Bushlore Africa Range Rental Information

Minimum rental duration & costings:

Minimum rental period is 5 days in South Africa and 7 days outside of South Africa and specified collection points. Minimum rental period for cross border travel from South Africa is 7 days. The Supplier reserves the right to change minimum rental periods in the case of high kilometre rentals but this will be confirmed prior to booking.

Each day is a 24-hour period.

Where camp equipment is included, the day of pick up and drop off are counted as full days irrespective of the time collected or returned.

No refunds are applicable for early returns.

Office hours:

Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:30

Saturday 08:30 – 13:00 Deliveries and collections are included from Monday to Saturday during normal office hours. After hours, on Sundays or Public Holidays there will be a delivery fee of ZAR 400.00 per vehicle/airport transfer. All branches are closed on 25 December (Christmas Day). Mobile contact numbers are available 24 hours 7 days a week but please send a text message if you fail to get through.

One-way fee:

Vehicles can be collected and dropped off in most areas in Southern Africa for additional charge. It is recommended to use the official depos. Risk of remote handovers: Clients should be aware that there are very limited facilities in most smaller towns in southern Africa and these offer no option to replace or repair specialised equipment. This may affect the service delivery, albeit only in exceptions, which is why we recommend using our standard depos where possible.

Please confirm all delivery and collection fees at time of enquiry.

Checking the vehicle on arrival:

On arrival the vehicle would have been checked by the Supplier and an inventory and various check sheets will be completed. It is still advisable and to a point the responsibility of the Renter to check through the vehicle and ensure they are comfortable with the operation of the vehicle and that all necessary equipment is provided. The handover will take approximately 1 hour and is only complete when the Renter is comfortable with the vehicle and use of the equipment. Tyre conditions, wheel changing tools, high lift jack operation (where applicable), dual battery system operation, four-wheel drive system operation, camp equipment and general maintenance guidelines must be checked for each and every rental.

Please check all damages on the vehicles and that it is captured correctly on the diagrams with the Supplier’s representative when collecting and dropping your vehicle. The Renter will be required to sign these documents, which will acknowledge their accuracy in determining if damages were pre-existing or new.

Official depots and recommended rental collection points (collection & return):

South Africa:

Johannesburg: 31 Gallagher Avenue, Midrand, Johannesburg (Coordinates: S 26 00 02.08; E 28 07 34.47)
Cape Town: Unit 2 Concorde Park, 33 Concorde Crescent, Cape Town (Coordinates: S 33 58 36.42 E 18 35 26.17)

Botswana:

Kasane: Plot 69 Kazangula Industrial Site, Kazangula, Kasane, Botswana (Coordinates: S 17 48 27.50 E 25 14 45.70)
Maun: Thuso Rehabilitation Centre Road, Thito Ward, Maun, Botswana (Coordinates: S 20 00.7299 E 023 24.6814)

Namibia:

Windhoek: 9 Dr Kuaima Riruako Street (previously Bach Street), Windhoek (Coordinates: S 22 34 21.74 E 17 04 22.98)

Please note: for all rentals starting outside South Africa the Namibian rates apply.

Depot surcharges:

Delivery/depot surcharges may apply to certain areas and/or collection depots. Please enquire with your rental agent

Terms & Conditions of Rental

Bookings must be made in advance and are subject to availability, a booking is only secured after the deposit is received and booking form completed. We reserve the right to decline a booking where there may be excessive kilometres or risk put on the vehicle.

The Renter is required to have a valid passport or identification document, a valid driver’s license, and a credit card (in the same name), which should be provided for the insurance excess or deposit.

Copies of these documents must be provided if collecting in remote locations or areas outside of standard locations.

The full rental amount is due 8 weeks prior to travel. Should rental payment not be made or proof of payment be available, we reserve the right to delay the rental until payment is made in full.

The Renter should disclose the general route or inform the Supplier of any special areas or borders that may need to be crossed as this can influence vehicle preparation.

The Renter must have a valid credit card in his/her name which will be used for the deposit/insurance excess. The insurance excess will be debited/authorised for the deposit when collecting the vehicle. The deposit will be refunded/released less any damages or loss within 10 days of the Renter’s return.

Usage

The Renter acknowledges that he/she is aware of the purpose for which the vehicle was designed, as well as all safety and maintenance procedures. The Renter is responsible to look after and maintain the vehicle during use and to return the vehicle in good order, with fair wear and tear accepted.

In the event of the vehicle or any of its belongings being lost or any damages during the rental period, the Renter shall be liable to cover the cost of replacement or repair and to make good on any shortages or damages to the vehicle. Standard Insurance Cover is included and will cover loss or damage due to theft and collision damages – but not lost items or damages due to gross carelessness or negligence.

Cross Border Travel

Written authorisation is required for any travel outside of South Africa.

