Car rental Namibia
General information and regulations
Many roads in Namibia are paved with gravel (40,000 km of gravel and only 5,000 km of asphalt-paved roads). This makes driving a bit more difficult, especially when you exceed the recommended speed limit of 50mph/80kph. Along most of the roads, you will find warning signs and it is advised to heed these warnings. When you see a sign with arrows, reduce the speed with at least one third.
Be vigilant during heavy rainfall, this will result in a bumpy road. Headlights are essential in the case of sandstorms or mist so pay attention to the lights when you arrange a rental car. Furthermore, renting a 4WD is not a bad idea.
Traffic travels on the left in Namibia and seatbelts are mandatory. In order to rent a car you have to be 23 years old and have had a license for 2 years.
Driving in Namibia with a rental car
Windhoek is situated in the middle of Namibia. From here, most areas of interest are easy to reach (by car). The most important harbor town is Walvis Bay (Whale Bay) and the fishing industry is an important part of local economy. Along the bay, one can often find flamingos. Walvis Bay is a 300 km drive from Windhoek.
Another area of interest in Namibia is the city of Keetmanshoop, at 450 km from Windhoek. Here you can find the 'Giant's playground', known for its rock formations which resemble giant playing blocks. In addition, there is a quiver tree forest in the area.
Etosha national park is one of the largest nature reserves in Southern Africa and consists mostly of saltpans. Wildlife is abundant in the park. Wildlife such as elephants, Zebra's and lions roam the lands. The park is almost as large as The Netherlands and is situated in the North of Namibia, at 500 km from Windhoek. This is quite a ride and will take about 6.5 hrs.
Renting a car in Namibia
It is recommended to use the car rental services at the airport. Many large companies have an office here and you can use the services of Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Imperial.
Another option is booking a car through EasyTerra. This organization compares the rates of well-established car rental companies for your convenience.
