Self-driving is hands down the best way to see Namibia, but renting a 4×4 here is nothing like renting a car back home. Between gravel roads, rooftop tents, sky-high demand in peak season and a lot of confusing insurance jargon, there’s a lot to get right before you land in Windhoek. Here are all the things I’ve learnt about how to rent a 4×4 in Namibia…

Driving in Namibia: What to Know Before You Go

• Always drive on the left in Namibia
• Don’t drive after dark as there is a high risk you could hit an animal on the road
• Fuel up whenever you can as it is a very sparsely populated country
• It’s especially important to fill up before entering Etosha National Park as there are no reliable fuel sources once inside
• Most open tarmac roads have a speed limit of 120km/h and gravel roads vary between 60-80km/h.
• National Parks have their own speed limit: 60 km/h limit even on tarmac roads. This is heavily enforced.
• Licence requirements: if you don’t have an English language licence you will need a 1949 international driving permit. In fact, I think even if you do have one, it’s best to get the 1949 permit as some police don’t know this rule- that’s what we ended up doing.

Where to Rent a 4×4 in Namibia

I wanted to use a company with great reviews but that was slightly cheaper than the first few results you get on Google. After lots of research and contacting multiple companies I went for Hornbill Car Hire. At the time of writing, they have a rating of 4.9 stars and 152 Google reviews. They were friendly and professional and seem to take really good care of their cars and their customers (and were very responsive on WhatsApp whenever we had questions on the road) so I would definitely recommend them.

Rooftop Tent vs Lodges

I think it ultimately comes down to your budget. If you are on a budget and don’t mind the camping lifestyle, then a rooftop tent is the natural choice for you. This is what we did for the majority of our trip and it was great! I would say the only negative is having to pack down your tent every day (even to go on a short drive somewhere).

If, however, that doesn’t sound like you, then most campsites have some amazing lodge options where you will still feel at one with nature but have a little taste of luxury at the same time. I’ve stayed in lodges in other parts of Southern and Eastern Africa and it really is a unique experience! One day I hope to go back to Namibia with a bigger budget to be able to stay in lodges.

How Much Does It Cost?

We went in early September (which is peak season) and paid £950/$1250 for 10 full days of the hire car that was a 2019 Ford Ranger, plus rooftop tent and heaps of gear (see my FAQs for a full list), plus full insurance (minus tyres) and a small cleaning fee. This is the only company that quoted us under £1000 so we think we got a pretty good deal.

This rate included a 2nd driver for free and complimentary airport/hotel pickup and drop-off.

It’s worth noting that full insurance almost never includes damage to underbody, bonnet or rooftop of the cars so do be mindful of this (and don’t stand on the roof when trying to set your tent up).

Do You Actually Need a 4×4 in Namibia?

My honest opinion is that yes, 4×4 is needed if you are planning on going to Etosha, Damaraland or Sossusvlei… that will be almost everybody. I’ve seen multiple cars (and campervans) get stuck in the sand in these areas so would strongly recommend NOT to get a 2×4 if you are going into rural areas.

When to Book

Most companies are sold out in peak season (July- October) so it’s worth booking around 6 months prior to your trip. The longer you leave it, the less likely you will be to find a good deal/any deal at all.

Picking Up Your Car in Windhoek

Try and fly into Windhoek late morning/early afternoon to give yourself time for the pickup process as it is quite lengthy. You should have an airport pickup included and once you arrive in the office, after you make your payment, they will talk you through everything you need to know about the car, tent and the equipment provided. It is a very thorough process and well worth paying attention throughout.

Just to give you an idea, the whole process from immigration –> airport pickup –> car pickup process –> buying groceries and SIM card took us over 5 hours.

FAQs

Do I need an international driving permit?
Yes, to avoid any unnecessary hassle, I would recommend for everyone to get a 1949 IDP.

Can I cross the border into Botswana or South Africa?
Most companies will allow this provided you get prior written approval and pay the necessary fees.

Is it safe to self-drive in Namibia?
It is generally safe in terms of crime but the gravel roads can be unsafe if you don’t drive along them carefully- we heard of multiple nasty stories of cars flipping here. Another risk is breaking down/running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere but if you have a well-kept hire car, 2x spare tyres and regularly fill up on fuel, this shouldn’t happen.

What happens if I get a puncture?
Inform the hire car company, change your tyre (you should insist on 2x spares) and then buy a new tyre at the next garage. Do not patch the tyre as this can lead to more issues further down the line.

Is a rooftop tent comfortable?
I’m not a great sleeper but they are surprisingly comfortable. I actually sleep so well in rooftop tents because of the fresh air.

What is the security deposit?
We paid 20% of the total rental cost prior to arrival to reserve the car. We didn’t need to pay another deposit as we had full insurance included (with zero excess). They did ask for my debit card details though as cover for tyres, the underbody, bonnet and roof wasn’t included.

What equipment is usually included with the rental?
We got a rooftop tent, chairs, table, fridge, gas stove, pots and pans, cutlery and crockery, bedding, jack, tyre pressure gauge.

Renting a 4×4 in Namibia takes a bit more planning than a normal car hire, but it’s what makes this country such an incredible road trip: empty gravel roads, a rooftop tent under the stars and wildlife just outside your window. Book early, check the car carefully at pickup, and take your time on the gravel, and you’ll be set for one of the best adventures of your life.

Now that your wheels are sorted, check out my 10 Day Namibia Travel Itinerary for advice on where to visit when driving around this amazing country and my Namibia Page for more posts full of tips and recommendations.