Unique Tours amp; Safaris ensure that you'll travel on safari with the right rental vehicle - our partners in car hire offer off-road 4x4 vehicles, sedans, mini-buses, vans, campers amp; luxury 4x4s

             

2011/2012
Safari Specials & more: e.g.
Tribal Namibia

Self-catering rooms and/or camping incl. 4x4 rental

Logo of Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia - tailor-made tours and safaris in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa for the individual traveller

 
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Photo: Typical Kalahari farm road - the usual access to guest farms

  Suggested Safari Itineraries << previous page next >>

Namibia ... better with Unique Tours

Around Namibia Namibia Regional Cross-border Tours Special Interests

Renting A Safari Vehicle

Since many self-driving tourists wonder, which rental vehicles would be suitable for touring Namibia and neighbouring countries during their holidays in Southern Africa, here are some open words on the matter:

Not without reason has the range of 4x4 rental vehicles available for holiday rentals exploded in recent years.
One reason being that rental companies adjusted their fleets to changing customer demand when driving an off-road vehicle came into fashion, when visitors became more adventurous and wished to explore remoter places, or simply wanted a more authentic Africa feel while travelling on well-established routes - where else would driving a 4x4 be more befitting than on an African safari?!

Far more important though is another reason for hiring an off-road vehicle, which unfortunately often falls victim to the cost implications of renting a 4x4 where it does not appear a necessity: Safety!
Not only on rough bush tracks but also on gravel and tarred overland roads can no other vehicle type offer you more safety than a four-wheel-drive - a 4x4's grip on the road, even on hard corrugated surfaces, is unsurpassed. 
Please also bear in mind that during your 2-3 weeks trip you are bound to travel approx. 3500km, and depending on the season, sometimes possibly under rainy weather conditions. This means your vehicle should not only be comfortable for driving longer distances but also be suitable for any kind of road/road condition while on a cross-country safari.
This is why we recommend: If you have to compromise to meet your travel budget than please let the rental vehicle be the last in line.
Unique Tours & Safaris will support you at all times to find the best possible solution!

View across Nama Karoo plains towards "Dik Willem" in the southern Namib Desert near Aus Guided 4x4 safaris through the Namib Desert between Lüderitz and Walvis Bay travel along the coastline of the Southern Atlantic Ocean The Namaqualand Flower Season in South Africa is one of the highlights covered by our CROSS-BORDER TOURS from/to Namibia Experience Namibia on motor-bike tours, while hiking the Fish River Canyon and in many other special ways - anything goes and we tailor-made what is not readily available
Select your preferred touring style and click the link to find matching travel ideas.
We also tailor-make safaris combining two or more of these travel options.
Recommended Camps, Guest Farms, Guesthouses, Hotels & Lodges
Namibia Botswana South Africa Zimbabwe
Select your safari destination and click the link to find accommodation options.
For accommodation establishments not listed in these pages, please contact us.
Activity & Excursion Options Van, Sedan, 4x4 & Camper Hire
Click on the link to activities & excursions Click on the vehicle hire link to see a
to view a selection - more options on request selection - more options on request

Here are your Vehicle Hire Options in detail


Please note: Special conditions apply and cross-border fees will be charged when taking a hired vehicle outside Namibia. Unique Tours & Safaris will provide details with offers.
 

Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia

Contact Heike by Email:
info@unique-tours-safaris.com

Web:
www.unique-tours-safaris.com

Logo of the NTB, the Namibia Tourism BoardP. O. Box 1301
Swakopmund/Namibia
Cell:  +264-(0)81-2122580
Tel/Fax: +264-(0)64-406313
NTB-Registration: TFA 00107

Complete safari proposals can be found under

Suggested Itineraries

             
           
Sedans - Rental Options   Buses, Minibuses  Vans & "Bakkies" - Rental Options

Normal 2x4 passenger vehicles are called sedans in Southern Africa. Most of them offer 4-5 seats, 4 passenger doors and separate luggage storage in the boot of the vehicle that can take 1-2 suitcases and a limited amount of extra pieces, such as soft travel bags. These vehicles are appropriate for driving within city boundaries and on tar roads in general but we cannot recommend them for longer overland tours that involve a lot of driving on gravel roads, due to their small ground clearance and for safety reasons.

