1How your booking works
Noah Tourism arranges vehicle rentals with independent car rental suppliers in the destination country. Your Noah Tourism booking confirmation and voucher confirm the vehicle group, rental dates, locations, price and the benefits included in the rate you selected.
When collecting the vehicle, the renter will also enter into a rental agreement directly with the vehicle supplier. That agreement governs the operation and use of the vehicle, including driver responsibilities, road restrictions and the supplier's procedures during the rental.
Noah Tourism remains available to assist before, during and after the rental, but does not own or operate the rental vehicle.
Please check your booking confirmation carefully as soon as you receive it. Names, dates, collection and return locations, vehicle group and any special requirements must be correct. If anything is incorrect, contact Noah Tourism before travelling.
If there is a conflict between documents, mandatory law will apply first. Your Noah Tourism voucher will determine the rate and inclusions sold by Noah Tourism, while the supplier's rental agreement will govern the use of the vehicle and the renter's obligations during the rental.
2Price, inclusions and price match
The rental price and included benefits are shown in your quotation and booking voucher. Depending on the destination and rate selected, this may include benefits such as excess-free cover, unlimited mileage, an additional driver, airport surcharges, taxes and other mandatory levies.
One-way fees, cross-border fees, optional equipment, delivery or collection charges and other supplier services are not included unless they are specifically stated as included in your booking.
Supplier charges can change from time to time. Where an amount is not already included in your Noah Tourism rate, the applicable amount will be confirmed before booking or shown on the booking documentation wherever possible.
Best price guarantee
Our price match applies to genuine like-for-like rental offers. The competing offer must be available and bookable when we verify it and must be for the same rental dates, collection and return locations, a comparable vehicle group and equivalent rental conditions.
To qualify, the competitor's total price must include the same core benefits included in the applicable Noah Tourism offer. Where these benefits form part of the Noah Tourism rate, the comparison must also include:
- Excess-free collision and theft cover
- Unlimited mileage
- One additional driver
- Applicable airport surcharges, taxes and mandatory levies
- Any equivalent one-way, cross-border or compulsory charges applicable to the itinerary
A basic rental price with reduced cover, a higher excess, limited mileage or fewer included benefits will not be considered a like-for-like comparison.
The competing price must be publicly available and must not be a corporate rate, employee rate, membership-only offer, loyalty redemption, points booking, private negotiated rate, package rate that cannot be purchased separately, obvious pricing error or other restricted offer.
A live booking link, current written quotation or other evidence allowing Noah Tourism to verify the price must be provided before the Noah Tourism booking is paid and while the competing offer remains available.
If a qualifying like-for-like price is lower than ours, we will try to beat it. If we cannot beat the verified qualifying price, Noah Tourism will issue a US$50 travel coupon for a future booking with Noah Tourism.
The US$50 coupon is valid for 12 months from the date of issue, is non-transferable, has no cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash. One coupon may be issued per qualifying comparison and cannot be combined with another price match coupon unless Noah Tourism agrees otherwise in writing.
3Driver requirements and documents
The main driver must meet the age, driving experience and licence requirements applicable to the destination, supplier and vehicle group. These requirements will be confirmed in your booking information where applicable.
For Noah Tourism's standard South African rental product, the minimum driver age is 23 years, unless a higher minimum age applies to a particular vehicle group or is specifically stated before booking.
At collection, the renter may be required to present:
- The Noah Tourism rental voucher or booking confirmation
- A valid passport or accepted identification document
- A valid driving licence in the driver's name
- An international driving permit or official translation where required
- An accepted physical credit card in the main driver's name with sufficient available credit for the required deposit
If a driving licence is not clearly readable in English, an international driving permit or recognised English translation may be required. It remains the renter's responsibility to meet the legal driving licence requirements of the destination country.
Debit cards, prepaid cards, virtual cards, electronic cards and cash may not be accepted as security by the rental supplier unless specifically confirmed in advance. Certain premium or specialist vehicle groups may require more than one credit card.
Any additional driver must meet the applicable driver requirements and must be registered on the supplier's rental agreement before driving the vehicle. Allowing an unauthorised driver to use the vehicle may invalidate the applicable waiver cover.
If the renter cannot provide the required documents, accepted payment security or meet the supplier's driver requirements, the supplier may refuse to release the vehicle. This may be treated as a late cancellation or no-show depending on the circumstances and applicable booking conditions.
4The rented vehicle
Car rental reservations are generally made by vehicle group rather than exact make or model. The vehicle shown on the website or voucher is representative of the group booked unless the booking expressly states that a particular model is guaranteed.
The supplier may provide a similar vehicle within the same group or, where necessary, a vehicle from a higher group. Features such as luggage capacity, engine size, model year and fuel type may vary between vehicles within the group.
If automatic transmission is important, ensure that the vehicle group booked is specifically described as automatic.
The renter must inspect the vehicle at collection and ensure that any existing visible damage is recorded by the supplier before leaving the branch. We recommend keeping a record of the vehicle's condition at collection and return.
The renter should also familiarise themselves with the vehicle, including the location of the spare wheel or puncture kit, warning equipment and the supplier's roadside assistance details before beginning the journey.
