After my hunt in Namibia, I am considering a 3-4 day jaunt around (Etosha, Walvis Bay) by myself in a rental car. Will stay two nights in different Etosha Restcamps, and then one night in a nice hotel in Walvis Bay.

Should I be concerned with my personal safety, being a lone American driving on the wrong side of the road in a rental car? Any advice to give me for making sure I stay intact during this trip?

No major worries I should think. Have done a couple of trips alone in Namibia and felt no major threats :-). As long as you allow yourself plenty of time to get to various points, don't drive at night and stay clear of social interaction with the magistrate in Grootfontein (it's a long story, but trust me ) you'll have a great trip!

It is actually kind of interesting to travel alone in some of the touristy places. Folks don't like to see anyone eat alone so I had a few interesting meals with couples/groups from all over the world while travelling.

Last July, my wife and I walked around near the Kalahari Sands Hotel in Windhoek and drove from there to the Etosha area and back. We felt very safe.

The driving on the left (and making right turns) in Windhoek would have been easier had we been able to rent a car with an automatic transmission.

My wife and I spent a week touring about prior to my hunt, summer 2007. We did not feel concerned for our safety, as with any such environment, exercise extra caution with regard to petty theft and theft from your vehicle. Be aware that in the city areas you will encounter the ubiquitous "car guards" who want 3 to 5 bucks Namibian to insure the safety of your car while it is parked. First time thru I was tired from air travel and very grumpy, I told the dude I wouldn't give him anything, but would spend $1000 Namibian to have his leg broken if anything happened to my car....after I calmed down and thought about the situation, I just paid them, as do most locals, it seems to be a step up from begging. $5 Namibian was about 75 cents US. Watch your fuel level, buy a small cooler and carry drinks and snacks with you. I am used to driving on gravel roads, but if you are not, be careful until you get a feel for them, on the "big roads" it is easy to find yourself doing 60/70 MPH and you can lose it. Also there are some weird insurance rules pertaining to this. English is the official language (why can't we do that?) and we were always able to find someone who spoke english. We really liked the Swakopmund/Walvish Bay area, took a day trip into the dunes via a guided but self drive deal on John Deere Gator type vehicles...amazing.
I got a good map from the "Hunting Report", you'll need that Since the "big roads" are gravel, budget more time, locals say 4 to 6 hours Windhoek to Etosha area, I might be able to do that in my own truck, but would not bet on it. Watch for game, donkey's etc crossing the road, I would advoid travel dusk to dawn.

Be sure you go to Joe's Beerhouse in Windhoek.

A one timer's impressions, and they are worth at least what they are costing you.

My 11 y.o. son and I traveled around Namibia quite a bit and never felt unsafe. A little common sense goes a long way no matter where you're at.

Can I just point out that you won't be driving on the wrong side of the road at all...... I appreciate that the USA and a lot of other countries drive on the right side of the road...... but the rest of the world drive on the CORRECT side of the road.

Joking aside, Namibia is reasonably safe. - Just stick to the usual sensible rules of not picking up hitch hikers etc.

John/Eric,

Namibia is a great place to travel with good, high-speed empty roads, so much so that the one car accident is too common as drivers nod off at the wheel. Your mantra is "keep left" and you especially need it as you enter a roundabout (a/k/a a traffic circle)!

Best, as noted, is to travel during full daylight. Beginning about 1600 or so the warthog are on the verge of the main roads, rooting in the grass. In the morning just at and after dawn the steenbok are out (counted 200+ of them between Otjikondo and Otjiwarongo one day after an early start). In the dark a kudu might jump at your lights and that can be life-threatening.

Pick up a Lonely Planet Guide to Namibia. Among the places to eat in Otjiwarongo, on the way from Etosha to the coast, is the Kameeldoorn Garten on School St. that intersects the main road near a filling station. It's a treat.

Stay in Swakopmund at the Hansa Hotel, a delightful place, best you will find on the coast, within walking distance of everything (and with the best jewelry shop in the southern hemisphere right next door). You can google it. Walk to the Casino, to the old, anchored ship that houses a fine restaurant, The Tug. You can easily drive to Walvis Bay using Swakop as your base. If you want to fish, I'd suggest going to Henties Bay about an hour north of Swakop and stay there but organize it before you go...