Checking the vehicle and signing the contract

It is recommended that the Renter should check the vehicle thoroughly on handover to ensure the vehicle meets with their requirements. It is always beneficial to recheck items like wheel changing tools and tyre condition. On signing the contract, the Renter signs acceptance of the vehicle and equipment.

The Renter is in control of the vehicle and is responsible to report any problems or avoid any driving obstacles they are not comfortable to cross or which may put the vehicle at risk. Additional care should be taken in remote areas where recoveries and repair are more difficult to affect. These areas carry higher risk and the Renter assumes this risk when entering these areas. The Renter should be pro-active prior to entering these areas, do general checks on the vehicle and any noises, new rattles or possible fluid leaks investigated before heading into remote areas.

Repairs and mechanical failures

Any mechanical repair or replacement related to fair wear and tear is covered by the Supplier. Repairs of up to ZAR 3,000.00 can be affected without prior authorisation. On higher amounts, prior authorisation is required from the Supplier. As a result of the vastness of the area where vehicles are mobile, the Renter is responsible to get the vehicle to the nearest workshop. Where not mobile, the vehicle should be towed to the nearest workshop for diagnosis.

Wherever possible, please contact the Supplier’s Johannesburg Head Office if you observe a technical issue. The Head Office must be made aware of the problem in order to try and resolve it. However, you are permitted to take the vehicle to any workshop, whereafter the costs will be refunded. If there are more serious technical issues it is imperative to contact the Supplier before continuing.

In most cases, vehicles are still covered under the new vehicle manufacturers warranty and their warranty conditions will apply where mechanical failures occur. It is important to remember that the Supplier is not the manufacturer of the vehicle or equipment, but will do its utmost to select and offer the best and most recommended vehicles and equipment as well as ensure the vehicles are fully maintained and checked prior to departure.

Where serious mechanical failures occur due to standard wear and tear and which cannot be repaired timeously, a replacement vehicle will be supplied within 24 hours of diagnosis. This relates to the countries of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and southern Zambia. In countries further north, replacement time is within 72 hours.

Inconvenience and time loss is not covered for mechanical failures which cannot be anticipated and were not apparent at the start of the rental.

Towing is covered for the countries Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, and southern Zambia. Further north, towing is covered by the Renter.

Roadside assistance

The Supplier offers contact numbers which are available at most times and will assist with any problem telephonically. Due to the vastness of the southern African region and the unknown logistics, the Supplier may not be able to provide immediate recoveries or technicians to all areas but will rely on local resources and will do its best to ensure speedy repair or recovery.

Vehicle maintenance requirements

The vehicles are fully serviced and maintained as per manufacturer requirements and the Supplier has introduced additional maintenance which is completed on vehicles.

The Renter is responsible to maintain the vehicle during the rental period. This would include the standard check of tyre pressures, wheel alignment, and, if necessary, oil and coolant levels. The Renter must be aware of any issues which may arise during the rental period. In addition, should the vehicle reach 10,000 km mileage during the rental period, the Renter is required to service the vehicle at their own expense at a suitable workshop, preferably associated with the vehicle manufacturer. Where an official dealer is not available, other workshops may service the vehicle with the Supplier’s authorisation. The 10,000 km service charges are for the Renter and any other repairs related to standard wear and tear on the vehicle will be covered by the b.

Should the Renter become aware of a potential problem with the vehicle, it is their responsibility to make contact with the Supplier or have it checked at the nearest workshop before proceeding further or into remote areas.

Equipment and accessories

The Supplier does not manufacture the equipment and accessories but will make every effort to ensure equipment or accessories fitted or provided are of good quality. The Supplier cannot warrant or guarantee their performance or reliability.

In the case of equipment issues or failures, the Renter can repair or replace equipment at the cost of the Supplier. Where the amount exceeds ZAR 3,000.00, prior authorisation should be obtained. In the case of larger and more specialised items like fridges and rooftop tents, where these are not usable and are not able to be replaced, the relevant item will be refunded from when it is reported faulty – so long as the failure is as a result of fair wear and tear and not usage related or as a result to impact. The rental rates for fridges and roof tents are ZAR 60.00 per day.

No tent is completely mosquito-proof, so other precautions should be taken in malaria risk areas. Zips which fail during the rental will not deem a tent unusable or validate the swap out of a tent, unless otherwise agreed by the Supplier.

Specialised equipment and equipment requests not within the standard vehicle configurations cannot be guaranteed in the offices outside of Windhoek and Johannesburg. In the case the Supplier cannot provide certain equipment, it is not deemed a breach of contract. The specific item the Supplier is unable to supply will be refunded.

Collision damages & accidents

All accidents must be reported to the local police within 24 hours. This is essential wherever there is a 3rd party involved or where there is more significant damage.