Smoking is prohibited unless the supplier expressly states otherwise. Exceptional cleaning, smoke treatment, upholstery cleaning or damage to the interior may result in additional charges.
5Deposits, fuel and local charges
Security deposit
The rental supplier may place a temporary authorisation or security deposit on the main driver's credit card. The amount depends on the destination, vehicle group and rental conditions and will be confirmed in the booking information or at collection.
The security deposit is separate from the rental price. The renter must ensure there is sufficient available credit on the card. Noah Tourism does not control how quickly a bank releases an authorisation after the rental company has released it.
Fuel
Unless your booking states otherwise, the vehicle is supplied with a full tank and should be returned with a full tank of the correct fuel.
The supplier may refuel the vehicle after return and charge for missing fuel together with any applicable refuelling fee. We recommend refuelling close to the return location and keeping the final fuel receipt.
Putting the incorrect fuel into the vehicle can cause serious damage and may not be covered by the rental waiver. The renter may be liable for the resulting recovery, drainage and repair costs.
Other local charges
The renter remains responsible for charges incurred during the rental that are not included in the booking, including where applicable:
- Fuel and refuelling fees
- Traffic fines and related administration fees
- Road tolls, parking fees and municipal charges
- One-way fees
- Cross-border fees and permits
- Exceptional cleaning
- Lost or damaged keys
- Optional extras and additional services
- Damage or costs falling outside the applicable waiver cover
Any foreign exchange fees or banking charges applied by the renter's card provider or bank are the renter's responsibility.
6Excess-free cover and damage
Where your Noah Tourism voucher states that excess-free cover is included, the applicable collision and theft waivers reduce the renter's standard liability for covered damage or theft to zero, subject to the rental conditions being followed.
This is not an excess reimbursement product unless your voucher expressly states otherwise. For an excess-free booking, you are not expected to pay a covered excess first and then submit a separate claim to Noah Tourism for reimbursement.
The exact protection included varies according to the destination and rate package. Cover for items such as windscreens, tyres, wheels, undercarriage, towing, claim administration or assessor fees applies only where expressly included in your booking voucher.
Excess-free cover does not mean that every possible loss or incident is covered. Waiver protection may fall away where damage or loss results from negligence, unlawful use or a breach of the rental agreement.
Examples may include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Reckless, unlawful or seriously negligent driving
- Driving by a person who is not authorised on the rental agreement
- Unauthorised cross-border travel
- Using the vehicle on roads, tracks or terrain prohibited for that vehicle group
- Driving through deep water, flooded roads or conditions that a reasonable driver should avoid
- Deliberate or malicious damage
- Racing, speed testing, driver training or other prohibited use
- Overloading or using the vehicle contrary to the supplier's instructions
- Incorrect fuel
- Loss of keys or leaving keys in an unattended vehicle where this contributes to theft
- Failure to report an accident, theft or damage as required
- Failure to obtain a police report where required by law or the supplier
A single-vehicle accident is not automatically considered negligence simply because no other vehicle was involved. Liability will depend on the circumstances of the incident and whether the renter complied with the rental conditions.
Personal belongings kept in the vehicle are not covered by the vehicle damage waiver unless expressly stated otherwise.
Nothing in these terms constitutes personal insurance or financial advice. Customers who require cover for personal belongings, medical expenses or other travel risks should arrange appropriate travel insurance separately.
7Accidents, damage and breakdowns
If the vehicle is involved in an accident, damaged, stolen or becomes unsafe to drive, the renter must contact the rental supplier as soon as possible using the emergency or roadside assistance details supplied with the vehicle.
Where another vehicle or third party is involved, obtain the relevant names, contact details, vehicle registration details and any other information reasonably required by the supplier.
A police report is required for accidents involving another vehicle and whenever required by local law or the rental supplier. The renter must obtain and keep the relevant case or report number.
The renter should not arrange repairs, replacement tyres, towing or other work without the supplier's approval unless immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety or to prevent further damage.
For a mechanical breakdown, contact the supplier's roadside assistance service and follow its instructions. Unauthorised repairs may not be reimbursed.
Failure to follow the required reporting and accident procedures may affect or invalidate the applicable waiver cover.
8Travel and cross-border restrictions
The renter must ensure that the planned route is permitted for the vehicle and rental agreement.
Cross-border travel must be approved in advance. Where required, the applicable cross-border fee must be paid and a letter of authority obtained from the rental supplier before the vehicle leaves the country of rental.
Some neighbouring countries may be permitted, while others may be prohibited entirely. These restrictions can change and vary by supplier, destination and vehicle group. The permitted route will therefore be confirmed for your booking before travel.
Taking the vehicle across a border without the required written approval may invalidate the waiver cover and make the renter liable for all resulting costs or damage.
One-way rentals between different cities or countries may be possible and may attract a relocation fee. The applicable one-way fee will be confirmed for the specific itinerary rather than relying on a permanent published fee table.
The renter must comply with local road laws and any restrictions relating to ferries, gravel roads, off-road use, remote areas, winter conditions and specialist equipment.
