luangwablondes

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/

        http://www.savrala.co.za/rental/directory_rental.htm

 South Africa Road Traffic Signs pdf

Toll Road Tariffs

Fines for Speeding in SA 

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 Namibia companies and from a rental company who did a couple subhires. They alleged they got completely ripped off by the hire company. The credit card regulations however favour the card holder and they will invariably reverse any damages not completely agreed so client is often more protected than rental company.

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

Bobo Campers       Kempton Park

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Zambia

Livingstone 4x4 Hire

               Lusaka and Livingstone    Highly Recommended

-------------------    Bushlore  Highly Recommended Randburg_Joburg, CapeTown, Windhoek, Maun, Kasane, Vic Falls ----------------------

 Operating exclusively at South Luangwa NP  

Landrover 4x4 Gameviewers        Mfuwe

Bundu Adventures       Livingstone

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

Barefoot Safaris 

Land and Lake Safaris  

Hostellerie de France   Blantyre

Jambo Africa 

Ulendo Safaris

Budget Safari    Lilongwe

Angola

Residencial Miramar

Rwanda

Rwanda Safaris     

Oman          

Safari Drive    

Egypt

Dabuka Expeditions

Azim Cars    5 Gammeat El Hak Fi El Hiya St., Sheraton, Heliopolis area Cairo 

Senegal

Pape Diop Car Rentals Dakar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

  Bushlore Randburg, Joburg 

Bushtrackers   Rivonia, Johannesburg

Explorer Safaris  Johannesburg

Chobe 4x4 Trailer Rentals  Pretoria & Bloemfontein

AJC 4X4 Hire  Modimolle, Limpopo

Root Adventure Africa     Silver Lakes, Pretoria 

Multirent    Pretoria

AfriTrax  Pretoria

Mission Outdoor Trailors   Bloubergrant
 

Big Five Rentals  Kempton Park

Desert Wolf   Pretoria

Getaway   East London

Offroad Trailer Hire  Port Elizabeth

Winelands 4x4     no website         Somerset West

   Bushlore     Randburg, Joburg

Tony's Car Hire    with car rental only

Kempton Park - 8km from O.R. Tambo (Joburg) Airport 

Overland Camp Rental

          Eden Park Brackenfell Cape Town  Western Cape 

Explorer Safaris  Johannesburg

Root Adventure Africa     Silver Lakes, Pretoria

Safari Centre    Menlyn Pretoria, Bryanston Joburg, Goodwood Cape Town, Umhlanga, Vereeniging, Upington. Ermelo, Boksburg, Windhoek

Ngonyama Camper Rentals -Waterkloof Ridge, Pretoria   

Imagine Africa  Johannesburg

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

Arusha, Tanzania -  A store in Arusha sells all stuffs of safari,safari clothes,tents,binoculars,mosquito reppelants,camping gases,safari boots,climbing gears and so much more,for just in case.its located next to Shoprite supermarket.I have spoken to them and told me they even rent binoculars,tents,cellphones,sleeping bags,etc,etc. (mail)

Nairobi - stores that sell new equipment- Nakumatt, Xtreme Outdoors  , Fast Eddies,

Harare, Zimbabwe  Big Sky Supplies   9 Pomona Shopping Centre, Pomona/Borrowdale - sells outdoor equipment on a commission basis. Used tents, cooler boxes, camping furniture, gas equipment, etc.

   Bushlore       Randburg, Joburg

Root Adventure Africa    Silver Lakes, Pretoria

Bobo Campers   Kempton Park

Camper Rentals  Joburg and Cptn

                  A.K.A -Sani Rentals 

Campers Corner     Randburg

Helderberg Camper Hire   Joburg Cptn

Motor Home Express          KZN

South African Car Hire

Kea Campers  

Maui Motorhome Rentals depots in Johannesburg,

      Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Windhoek.

Britz    

TravelStar Motorhomes  Guateng and Cape Town

Camper Hire     

Drive Africa     

Drive South Africa       Not recommended 

Root Adventure Africa     Silver Lakes, Pretoria

Afritrax    Pretoria

website matches Safari Tour Guides with Tourists

African Chapter -Professional Wildlife Safari Guides