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What is often called 'pick-up trucks' elsewhere is commonly known as  "Bakkies" in Namibia. Due to a sturdier construction, greater ground clearance and better grip on the road than any sedan, they are much better suited for dealing with gravel roads and different types of road conditions. Bakkie models of various makes are a good choice for touring most parts of Namibia and South Africa.
Please see the 4x4 & camper versions of "Bakkie" models below to get an idea of how their 2x4 versions look - various engine and equipment variations are available for hire in Namibia.
(Mini-)Buses have similar qualities and in addition, more seats:

 
 
 

Toyota Corolla

•71 KW/96 PS
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•central locking
•60l tank (petrol)
•2 spare wheels

 
Toyota Quantum

•111KW/140 PS
•10/14-seater bus
•air-conditioning, •radio/CD player •power-steering
•ABS, airbags
•70l tank
•2 spare wheels
 


Toyota Avanza


 



•80 KW/100 PS
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•central locking
•60l tank (petrol)
•2 spare wheels

 


Toyota Condor

The Condor represents a merger of Toyota's Hilux chassis & Corolla engine. Developed in South Africa as an all-purpose vehicle that meets most transport requirements, it offers the comfort and ease of handling of a sedan plus the space and ground clearance of a 4x4.

The Toyota Condor is classified as minibus and has got many of the classic characteristics despite its 4x4 looks.


•71 KW/96 PS
•4/5-seater, ample
  luggage space
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•central locking
•70l tank (petrol)
•2 spare wheels

Various sedan models of different makes are available for hire in Namibia, from similar versions as the above to truly luxury passenger vehicles.
Should you wish to rent a sedan for purposes other than overland touring on safari, please contact us for details:

Unique Tours & Safaris, Namibia

Contact Heike by Email:
info@unique-tours-safaris.com

   
Volkswagen T5

•2.5l - 90 KW/96 PS
•4- to 8-seater
•long-wheel base
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•central locking
•80l tank (diesel)
•2 spare wheels

             
4x4 / Off-road Vehicles - Rental Options   Camper Vehicles - Rental Options

Vehicles suitable for driving off-road and under demanding road conditions are available with either permanent or adjustable four-wheel drive. Some of these 4x4 models are real work-horses and the only right choices for trips into Botswana's National Parks and the far north-western/north-eastern parts of Namibia. The majority of the less expensive 4x4 varieties are however appropriate for touring the remainder of Namibia as well as most of South Africa's wildlife parks and rural areas.

 

Growing interest in Africa safaris that allow the individual visitor to decide at the spur of the moment which routes to travel, where to overnight and how long to stay at interesting places has triggered a continuously growing variety of campers coming onto the market. Camping vehicles that suit every taste and budget are nowadays available. The big and more comfortable models are hardly recommendable for Namibian travel conditions and not suited at all for Botswana but they can easily be used for visiting most of South Africa, especially if you intend spending longer periods of time in South Africa.

 
 
 
 

Toyota Hilux 4x4 - Double Cab
- available with camping equipment -

•2.5l - 75 KW/102 PS
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•alarm/immobilizer
•ABS, airbags, roller
  bars, front cover,
  diff lock, jumper
  leads, shovel, 12V
  air compressor with
  pressure gauge,
  fire extinguisher
•140l tank (diesel)
•2 spare wheels

Also available:
Toyota Hilux 4x4 - Double Cab
- camper storage space & roof tents -
 The same model Toyota Hilux 4x4 - Double Cab
shown on the far left as camper:

Photos:
Built-in storage in back of camper
&
2 roof tents, each
sleeping 2 persons
Toyota
Hilux 4x4 - V6
4l - 175 KW/238 PS
Other specifications & equipment as listed to the left.
 


