Gratuities - to whom and how much should I expect to budget gratuities? Tracker? Skinner? Camp staff? PH? (I'm pretty clear on the airport bar or lunch counter waitress but no clue on the people involved in the hunt and accommodations).

What's inolved with renting a car or 4WD in Namibia if I want to do some touring around on my own schedule after the hunt? Good idea? Bad idea? Not worth the hassle? What are the license/insurance requirements? Rates? Where are rentals available outside Windhoek?

Air travel to hunting area 4-5 hours from Windhoek - should I consider it? Ballpark $$? Since I've never been, I'm sort of looking forward to the drive from the airport incoming with the outfitter just to see the country but could see where flying back to Windhoek on the outgoing side might be more desirable, if it is not prohibitively expensive.

No doubt more questions to come. Thanks. -WSJ

On the tips: I usually figure about 15%, ten to the PH and five split amongst the staff. There are a lot of variables that come into play so this isn't a hard and fast rule for me. It all boils down to personal choice.

Never rented a car but I see a lot of rental campers and such. Traffic is not bad and the roads are good so I don't think there would be much problem.

I wouldn't worry about flying unless you are planning on going to the Caprivi. Namibia is a beautiful country and you can see a lot of game and get a better feel from the road. As I said earlier, the roads are quite good.

I see from your previous posts that you have a lot of questions and concerns, and that's part of the excitement of the trip. On the other hand, don't worry too much as it will all work out fine. My last trip to Namib had me land in Windhoek while my luggage ended up in Richmond VA. Still had a great time arriving with only the clothes on my back. Shot a nice kudu the first day wearing flip flops and shooting a borrowed bow.

As was mentioned above. The road system was very good. Better maintained than much of the US in my opinion. The 2 companies I mentioned in your other thread Sebra and Shona are 5-6 hours by car from the airport. I wouldn't bother with a flight. As far as figuring your tips there are too many variables for me to give you any specific advise. I can tell you Jan was working as his own tracker, and he and his wife do the cooking.

There are a number of threads regarding tips that have some good guidelines. I generally tip on a percentage of the daly rate and take my outfitters advise on staff tips.

Renting a car is well worth it. I did a 2 week self tour in 09. I rented a fully rigged out 4x4 and I think it worked out to be about $200 per day. Cars can be rented a good bit less. I think I used African Sun in Windhoek but not positive. You could likely get someone to drop a car for you nearby your unt for a fee. The rental will be quoted with insurance and no international liscence was required when I went although I had one as I was going to be driving in 3 different countries.

I have no clue about charters but my guess is likely in excess of your airfare to Africa. For 6 hours or less I would not consider it.

just finished a 2 week self drive before my hunt. everything went well. p.m. me for info.

Renting a car is pretty straight forward just like any other city - we've done it the past two years.

Technically, you are "supposed to" have an International Driver's License and the rental car desks at the airport will use it, but they have also accepted a regular US lic most of the time. I had a friend go there three years ago and he couldn't get a rental car without an International Lic. Getting an International Lic is easy enough from AAA - costs $15 and is valid for a year. Advantage is it doesn't contain personal info like SS# and you don't need to necessarily provide a "real" home address. Plus, IF something bad happens and the local police "take" it for some reason - big deal!!

The roads are good - even the gravel ones - so no real "need" to go the 4x4 route unless you are sure you're going real off-road unless you just want one. We've been able to rent an economy class car for about $400 per week and included full coverage insurance that includes tire repair and windshield - gravel roads remember. Check with your auto policy or CC company to see if they cover the insurance waiver most don't but....could save you a few bucks.

We drive over to Swakopmund/Walvis Bay and around Windhoek. Only things to watch out for is they drive on the right side of the road and you have to remember the traffic patterns are different at intersections - a little unnerving the first day or two but not bad. Also remember that you are pretty much "on your own". While cells phones are pretty much everywhere (Verizon phones don't work but AT&T do) ambulance service doesn't exist outside of major cities and calling a tow truck is going to be very iffy.

Parking has a bit of a twist - you'll see guys standing around with colored coveralls or a yellow or orange vest - some will have the G4S logo some won't. They will approach you and expect a "tip". They are authorized security and it is normal to "tip" them about $1ND per hour of parking.

I personally wouldn't rent a car to drive to/from hunt - especially if you go to the area around the city of Kamanjab (the closest town to both Sebra and Shona). It is a 30-40 min drive on a gravel road and there is one or two gas stations, a couple of places to eat and a small grocery store. The car will basically sit for the time you are there. Plus if you let them pick you up you will get to relax and enjoy the scenery along the way to/from.

Money exchange - oddly enough it seems the best rates are at the airport in Windhoek. You don't need a lot of cash unless you want to buy souvenirs from the curbside vendors - virtually every brick and mortar store/restaurant will take CC's. We take $1000USD total ($500) each. Seriously consider wiring the majority of your safari payment directly to your PH - I know this sounds risky if you are booking with a PH for the first time but I've been doing with Sebra (Jan) from the beginning and even though I've never hunted with Johann (Shona) and I have met him and since he is a friend of Jan's I wouldn't hesitate to wire to Johann too. Travel tip - memorize the 3-digit security code on the back of your CC and then scratch it off. Makes it more difficult for someone to copy down your CC info and try to use it - also don't sign the back - write "Photo ID Required" in perm maker. Won't lock your card completely but both actions make it more difficult for someone to steal and use.

Another travel tip - IF you are going to stay a few extra days someplace it is a VERY good idea to confirm with your B&B or Hotel/Pension that they take CC's - most do but some don't - just ask before hand and adjust your cash in pocket accordingly.

