luangwablondes
A guide for the overseas self drive, self sufficient, vehicle dependent visitor in Africa
Robert Louis Stevenson
Rental Companies
Not all companies are the same. Some even offer drivers. Vehicles are kitted out differently, so look at the equipment lists. Age, mileage, diesel or petrol, long range fuel tanks, Roof top tents (1 or 2), Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, Hi-Lux, and the list goes on. Do they deliver to your destinations (including other countries) and pickup? Ask for equipment lists. Ask for details. Do you need a Sat phone? A GSM phone? A gps? Maps? Are they good maps? Some companies will book all the campsites and accommodations in route. You pay for it, but otherwise it can be a necessary service. Be sure to review the insurance coverages and alternatives so you have no surprises. Do they offer airport transportation?
Many of the South Africa companies will deliver and pickup vehicles to the neighboring countries at more then competitive rates. So don't limit your enquiries to just in-country rental companies.
When comparing rates, check to see if the cost of insurance, applicable taxes, and any other levys are included in the quote or rate sheet. Unlimited mileage?
**Recommendations below are derived almost entirely from hire companies' client reports of their experiences with their rentals. No commissions, compensation or any financial benefits have been received that would effect the composition, order of the hire company listings, or recommendations.
If you are having a problem locating a rental at reasonable rates, luangwablondes maybe able to negotiate a better rate or discount for you.
Never pay in cash in advance. You will discover you have no recourse if there are problems. No matter how cheap the rental may appear to be.
SAVRALA (Southern Africa Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association)
http://www.savrala.co.za/rental/directory_rental.htm
South Africa Road Traffic Signs pdf
If a motorist is caught breaking the speed limit by more than 35km/h, in any circumstance, they will be arrested there and then. If you drive faster than this past a speed camera, you will be heading straight to court. However, if you pay your fines within 32 days, you will get a 50% discount.
Form DA65 Registration of Goods for Re-Importation Although this form is directed to South Africans, it might be a handy document to record your equipment that you may be required to declare at border crossings. Effective 3/2008 See Additional forms that maybe handy for more information.
International Diesel and Petrol Prices
AAA application for an International Driving Permit (for holders of USA drivers licences)
Any valid drivers license is accepted in South Africa, provided: it bears the photograph and signature of the holder; is printed in English; and if the license is issued while the holder thereof was not permanently or ordinarily a resident of South Africa for the period thereof; and, subject to the conditions under which such license was issued. If your license does not comply, you should obtain an International Driving Permit before departure.
http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/consulate/driverslicense.htm
While South African law does not normally require an International Driving Permits for stays of less than six months, insurance companies for both long-term residents and rental car customers often require proof of a South African or an International Driving Permit in order to honor an insurance claim, even when such proof was not requested at the time the policy was secured.
INSURANCE
When getting quotes on rates, find out what is included (and excluded). Look at getting Super cover with no excess or low excess.
Have the hire companies send you a copy of the contract in advance, with the Terms and Conditions. Look at the fine print.
Standard cover options will not usually include towing, tyre or windscreen damages but the excess advised by the rental company should. Ask about that.
The choice of insurance can also depend on what cover you get from your credit card or travel insurance, sometimes they have excess cover and then it may be best to go with standard insurance. Take a copy with you.
People often save money by going with standard, being careful with the vehicle and making sure all docs are signed and cleared of damage before departing.
Go over closely with the rep for damage, including the undercarriage, before taking possession. Take pictures if you feel unsure.
No insurance covers vehicle replacement on 4x4 rentals or specialised vehicles if in collisions and can't continue. Client pays for new vehicle if he chooses to continue. Some have an issue with this but picture if you owned the vehicle and had an accident, You can't phone the dealer and order another to arrive, to continue you have to rent another. There are some hire companies that will occasionally assist a client where accident was not their fault, but this is out of goodwill and not contractual obligation.
There are some rental companies who go to town after receiving the rental vehicle back- I've heard tales especially about some
Hiring / Renting a 4x4 , Motorhome, Camper
South Africa
Bushlore Highly Recommended
Randburg_Joburg, CapeTown, Windhoek, Maun, Kasane, Vic Falls
BushTrackers Johannesburg
Explorer Safaris Johannesburg
4x4 Camper Pretoria - vehicles can be taken into Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mocambique, Swaziland and Lesotho - Fully kitted Land Rovers and Hiluxes
Kgalagadi4x4 Hire Upington
Desert 4x4 Rental (Alt) (alt) Upington
Kwenda Safari Randburg
Buffalo Campers Randburg motor homes and 4x4's
Root Adventure Africa Silver Lakes, Pretoria
Ivory 4x4 Rental Pretoria
Land Rover Solutions Boksburg
Bobo Campers Kempton Park
SMH Car Hire Edenvale,Johannesburg
Camper Rentals Joburg and Cptn
A.K.A -Sani Rentals
Campers Corner Randburg
AJC 4X4 Hire Modimolle, Limpopo Del'y/pick for SA, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. 4x4 vehicle training course offered with hire ** Be sure request a projected accounting of total costs and fees. Seems there could be a potential problem.
