Namibia: which car rental company ?
 

we will be in Namibia in June for 15 days. We have 2 kids and what is still left is the choice of the car. We opted for a sedan car, manual transmission. I checked some rental companies on the web but the car groups are a bit confusing. Some companies have the same car model in different groups and the only differentiation for the rate is the engine power, like Toyota Corolla 1.3 or 1.6 or 1.8 that you can find in groups A, B and C, but the car model/size is the same. Some other companies have different rates just for the manual or automatic transmission on the same car model.
Our priority is the room for suitcases and not the engine power or the automatic transmission.

Which car would you suggest for us ?
Toyota Corolla or Nissan Almera ?

As regards rental companies the most attractive for rates in june (low season) seems to be Asco car hire. They offer Toyota Condor, larger than Corolla and Almera, for about N$ 335/day plus optional coverage fee N$ 125/day for zero excess for a total of about N$ 460.00/day.

What do you think ? Do you have experience with this company or would you suggest something else ?

hi I would go the toyota way, I have had friends that traveld through south africa and Nambia with a toyota and would not choose any other car ever!

Hi, Fabio

I've been thinking about you the last week or two realizing that you will be off to Namibia very soon.

Before you book a car, you might want to check autoeurope.com. They contract with the large car rental companies and offer lower rates than booking directly; however, you have to prepay. The rates include unlimited mileage; and if you have a credit card that provides insurance, you can waive the extra insurances. I have used Autoeurope in both South Africa and Namibia and have been well pleased. In South Africa they work with Avis, and in Namibia, I think it is Hertz.

Two other words of advice, you don't always get the exact car that you book (with any car rental company). For instance, there have been times when I've booked the Corolla group, only to be given an Almera. The Almera is all right, but given a choice, I would definitely take the Toyota.

Also, check your car carefully for scratches, dents, etc., before you leave the rental location and be sure that every little bit of wear and tear is documented. The Namibia car rental companies are notorious for charging extra fees for so-called customer inflicted damage.

Leann

Hi Leann

Nice to hear from you again !!

I guess you had a wonderful trip in Tanzania !!

We leave june 12th and at the end I can count on 15 nights in Namibia.

I know autoeurope since I rented a car in Sicily for 1 week during Easter holidays 2 weeks ago and I found them very competitive. The car was completely new and I was the first driver !! Car was driven for only 3 miles !!!
I will call them again for Namibia, as the best offers they have are not always published on the web.

This Asco Car hire is very competitive since they have a great offer for the Toyota Condor until 30 june, which costs less than Corolla or Nissan Almera.
I can get the Condor for eur 47.50 plus N$ 125.00/day for zero excess.

If I got correct informations Corolla and Almera have more or less the same suitcase capacity
Condor has more room inside for the two kids and luggage and also for a second spare tyre. Corolla or Almera would not allow to load more than 1 large and 1 or 2 small suitcases and no space left for an additional spare tyre !

Another very competitive company is www.afrika.de which offers Almera with zero excess at eur 43.00/day !! not bad !

Pls do not forget your suggestions on the Etosha waterholes !! (other post)

thank you again !!

fabio

We used autosavanah and rented a corolla (they laughed when I asked for automatic so I had to learn to drive a standard). We were VERY pleased. They accomodated our late arrival due to the British Air strike, they picked us up at our hotel with less than 12 hours notice and we were not charged for anything extra. I would use them again in a heartbeat.

Fabio, one thing about manual transmissions in Namibia. They drive on the UK, not Italian side, of the road, and the stick shift is on your left, not right, which is tricky.


Have a great trip.

Michael

Hi Michael

thank you.

I got used to drive on the other side of the car and of the road with the shift on my left hand when I drove in New Zealand and Australia