Where collision damages render a vehicle unusable, a replacement vehicle can be supplied if available – but all costs are for the expense of the Renter.

The Renter is responsible for the return of the damaged vehicle to the closest office.

No refund will be given for lost days due to collision damages. This is limited to a maximum of 21 days from the date of incident.

Should the Renter continue with a new replacement vehicle, then a new rental contract and insurance conditions will apply.

An administration fee of ZAR 550.00 is levied for the processing of any accident claims.

The exact insurance conditions and area of liability will also depend on the level of insurance selected.

Insurance

Standard Insurance Cover, which is comprehensive insurance, is included on all vehicles and in all rates quoted. This is not a full insurance cover and an excess is applicable, the monetary value of which depends on the vehicle category. The excess is payable for any damage irrespective of the cause of damage.

Insurance cover is valid in the following countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Malawi. Special permission is required for any other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Third Party Cover: the standard insurance cover includes 3rd party cover for South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, and Lesotho only. The Standard excess also applies to damages to a third party vehicle or property. Third party cover for any other country must be purchased at the port of entry.

Additional insurance cover is available at additional cost, which offers reduced excess for both collision and theft damages. The cost of the collision damage waiver (CDW1 and CDW2) will vary depending on the vehicle category and time period.

Insurance conditions and exclusions

If Standard Cover is selected, the following conditions apply:

Towing costs outside of South Africa are not covered
Tyre and windscreen damages are not covered
Undercarriage damages are not covered (up to the full insurance excess)
Theft loss waiver is not included
The minimum insurance excess/liability is payable for any damages or loss to the vehicles
Water damages from submerging vehicles by exceeding wading depth is not covered
A double insurance excess, minimum ZAR 40,000.00 (maximum ZAR 60,000.00) applies for single vehicle rollover and single vehicle accidents involving animals at night

Two (2) options are available to reduce or waive the Standard Excess:

If CDW 1 (collision damage waiver 1) / MEDIUM INSURANCE COVER is selected and paid for, the following conditions apply:

A reduced excess applies (50% reduction in collision damage excess)
Theft loss waiver included (zero excess for theft incidents)
Towing outside of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa is not covered
Tyre and windscreen damages are not covered
The double insurance excess, minimum ZAR 20,000.00 (maximum ZAR 30,000.00) applies for single vehicle rollover and single vehicle accidents involving animals at night.
Water damages from submerging vehicles is not covered
Undercarriage damages are not included if below the excess amount

If CDW 2 (collision damage waiver 2) / SUPER COVER is selected and paid for, the following conditions apply:

NB: This option is only available to rentals of 8 days or longer.

A zero excess applies for all normal accidents and theft loss or damage. A security deposit of ZAR 5,000.00 is payable at handover in the case of traffic fines or other losses which may not be covered as outlined below.

Towing costs outside of Namibia, Botswana, Southern Mozambique, Zimbabwe, southern Zambia (Livingstone District), and South Africa are not covered
Tyre and windscreen damage is included
The deposit of ZAR 5,000.00 will be lost for single vehicle accidents or where no case number is received or where there is no third party involved and damages exceed the value of the CDW2 premium
A double insurance excess, minimum ZAR 20,000.00, applies for single vehicle rollover and single vehicle accidents involving animals at night
Water damage from submerging vehicles or exceeding wading depth is not covered
Undercarriage damages are covered

Should the vehicle be damaged beyond use or stolen, a replacement vehicle is not included in any of the insurance cover options. A replacement can be supplied depending on availability but a new contract applies and all costs are for the Renter’s account.

Please note:

Water damages due to exceeding the vehicle wading depth are not covered by any insurance cover.

Damages due to gross negligence or equipment losses are not covered by insurance.

Insurance covers recognised public roads and tracks but does not cover complete off-road use where there is no recognised road or track.

A case number of a police report is required by insurance for any incidents related to collision, theft loss, or damage.

Insurance covers the direct cost of replacement of vehicle or equipment only. In the case of tyres and windscreen, it covers the cost of the equal replacement of tyre or windscreen. However, no delivery costs, loss of time, or any other consequential expenses are covered.

Any costs to be claimed exceeding ZAR 4,000.00 must be authorised by the Supplier.

Tyre damages are limited to two new tyres per 30 days rental unless otherwise agreed by the supplier.

Road restrictions

The four-wheel drive (4×4) vehicles are allowed on all bitumen/tar and gravel roads as well as all recognised public 4×4 tracks in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Swaziland, and Malawi. Special permission is required for any other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Renter assumes all risk when travelling on very bad roads or in extremely remote areas. This may cause further delays in recovering the vehicle or offering a replacement vehicle. Roads like Van Zyl’s pass in Namibia should be avoided and, if the Supplier is not able to recover the vehicle due to the position, the Renter will be responsible for the delays. Cautious driving is essential in any remote area and on any poor roads.

