Driving long distance.... any advice?

[Nithan15]

Highways are great - but - South African drivers ruin it. The lack of highway etiquette is appalling.

Most of your stretches are two lanes. The left lane is reserved for slow moving trucks, and the right lane is for everyone else … that includes slow moving trucks and people doing twice the speed of sound.

This is just my experience with the N3 - and I’m often just seeking my destination as soon as I can. But when I’m not, the real beauty is when you take a random off-ramp. Yes there is a tractor in front of me - but it’s all right, because the scenery is spectacular. You will inevitably find a small town, or stall, or street vendor. The people in these parts are so pleasant and lovely to engage with. Stop and take it in.

Most of your stretches are two lanes. The left lane is reserved for slow moving trucks, and the right lane is for everyone else … that includes slow moving trucks and people doing twice the speed of sound.

The rule is keep left and pass right, that what everyone needs to learn. Even if I am doing the speed limit and the left lane is clear I will drive in the left lane in a 2 lane highway, If its a 3 lane highway I keep middle lane at speed limit and use the right lane for overtaking only or if the road forks to the right.

I am not fan of the people doing 100 or 80 in the right lane and the left lane is clear, you have to slow down and in most cases mess with your cruise control if you dont have adaptive cruise control, some cases people are so stubborn and hog the right lane way below speed limit your only option is overtake on the left.

watch the youtube videos of the guys in Germany driving the autobahn they really practice the keep left and pass right

 

[geezer]

Most of your stretches are two lanes. The left lane is reserved for slow moving trucks, and the right lane is for everyone else … that includes slow moving trucks and people doing twice the speed of sound.

The rule is keep left and pass right, that what everyone needs to learn. Even if I am doing the speed limit and the left lane is clear I will drive in the left lane in a 2 lane highway, If its a 3 lane highway I keep middle lane at speed limit and use the right lane for overtaking only or if the road forks to the right.

I am not fan of the people doing 100 or 80 in the right lane and the left lane is clear, you have to slow down and in most cases mess with your cruise control if you dont have adaptive cruise control, some cases people are so stubborn and hog the right lane way below speed limit your only option is overtake on the left.

watch the youtube videos of the guys in Germany driving the autobahn they really practice the keep left and pass right

I suppose you meant "keep right and pass left"?

 

[Geoff.D]

I do realise that I am more adventurous than most, but I have found that B&Bs in larger towns / cities are quite plentiful and service levels are generally good. Considering that the OP is travelling alone, he may wish to wing it.
Saves a bunch on costs, and he could have a better choice selecting an actual B&B / guesthouse in the flesh vs photographs.

On a trip like this, one does NOT want a fixed stopover schedule!
Just wing it, stop early, and don't be too fussy about where you stay over. And besides, we are fully equipped for camping when we go away like this.

 

[Geoff.D]

Most of your stretches are two lanes. The left lane is reserved for slow moving trucks, and the right lane is for everyone else … that includes slow moving trucks and people doing twice the speed of sound.

The rule is keep left and pass right, that what everyone needs to learn. Even if I am doing the speed limit and the left lane is clear I will drive in the left lane in a 2 lane highway, If its a 3 lane highway I keep middle lane at speed limit and use the right lane for overtaking only or if the road forks to the right.

I am not fan of the people doing 100 or 80 in the right lane and the left lane is clear, you have to slow down and in most cases mess with your cruise control if you dont have adaptive cruise control, some cases people are so stubborn and hog the right lane way below speed limit your only option is overtake on the left.

watch the youtube videos of the guys in Germany driving the autobahn they really practice the keep left and pass right

Except there it is keep right pass left.

 

[Nithan15]

Sorry here its keep left pass right - but I was more highlighting the concept of actually practicing the rule.

 

[Mekon]

Besides servicing your car before hand make sure your spare is inflated. Take along a tyre repair kit and one of those compressed air cans that can seal tyres in an emergency. Take plenty water as there are extremely long stretches that are desolate with no civilization nearby. Don't rush. Namibia is an incredible place with lots to see on the way.

 

[Nithan15]

We should do a Mybb Canonball run that would be so cool.

 

[Leo_]

Most of your stretches are two lanes. The left lane is reserved for slow moving trucks, and the right lane is for everyone else … that includes slow moving trucks and people doing twice the speed of sound.

The rule is keep left and pass right, that what everyone needs to learn. Even if I am doing the speed limit and the left lane is clear I will drive in the left lane in a 2 lane highway, If its a 3 lane highway I keep middle lane at speed limit and use the right lane for overtaking only or if the road forks to the right.

I am not fan of the people doing 100 or 80 in the right lane and the left lane is clear, you have to slow down and in most cases mess with your cruise control if you dont have adaptive cruise control, some cases people are so stubborn and hog the right lane way below speed limit your only option is overtake on the left.

watch the youtube videos of the guys in Germany driving the autobahn they really practice the keep left and pass right

Yes - my point exactly about highway etiquette in South Africa. Even the huge dynamic warning boards have to state "KEEP LEFT - PASS RIGHT".