Best, Tim

I drove pretty much the length and almost breadth of Namibia four years ago, and it seemed pretty safe - no, very safe, to me.
I used a Toyota Corrola, the cheapest reasonably sized rental, and not a 4x4 too.
The biggest dangers - and this is most places - are the roads. Driving on gravel means keeping your speed down, otherwise you will start swaying and lose control. There is no rush!
Hire a spare fuel jerry can - I had one for peace of mind, as petrol stations are few and far between...
Everyone seems to get punctures - including me halfway down the Skeleton Coast - so know how to change the spare on your vehicle. People did stop to check we were OK when they went past, but you can't realy on people being there, of course.

Lots of water. Keeps you alert, you need some for emergencies, and it's very dusty.

Police checkpoints. I had two, and they tried to shake me down both times.
One looked longingly and fondled some single malt in the boot of the car when he checked it, the other said he "collected" foriegn money, and did I have any interesting currency. I showed him some coins, and he said "Notes only" !!!
Smile, be polite and you shouldn't have a problem. I didn't, and didn't pay. They were just bored boys really.

Crime. Felt safe, all the time. Don't let fear of crime spoil your holiday, but don't do things you wouldn't at home. I'm a cop and generally have an eye for trouble. I saw no evidence. Your first instincts are usually your best.

And buy some Arcto vellies when you can, good boots, and a good Namibian souvenir!

Oh yes - watch out for baboons and gemsbok running across the road straight in front of you...it will give you a real fright if you're not paying attention!!!

As everyone above have said it is a safe place to visit. My wife and I were there three years ago. We went from Atocha to Walvis Bay and back. The PH's wife drove us around in a Volkswagon van. Yer there are places to stay away from just as there are places to stay away from in any city. We walked around downtown Windhoke and at no time, other than walking out of the bank with piles of their money stuffed in my pockets did I feel uncomfortable. My mistake at not figuring out just how much currency I was going to get when I exchanged UD dollars into their rand. Also keep your fuel tank above 1/2 if possible. The stations are indeed far apart. Also there are no prices listed and no low priced stations. All were about the same price. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are very nice, ake the boat tour of the bay area.

namibia has the highest number of "self drive" safari goers in africa , there are excellent roads , excellent maps and you cannot go wrong .... in a lot of places its very arid desert so be smart about carrying water ... also as mentioned be aware of where your next available fuel and supply stop is ...apart from that , have fun ....

You shouldn`t have any big concerns regarding this trip. I did a 2 week roundtrip in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia with three friends in 2004 and had no worries. We did run into some young guys in a dark side of Windhoek trying to rob us off, but managed to get away.. No big deal actually, but it might be safe to stay away from some areas in the bigger cities at night..
We spent most nights in backpacker camps, that offer safety, running water and electricity for a small amount of money..

Don`t worry and have a great trip!

Thanks to everyone so far for the advice. I was a bit shocked at first at the cost of my sidetrip. About $1250 total for three nights accomodations (in non-luxury places), plus the car rental.

But I suppose it may be because:

1 - I'm renting the car out of Omaruru, not Windhoek - so I'm sure it is much pricier to pick it up outside the capital.

2 - It is an automatic 4x4 (Toyota/Mitsu Delica van)

3 - I'll have the vehicle for 4 days total

One concern is the N$ 30,000 waiver - that's about $4300 - ouch.


Makes me wonder if the $1250 plus the cost of petrol is worth it for 1.5 days in Etosha and a half day in Walvis bay kayaking.

Speaking of Etosha - if I've spent 8 days out hunting and seeing wildlife, am I missing a lot by not going to Etosha as well to view wildlife?

I took the family to Etosha before our hunt last July and we really enjoyed it. We saw many things there that we wouldn't have had the chance to see on our hunt, like lion, elephant, and rhino. I think it was well worth the time.

John,

I'd make the following observations regarding your plans:

You don't need a 4x4, and it is costing you dearly.

The roads are better than good from Windhoek to Etosha, in Etosha, and going to Walvis Bay.

You don't want to go "off road" because that is where the danger is, if there is any. Some of the roads are used once a week. For this reason, you let someone know when you leave, which way you are going (and you go that way), and when you expect to arrive. See cooler advise below.

Get a cell phone (or if you have a cell that accepts SIM chips, get a Namibian SIM chip for it. You will be able to call home almost everywhere and its good for emergencies.

Get the insurance. Don't drive fast in any wind blown sand. Keep a good distance between you and the car ahead of you to avoid thrown stones. Wind blown sand will take a finish to the metal they tell me.

Watch out for police radar/camera traps. You get the ticket in the mail about six months later.

Follow the advise about a cooler and drinks. You can buy a cooler in Africa for very little. Keep plenty of water and Windhoek lager cool.

