Is it much more cheaper to isit Namibia if you self drive compared to a tour
Posted by badboyzpwns@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 27 comments
I found this:
https://dustyfoottours.com/experiences/5-days-namib-naukluft-the-atlantic
it is 1.8k euro for 5 days but includes everything. Im wondering if anyone has visited Namibia and how much it ocsted them without a tour and if you prefer to drive compared to a tour?
Thanks!
boris1047520223@reddit
About $57/person/day all in including car rental but excluding airfare
Necessary_Mongoose71@reddit
Do you have any tips to keep to this budget?
boris1047520223@reddit
Book a car to rent from Windhoek airport. Use Marriott points to stay in Protea Hotels. The one in Windhoek is so so. The one in Walvis Bay by the bay is pretty spectacular. There is the second one in town I would advice to avoid. Take a tent to camp out in Etosha. Go to Chobe NP in Botswana. You need a 4WD to drive around NP but you can join affordable 1/2 ranger tour. Cross to Zambia for Victoria Falls for a day.
No-Consequence7489@reddit
Who did you rent a car with?
boris1047520223@reddit
Major agencies. Postpaid rates. I think Avis Budget the first year.. They charged a deposit upon pickup. Was very hard to get it back. Many emails and reminders. They kept promising but took a long time to process deposit refund. I swore off to deal with them at Wondhoek airport location. Second year we rented a truck from I think Europcar. No stupid deposit, no hassle upon return. Very pleasant experience. I think it was like $70/ day but no equipment. We brought all the camping and cooking equipment from the US. I would advise to get 4X4 as it's much nicer to use in Etosha. Chobe would be impossible without as there is deep sand driving, riverbank driving etc. Hope that helps
No-Consequence7489@reddit
That’s great info, thanks so much ☺️
boris1047520223@reddit
Just looked up my old emails. That's the Europcar with horrible experience at Wondhoek airport not wanting to return deposit and Avis/Budget being very agreeable. Cheers
boris1047520223@reddit
Anytime bro
Chris_in_Lijiang@reddit
Since when do shoestring travellers stay in Marriott?
boris1047520223@reddit
It's Protea bro. It's free on points. As shoestring as it gets
badboyzpwns@reddit (OP)
wow thank you so much! I believe, flat tires are common right? so as long as you know how to repalce a tire...
PartiZAn18@reddit
We toured Namibia for a month and didn't have an issue with flats.
boris1047520223@reddit
First time around I got windshield cracked but no flat tires. I made a mistake renting sedan. The second time around I rented 4wd pickup. One of the tires started deflating when gas station guy noticed it and got it fixed for a few dollars. But yes, a lot of unpaved roads. Towards Sossuvlei and Damaraland
Vahub@reddit
Just be prepared to have anxiety the whole drive because majority don’t have tarmac, you’d need a good 4x4 with 1 of not 2 spare Tyers for punctures!!
badboyzpwns@reddit (OP)
oh I hear about this too!
> wait hours for a call out
What do you mean by call out?
Vahub@reddit
Sorry as in a recovery person to come! A call out is what I call it in the UK!
A recovery vehicle / company to come help
badboyzpwns@reddit (OP)
Oh I see, thanks! no worries! you can just call them regardless of what area/time your in?
Vahub@reddit
We never had to use the service luckily but I believe the rental company (we used Avis) will have their own recovery company or a company they work with who I believe is 24/7 - both times ours blew we very luckily had the help from locals stopping for us but can be scary as you don’t know when the next person is going to drive by, especially at night!
Worth double checking with your rental company for sure!
badboyzpwns@reddit (OP)
thanks very much!! just curious as well if you mind sharing, how much wqs your entripe trip excluding flights? trying to gage how much expensive it is compared to tours :)
Vahub@reddit
I don’t think mine is comparable unfortunately as we mostly stayed with family for majority of our trip , sorry!
Our flight from Joburg was around £135 each for a return to Windhoek if that’s any help
badboyzpwns@reddit (OP)
no worries, thank you very much regardless :D
PartiZAn18@reddit
Namibia is an incredible, incredible place.
You will realise your insignificance on earth as well as in the scheme and expanse of the universe in the place.
Life goes at a snail's pace and the locals are friendly.
My favourite place hands down.
Geepandjagger@reddit
It is a lot cheaper. If you are happy to drive and have some people to share with it is by far the best way to do it
Excellent_Border_302@reddit
I think this kind of stuff is ridiculous. When I was in Africa, I hitchiked and lived like the locals spent $30/day.
zennie4@reddit
Well, most of the people who visit Africa don't come to live like locals.
Excellent_Border_302@reddit
Woops didn't realize I was in the luxury budget subreddit
badboyzpwns@reddit (OP)
whoa!! how were you able to hitch hike Namibia :o?