Gravel roads are common in destinations such as Namibia and may be permitted for suitable vehicle groups. This does not permit driving on roads or terrain that the supplier has specifically prohibited.
The vehicle may not be used for racing, speed testing, driver instruction, illegal activity, sub-rental, paid passenger transport or any other prohibited purpose unless expressly approved by the supplier.
9Optional extras and additional services
Optional extras may include child seats, additional equipment, trailers, delivery or collection services, navigation devices, Wi-Fi devices or other supplier services.
Availability is subject to confirmation and may vary by branch, vehicle and destination. An extra requested during booking is not guaranteed until confirmed by Noah Tourism or the vehicle supplier.
If an extra is not included in the Noah Tourism voucher, it may be payable directly to the supplier and may be subject to local taxes or charges.
The renter is responsible for returning rented equipment in the condition in which it was received. Loss or damage may result in an additional charge.
Navigation systems and Wi-Fi devices are auxiliary services. Noah Tourism cannot guarantee mobile coverage, data speed, map accuracy, device compatibility or uninterrupted service.
10Payment, changes and cancellations
Payment
Nothing is charged when you initially book unless your quotation states otherwise. Full payment is normally due 7 days before vehicle collection and may be made using the payment methods offered by Noah Tourism.
If a booking is made within 7 days of collection, payment may be required immediately in order to confirm the vehicle.
Changes
Requests to change rental dates, vehicle group, collection location, return location or other booking details should be made through Noah Tourism before collection wherever possible.
A change may result in a new rental price because availability, seasonal rates, supplier charges and vehicle pricing may differ from the original booking.
If you need to extend the rental after collection, contact Noah Tourism or the supplier before the original rental period expires. An extension is subject to availability and may be charged at a different rate.
No refund is automatically due for returning a vehicle earlier than booked unless the supplier or Noah Tourism agrees otherwise.
Cancellation
Unless different terms were clearly disclosed and agreed before booking, you may cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before the scheduled collection time.
For cancellations made within 48 hours of collection, a cancellation charge of one rental day or US$50, whichever is higher, may apply.
Certain specialist vehicles, peak periods, long-term rentals, promotional rates or supplier-specific bookings may carry different cancellation terms. Where this applies, the different terms will be disclosed before the booking is confirmed and will appear on the booking documentation.
Failure to arrive for collection without cancelling may be treated as a no-show and may result in additional supplier charges where these have been disclosed as part of the booking conditions.
Where applicable consumer law prohibits or limits a cancellation charge, the applicable law will take precedence.
Cancellation and change requests should be sent to Noah Tourism in writing so that there is a record of the request.
11Noah Tourism's role and liability
Noah Tourism acts as a booking intermediary between the customer and the independent vehicle supplier. The supplier owns, manages and operates the rental vehicle and is responsible for performing the vehicle rental in accordance with its rental agreement and applicable law.
Noah Tourism will make reasonable efforts to assist customers with questions or disputes involving the supplier before, during and after the rental, but cannot control operational decisions made by the supplier.
Noah Tourism is not responsible for losses caused solely by events outside its reasonable control, including road closures, severe weather, natural disasters, strikes, civil disruption, border closures, flight disruption or government restrictions.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Noah Tourism will not be liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from the use of the vehicle or the independent actions of the rental supplier.
Where Noah Tourism is found legally liable in connection with its booking service, its aggregate liability will, to the extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount paid by the customer to Noah Tourism for the relevant rental booking.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any liability or consumer right that cannot legally be excluded or limited, including liability arising from fraud, gross negligence or any other liability that applicable law requires a supplier to retain.
The renter remains responsible for driving safely, complying with local traffic laws, choosing routes appropriate to the vehicle and following the supplier's rental conditions.
12Complaints, law and general terms
Questions and complaints
If you have a complaint relating to your booking, please contact Noah Tourism in writing and provide the booking number together with any relevant rental agreements, invoices, photographs, police reports, return documents or correspondence.
Questions relating specifically to a supplier security deposit, traffic fine, toll charge or local supplier transaction may initially need to be addressed by the rental supplier or the renter's bank. Noah Tourism will assist where reasonably possible.
Applicable law
The relationship between Noah Tourism and the customer is governed by the laws of South Africa, subject to any mandatory consumer protections that apply to the customer.
The vehicle rental agreement between the renter and the rental supplier may be governed by the law and jurisdiction specified in that supplier's rental agreement.
Nothing in these terms prevents a consumer from using any complaint process, consumer body, tribunal, ombud or court that the consumer is legally entitled to approach.
General
If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
A failure by Noah Tourism to enforce a particular provision on one occasion does not amount to a permanent waiver of that provision.
The version of the Noah Tourism terms accepted when the booking is confirmed will apply to that booking, subject to changes required by law or changes to supplier conditions that are outside Noah Tourism's control and materially affect the rental.
If a material supplier change affects an existing confirmed booking, Noah Tourism will make reasonable efforts to inform the customer as soon as it becomes aware of the change.
Where these terms are provided in more than one language, the English version will be used to resolve differences in interpretation, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
