Granny's trip to Namibia and South Africa
Nov 6th, 2007, 10:56 AM
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Granny, great report, and lots of info on one of my favorite, and one of Africa's best parks -- Etosha.
I rented from Avis in Namibia, but since I had read about the condition of the roads, I opted for their insurance (even though I have a Platinum Amex which purports to provide coverage), and I returned the car without one of the side mirrors -- it got knocked off while I was parked. I was only charged the US$25 deductible -- no paperwork, aggravation, follow up. The moral for me was that is sometimes pays to purchase the additional insurance.
I have also rented from Avis for my trip to New Zealand over Christmas, and I have likewise purchased the insurance -- the small expense is worth avoiding the hassle if I have a problem.
Michael
I rented from Avis in Namibia, but since I had read about the condition of the roads, I opted for their insurance (even though I have a Platinum Amex which purports to provide coverage), and I returned the car without one of the side mirrors -- it got knocked off while I was parked. I was only charged the US$25 deductible -- no paperwork, aggravation, follow up. The moral for me was that is sometimes pays to purchase the additional insurance.
I have also rented from Avis for my trip to New Zealand over Christmas, and I have likewise purchased the insurance -- the small expense is worth avoiding the hassle if I have a problem.
Michael
Nov 6th, 2007, 11:02 AM
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Tom,
Our situation was complicated by the fact that we had to get a replacement car mid-trip (and we had to wait 2 days before they even had one available), so there was no choice in what we got. We were just thankful to have A car, ANY car. Both cars we drove had some existing damage, nothing major, but I think the Namibian roads take their toll on rental vehicles.
Our situation was complicated by the fact that we had to get a replacement car mid-trip (and we had to wait 2 days before they even had one available), so there was no choice in what we got. We were just thankful to have A car, ANY car. Both cars we drove had some existing damage, nothing major, but I think the Namibian roads take their toll on rental vehicles.
Nov 6th, 2007, 11:12 AM
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Michael,
I think that might be the key difference in your experience vs ours. We debated buying their super CDW, but if I recall correctly, the cost quoted to us was in excess of $30 per day, so $400 for our 2 week trip. I guess the choice is pay for their insurance or be prepared to argue
I think that might be the key difference in your experience vs ours. We debated buying their super CDW, but if I recall correctly, the cost quoted to us was in excess of $30 per day, so $400 for our 2 week trip. I guess the choice is pay for their insurance or be prepared to argue
Nov 6th, 2007, 11:21 AM
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Patty, I only rented for four days in Namibia, so it was an easier (and cheaper) decision, and in NZ I have only rented for my six days on the south island (not when we're in and around Auckland).
Nov 6th, 2007, 01:23 PM
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Great report, granny.
You were really lucky having such a nice long time there. We did a 2 week self-drive to Namibia about 6 years ago. We stayed at the 3 rest camps in Etosha and Cape Cross Lodge too.
Reading your report brought a lot of memories back! Thank you.
annhig - I found out about accommodation in the Bradt and Footprints guide books. Not so much was on the internet just that short time ago - some places we stayed at had details on the net, but not all.
You were really lucky having such a nice long time there. We did a 2 week self-drive to Namibia about 6 years ago. We stayed at the 3 rest camps in Etosha and Cape Cross Lodge too.
Reading your report brought a lot of memories back! Thank you.
annhig - I found out about accommodation in the Bradt and Footprints guide books. Not so much was on the internet just that short time ago - some places we stayed at had details on the net, but not all.
Nov 6th, 2007, 04:15 PM
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Hi Granny,
I'm really enjoying reading your trip report. I love all of the personal details. Loved your comment about all of the good looking single men at Joe's Beer Garden. Too bad I didn't know about that when I was in Windhoek a couple of months ago
I also loved your stories about returning lost items. I can't imagine that happening in too many other places.
I'm glad you loved Namibia so much, got to see the dunes, had fun in Swakopmund, and had such great sightings in Etosha. Sounds like a fantastic trip. Thanks for the informative and fun to read report.
