matnikstym

I drove an "other side car" all around New Zealand with almost no problems. just couldn't get which side of a drive way or store entrance to pull in on. and of course every morning before taking off I'd end up in the passenger seat wondering where the steering wheel went. you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.

granny

Patty,
Would you feel comfortable posting your itinerary? I'd love to see where you're going and where you're staying and for long. Did you get your accommodations through Cardboard Box? Did you price renting a car directly from Cardboard Box before you rented from Hertz? I'm hoping things are still availble in Oct.

Everyone else, thanks for all the advice on driving. We're careful drivers, but we'll be even more careful.

We're still waiting on travel book to be delivered and finding airline tickets.

safarilover

Unless you want to arrange a fly-in safari, for instance, to the Skeleton Coast, it is quite easy to make your own arrangements in Namibia. There are some excellent websites for accommodation, and bookings can be made via email or phone. By October it is warming up quite a bit, and most of the Europeans have gone home, so I don't you should have any trouble finding vacancies. You just need to make a plan and plot out the route you want to take. Then figure approximately how many kilometers you want to drive in a day, and look for accommodation along the way. It's really not difficult.

Good luck with your planning, and let us know how things are going.

tuckeg

I agree with safarilover, but I wouldn't wait too long on reservations. From what I hear it's a very good year for tourism in Namibia, bookings are up and so availability is less than in years past.

Patty

granny,
My itinerary is in this thread http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34999909

Also check out Gaynor's itinerary in the same thread. I self booked our accomodations via email. CB were very helpful the couple of times I exchanged emails with them but they didn't book all of the accomodations I wanted, and since I wanted to be covered by Amex's premium rental insurance, I needed to book directly with a rental car company instead of through a third party agency.

safarilover

Patty

What is Amex's premium rental insurance? I understand that my Amex card only covers car rental insurance in the US.

Patty

https://www152.americanexpress.com/f...tal/product.do

I confirmed that coverage is available in Namibia.

safarilover

Patty

Thanks. I get it now.

Here is my itinerary for September 2007:

2 September - Fly Johannesburg to Windhoek. Accommodation TBD

3 September - Drive to Etosha via Tsumeb. Accommodation: Namautoni

4 September - Safari in Etosha. Accommodation: Halali

5 - 7 September - Safari in Etosha. Accommodation: Okaukuejo

8 September - Enroute to Swakopmund. Accommodation: TBD, perhaps Khorixas Rest Camp

9 September - Cape Cross seal colony and Swakopmund. Accommodation: Hotel Schweizerhaus

10 September - Swakopmund. Hotel Schweizerhaus

11 September - Drive Swakopmund to Sessriem. Accommodation: Sossusvlei Desert Camp

12 September - See Sossusvlei. Accommodation: Sossulvlei Desert Camp

13 September - Drive back to Windhoek. Accommodation: TBD