Renting a car is cheap and easy in Namibia. Insurance is included in the price and the only thing negotiated is how much the deductible (called an excess deposit) will be. Don’t expect normal Namibian wear-and-tear like broken hubcaps and popped tires to be covered, but everything else will be.<http://www.namibian.org/travel/car.htm>
Namibia Vacation: Where to Stay, How-To Rent a Car, and What to Do While on Safari
Namibia was settled by Europeans and is not a huge economy, so don’t be surprised if the banks close at 4PM on weekdays and all weekend. Plan accordingly, and if you need some cash quickly the biggest hotels can normally help you out.
If you’ve never driven on the left-hand side or shifted with your left (most rentals are stick-shift, of course) try to get your car at a time when Windhoek isn’t too busy. Ask the rental company when the city is quiet and shoot to pick your car up then, as the change can really throw you off.
Many of the small, local hotels are called Pensions. I stayed at Hotel Pension Uhland< http://www.hoteluhland.com/indexe.html> just outside downtown Windhoek and it was great. Very comfortable stay, walking distance to the city center and restaurants, etc. Singles starting at $66/night.
Out in the country, many of the farms are also hotels. Any time you see a sign for “guestfarm”, it means you can get a comfortable room at a great price. I stayed at Weltevrede Guest Farm<http://weltevredeguestfarm.com/index.htm> for my trip down to Sossusvlei and it was excellent accommodations. Starts at $90/night for a private room.
Awesome place to stay just outside of Etosha is the Nauanaua Lodge<www.nauanaua.com>. Loads of classy German hospitality, huge private game reserve, scheduled cheetah feedings and more. Singles from $205/night, and wear at least a button-down shirt to dinner. You may be in the bush, but there’s no reason to be uncivilized ;)
Camping inside the park can be a good option for both cost and making the most of your time. If you’re entering at the West end of the park, then it all starts at Okaukuejo<http://www.namibian.org/travel/lodging/okaukuejo.html>. The campsites inside the park all feature both hotels and campgrounds, restaurants, pools, and flood-lit water holes for night-time viewing of animals. Camping starts at $40 per night but gets cheaper quickly with more people.
For the ultimate in luxury stay once back in Windhoek, check out the Neinitzburg Castle<www.heinitzburg.com>,(singles from $205/night) and if it’s a little to pricey or hard to book, check out the Olive Grove Guesthouse <http://olivegrove-namibia.com>(singles starting from $95/night, executive suite I stayed in for$274/night). You won’t be disappointed.
For more altruistic ideas of what to do while in Namibia, check out the Africat Foundation<http://africat.org/index.html> to help save predatory cats, and <http://www.namibian.org/travel/lodging/private/palmwag_rhino_camp.html> to help conservation efforts with the Black Rhino.
Click here to get the full story on my trip to Namibia.
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