Car rental in South Africa
Discussion
Good morning,
looking for advice on renting a vehicle for a family of 4 (2 smallish children of 11 and 9) for 10 days in South Africa. Will mostly be in the Cape area but a visit to Kruger is also on the table (will be flying there). Having no idea what the motoring landscape is like I would like to ask for advice on where to rent, types of vehicles available and what to keep in mind.
Much appreciation in advance.
looking for advice on renting a vehicle for a family of 4 (2 smallish children of 11 and 9) for 10 days in South Africa. Will mostly be in the Cape area but a visit to Kruger is also on the table (will be flying there). Having no idea what the motoring landscape is like I would like to ask for advice on where to rent, types of vehicles available and what to keep in mind.
Much appreciation in advance.
Generally I don’t like driving in South Africa. Around Cape Town and the vicinity it’s much easier to just get Ubers (ubiquitous, safe, and cheap).
If you do rent something to go further afield then just get a boggo Toyota Corolla or similar. All the major brands operate - I think I used Hertz last time.
Normal South Africa driving rules apply - don’t drive at night on country roads, pick your route carefully to avoid known dodgy locations, and in certain instances don’t stop at red lights.
If you’re planning a trip to the Kruger then I’d recommend the Sabi Sands (which is an annex to the Kruger). In the ‘main’ Kruger park you generally can’t go off-road, so you’re stuck staring at the leopard in the distance through long lenses and binoculars. The Sabi is officially a private reserve, which means the drivers are free to off-road and get up close to the animals. Absolutely magical.
If you do rent something to go further afield then just get a boggo Toyota Corolla or similar. All the major brands operate - I think I used Hertz last time.
Normal South Africa driving rules apply - don’t drive at night on country roads, pick your route carefully to avoid known dodgy locations, and in certain instances don’t stop at red lights.
If you’re planning a trip to the Kruger then I’d recommend the Sabi Sands (which is an annex to the Kruger). In the ‘main’ Kruger park you generally can’t go off-road, so you’re stuck staring at the leopard in the distance through long lenses and binoculars. The Sabi is officially a private reserve, which means the drivers are free to off-road and get up close to the animals. Absolutely magical.
When we went a few years ago we went to hire firm who showed us these gleaming nearly new cars. The other side of the lot was a old Honda civic, I asked guy about that he was shocked I showed any intest in it, quoting That ! that's what the locals have ! That's what we had wheel trims missing dent in the door. Great car travelled hundreds of miles no problems drove 3 days in game park on mainly dusty roads. No problems felt really relaxed and safe.. Friends kept asking if we hand windows up and doors locked while driving around Durban, we hand sunglasses on radio on and windows down. Just blended in with local cars didn't attract attention of undesirables.
When going to Drakensberg we hand a Land Rover which was old military 109. Made great progress in some tricky terrain.
I'd go for 2 vehicles one for around town and another for game park if you want to go off road.with worrying about getting stuck.
When going to Drakensberg we hand a Land Rover which was old military 109. Made great progress in some tricky terrain.
I'd go for 2 vehicles one for around town and another for game park if you want to go off road.with worrying about getting stuck.
Its been over six years since I last hired cars in South Africa, so things may have changed now?
Last time we were there we drove one car from Joburg to Mabula game reserve north of Pretoria and back, and another from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. That's well over 1000 miles, no problems at all, We had a great time.
Mind you do some research and follow good advice. Hire a car with a big boot to keep everything out of site. When driving keep doors locked and windows shut. Keep anything valuable out of site. At traffic lights in big towns its quite normal to get guys tapping on the window selling stuff . Just smile and say no, don't open a window. Also at petrol stations you may get guys wash the screen, just give them a quid or so. Remember this sort of stuff is some peoples only income.
Always plan your route, keep to main roads with plenty of fuel in the tank, never stop on lonely roads, there will be certain areas where tourists and white people never visit.
When on a game drives we had our own driver/guide in a proper 4x4. I don't think it wise to take a hire car out into the bush on your own, leave that to the professionals. Being out in the African bush, up close and personal, with amazing wild animals is an experience you will never forget.