Why Toyota 4x4's?
For their reliability and your safety; spare parts are also available in Namibia's neighbouring countries such as Botswana and South Africa; trustable 4x4 system with diff-lock on rear axle; tyres with 6-ply reinforced sidewalls - available at tyre shops everywhere; highest ground clearance compared to similar models of different makes; strong engine with high KW-output and high torque; 2nd battery system that really works for 12V refrigerators up to -16 degrees Celsius; long-range tank made of stainless steel; reinforced canopy with windows fitted in order to have a good view to the rear.

Most car rental companies offer their 4x4s standard equipped with additional bull-bar, roll-bar and tow-bar.

  Also available with
only 1 roof tent for
2 persons

A standard set of camping equipment is included in camper rentals
for 2 or 4 persons.
An extended set of camping equipment may be hired as optional extra.
 
 

Toyota LandCruiser 4x4
- suited for heavy-duty off-road driving -

•165 KW/206 PS
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•alarm/immobilizer
•ABS, airbags, roller
  bars, front cover,
  diff lock front/rear/
  centre, jumper
  leads, shovel, 12V
  air compressor with
  pressure gauge,
  fire extinguisher,
  towing rope
•140l tank (petrol)
•2 spare wheels

 

The Standard Camping Equipment Package includes:
roof tent/s, 2 gas bottles with cooker plates, fridge (own battery system), shovel, spade, BBQ grid, chairs, table, 20l water canister, camping lamp, base sheet for the mattress of the tent, kitchen box - containing for either 2 or 4 persons:
small & big plates, cups & mugs, dessert bowls, small/big/medium pots, pan, chopping board, cooking utensils (wooden spoon, bread knife, etc.), cutlery (knives, forks, spoons, etc.), tea towel, dish washing cloth, pot scrubber, matches, dish-washing liquid, salt & pepper.

 
   

 

 

 

 

 

Toyota RAV 4x4
- a 4x4 in "sedan fashion", with small luggage space - a good choice for 2 people on an accommodated safari in most parts of Namibia/South Africa -



•100 KW/136 PS
  Turbo-Diesel
•4 doors
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•ABS, 6 airbags,
  2 spare wheels
 

 


Toyota Hilux 4x4
Double Cab
as camper with
roof tent & standard camping equipment for 2 persons
 
   

 

 

 

 

 


Dodge Nitro 4x4
- suitable for tar & gravel road driving but NOT for off-road driving -
 

•3.7l V6 engine
•automatic
•4- to 5-seater
•4 doors+1 in rear
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•74l tank (petrol)
•ABS, 2 spare
  wheels, cruise
  control, spare
  fuses

 

Update Aug. 2011:
The Suzuki Jimny came onto the Namibian market, only this year.
It presents an affordable small 4x4 option for 2 persons travelling without camping equipment.


Both these 4x4s also
come with:
danger triangle,
original car tools,
first-aid kit, spare
fuses, cross-wheel
spanner and jack

Hummer H3 - 4x4
- suitable for any kind of road & off-road
driving; difficult off-road conditions
require an experienced off-road driver;
the Hummer H3 is available for hire with
camping equipment - for a maximum of
2 persons travelling in the vehicle, due
to space limitations -

•3.7l engine
•automatic + low
  range
•4- to 5-seater
  leather interior
•4 doors+1 in rear
•air-conditioning
•radio/CD player
•power-steering
•127l - tank + 2 jerry
  cans (petrol)
•40l water tank
•12V fridge/freezer
•ABS, cruise-traction
  -stability controls,
  diff lock, 2 spare
  wheels, spade,
  3 spare V-belts,
  tow rope, fire
  extinguisher

   

 

 

 

 

 
             
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Last update:  August 2011