Just back from a pretty fantastic three weeks in the bush in Namibia.

That is until we returned the vehicle.

We had a bit of an issue isn that one of the two fuel tanks started leaking along one of the seams. Of course the leak was at the top of tank hidden behind the chassis, fuel pipes, brake cables and sump guard. We were in the middle of Damaraland well out of phone signal so had to use the lodge satellite phone to speak with the car hire. The leak was minor, it was a diesel so we agreed to drive southwards via windhoek where they could swap it for a new one - takes them about two hours as it was a regular problem on their Nissan Pickups. In the meantime they told me to try and patch it with a some epoxy.

So we did just that and thought nothing more of it.

Then at he end of the trip we dropped the vehicle back, expecting to sign off the paperwork and go for a decent lunch and then catch flight home.

Instead we had to deal with an individual described on "Trip Advisor" as the "Rudest Man in Namibia".

He wanted me to accept full liability and cost of the repair to the Tank, and produced a quote for close to N$12,000. This was for both the cost of a new tank and fitting.

Reason being was I had voided my contract.

1) I had taken the vehicle into parts of the country that they don't like as the roads are too sharp for their tires.

2) I had taken the 4x4 off road. Well actually I had n't before the leak started, but he claimed that the GPS track showed I had - well I had driven off government road up a road to a lodge, and I had pulled over in a dry river bed for 50 yards to have a picnic under a tree.

3) Contracts have clauses to the effect that if you take it off road or take it through any water what-so-ever any damage is your liability. Frankly these are both completely unworkable. Just about all the Roads in Namibia go through river beds. No point in building bridges - they just use fords. We had 35mm of rain whilst we were there and were plenty of puddles on some of the roads - according to their contract you can't go around them as that would mean taking it off road, and you can't go through them. Their attitude is you should take another route and add 200km to your journey.


Of course It was a very special rock or stick that caused the damage - there was no impact at all on the skid plates, nor any dent on the tank, nor any damage to any of the pipes etc. I did try to clean it and applied a little epoxy - in his view my cleaning must have somehow got within the seam and caused the leak.

And his Labour rate is more than I pay here in UK - they must need very special skills.

And of course 100,000 km is still low mileage - he drives a 400,000km Landcruiser so nothing wrong with a 100,000km vehicle - no wear and tear at all.

And whilst you are about it, don't bother taking a sharp knife, but do take kevlar gloves and protective head gear. All the bolts and frames and ladders on the camping gear, tables and chairs have just been cut with an angle grinder and left unfinished and wickedly sharp. And because the tents are a mix of bits and peices, nothing fits so you will loose nuckles and fingers as you open and close them.

Dont bother with their pots and pans - nothing again fits. Dive into Bushwakers and get yourself a Poitje Pot and Coffee Perculator to use on the fire. They do provide a gas cooker. This is perfectly safe and no chance of burning yourself on it - but it does take 30 minutes to boil a kettle.

There some very good operators of 4x4s in Namibia. Sadly I was relying on experience of 15 years ago, I should have looked at Trip Advisor.

But before you part with any money get full copies of their contracts and any limitations that they will try and put on you. And insist that when you arrive you will have the ability to check the underside of the vehicle and take a full photo inventory of this before you set out.

Heym - Glad you had a great trip. Namibia is a wonderful self-drive country to visit. Plus with only a few paved roads it's difficult to get lost.

Sorry to hear about your "adventure" with your 4x4 rental. Unfortunately this is happening with far too much frequency in Africa. If you cause ANY damage, they expect you to cover 150% of the cost (net revenue generator) before you leave and then you must sort out your reimbursement with your insurance company.

You point out some very good advice:

1. Check with Trip Advisor before you book.

2. Ask for the rental agreement in advance so that you have the time to read the fine print before you arrive.

3. Discuss what happens for any loss and how they process the claim.

There are reputable rental companies in Namibia and then there are the types you had to deal with. Sad part is, as some of these guys fall on hard times, they cut corners and cheat customers.

You didn't mention the name of the company and it would be good to post it so that others can avoid your headaches...

Please do tell us the name of the bore company so we can steer clear!!

Cheers

Nick

Thanks for your comments. Very happy to let anybody have the name of the company directly via pm.

While none of them are perfect, I can only recommend Savanna Car Hire for 4X4 vehicles and Hertz is also doing a good job but they do not carry a large Hilux Camping inventory. Most of the other rental companies are playing games with their clients. Due to lack of funding over the last two years, many of the C and D roads (gravel roads) were not maintained - 2018 has been much better. This resulted in a significant number of vehicle rollovers and otherwise destroyed vehicles - there are hundreds of them stored near the airport. Accordingly, most of the rental car companies silently changed their rental policies to a "client pays all regardless of insurance coverage" policy. Because of the delays in receiving insurance payments from foreign companies, the rental companies now demand payment by the client.