Last time we were there we drove one car from Joburg to Mabula game reserve north of Pretoria and back, and another from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. That's well over 1000 miles, no problems at all, We had a great time.
Mind you do some research and follow good advice. Hire a car with a big boot to keep everything out of site. When driving keep doors locked and windows shut. Keep anything valuable out of site. At traffic lights in big towns its quite normal to get guys tapping on the window selling stuff . Just smile and say no, don't open a window. Also at petrol stations you may get guys wash the screen, just give them a quid or so. Remember this sort of stuff is some peoples only income.
Always plan your route, keep to main roads with plenty of fuel in the tank, never stop on lonely roads, there will be certain areas where tourists and white people never visit.
When on a game drives we had our own driver/guide in a proper 4x4. I don't think it wise to take a hire car out into the bush on your own, leave that to the professionals. Being out in the African bush, up close and personal, with amazing wild animals is an experience you will never forget.
We’re looking forward to our 4th visit to South Africa in February. Always flown into Cape Town and from experience our best hire car company is First. No problems when we hadn’t topped the tank up on the way to the airport at night (the area around Cape Town Airport is particularly dodgy at night and if possible I would advise against it if you can).
Bill for refuelling came out at about £11 unlike our rip-off country.
We’re renting something along the lines of a Toyota Corolla which along with Nissan Sentra are pretty standard fare.
Our only bad experience was last year where we ended up with a Renault Kwid which was awful (we’d decided against an automatic this time so got this instead), clutch was shot and generally just a nasty cheap little car.
You will need a satnav so you don’t look like a tourist but the ones the hire car companies supply are crap Garmin models which invariably don’t work, so work out a way of using your mobile perhaps with an eSIM otherwise you’ll rack up roaming charges.
It’s worth reading the FCO travel advice on South Africa (and ask for updates) - if you’ve never been before, it would probably put you off going but in our experience if you don’t do anything stupid and are sensible you should be fine.
Bill for refuelling came out at about £11 unlike our rip-off country.
We’re renting something along the lines of a Toyota Corolla which along with Nissan Sentra are pretty standard fare.
Our only bad experience was last year where we ended up with a Renault Kwid which was awful (we’d decided against an automatic this time so got this instead), clutch was shot and generally just a nasty cheap little car.
You will need a satnav so you don’t look like a tourist but the ones the hire car companies supply are crap Garmin models which invariably don’t work, so work out a way of using your mobile perhaps with an eSIM otherwise you’ll rack up roaming charges.
It’s worth reading the FCO travel advice on South Africa (and ask for updates) - if you’ve never been before, it would probably put you off going but in our experience if you don’t do anything stupid and are sensible you should be fine.
Boxster5 said:
I should also point out that the roads generally are in great condition but the topography can result in some steep mountain pass climbs even on some of the major roads - a weedy engined car won’t cut it.
The scenery is stunning - you won’t be disappointed.
The roads are in good condition in western cape. They’re an absolute disgrace in some parts particularly up in the north east, pothole is an understatement, I reckon you could lose a Renault Kwid in some of them.The scenery is stunning - you won’t be disappointed.
As for who to rent through I have status with Avis so we use them. They’ve always been good enough, we’ve had a Corolla, a couple of Polos, a Toyota Urban Cruiser, a Haval H6 SUV which was nice and a Merc C class (free upgrade not my choice) that I drove through some floods in Kruger. All have been well maintained and we’ve had no issues. For a family of 4 something like a Tiguan might be a decent shout, not too ostentatious not that it really matters around CT, there’s no shortage of flash cars around there.
I love driving in SA, it’s very easy even in the centre of Cape Town. Just be careful with satnav trying to take you off the main routes around the airport and find you a “shortcut”. Stick to the main drag, try to anticipate lights and if needs be just jump them. Everywhere else in the city that you’re likely to visit is fine.
Don’t forget that during load shedding if the lights are out it’s an all way stop, they’re fairly disciplined drivers so it works well.