alleged their equipment is not well maintained
Reality 4x4 Citrusdal, W. Cape
Zuri Africa Joburg Cptn George PE Durban
Caprivi Car Hire Joburg CpTn Windhoek
Britz a.k.a Maui Check the condition of the vehicle, the equipment and inventory before accepting their vehicles. There has been many complaints and little sympathy later($$$). Is it worth the hassle when their rates are higher then their competition?
Exoticar vehicles for film productions Cape Town
Lazarus Motor Company Centurion
4X4 Hire 4U Near Joburg A/P
Lekker Camper Capetown Microbus 4x2
TravelStar Motorhomes Guateng and Cape Town
Tony's Car Hire Joburg - cars only with camping equipment, no 4x4s, recommended
Rent-A-Wreck no 4x4's
CABS Joburg, CpTn, Durban, George, PE, Windhoek
Helderberg Camper Hire Joburg Cptn
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Beware of companies with vehicle Buy-Back Schemes. I have heard there has been many 'problems'. Read the contract carefully and decide for yourself if this is what you want to get involved in. If it comes to litigation, is it worth it to you to return to SA to go to court.
NOT RECOMMENDED - Buy Back or vehicle rental. DSA was involved in a 'Bait and Switch' scam leading up to Twende literally disappearing from their place of business. Buyers were left with expensive vehicles and no recourse.
Twende out of business, involved with DSA in failed Buy Back Scheme
*The Director of Drive South Africa has been contacted and refuses to address in writing issues related to DSA and Twende.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Crazy Combis VW Kombis Cape Town
No longer in business
Twende No longer in business CpTn- Involved in failed BuyBack Scheme
Erikson Rover Safaris Nakuru
Specialist in African Self Drive Safaris
Roving Rovers near Nakuru (Njoro)
Africa Traxx Ltd. Nairobi opening in approximately May/June 2009. For experienced 4x4 drivers only. Their fleet of modified Range Rovers and Discoverys will include RTTs, frig/freezers, long range fuel tanks, among an extensive list of equipment and camping gear designed for an expedition in Africa.
Bushtroop Safaris Nairobi
Adventure Alternative 4x4s and a 30 seater 4x4 truck
Ketty Tours
Whistling Thorns Truck Hire
AfriChoice Nairobi
Afrikavirus.nl MARLEEN BUIS www.afrikavirus.nl Rent her landcruiser at your own risk
Adventure Africa Expedition dickson wambugu www.advenafrica.com Associated with Afrikavirus.nl
Carlink Nairobi
Tanzania
Specialist in African Self Drive Safaris
Auric Air Services Mwanza
Takims Holidays and Tours
A.K.A. Travel Mate
Hemingways Vehicle Hire, Tours and Transfers Livingstone recommended
Bundu Adventures Livingstone
Mfuwe Hardy Engineering- Mfuwe- unconfirmed- open gameviewers
(land cruisers) for hire
Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.
Albert Einstein
Wild dog spoor
Malawi
Sputnik Car Hire Lilongwe
Ocean Car Hire Lilongwe
Siku Car Hire Services Blantyre Lilongwe Not Recommended
Alleged overcharging. Get all quotes in writing.
SS Rent A Car 2000 Blantyre Lilongwe
Planet Car Hire Lilongwe
Apex rent a car Lilongwe
Countrywide Car Hire Blantyre Lilongwe
Grand Prix Car Hire Blantyre Zomba
Avis Blantyre Lilongwe
J & K Car Hire Lilongwe
Skywave Car Rental Lilongwe
Zoom Car Hire Lilongwe Blantyre
Malawi Tourism Association -- other hire companies, including cars
Maun Self Drive 4x4s Highly recommended
Affordable, kitted out 4x4s for camping & offroad travel
Custom designed camping & lodging itineraries
Comprehensive website directory of campsites &
accommodations within Botswana.
Up-to-date information on booking campsites with the
Botswana Dep't. of Wildlife & National Parks (DWNP)
& the operators of the DWNP privatised campsites.
