1) Reason for renting a car. Namibia has among the best roads in Africa but non-existent public transport. We don’t even have Uber or Lyft, although local taxi-app LEFA (https://lefa.com.na/) is a good alternative. Flying around is expensive and limited, so renting a car and exploring Namibia on a roadtrip is an affordable and fun way to see all the highlights of Namibia. The ever-changing landscapes make you feel like the last person on earth...where's everybody? But despair not....roadtripping in Namibia affords you the adventure of getting away from it all, safely and freely with our 4x4 rental vehicles. We’ll help you find plenty of places to be social and meet the locals, where you can enjoy a freshly brewed hot cup of dark coffee, or ice cold beer, and some delicious local treats. With Local Travel Namibia Car Rental you are assured local support and best insider tips of how to make the most of your 4x4 road trip in Namibia.

2) Take it easy. It's Africa time, and you are on holiday. What's the rush? Enjoy the journey; it's not about just reaching your next destination, but the magic happens as you drive! Most accidents happen because you are lulled by the well-maintained gravel roads that seem to go on forever in a straight line. Then, out of nowhere, a sharp turn or river dips in front of your path and startles you from your lull, often too late. You try to veer into the turn, but then you lose control, roll the car, or break the suspension as you rollercoaster through the river dip. Too many car rentals have met an untimely end like this. Insider tip: When we locals say that we'll be there "now-now,  we mean that we'll arrive anytime between now and next century...it means that we will most definitely be late, but we don't know how late. "We'll be there now-now!" So it's ok if you run a little late; better now-now than never.

3) Don't drive after sunset on gravel roads and highways. Roads are unlit, and you may hit an innocent animal trying to cross the road. Many Namibians drive without sufficient lights. It's dangerous, so instead leave a little early so you can arrive in time for sundowners at your next destination. Sundowners are an important rite of passage for Namibians to celebrate the end of each day.

4) Walking is fun, but don’t be a fool.  When staying in the cities, take a LEFA to and from your restaurant. Swakopmund is walking-friendly, but Windhoek is less so. However, sadly, at night, along with the fabled vampires, the thugs are out and about, ready to pounce on a hapless tourist to relieve our valued visitors of their phones, cameras and cash. This is a fact in most cities, and Windhoek is no different; pick-pocketing can be big business, so don't make yourself a target. Even when walking during the day, you really don’t need to go on a walk carrying all your cash with you.

5) Stick to the speed limits and don’t get caught speeding. Those dastardly traffic officers are very sneaky; they hide and try to catch you for even the slightest transgression. Don't get caught! The administrative, bureaucratic hassle of paying your fine will take hours out of your holiday that you'll never get back. We measure distances in kilometres and recommended city speed limits are usually between 40-60km/h, 120km/h on the highways and gravel roads between 60-80km/h. You will see signs well-marked to indicate speed limits. For safety reasons, we recommend driving at most 80km/h on gravel roads - even in a 4x4, you must take it easy. (refer to point 2)

6) Stop and enjoy the scenery! Namibia's Instagram Sexy, especially early mornings and late afternoon, the light bathes the country in ethereal light! Getting up early can be an otherworldly experience. Stopping regularly avoids driver fatigue. Refer to Point 2 if you want to Travel Like a Local.

Plan ahead and pack “Padkos” for those scenic stops. “Padkos is what we call packing food for the road, as there are rarely, if ever, good cafes to stop at along the way! Pack plenty of water, too. We are a desert country and thirsty! Travel like a local, which means drinking lots of water. At Local Travel Namibia Car Rental, our 4x4’s come equipped with a freezer to keep things fresh for you.

Favourite padkos food includes:

Wuma energy drink (http://wuma-drink.com/) , produced by local Legend, the musician EES (https://www.eesy-ees.com/) and bottled at source made from the purest Namibian spring water. Other roadtrip snacks include Simba chips (South African crisps, Chutney flavour is the best), dried fruit, biltong and droewors (not jerky, and a local delicacy), and packed sandwiches (Superspa makes the best, from Schnitzel brötchen to Ham and Cheese wholewheat) or chicken wraps. Don't forget the water.

7) Basic rules of the road. We drive on the left side. We call traffic lights "Robots"! Namibians seem flummoxed by the rules of 4-way stops, and it's a competition about who dares to go first rather than whose turn is next. Drive defensively and anticipate sudden stops from the vehicle before you without any prior warning. We are friendly and like to wave. Don't pick up hitchhikers; you'll be taken on a mad detour for the village that supposedly is just around the corner.

"Book a reliable 4x4 car rental in Namibia with us and get ready for your unforgettable trip".

Final words of wisdom:

Make sure to download a roadtrip playlist for your long journey into the unknown - our next blog will be about what local music we recommend from Spotify. Follow us as we tell you about some of our favourite, little-known places you must visit with our Suzuki Jimnys - with our “Little cars that can”, you are sure to get there.