TIPS FOR CAR RENTALS AND SELF-DRIVES
Namibia has an excellent road system that extends to 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 advisable for the inexperienced driver. Guided tours or organised safaris are recommended instead.
SPEED LIMITS: Tarmac: 120 km/h | Gravel: 80 km/h | Towns: 60 km/h
Which vehicles are the most suitable to rent?
The main choices are:
- Any 2WD with good ground clearance and standard high-profile tyres.
- Any 4WD with suitable high profile tyres.
- A camper van or motor home with suitable tyres as described above.
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 to Namibian roads.
- 2WD vehicles have less ground clearance and carry less.
- 2WD camping cars come equipped with everything you’ll need.
- 4WD camping cars also come equipped with everything you’ll need, but are more versatile than normal sedans or other two-wheel drive vehicles equipped for camping.
- Motor homes are usually better suited to tarred roads, as they tend to be top-heavy and have poor ground clearance.
NOTE: When you reserve a vehicle with a CARAN member, enquire about the class of vehicle for which you have been given a quotation. CARAN vehicles are classed in five categories, ranging from Class 1 (representing the latest vehicles with the lowest mileage available for rent) to Class 5 (representing the oldest vehicles with the highest mileage available for rent). You will obviously pay more for a Class 1 vehicle than for a similar model Class 5 vehicle. Your final choice will be a question of where you intend travelling and your budget.
GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
- In Namibia we drive on the left side of the road.
- The driver and all passengers must wear seatbelts.
- It is compulsory to drive with headlights on dim during daytime on any road outside municipal areas.
- 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.
- Make sure the brakes of your vehicle are in good working order.
- Your tyres must have the correct air pressure.
- Always carry at least one spare tyre. Take two, if possible.
- Four-by-four vehicles are recommended when travelling through remote areas.
- Carry a well-equipped first-aid kit.
- Plan your trip carefully, ensuring that you have enough fuel for the journey. Fill your tank at every opportunity available, even though you may not be in immediate need.
- Always carry water when you travel.
- It is advisable to leave your itinerary with your tour operator, hotel or friends, so that in the unlikely event that you might become lost, authorities will be able to find you.
- 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 roads may be poor.
- Listen carefully to the safety briefing given by your carhire company. Ask advice on the condition of the roads in the areas you plan to visit.
- If your car has extra tanks for fuel and water, use them.
- Watch out for animals crossing the road or grazing near the roadside.
- 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 guidelines provided. It is dangerous to leave your vehicle when you are in a wildlife area.
- Destinations are far apart, so take regular breaks.
TIPS ON TRAILER TOWING
- Ensure that your trailer is in a good roadworthy condition.
- The tyres fitted to your trailer should match the towing vehicle’s 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.
SELF-DRIVING
- The Namibian landscape is extremely fragile, so please follow only well-defined tracks and roads. In certain areas, such as the gravel plains in the Namib, a single set of tracks can remain visible for decades. Deviating off existing tracks not only spoils the scenery and enjoyment of others, but also destroys plants and small creatures.
- 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.
- Engage four-wheel drive and manually lock front hubs (if required) before negotiating difficult 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 more. 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 are to deflate the tyres a little more or jack the vehicle up and place stones or dead branches under the wheels.
DRIVING IN SAND
- 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.
- Remember that fast cornering on soft tyres is highly dangerous, as you can roll the tyre off the rim.
- Don’t forget to re-inflate when you are back on hard ground.
- Never brake hard in soft sand. Your wheels will dig in and you’ll stop faster than 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 into the sand.
BEWARE OF FLASH FLOODS
- Due to the erratic nature of Namibia’s rainfall, the rivers in the interior are ephemeral and usually dry.
- Runoff occurs only when the intensity of a rainstorm is high or if it lasts 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 especially in the period between late afternoon and early morning.
Visitors should therefore never drive in a dry riverbed or camp near the river in the rainy season.
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 speed limit.
- 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.
- 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 riverbed crossings and 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! 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 that 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.