I'm really enjoying reading your trip report. I love all of the personal details. Loved your comment about all of the good looking single men at Joe's Beer Garden. Too bad I didn't know about that when I was in Windhoek a couple of months ago
I also loved your stories about returning lost items. I can't imagine that happening in too many other places. I'm glad you loved Namibia so much, got to see the dunes, had fun in Swakopmund, and had such great sightings in Etosha. Sounds like a fantastic trip. Thanks for the informative and fun to read report.
Nov 6th, 2007, 07:42 PM
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We did take a picture of that bald tire, but that's good advice to take a picture of all sides of the car when you pick it up.
Eurocar did reduced the amount they charged us for fuel, but we're still waiting for a refund for the spare replacement we had to purchase.
We usually use Budget or Avis.
Eurocar did reduced the amount they charged us for fuel, but we're still waiting for a refund for the spare replacement we had to purchase.
We usually use Budget or Avis.
Nov 6th, 2007, 09:21 PM
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Next on to South Africa. We picked our car from, you guessed it, Eurocar/Imperial. They had bought that company.
We went through Nina at Cape Diversity Tours for South Africa. The company was suggested by someone that uses them frequently. We had all our itinerary in about a week. Nina met us at the airport and helped us sort through the car mess. She had everything together nicely. She had set up a self-drive and made some reservations for us.
We missed the turn for our first stop in Franshhoek, but somehow found it. I had said I wanted to stay at the Chamonix Cottages, after reading about someone's comment here. It was a little cottage on a wine farm, basic, but it was nice to have a little kitchen and a table for a change. It was only 5 minutes from the town of Franshhoek, so very convenient. Franshhoek is a little bit of France in the countryside. We ate at a French restaurant the first night, Le Bon Vivant. It was great food, beautifully served. I can't remember. I either had Kudo or Gemsbok. We tried several of the game meats, this was the best I'd had. I hate to say it, but Gemsboks are the most beautiful animals, and I did feel a bit guilty.
That guilt made me sick the next day and it wasn't the wine.
We drove into Stellenbosch that second day and toured their old houses museum. It's a good tour. Picked up some French pastry and things for lunch there. The French shop is on the main street there. We had reservations at La Petite Ferme Restaurant for lunch but missed them. We stopped later and they let us take a picture. It is a beautiful setting.
I think Franshhoek is a lovely place to stay, wonderful B & B's, shops. Everywhere you look the scenery is beautiful. We drove around and took lots of pictures.
We had planned to try the French Connection on the main street. It was recommended by two locals, but I wasn't up to another French restaurant, so we picked up a wood fired pizza in town and ate in.
We moved on to Hermanus and took the long scenic way to Betty's Bay. I think that's where we saw the penquins. Remember I don't take notes. We were looking for a restaurant and saw a sign for penquins and followed that instead. The South African penquins are tiny. That was a surprise.
We ate at a fish restaurant somewhere along the way and then on to Hermanus. I had a hard cider with lemon and desert at the Bientang Cave Restaurant. Help, somebody, what do they call that?
You can sit right above the breaking waves and see whales! Bring your binoculars. The hostess showed us around the cave. People used to live there!
Then off to our B & B, The Anha Casa guest house. It was only a few blocks from the cliffs, so you could easily walk there and look for whales. It was really windy though. Our host and hostess couldn't do enough for you, a really nice place for a couple nights. Everyone loves the Ocean Basket Restaurant. We went there for dinner, but DH had the "yuk" I had in Franshhoek, and it wasn't his favorite. Don't order too much, the portions are huge.
We drove the next day to Anlo Guest House in Gansbaai, another great suggestion from Nina. What a wonderful hostess, and you could see the water from the patio. You could walk a couple blocks and see whales from the cliffs. I counted 7 one time.
We took the ride over the mountains back to Cape Town. Now here is where we made "the big mistake". We should have turned in the rental at the airport. Driving in Cape Town was no fun for us. We got lost every time we went out. We got to our destinations, but it was stressful.