Enjoy the trip and the experience. The biggest danger is the environment. Kudude

John,

All the safety precautions that you take driving in the U.S. applies to Namibia, and anyplace else for that matter (except for Bangkok). Just take your time, think "left", and you'll be alright. I'm assuming that you know how to read international road signs.

Pull all the way off the road when you are photographing or relieving yourself. Be aware of what lurks in and around that bush before you pee - you might piss off a puff adder.

Don't feed the baboons.

Keep a good amount of Namibian dollars or rand (they're at par value) for spending and tipping.

Tip the "guards" to watch your car when you're parked somewhere. A few N$ is nothing compared to losing your valuables or having the car stolen or stripped.

Don't drive out into the sands no matter how flat and solid it may appear.

Etosha is well worth it even though they're raised the entrance fee considerably this last year. Take plenty of pictures.

If you take pictures of local folks ask them if it's all right first. They may want a few N$ for their pic to be taken. I just tell them I'm an advance talent scout for the next Brad Pitt/Angela Jolie movie and they gladly oblige.

Enjoy,
Namibiahunter

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
You don't need a 4x4, and it is costing you dearly.

Yes, a regular car will do just fine for that trip. Even in Etosha, you'll be driving on perfectly good (gravel) roads.

To all the good travel advice for Namibia, let me just add one point. Namibia is blessed with a great network of roads. Some of these are gravel surfaced, on which you can travel with surprising speed. But watch the gravel in the (comparatively rare) curves!!! It can be deceiving, having travelled with 60-70 mph for a long stretch of straight gravel road and then coming into a curve. Slow down, or you may end up in the ditch in the middle of nowhere.

- mike

Swakopmund is much nicer than Walvis BAy.

Wife, daughter, and I spent two days there in June. You can walk any where you need to go, if you want to do the boat ride just drive down to Walvis or have them pick you up.

Quad biking in the dunes is a blast.

If you are hvaing second thoughts about Etosha then consider going south to the Namib Dune Sea(Namib-Naukluft Park Area).

It is a long way from Etosha to the Swakop/Walvis area.

The drive from Etosha to Swakop took 6.5 hrs with a Namibian driving, farther to Walvis. After we got to Swakop we were on our own for six days and had a blast, just do not pass a gas station if you do not know exactly where the next one is.

I guess I should post about this part of our trip. In the meantime if you have any questions just send a PM.

Dulcinea

Correction, we drove from Otavi to Swakop. Etosha is still further north so it would take longer.

D

I would echo what dulcinea said about Swako. It is a wonderful destination with fishing, nice hotels, a casino, terrific restaurants. You can take tours of the dunes and desert which is different. The guides are knowledgeable and the price is reasonable.

I have been to Etosha Park, and it is nice too. I know that you said where you were hunting, but I don't remember the location except that it was not too far from Windhoek. I'd observe that for a first trip, you might enjoy the Swako trip more for the time and expense. You will be back, the next time you'll hunt the north, and be close to Etosha.

You gotta spend some time in Windhoek itself and go to Joe's for a steak and beer. Kudude

Well, I'm finding it may be a lot cheaper to head back to Windhoek on Sunday, pick up a car Monday morning and drive to Etosha and stay at the East Gate - should be about the same amount of time to get there as it would have from Omaruru to Halali rest camp - and on better, more populated roads and through bigger towns. Then on to the West gate and a stay Tuesday night, then early AM drive from there to Walvis Bay, do my kayak trip Thursday AM and then drive back to Windhoek - should get there near evening (about 4 hours from Walvis Bay - hopefully it doesn't get dark till after 5PM) and then turn in the car Friday. This way instead of a 4WD van that probably gets 20 MPG, I can get a automatic Corolla that gets closer to 35-40 MPG, and costs half of what I was going to pay for the 4wd van, plus I'll get ZERO Excess instead of N$35,000 excess (ouch!)

I think I'm liking this better.

The reason I am staying in Walvis Bay is because the hotel I will be at is where my early AM kayak trip leaves out of - works out better this way for me. I'll leave from the Southern/West gate of Etosha early in the AM so I can make it in time to Walvis Bay.

quote:

Originally posted by Dulcinea:
Swakopmund is much nicer than Walvis BAy.

Wife, daughter, and I spent two days there in June. You can walk any where you need to go, if you want to do the boat ride just drive down to Walvis or have them pick you up.

Quad biking in the dunes is a blast.