The reality however is the opposite.

Also regarding German driving: I believe the fines for overtaking on the slow-lane as well as tailgating is higher than speeding.

 

[Nithan15]

Yes - my point exactly about highway etiquette in South Africa. Even the huge dynamic warning boards have to state "KEEP LEFT - PASS RIGHT".

The reality however is the opposite.

Also regarding German driving: I believe the fines for overtaking on the slow-lane as well as tailgating is higher than speeding.

I believe that they are

I have seen overtaking from the slow lane but never tailgating on videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/AutoTopnl I enjoy watching them doing these Autobahn runs.

 

[Nithan15]

Yes - my point exactly about highway etiquette in South Africa. Even the huge dynamic warning boards have to state "KEEP LEFT - PASS RIGHT".

The reality however is the opposite.

Also regarding German driving: I believe the fines for overtaking on the slow-lane as well as tailgating is higher than speeding.

When I drive alone esp long distances I like to see how economically I can do the trips, these people that sit in the right lanes going 70, messes with that. You have to brake and that's the worse for fuel economy

 

[ngoni615]

Allright gentleman i have set a date to leave SA and embark on the Journey to Namz. I got fully vaccinated but i heard a PCR test is still required. How much does it cost and where can i have it done? How long does it take to do the test?

 

[Craig_]

Allright gentleman i have set a date to leave SA and embark on the Journey to Namz. I got fully vaccinated but i heard a PCR test is still required. How much does it cost and where can i have it done? How long does it take to do the test?

You must enjoy the trip, I would love to do a similar trip somewhere in the next year, to Nam that is. I'm driving Cape Town to Pretoria Monday, not nearly as much fun as you trip. And I'm loaded so will be driving at a sedate pace.

 

[ngoni615]

You must enjoy the trip, I would love to do a similar trip somewhere in the next year, to Nam that is. I'm driving Cape Town to Pretoria Monday, not nearly as much fun as you trip. And I'm loaded so will be driving at a sedate pace.

Capetown to Pretoria is a very long drive bro. Travel safe. heheheh. I am excited.... I took the time to learn how to change tires properly and bought this other kit for repairing punctures just to be safe.

 

[Craig_]

Capetown to Pretoria is a very long drive bro. Travel safe. heheheh. I am excited.... I took the time to learn how to change tires properly and bought this other kit for repairing punctures just to be safe.

You should take enough pictures and post them here. When are you leaving?

 

[ngoni615]

You should take enough pictures and post them here. When are you leaving?

will do. I have set the date for the 24th of nov. I need to find out more about this PCR test

 

[unobeat]

@ngoni615 enjoy the trip, take it easy and most of all you going to love the drive.
I also still want to do a trip to Durban or Cape town in my project in 3 yeas time.

 

[richjdavies]

The rule is keep left and pass right, that what everyone needs to learn. Even if I am doing the speed limit and the left lane is clear I will drive in the left lane in a 2 lane highway, If its a 3 lane highway I keep middle lane at speed limit and use the right lane for overtaking only or if the road forks to the right.

Hypocrite?

Left means left!! Not middle.

Not sure if it my Britishness or something... But if you aren't overtaking you should be on the left! Why oh why would you be in the middle lane?

 

[ngoni615]

@ngoni615 enjoy the trip, take it easy and most of all you going to love the drive.
I also still want to do a trip to Durban or Cape town in my project in 3 yeas time.

thanks bro. I double checked everything and i also found i can do 300km to 600km while still in good driving condition so i will probably be driving maybe 300 -500km per day then relax for the night. I won't be in too much of a hurry to get there so i suppose 4 days driving there should be reasonable one way

 

[ngoni615]

You should take enough pictures and post them here. When are you leaving?

Definitely man. will take lots and lots.

 

[laven]

Hi.
I didn't read all the pages, so apologies if this has been mentioned before.

Make sure you download the maps on your phone for the trip, you don't want to be stuck without gps because you don't have data or pay expensive roaming fees for data to use your maps.

I did this trip with my family 3 years ago, but from Jhb through Botswana and back through Upington, they were still doing up the road in Botswana between Gabarone and Kang then and it rained heavy the night before, which turned the road to mud, a lot of cars got stuck there and I had to use the 4x4 on the Jeep to get through, so please consider that gravel roads can turn to mud when it rains.
Having a 4x4 in Namibia is a lot of fun, highlight of the trip was driving it on the sand dunes. We also went on the dunes on quadbikes and on camels.

Also consider taking someone with you, preferably someone who can share the cost and driving with you.
If you can, get a dashcam, who knows what you might see on the road.

Enjoy the trip, waiting to see the pics.