We stayed in 1 on Queens in the Tamboerskloof area. They gave us a large room with a step down bath and step down dressing area, not good for seniors who can't remember where the bath is in the middle of the night. We didn't fall once, which was a blessing, and because we kept flashlights by the bed. That's a must when you change places every couple days. It was up a steep, steep hill. We were hoping the clutch would hold out.
The first day there we drove to Cape Point and stopped in Boulders to see the penquins and have lunch at the Boulders Restaurant above the beach. That was a good choice, I'd recommend it. We also walked around Simonstown a bit. We stopped at most of the little towns on the way. That night we met friends from our island for dinner at the Africa Cafe, a very colorful place. Dinner was ok, but you have to go if you visit Cape Town. It's an experience.
Next day we lost it again trying to find the Wharf. We know where n2 and n1 are now. We finally found the Wharf parking and found the Craft Center across the street. Some very unusual items there. We had a 1p.m. tour to Robben Island. Weather was calm and fair, so it was a pleasant trip there and back. Tour is a little long, but informative. This was a Sunday and the Wharf was packed with people, sellers and artists. I had read in our Time Out Cape Town book that Willoughby's had the best seafood. Hard to find, it's in a shopping center, but the food was as claimed. I would suggest sitting inside at the bar. We sat outside and it was noisy. The seafood was great though. DH couldn't believe I navigated him back to our B & B without one mistake. He still can't. Said he would never question my directions again!! Nice to be appreciated.
Drove out to Hout Bay for lunch next day after spending a couple hours at Kirstenbosch Gardens. The Protea were still out. They had a free tour just as we got there (after getting lost for 1/2 hour), and this gal Sue made the tour special.
Met our friends for dinner at Bukhara. They picked this time. We took cabs at night, and this place was only a doorway and up the stairs, but beautiful inside and the best Indian food. After being away a month, it was so nice to share a meal with friends.
Last day, flew home.
We went through Nina at Cape Diversity Tours for South Africa. The company was suggested by someone that uses them frequently. We had all our itinerary in about a week. Nina met us at the airport and helped us sort through the car mess. She had everything together nicely. She had set up a self-drive and made some reservations for us.
We missed the turn for our first stop in Franshhoek, but somehow found it. I had said I wanted to stay at the Chamonix Cottages, after reading about someone's comment here. It was a little cottage on a wine farm, basic, but it was nice to have a little kitchen and a table for a change. It was only 5 minutes from the town of Franshhoek, so very convenient. Franshhoek is a little bit of France in the countryside. We ate at a French restaurant the first night, Le Bon Vivant. It was great food, beautifully served. I can't remember. I either had Kudo or Gemsbok. We tried several of the game meats, this was the best I'd had. I hate to say it, but Gemsboks are the most beautiful animals, and I did feel a bit guilty.
That guilt made me sick the next day and it wasn't the wine.
We drove into Stellenbosch that second day and toured their old houses museum. It's a good tour. Picked up some French pastry and things for lunch there. The French shop is on the main street there. We had reservations at La Petite Ferme Restaurant for lunch but missed them. We stopped later and they let us take a picture. It is a beautiful setting.
I think Franshhoek is a lovely place to stay, wonderful B & B's, shops. Everywhere you look the scenery is beautiful. We drove around and took lots of pictures.
We had planned to try the French Connection on the main street. It was recommended by two locals, but I wasn't up to another French restaurant, so we picked up a wood fired pizza in town and ate in.
We moved on to Hermanus and took the long scenic way to Betty's Bay. I think that's where we saw the penquins. Remember I don't take notes. We were looking for a restaurant and saw a sign for penquins and followed that instead. The South African penquins are tiny. That was a surprise.
We ate at a fish restaurant somewhere along the way and then on to Hermanus. I had a hard cider with lemon and desert at the Bientang Cave Restaurant. Help, somebody, what do they call that?
You can sit right above the breaking waves and see whales! Bring your binoculars. The hostess showed us around the cave. People used to live there!