If you are hvaing second thoughts about Etosha then consider going south to the Namib Dune Sea(Namib-Naukluft Park Area).

It is a long way from Etosha to the Swakop/Walvis area.

The drive from Etosha to Swakop took 6.5 hrs with a Namibian driving, farther to Walvis. After we got to Swakop we were on our own for six days and had a blast, just do not pass a gas station if you do not know exactly where the next one is.

I guess I should post about this part of our trip. In the meantime if you have any questions just send a PM.

Dulcinea

Luckily, I will be in Windhoek Sunday afternoon/evening, and then again Thursday evening and all day Friday before my flight leaves at 2050 Friday night. More than enough time (I hope) for at least 2 trips to Joes and some sights

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
I would echo what dulcinea said about Swako. It is a wonderful destination with fishing, nice hotels, a casino, terrific restaurants. You can take tours of the dunes and desert which is different. The guides are knowledgeable and the price is reasonable.

I have been to Etosha Park, and it is nice too. I know that you said where you were hunting, but I don't remember the location except that it was not too far from Windhoek. I'd observe that for a first trip, you might enjoy the Swako trip more for the time and expense. You will be back, the next time you'll hunt the north, and be close to Etosha.

You gotta spend some time in Windhoek itself and go to Joe's for a steak and beer. Kudude

quote:

I have been to Etosha Park, and it is nice too. I know that you said where you were hunting, but I don't remember the location except that it was not too far from Windhoek. I'd observe that for a first trip, you might enjoy the Swako trip more for the time and expense. You will be back, the next time you'll hunt the north, and be close to Etosha.

This sounds like a good idea to me if you ever plan to go back.

Be sure to stop at the wood carvers in Okahandja. Also I will second the quad bike ride through the dunes near Walvis Bay, it is a blast. Also take a hike to the top of dune 7.

Once we traveled to Hentiesbaai from Etosha via Okaukuejo-Outjo-Khorixas-Uis-Hentiesbaai. There is some beautiful country on the C35 road from Khorixas to the coast.

quote:

Originally posted by Grafton:

quote:

I have been to Etosha Park, and it is nice too. I know that you said where you were hunting, but I don't remember the location except that it was not too far from Windhoek. I'd observe that for a first trip, you might enjoy the Swako trip more for the time and expense. You will be back, the next time you'll hunt the north, and be close to Etosha.

Omaruru is near where I will be hunting.

I think maybe next time around I'll hunt some different game, closer to Etosha, and will visit the Caprivi strip, a little more Etosha, and maybe some dunes.

You will like Etosha. After looking over some animals while hunting, and doing some "field judging" of trophy horns, you will be blown away when you get to Etosha. The number of record book animals walking around is impressive. Also one of the best places to see elephant up close.

Do some research on the Namib-naukluft area.

I tend to say things in a way that p***es people off, I do not mean it.

Only been there one time but Windhoek to Etosha to Wavis from Monday to Wednesday, way to much driving you will be fried, even their tarred roads are what we would consider a back road, 70mph without ever taking your eyes off the road. Two lane no shoulders 95% of the way, very little items of interest in the towns.

I am not saying don't go to Etosha, just that you might be setting yourself up for a non relaxing couple of days!

D

That is what kind of worries me the most - I'm used to driving long distances, but I only have from Sunday till Thursday for my trip after the hunt and want to see both Etosha and go kayaking in Walvis Bay - I may have to choose between one or the other, it seems.

quote:

Originally posted by Dulcinea:
Do some research on the Namib-naukluft area.

I tend to say things in a way that p***es people off, I do not mean it.

Only been there one time but Windhoek to Etosha to Wavis from Monday to Wednesday, way to much driving you will be fried, even their tarred roads are what we would consider a back road, 70mph without ever taking your eyes off the road. Two lane no shoulders 95% of the way, very little items of interest in the towns.

I am not saying don't go to Etosha, just that you might be setting yourself up for a non relaxing couple of days!

D

I used a Toyota Corolla strightforward car. Not a problem at all, and perfectly adequate. If you get a puncture in some big 4x4 tyres they'll cost you dearly. A normal car will reduce the budget!

Etosha. Do it, it's truly awesome (an overused, but appropriate word. World class...I stayed in Okauuejo and Halali restcamps. Camped - a tent I'd hired - in the first, and stayed in a hired chalet in the other. Not sure what prices the chalets are now, but for a couple of nights camping is cool. They had some great restaurants with all sorts of wild game, and it was good quality. So a tent, kip mat and sleeping bag could set you up nicely!