Personal security while traveling in Namibia - I feel safer traveling there than in some parts of the US. We each carry pepper spray and a folding hunting knife in a jacket pocket, not visible on the belt. Never had or been in any situation that could even remotely be considered "threatening", at least by humans (LOL) - but then we don't go out looking for trouble either.

Not sure flying from Windhoek to the Sebra/Shona area would be worthwhile - There are a couple of private dirt strips withing 30-45 minutes from them. Considering you'd be chartering a single engine craft and the 500KM distance you are still talking of only "saving" 2-3 hour of travel time, plus your paying for the plane's empty trip back to Windhoek. Another "up side" of driving is you get a chance to talk and get to know your PH and he gets to know/understand your hunting style/preferences.

The biggest problem is going to be....figuring out when and how you will be going back!!

RE: renting car and touring.

First, I have and would use Hertz or a similar major name and make the reservation from home, not after arriving. Not just in Namibia, but any overseas location.

Second, expect to authorize, at pick up, a significant charge against your credit card for damages to the vehicle, the deductible portion of insurance. Personally I have been a fan of AMEX for this sort of thing for years, as they tend to be a little more protective of you, their cardmember, than the merchant. One of the reasons that many merchants prefer you use another card, as well as higher charges to them by AMEX.

Third, the roads are very good, but other than the main arteries, they are gravel and if you are not used to driving on gravel roads, slow down. One reason the car agencies want that pre-approved charge is that there are a number of wrecks, especially they say by Italians and Spaniards, due to a lack of familiarity with driving on such surfaces and then driving 75mph into a skid in a corner, or not being alert for a Kudu (or whatever) crossing the road.

If you have the time, touring a bit is very worthwhile in my opinion, and quite safe. If nothing else, I would definitely NOT fly to hunting area, at least see a little of the country on the drive in.

was in namibia for the first time in september last year. First time in africa, and it was great. Hunted for one week, and then rented a car and drove over 3000km in one week, which I would have not been without. renting a car, is like any other country, though most companies will not let you drive after sunset, as too much game is on the road, which I found out too. underestimated a trip one day, and came in to the campsite at about 8pm, but met plenty of animals along the way after dark, and did not hit any! Road are really good, most is gravel roads, but you can drive about 100km/h and be quite safe. they are very well kept. I never encountered any problems with locals in namibia, they very alwaus very friendly and helpfull, but always locked everything away in the car. Camped many places on campsites, if you have time, go the see the elephants and the himba people near purros, the drive is amazing!

have a good trip!

cheers
Rasmus

Thanks all. Based on info here I checked car rental ratesoon-line and found they were not unreasonable for a couple day junket by myself. That may be the way to go if I want to drive over to the coast and poke around a bit beforre starting my hunt.

I'm sure I could get the outfitter to pick me up a couple days after my actual arrival in Windhoek if I get a car at the airport, go touring and then return it to the airport at a pre-arranged time with the outfitter. Plus I'd then be somewhat rested up and more than ready to go hunting.

Gravel roads are old hat to me and windshield coverage is a necessity. And I was glad to see then rent 4-WD Toyota Tacoma pick-ups with manual transmissions (looks like, but maybe locally not branded that way), which I've driven almost exclusively since the first one (a 1984) and still drive daily (a 2002 with 260K miles on it). I've probably logged 700,000 miles plus in them.

Something to consider at least.

Your comment brings up another point that was made earlier; not sure. I haven't rented in Africa, but I have rented in Europe a lot (although not in the past few years). Manual transmissions are the norm; automatic trannies are not common.

WSJ:

Most of the rental car places at the airport also have locations in town that you can drop off at - will save you and your PH a 45 min drive to the airport.

Just for ref, fuel prices there last July were running about $5.50 per US gal.

Swakopmund is about a 5 hour drive.

If you go the pick-up route you may not have much place to lock up valuables out of sight. Even though most parking areas have the "G4" guards it is not recommended to leave anything open in the back of your truck.

Also, need to consider what you are going to do with your guns. While you can legally carry them with you, do you really want to have the worry of them and the vehicle being stolen, even from your room while you are out and about exploring. While we have always felt physically safe, car theft and theft in general is high. Kind of the reason nearly all homes have high concrete walls with electrified fences on top and nearly all cars park off the streets at night. Even when you go to some place like Joe's Beer House, you'll park inside a fenced area in back with security guys - just can't be sure if they (the guards) are also on the payroll of the crooks and on the lookout for "the good stuff".

What we do is make arrangements with a B&B in Windhoek that we stay in the first day or two to hold the guns, ammo and most of our unneeded luggage in their safe (large walk-in vault like a small bank) and live out of a small backpack each for a few days while we travel to the coast. We stay with them again the night before the PH picks us up and drop the car off right there in town. Saves us at least 2hrs of road time (30-45 min drive east on the B6 to the airport and 30-45 min drive back just to get on the B1 to go north.

A GPS is great - we use a Garmin 550T with the maps for Southern Africa. Makes finding places and planning road travel time/distance and finding "site seeing attractions a snap. Also, very cool to take photos of your animals and tie them to precise GPS locations. The camera feature also reduces the amount of "kit" you need to tote with you every day. Plus, if something goes terribly wrong and you have a cell phone it is a lot easier to call and tell somebody where you are by a lat/long position then just saying "100 yds from that big rock on the road between Windhoek and Swakopmund!".

I love Namibia and something to keep in mind is that is is the size of the state of Texas and has a total population of just under 2 million and for the most part they roll-up the roads outside of town for the most part after sundown. My point being - if something happens (breakdown/accident/stuck) you may be sitting for awhile until someone happens along. Not meant to make you worry, just need to plan a bit more than driving around the US.