Then off to our B & B, The Anha Casa guest house. It was only a few blocks from the cliffs, so you could easily walk there and look for whales. It was really windy though. Our host and hostess couldn't do enough for you, a really nice place for a couple nights. Everyone loves the Ocean Basket Restaurant. We went there for dinner, but DH had the "yuk" I had in Franshhoek, and it wasn't his favorite. Don't order too much, the portions are huge.
We drove the next day to Anlo Guest House in Gansbaai, another great suggestion from Nina. What a wonderful hostess, and you could see the water from the patio. You could walk a couple blocks and see whales from the cliffs. I counted 7 one time.
We took the ride over the mountains back to Cape Town. Now here is where we made "the big mistake". We should have turned in the rental at the airport. Driving in Cape Town was no fun for us. We got lost every time we went out. We got to our destinations, but it was stressful.
We stayed in 1 on Queens in the Tamboerskloof area. They gave us a large room with a step down bath and step down dressing area, not good for seniors who can't remember where the bath is in the middle of the night. We didn't fall once, which was a blessing, and because we kept flashlights by the bed. That's a must when you change places every couple days. It was up a steep, steep hill. We were hoping the clutch would hold out.
The first day there we drove to Cape Point and stopped in Boulders to see the penquins and have lunch at the Boulders Restaurant above the beach. That was a good choice, I'd recommend it. We also walked around Simonstown a bit. We stopped at most of the little towns on the way. That night we met friends from our island for dinner at the Africa Cafe, a very colorful place. Dinner was ok, but you have to go if you visit Cape Town. It's an experience.
Next day we lost it again trying to find the Wharf. We know where n2 and n1 are now. We finally found the Wharf parking and found the Craft Center across the street. Some very unusual items there. We had a 1p.m. tour to Robben Island. Weather was calm and fair, so it was a pleasant trip there and back. Tour is a little long, but informative. This was a Sunday and the Wharf was packed with people, sellers and artists. I had read in our Time Out Cape Town book that Willoughby's had the best seafood. Hard to find, it's in a shopping center, but the food was as claimed. I would suggest sitting inside at the bar. We sat outside and it was noisy. The seafood was great though. DH couldn't believe I navigated him back to our B & B without one mistake. He still can't. Said he would never question my directions again!! Nice to be appreciated.
Drove out to Hout Bay for lunch next day after spending a couple hours at Kirstenbosch Gardens. The Protea were still out. They had a free tour just as we got there (after getting lost for 1/2 hour), and this gal Sue made the tour special.
Met our friends for dinner at Bukhara. They picked this time. We took cabs at night, and this place was only a doorway and up the stairs, but beautiful inside and the best Indian food. After being away a month, it was so nice to share a meal with friends.
Last day, flew home.
Nov 15th, 2007, 12:45 PM
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Thanks for your report. So evocative. It brought back happy memories of places like Joe's, Hobatere, Brigadoon and Zebra River Lodge.
By the way, I've rented cars a few times in Namibia. Almost always there are problems with some aspect like fuel or damage. I would allow plenty of time to hand the car over and get written confirmation that the tanks full and there is no damage. If your card is then charged, complain to the card company.
Glad you enjoyed your trip.
By the way, I've rented cars a few times in Namibia. Almost always there are problems with some aspect like fuel or damage. I would allow plenty of time to hand the car over and get written confirmation that the tanks full and there is no damage. If your card is then charged, complain to the card company.
Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Nov 17th, 2007, 07:06 PM
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Hi there McWomble. Sounds like we had a similar itinerary. We can't stop talking about our trip. It was so different from any of our other trips.
We've passed on a lot of tips to friends about car rentals, especially Namibia. We're still waiting to see what their response will be to the bald tire we had to replace with a brand new one. We didn't have any trouble returning the rental in Cape Town. We've learned a lot!
We've passed on a lot of tips to friends about car rentals, especially Namibia. We're still waiting to see what their response will be to the bald tire we had to replace with a brand new one. We didn't have any trouble returning the rental in Cape Town. We've learned a lot!
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