If the Supplier does not have access to an area, for instance on the desert tours in Namibia, then the Renter is responsible for the salvaging of the vehicle to an area where the Supplier does have access.

Desert tours in Namibia

The Supplier does allow the vehicles to partake in these tours, but under the following conditions:

The tours must be professionally guided.

Driving up dunes and where there is no recognised 4WD track is at your own risk. Insurance does not cover any damages where the vehicle is used “off-road” or where there is no recognised track or road.

These are areas with restricted access and it is the Renter’s responsibility to recover the vehicle to an area where the Supplier is able to access the vehicle. This applies to any mechanical or collision related incident. Any costs or delays to recover vehicles from these areas are for the Renter’s account.

Cross-border surcharges

A once off cross-border surcharge is applicable when leaving South African borders. This is a once off charge irrespective of how many borders are crossed.

A ZAR 800.00 fee is applicable for the countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and southern Mozambique (south of the Zambezi River). If the vehicles are collected in a neighbouring country and no borders are crossed then the Cross Border Fee is not applicable, but only the delivery surcharges. For example, if the vehicle is collected and dropped off in Namibia and no borders are crossed, then no cross-border fee is applicable.

A ZAR 3,000.00 fee is applicable for the countries of northern Mozambique (north of Beira/the Zambezi River), Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

No surcharge applicable for Swaziland and Lesotho.

The Cross Border Surcharge does NOT include any custom charges which are paid directly to customs at the relevant border or port of entry.

Equipment extras

Additional equipment is available through the Supplier as a non-standard vehicle equipment and in addition to the vehicle rental. This includes electronic equipment like GPS, winch and satellite phones.
The Supplier may use outside Suppliers for this equipment and cannot warrant the accuracy or reliability of this equipment. This equipment should be checked by the Renter on handover to ensure functionality and should the equipment fail during the hire period it should be reported to the Supplier immediately. However, the Supplier cannot guarantee replacement or repair and this will not constitute a breach of contract or affect the vehicle rental agreement. The Supplier will endeavour to refund the rental of such equipment from the date reported or authorise replacement at the nearest town centre where this is feasible. Equipment will be tested by the Supplier or manufacturer to establish reason for failure and grounds for refund.

Change of vehicle

If, for reasons beyond the Supplier’s control, the reserved vehicle is not available, the Supplier reserves the right to substitute the vehicle with another vehicle in the same category or in a higher category. This shall not constitute a breach of contract or entitle the Renter to a refund.

Variance in vehicle equipment: The Supplier cannot guarantee that all equipment will be the same as there are constant changes made by suppliers, but we do expect that the equipment provided will comply with the specifications. We will at times have no option but to change brands in the interest of reliability or for availability issues.

Vehicle age

The Supplier’s standard policy is to keep vehicles for a maximum of 3 years of age. During Covid however, vehicles did less kilometres and less work and vehicle supply became more problematic. Under certain exceptions, there may be vehicles supplied which exceed 3 years of age, but they will have less kilometres than our normal use. This will not constitute a breach of contract.

Exchange rate variances

In the case that the Supplier is refunding monies to international cards for the insurance excess or refunds, the Supplier has no control over exchange rate variances and takes no responsibility for any shortfalls due to changing exchange rates when received in a foreign currency. All refunds will be calculated and processed in ZAR.

General

The Renter is fully responsible for any damage or related costs to the Supplier’s vehicle or 3rd party if:

The terms of the rental contract are breached
Damage to the vehicle or equipment caused by gross negligence or reckless driving
The Renter drives in excess of the speed limit
The Renter drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol or in any way that contravenes the prevailing law
The Renter causes water submersion or salt-water damage
The Renter abandons the vehicle and no contact is made by the Renter to the Supplier
The Renter drives on restricted or closed roads
The Renter drives on dunes or off-road where no track is obvious

PLEASE NOTE: Rates and conditions may be subject to change without notice. All information may be subject to change and all measurements and volumes shown are approximate.

Cancellation Fees

60 days or more before departure date:	Deposit (where applicable) refunded less 20% handling fee
30-60 days before departure date:	20% cancellation fee. If total rental has been paid, the balance less 20% will be refunded
Less than 30 days before departure date:	Full rental due. 100% cancellation fee
If vehicle is returned early or collected late:	No Refund Available

On rentals involving 5 or more vehicles, different cancellation terms may apply. Rentals cancelled within 48 hours of booking will not be subject to cancellation fees.

The Renter needs to contact Drive South Africa (during office hours 08h30 – 16h30 Monday to Friday) to advise of cancellation. No cancellations will be attended to after hours, over weekends or Public Holidays.

Cancellations received outside of these specified office hours will only be actioned on the next working day and Cancellation Penalties will be applied according to date received and actioned by Drive South Africa.