Due to the losses, many companies are holding on to older vehicles that have seen a lot of action. Therefore, it isn't unusual for them to breakdown along the way. So, don't just rely on a booking site to reserve your vehicle. Call the company and discuss your travel plans to make sure you are not going places where they do not cover - like an extended dune trip or serious 4x4 country.

What happened to Hyem is beyond the pail and companies like that should be run out of business. Let's hope folks who have such bad experiences are sending detailed reports to TripAdvisor.

I always rent a vehicle when I go to Namibia. I did the 4x4 for $100 + a day for about a month. Because it was so dry I never once had to put it in 4x4. The outfitter wanted me to take a fellow to his camp in Kaokoland and I had to drive down some bloody road with thorns scratching the hell out of the sides.

I was sick knowing that I would have to pay that huge deductible. Back at camp the staff washed the bakkie and the scratches on both sides disappeared as if by magic. Some kind of clear coat or something.

I rented a car for about half of the price the next time but had to borrow a land cruiser for hunting.

The next time I rented a wee Nissan with a shell on it. With the exchange rate it was only about $30 a day Canadian. With 200 km a day free. My camp is about a 6 hour drive from Windhoek but once there the driving was for very short distances... That was an incredible deal.

I have never had a problem with returning them and it has worked out so much better than the $4,000 land rover we bought once … or always waiting for a ride to go anywhere... including back to the airport.

And I no longer have the hell scared out of me by guys driving way too fast … lots of that ..

I couldn't recommend Savanna highly enough. I've used them twice with no issues whatsoever.

Not cheap - but superb vehicles and every detail taken care of. Highly modded Hilux' with roof tents and everything added.

The first time we were not hunting and picked the car up in Livingstone, Zambia. Two and a half weeks and 3,600 miles later after Kafue, Caprivi, Kavango, Khaudum, Etosha, Palmwag and the Skeleton Coast we were back in Windhoek with a very dirty and tired looking Hilux - no problem at all. Nothing broke, fell off or failed to perform as it should.

In relation to the case in point I suspect most of the hire companies have similar terms as regards areas visited - as much as anything to do with costs of recovery. On our second trip we were sitting at the fire in Marble Mine camp having just descended Van Zyl's Pass and my wife say's "you do realise we're not supposed to be here don't you?" - made the mistake of reading the small print. We got back but the corrugations around Puros were so bad the truck body cracked. I pointed this out to the pick-up man - "no problem".

I guess you get what you pay for?

The tourism market has certainly in the the last 16 years. The beauty of Namibia is that is now very well set up for the self drive tourism market with really good and affordable lodges and campsites all over the place. These vary from the Government run Namibia Wildlife Rescources (NWR) in the likes of Etosha or Naukluft, community run in conservation areas such as Grootberg, or White Lady at Brandberg, or on privately owned farms, reserves or hunting areas - Namseb, Tsauchab etc. They do vary widely in terms of price and facilities, but at the camping end we had clean and tidy campsites, hot showers, clean loos and if required good food.

And what it does mean is that is part of Africa that is access-able and affordable to people who wan an adventure.

What has also grown is the large number of 4x4 camping vehicles and companies that are hiring them. Now I can work out the numbers as well aa the next man, and certianly at cost of the vehicles and kit and the rates they are charging our at they are making good money.

But some of the Car Hire companies are going to kill this by their behaviour, and not only will kill their own business, but also that of others.

There is a perception that a) Gravel Roads are extremely dangerous, and b) that all tourist are crazy and stupid drivers.

As regards gravel roads - don't see the issue. Yes some were a bit bumpy and needed grading and driving accordingly, but most were perfectly serviceable. There is very little traffic to speak of so that is not an issue either. To be honest I found the roads no worse to drive than gravel roads elsewhere in the world, and not worse than some of the highland roads in say scotland - and in winter our roads are far more treacherous.

There will always a few accidents, and given the number of vehicles being hired, there will be a proportion that are crashed. But doubt any higher than elsewhere.

However, a lot of drivers are not used to rear wheel drive trucks as most modern cars are front wheel drive. A truck drives like an old fashioned car and you have to remember slow in / accelarate out style when cornering. Very different to front wheel drive, especially on a loose surface.

And the car hire companies do not provide any advice on how to drive a pick up truck on gravel roads. Little things like, slow down well before a corner, tyre pressures, how to manage corrigations (get your speed right), use four wheel drive is road surface is loose etc etc - will all help.

Toyata Hilux's in particular do need good weight on the rear axle to stop them swapping ends.

Looking at the tyres - the ones we had on our vehicles seemed to be a soft mud type tire - not surprised they get cut up by stones.

And if they are concerned about water damage, put a high level air intake, put the alternator high on the engine and equip with rubber mats, rather than carpets - to be honest carpets are a waste of time in most cars.

And make terms and conditions well understood so that the customer knows what he is getting.

Its the unexpected surprises and trying to extort more money that will kill the sector, and sadly will kill it not just for the bad operators.

It pays to be an informed customer...