• Never use 4×4 on the tar road.
• Do not drive above 60 km/h in high range, because it will damage the gearbox.
• Do not drive above 30 km/h in low range, because it will damage the gearbox.
• Always bring the car to a complete stop before engaging or disengaging 4×4.
• When disengaging 4×4, if 4×4 light does not turn off, reverse just a few metres then go forward to re-inflate the tyres.
• When driving to Deadvlei, stop at the 2×4 car park. Deflate the tyres to 1.2 kpa. Put the car into low range using the procedures explained at Aloe 4×4 Car Hire’s office.
• If you leave Sossusvlei, remember to stop at the 2×4 car park and put the car back into 2×4. Also remember to re-inflate the tyres at the next petrol station.
• If you are stuck in the sand, never spin the wheels. Do not burn out the clutch. Stop, deflate the tyres, use your spade to dig out the tyres then reverse in low range. If you are still stuck then call Aloe 4×4 Car Hire for help.
• Never drive in the dunes of the Namib Desert.
• Never drive in the dunes along the coast.
• Never drive on the Walvis Bay Peninsula.
• All roads west of Purros and Opuwa are at own risk (no insurance cover).
• The 4×4 roads east of Camp Aussicht and west of Etosha are at own risk (no insurance cover).

At feeling stations in Namibia, someone else does all the work for you although you must make sure the petrol attendant uses the correct fuel for your engine!

• The attendant will also happily wash your windows, check your oil & water and inflate your tyres. Generally it is considered good etiquette to tip the attendant before leaving the petrol station.
• The network of service stations is very good with most small towns having at least one. Petrol stations will generally have a shop.
• Generally, petrol and diesel can only be paid in cash.
• All the 4×4 vehicles have to be fuelled with 50 ppm diesel.
• The fuel gauge only shows the amount of fuel that is in the main tank.
• When both tanks are filled the gauge will show full, until the second tank is empty. Only then will the needle on the fuel gauge start moving towards empty.
• Main tank is 75 liters and the second tank is 40 liters.

Disclaimer: All the information published on this website, or in any article herein is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Information on this site should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, or individual Aloe 4×4 Car Hire employees for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on information published on this site. Views expressed in any article are the views of the authors individually and do not necessarily reflect the view of Aloe 4×4 Car Hire or their employees.

Information appearing on this site may only be reproduced with prior approval from Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, and credit being given to the source.

The post Tips for driving a 4×4 appeared first on Aloe 4x4 Car Hire.

• Please check your vehicles tyre pressure every day, the normal pressure should be 2.0 bar. Please also check for cuts in the wheel’s side walls.
• Drive on the left side of the road. The driver should always be closest to the middle of the road.
• Keep your lights on at all times. This helps other vehicles to see you clearly on the road especially when there is a lot of dust.
• Always drive closest to the middle of the road instead of the shoulder of the road.
• In traffic circles/roundabouts, vehicles from your right have the right of way.
• When crossing a road as a pedestrian check the traffic on your right.
• Park in well-lit or guarded areas at night. Support identified car guards who, for a small reward, will keep an eye on your vehicle.
• Never leave any valuables in your vehicle, in plain sight.
• Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
• Make sure you do not run out of fuel and driving water. Refuel when you can, please note that cash is required for fuel and credit cards are not generally accepted (many feel stations have ATMs, but do not rely on this).
• Plan your itinerary so there is no need to rush. Driving on gravel roads can be unpredictable and the major cause of accidents is excessive speed. Do not exceed 60-70 km/h on gravel roads!
• Do not drive at night (nor dawn or dusk), because there is a real danger of stray and wild animals crossing the road. Arriving at Sesriem for sunrise is an exception, but please drive slowly and with great caution.
• In the case of a tyre bursting, do not hit the breaks, just take your foot of the accelerator and keep the vehicle in a straight line till it stops, then change the tyre.
• There is a veterinary line that divides Namibia in to north and south sections. The north has animals that are contained in farms and more diseases are present here. You may not travel north to south across the line with any meat or diary products. This line can be found on the following roads: C43 Palmwag, C35 north of Hobatere, All exits of Etosha National Park and B8 between Grootofntein and Rundu.
• Inside Etosha National Park, do not hang out of the window of the vehicle. Do not climb out of the vehicle inside the park.
• The speed limit in Etosha National Park is 4o km/h.

Areas where technical backup cannot be guaranteed within 24 ours (due to terrain conditions).

• Namibia – Dune driving – Namib Desert, Luderitz – Walvis Bay and Skeleton Coast is strictly not allowed. Driving the Van Zyl’s Pass or Namib Naukluft 4×4 Trail is strictly prohibited.
• Botswana – All cost or expenses incurring due to negligent driving of the vehicle or excessive wear and tear as well as reckless driving will be on the renters account. Al tow in costs will be on the renters account. Botswana National Parks and surrounding areas (Chobe NP, Moremi NP, Central Kalahari NP, Kgaligadi NP, Nxai Pan NP, Madgadikdagi NP, Khutse GR, etc) will be entered on complete own responsibility.
• Zambia – Drive at own responsibility. Backup including any damages will be on the renters account.
• Zimbabwe – Drive at own responsibility. Backup including any damages will be on the renters account.
• Malawi – Drive at own responsibility. Backup including any damages will be on the renters account.