Etosha-Walvis Bay is a bit of a drive, and it's too much in that Sunday-Thursday slot -
a lot of miles just getting from A to B.

I went on a boat trip from Swakopomund, and saw a few Kayakers - looked OK, but not brilliant. If you stick to Etosha you limit those long drives, and definitely the need for a 4x4. You will continue to be immersed in African wildlife, and see more in the NP environment.

Keep us posted!

I am thinking of adding a day to the trip and not pushing it so much on the Walvis Bay end of things. You have to understand, I love kayaking, and love getting close to sea life. The opportunity to kayak in Africa, surrounded by fur seals and dolphins and even humpback whales is too much for me to pass by. As great as Etosha may be, I have to do the kayaking But with an extra day, I can relax after the kayaking and take it easy on the drive to Windhoek the next day.

quote:

Originally posted by bullterrier:
I used a Toyota Corolla strightforward car. Not a problem at all, and perfectly adequate. If you get a puncture in some big 4x4 tyres they'll cost you dearly. A normal car will reduce the budget!

Etosha. Do it, it's truly awesome (an overused, but appropriate word. World class...I stayed in Okauuejo and Halali restcamps. Camped - a tent I'd hired - in the first, and stayed in a hired chalet in the other. Not sure what prices the chalets are now, but for a couple of nights camping is cool. They had some great restaurants with all sorts of wild game, and it was good quality. So a tent, kip mat and sleeping bag could set you up nicely!

Etosha-Walvis Bay is a bit of a drive, and it's too much in that Sunday-Thursday slot -
a lot of miles just getting from A to B.

I went on a boat trip from Swakopomund, and saw a few Kayakers - looked OK, but not brilliant. If you stick to Etosha you limit those long drives, and definitely the need for a 4x4. You will continue to be immersed in African wildlife, and see more in the NP environment.

Keep us posted!

Hmmm OK then
If you want fur seals then Cape Cross....
I stayed at a place called Cape Cross Lodge, which will not do anything for your budget, but was REALLY nice. Big windows overlooking the ocean and saw some whales briefly whilst having breakfast!
It was about 120km north of Swakopomund, right on the Skeleton Coast.

If you go to Cape Cross be sure to breathe deeply!!!! Those that have been know what I'm talking about!

I had some trouble figuring out the auto liability insurance. I ended up renting from the agency which I THOUGHT had the most. I took ALL the optional insurance in Namibia. Additionally, I discussed the situation with my insurance agent in the US who has my umbrella liability. My umbrella was valid in Namibia provided you bought the rental agency liability.

At one point, I was talking to a rental agency in Namibia and getting no information. I asked to speak with the employee's supervisor. She said: "NO, you talk to ME, American". Cracked me up.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldcoyote

At one point, I was talking to a rental agency in Namibia and getting no information. I asked to speak with the employee's supervisor. She said: "NO, you talk to ME, American". Cracked me up.

Tell me what car rental agency that was and I, for sure, will not rent from them. That type of attitude I can do without, regardless of where in the world I am.

Namibiahunter

John,
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but I meant to the other night when I posted about your trip.

The gas stations only take gas credit cards. You can't generally use a Visa, MC, or AmEx card. You can get cash from ATM's, when you can find one. I let my gas cards lapse many years ago, but you may want to pick up one. I for the life of me cannot remember what stations they had. I want to say, BP was one of the common ones. Kudude

I think I'll just use cash for the gas. I'm going to get a Corolla, so mpg should be pretty decent. I'll also need to get a gas container - I wonder if the car rental companies can throw one in with the car? Or if it is easy to buy one in Windhoek near the hotel?

quote:

Originally posted by kudude:
John,
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but I meant to the other night when I posted about your trip.

The gas stations only take gas credit cards. You can't generally use a Visa, MC, or AmEx card. You can get cash from ATM's, when you can find one. I let my gas cards lapse many years ago, but you may want to pick up one. I for the life of me cannot remember what stations they had. I want to say, BP was one of the common ones. Kudude

oh, anyone know the current cost per gallon/liter for gas over there? If per liter, how many liters per gallon?

us gallon = 3.78l/ga
imperial I belive is 4.5l/gal

If Namibia is anything like Dar es Saalam in Tanzania, I would not drive 10 feet! I was pretty much terrified all the time I was in Dar, even afoot. Dr.C

Driving was a breeze, no traffic. Just remember, look both ways severa times before turning. Cash for gas, lots of cash. Put gas in 3 times, each time over $300N.
D