for obstacles and plan your route accordingly.
• In sandy terrain, deflate the tyre pressure to about 1 Kpa (front) and 1.2 Kpa (rear). If the vehicle becomes stuck, remember that brute force will not get you out of trouble. If anything, you’ll become bogged down even further. Stop immediately and take stock of the situation. Check whether the vehicle is engaged in four-wheel drive and the front hubs are locked, and clear the sand in front and behind the wheels.
• Other options might be to deflate the tyres a little more, jacking the vehicle up to place stones or dead branches under the wheels.
Camping equipment
Thorough planning is a vital prerequisite for any camping trip. Imagine erecting your tent and finding you forgot to pack the tent poles, or trying to light a campfire without matches. All visitors wishing to travel independently through the awesome but often isolated Namibian landscapes should ensure that they are fully equipped and self-sufficient.
Most visitors to Namibia will need to hire both a vehicle and all the camping equipment needed for their proposed trip. For those planning to explore more remote areas, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential. All Namibian car-hire operators will offer 4x4s, but make your reservation well in advance. Many companies can supply their vehicles fully equipped for camping and are experts in providing everything you’ll need.
Travellers using either their own car or hiring an unequipped vehicle will find se-veral specialist outlets in Windhoek, including Cymot (Greensport) and Safari Den, where equipment can be purchased. Those preferring to simply hire equipment can contact Camping Hire, amongst others.
The choice between ground tents and vehicle roof-top versions is a personal one. The latter is preferred by many for its ease of use and integral mattress, superior view, better probability of catching the breeze and less chance of encountering scorpions and the like.
Rooftops do, however, render your vehicle immobile until you break camp. Having chosen your canvas, make sure you take along a good mattress, bed mat or stretcher. Remember that camping is much more enjoyable when you are comfortable and able to sleep well.
There are many excellent sleeping bags on the market, a down filling being ideal both for its warmth on cool nights and lightness. Next on the list are a table and chairs, a small stove (gas or meths), a potjie (the legendary black three-legged cooking pot), pans, plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, kettle, braai (barbecue) grid, copious water containers or jerry cans, washing-up bowl with liquid soap and cloths, a good cool box and preferably a fridge wired to your vehicle. Further kitchen equipment, depending on your needs, includes cutting knives, chopping board, vegetable peeler, grater, whisk, colander, salad bowl, can and bottle opener, corkscrew, scissors, salt pepper and spices, tongs and a useful head-mounted torch.
Firewood should always be purchased in a pre-packed form, never collected loose in the veld. Take along a small hatchet, fire-lighters and matches, two powerful torches and plenty of spare batteries. Vehicle spares should include a spare wheel (preferably two), air compressor or pump, tyre gauge, battery leads, towrope, shovel and basic toolkit. Lastly, remember to take along sensible clothing and footwear, hats, sunblock, anti-malaria treatments, toiletries and personal items.
And don’t forget binoculars and camera for the holiday of a lifetime
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