When going over country borders.

You will first have to go through the immigration of the the country you are currently in, then goo through the immigration of the country that you are entering. In both cases you will need to show the vehicle paperwork that Aloe 4×4 Car Hire will provide.

• Botswana – To enter Botswana you will have to inform immigration who the driver is and give the vehicle information as on the documents provided by Aloe 4×4 Car Hire. You will also need to pay the road tax. This can be paid in Pula or preferably South African Rands. Make sure to ask for the Gate Pass to cross the border.
• Zimbabwe – To enter Zimbabwe from Botswana: Go to the left side of the building to complete the paperwork for the vehicle. Then move to the right side of the building to do your visa. On average this process will take two hours, but may take longer during high season. All payments have to be made in USD.

Disclaimer: All the information published on this website, or in any article herein is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Information on this site should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, or individual Aloe 4×4 Car Hire employees for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on information published on this site. Views expressed in any article are the views of the authors individually and do not necessarily reflect the view of Aloe 4×4 Car Hire or their employees.

Information appearing on this site may only be reproduced with prior approval from Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, and credit being given to the source.

The post Self-drive Guidelines appeared first on Aloe 4x4 Car Hire.

Customs

When you visit Namibia it is crucial to note a few things when you come through customs at the airport.
Never be rude at any time with people you meet and talk to, you are in Africa, conditions are always more difficult than in your home country and locals will always do the best for you to have an unforgettable trip, but this will often take more time than that you might be used to.

Speed Limits

Speed limits in Namibia are a maximum of 120 km/h on tarred roads, although recommended no more than 100 km/h and 60 km/h on gravel roads. In towns or any populated area the speed limit is 60 km/h unless indicated otherwise. Always keep an eye out for speed signs and follow the road rules.
Note that the speed limits given by Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, overrule national speed limits.

Tipping

Many people survive on tips. Please tip car guards and fuel attendants more or less N$5. In restaurants it is expected to tip 10% to 15% of the total bill.

Interacting with locals

In Namibia greetings are very important. It is expected to say hello to every person you meet and ask them how they are, and in turn let them know how you are too. Even if you are in a hurry you should start every conversation in this way.

Please do not take photos of local people before getting permission first. Always ask yourself “would I do this in my home country with locals?”. It is not authorised to take photos of any police officials or government buildings.

Namibians are very friendly, do not hesitate to ask people for help if you need it.

In some towns such as Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Opuwa, some people may try to sell you souvenirs. If you are interested, please feel free to negotiate the price with them while keeping it fair. If you are not interested, please just be firm and walk away, but do not become aggressive.

Behaving correctly with animals

Please do not feed any animals anywhere. Food that is not part of their normal diet may make them ill and if they associate humans with a source of food they may become aggressive. The animal will then be considered a threat to humans and will be put down in most cases where it cannot be rehabilitated.

Do not get too close to any wild animals. Do not drive too close to elephants and black rhinos. Do not get too close to wild antilopes, even if they walk into your lodge or around your tent or room. They can still be very dangerous even if habituated to humans. Remember that many wild animals may have diseases.

National Park Rules

No drones are allowed in National Parks.
Plastic shopping bags are prohibited in National Parks.
You must always pay for park fees. If you go off the main road in the Namib-Naukluft Park you must have a valid permit. This can be bought at Swakopmund or Sesriem.

You must remain inside your vehicle at all times in the Etosha National Park. This means no getting out of your vehicle, no sitting on the window ledge, no leaning out the window and no sitting on the roof of your vehicle. Your vehicle doors must always remain closed. The only area where you may leave your vehicle are the camps and the Etosha pan lookout.

The maximum speed limit in National Parks is 60 km/h, but may be less in some areas. Please pay attention to road signs and adhere to the rules.

Staying Safe

Namibia is a safe country. So are many countries in Europe and probably your home country, yet you would not leave your vehicle unlocked or valuables in plain sight at home and we ask that you apply the same logic here.

• When in large towns carry your bag diagonally across your body.
• Park in well lit areas where there is a car guard/security guard.
• Avoid taking short cuts through deserted areas at night.
• Do not leave valuables in sight in your vehicle, especially on the back seat of the car. Please take these valuables with you or enclose them in the back of the ‘bakkie’/pick-up.
• Always lock your vehicle.
• Check that your vehicle is locked after pressing on the lock button.
• Do not get distracted at ATMs and do not accept help from anyone at ATMs.
• If someone tries to stop you while you are driving to say they are lost or that you have a problem with your vehicle; Do not Stop. Drive to the nearest town, stop and check your vehicle.
• If you are going on a long hike, especially if it is hot, let the reception of your lodge or campsite know where you are going and when you will be back.

Disclaimer: All the information published on this website, or in any article herein is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. Information on this site should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, or individual Aloe 4×4 Car Hire employees for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on information published on this site. Views expressed in any article are the views of the authors individually and do not necessarily reflect the view of Aloe 4×4 Car Hire or their employees.

Information appearing on this site may only be reproduced with prior approval from Aloe 4×4 Car Hire, and credit being given to the source.

The post Travelling in Namibia appeared first on Aloe 4x4 Car Hire.