Bushlore Highly Recommended
Randburg_Joburg, CapeTown, Windhoek, Maun, Kasane, Vic Falls
Their vehicles can be taken to Zambia
Britz
Bushlore Highly Recommended
Windhoek Their vehicles can be taken to Zambia
http://www.firelily.com.na/c&a.html
Link to lists of vehicle hire companies
Cardboard Box Windhoek
Asco Car Hire Not Recommended
City Cars Kampala
Acacia Safaris Kampala
Safari Eye Kampala
Moti Rent-a -car Pemba airport
Kaskazini Tourism Services Pemba Suzuki 4x4s
Omar Rent a Car Pemba
Fim do Mundu Safaris Nacala
Avis Moçambique Car Rental Beira
Telf 23 301263 Aeroporto
Imperial- Plus Rent a Car Beira
Telf 23 302650 Aeroporto
Rent a Car Lobato Beira
Tel 23 302521
Safi Rent-a-car Pemba
Bushlore Highly Recommended
Randburg_Joburg, CapeTown, Windhoek, Maun, Kasane, Vic Falls
Their vehicles can be taken to Zambia
Warthogs Bush Camp & Cameron Harvey Safaris Kariba
Mwinilunga Safaris
Southern and/or East
Angola
Luanda list of rent a car companies
Rwanda
Oman
Specialist in African Self Drive Safaris
Egypt
Azim Cars 5 Gammeat El Hak Fi El Hiya St., Sheraton, Heliopolis area Cairo
Senegal
Pape Diop Car Rentals Dakar
Hiring / Renting an Off Road Trailer
Bushtrackers Rivonia,
Explorer Safaris
AJC 4X4 Hire Modimolle,
Root Adventure Africa
Safari Centre Menlyn Pretoria, Bryanston Joburg, Goodwood Cape Town, Umhlanga, Vereeniging, Upington. Ermelo, Boksburg, Windhoek
Ngonyama Camper Rentals
Imagine Africa Johannesburg
Fox Trailor Hire Centurion
Hiring / Renting Overlanding/Camping Equipment
Bushlore Randburg, Joburg
Tony's Car Hire with car rental only
Kempton Park - 8km from O.R. Tambo (Joburg) Airport
Eden
Explorer Safaris
Root Adventure Africa
Safari Centre Menlyn Pretoria, Bryanston Joburg, Goodwood Cape Town, Umhlanga, Vereeniging, Upington. Ermelo, Boksburg, Windhoek
Ngonyama Camper Rentals -Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Imagine Africa Johannesburg
Drive & Camp Capetown
Camping Hire Namibia Windhoek (alt)
Adventure Camping Hire Windhoek
Lusaka, Zambia Reflections Lifestyle Out & About in Crossroads Shopping Center - sells camping equipment and accessories (mail) tel 260211-268317 Monday - Friday 09:00 to 18:00 Saturdays 09:00 - 17:00 and Sundays 09:00 - 13:00
Hiring / Renting a Motorhome
Bushlore Randburg, Joburg
Root Adventure Africa
Bobo Campers
Camper Rentals Joburg and Cptn
A.K.A -Sani Rentals
Campers Corner Randburg
Helderberg Camper Hire Joburg Cptn
Maui Motorhome Rentals depots in
TravelStar Motorhomes Guateng and
Drive South Africa
Buying an Off Road Trailer
South Africa
PAARDEN EILANDBantam Trailers Cape Town
Bermac Trailers Durban
Big Boys Safari Equipment Midrand
B'rakhah Polokwane
Bundu HARTBEESPOORTDAM
BurnCo Bellville, Western Cape
Bushman Offroad Trailers Plaston, Mpumalanga
Bush Nest Pretoria
Bushwakka Worcester
Buzzard Durban North
Campmaster Naboomspruit
Camptech Mooi River, CpTn, Kyalami
Challenger Trailers
Chase Naboomspruit
Cosmos Trailers Bredell
Desert Wolf Pretoria
EAGLE AND KUPA FIBREGLASS TRAILERS
Echo 4x4 Centurion
EFM Richard's Bay
Fintastic Edenglen
Gecho Westonaria
Getaway Off-road Trailers East London
Girdm
Griffon Trailers Zandberg Engineering Blackheath 021 905 3343
Hippo Trailers
Imagine Trailvan Pretoria & Cptn
Infanta Trailers Buffeljagsrivier
Jaguar 4x4 Trailors Bellville
Lynx Trailors Stilfontein
Mechter Quads & Trailers Pretoria
Ngonyama Camper Rentals Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria
Novelle Engineering Die Wilgers
Offtrax Offroad Trailors Pretoria
Predator Trailers George
QCTrailers
Ramkat Trailers
Rhino Trailers Rhino Canopies, Springs
Rigid Trailers Morne le Roux 083 357 5330
Safari Centre Menlyn Pretoria, Bryanston Joburg, Goodwood Cape Town, Umhlanga, Vereeniging, Upington. Ermelo, Boksburg, Windhoek
Torsion Trailers Meyerton
Travel Light Trailers Roodeporte
Vtec Trailer (alt) (alt)
Kenya
Hire a Safari Guide for your own Self drive Tour
website matches Safari Tour Guides with Tourists
African Chapter -Professional Wildlife Safari Guides
