Savanna History

Savanna History – Over 30 Years of Car Rental Experience in Namibia

From One Vehicle in 1994 to One of Namibia's Leading 4x4 Rental Companies

Savanna's story began in 1994 in Windhoek, Namibia, when founder Berti Ham started Savanna Car Rental with just one vehicle – a Volkswagen Combi. Shortly afterwards, he purchased the company's first 4x4 vehicle, beginning a passion for reliable vehicles, adventure travel and exploring the remarkable landscapes of Namibia.

Over more than 30 years, Savanna has grown from a small, independent car rental business into a comprehensive vehicle company. Today, under the Savanna Centre umbrella, our services include car rental, 4x4 rental, camping vehicle rental, vehicle sales, servicing, mechanical repairs and panel beating.

Our roots, however, remain firmly in car hire in Namibia. We understand what travellers need when exploring Namibia by road – from the tarred highways around Windhoek to gravel roads, national parks, remote destinations and the country's spectacular wilderness areas.

4x4 Car Rental and Camping Vehicles in Namibia

Today, Savanna operates a large rental fleet of approximately 200 vehicles, offering solutions for different types of travellers and journeys.

Our fleet includes passenger cars, SUVs, 4x4 vehicles and fully equipped 4x4 camping vehicles. Whether you are planning a family holiday, a Namibia self-drive safari, a business trip or an extended camping adventure, we aim to provide the right vehicle for your journey.

Our 4x4 rental vehicles with camping equipment are particularly popular with international visitors who want the freedom to explore Namibia independently. Equipped for self-drive travel and camping, our vehicles are designed for travellers who want to experience destinations such as Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and the Caprivi at their own pace.

Among our popular camping vehicles are the Toyota Land Cruiser LAC Camper and Ford Alu Cab Camper, designed to provide a comfortable and practical camping experience while travelling through Namibia. Their specialised canopy and interior design provide additional space and comfort, including enough room for taller travellers to stand upright inside the rear of the vehicle.

More Than 30 Years of Experience in Namibia

Our greatest strength is our experience. After more than three decades in the Namibian vehicle rental industry, we understand the demands placed on vehicles travelling long distances on Namibia's tar, gravel and challenging roads.

Our dedicated team of approximately 50 employees shares the philosophy on which Savanna was founded: quality over quantity.

From choosing and preparing our rental vehicles to handing a vehicle over to a customer and providing support during a rental, our goal is to provide professional, friendly and personal service.

Our Own Workshop and Vehicle Maintenance

Savanna Centre operates its own vehicle workshop in Windhoek, supported by experienced mechanics specialising in Toyota and Ford vehicles. Our technicians can also service and repair a wide range of other vehicle makes.

Having our own workshop gives us greater control over the maintenance and preparation of our rental fleet. Our vehicles are regularly serviced, maintained and inspected to ensure they are prepared for the demands of travelling through Namibia.

This combination of car rental, 4x4 rental and in-house vehicle maintenance allows us to build many years of practical experience into the vehicles we provide to our customers.

Vehicle Sales at Savanna Centre

Savanna Centre has also developed an established pre-owned vehicle sales department.

We offer quality used vehicles from our rental fleet as well as carefully selected pre-owned vehicles from other sources. This means customers can not only rent a vehicle for their Namibia adventure, but also find quality pre-owned vehicles through the Savanna Centre.

Our experience operating and maintaining vehicles in Namibia gives us valuable practical knowledge when selecting and preparing vehicles for sale.

Support for Travelling Through Namibia

Travelling through Namibia often means covering long distances and visiting remote areas where services can be limited. We understand this reality from more than 30 years of operating rental vehicles throughout the country.

Savanna has therefore established a network of workshops and garages throughout Namibia, providing our customers with additional support when they are travelling away from Windhoek.

Our aim is to give travellers greater confidence when embarking on a Namibia self-drive holiday or 4x4 adventure, particularly when their journey takes them far beyond the main towns.

Looking to the Future

Although Savanna has grown considerably since 1994, our core principles remain unchanged: quality vehicles, professional service, personal attention and customer satisfaction.

Our continued development is driven by our experienced team, the ideas and energy of our younger employees, our investment in our vehicles and facilities, and the trust of thousands of customers who have travelled with us over the years.

From our first Volkswagen Combi in 1994 to today's extensive fleet of cars, 4x4 vehicles and camping vehicles, Savanna's journey has always been about moving forward.

More than 30 years later, Savanna remains proudly Namibian – helping travellers discover Namibia, one road at a time.