We did 8k km in 3 weeks when we last went and had family there for decades so was a regular prior. Last trip (0.9 Sandero!) was:
Jo-berg - bloom - CT - garden route - Port E - Durban - Kruger - sun City - Jo-berg
Driving is generally easy but get the insurance (before you go), we crashed the car into a pack of goats (?) on the motorway just after dusk, in a insect swarm...
Don't drive at night unless you can help it
When pulled over (you will be as a tourist)... if doing nothing wrong give them your old counterpart license when they ask - they'll get confused and leave you alone. If you were doing something wrong leave a few hundred rand in the documents and you'll be let on the way
Drive defensively in traffic - the taxi vans are nutters that barely know what they're doing/going
In the Kruger you'll be able to drive around yourself on normal roads and you'll see plenty but get proper drives booked too
Don't keep valuables or luggage on display - don't wear jewellery, watches etc - don't make yourself an unnecessary target.
Get cash little and often in case the worst does happen
Jo-berg - bloom - CT - garden route - Port E - Durban - Kruger - sun City - Jo-berg
Driving is generally easy but get the insurance (before you go), we crashed the car into a pack of goats (?) on the motorway just after dusk, in a insect swarm...
Don't drive at night unless you can help it
When pulled over (you will be as a tourist)... if doing nothing wrong give them your old counterpart license when they ask - they'll get confused and leave you alone. If you were doing something wrong leave a few hundred rand in the documents and you'll be let on the way
Drive defensively in traffic - the taxi vans are nutters that barely know what they're doing/going
In the Kruger you'll be able to drive around yourself on normal roads and you'll see plenty but get proper drives booked too
Don't keep valuables or luggage on display - don't wear jewellery, watches etc - don't make yourself an unnecessary target.
Get cash little and often in case the worst does happen
WRT insurance. You have insurance with the rental already no? You just need to get an excess cover policy? That’s some rotten luck, how many goats did you wipe out?
I’ve been very lucky, never pulled over in all the years I’ve been going there but I have been told that 200 rand will encourage them to p
s off.
I’ve been very lucky, never pulled over in all the years I’ve been going there but I have been told that 200 rand will encourage them to p
s off.RGG said:
We use Hertz / Firefly
Toyota Fortuner [SUV on a Hilux Chassis]
Great for the Kruger and bigger than nearly everything out on the public roads.
It's about as safe as you can get.
Just don't stop at traffic lights in the dark - especially Jo'burg.
Oh and speeding ticket limit for prosecution is speed limit plus 10%Toyota Fortuner [SUV on a Hilux Chassis]
Great for the Kruger and bigger than nearly everything out on the public roads.
It's about as safe as you can get.
Just don't stop at traffic lights in the dark - especially Jo'burg.
The police with the radar guns hide behind wheelie bins and such like.
There are speed traps in the Kruger, often near the camp exits.
RGG said:
Oh and speeding ticket limit for prosecution is speed limit plus 10%
The police with the radar guns hide behind wheelie bins and such like.
There are speed traps in the Kruger, often near the camp exits.
The speeding in Kruger thing is a good point. Don’t do it. Firstly you’ll miss all the game, secondly I was going bang on the speed limit when a zebra ran out in front of me, she wasn’t alone, her baby ran out after her. I stopped a few feet short of the poor thing. Scared the living sThe police with the radar guns hide behind wheelie bins and such like.
There are speed traps in the Kruger, often near the camp exits.
t out of both of us!We used Europcar booked through Holiday Autos. Organised a Corolla and got an "upgrade" into a Kia mini SUV (I think a Stonic with a massive 1l engine...) thing which had android auto. The fill up charge was £2 extra on the fuel price! We did about 2k km 4-up with luggage including some dirt roads and it was fine although some of the passes had us thrashing away in 4th at 5k revs. 
We got absolutely no bother anywhere but obviously mindful of avoiding dodgy areas and driving defensively. Only issue was Google maps once deciding to try to take us along the coast round the top of False Bay which is specifically mentioned in the FCO advice! I think that was because it was off line
We got absolutely no bother anywhere but obviously mindful of avoiding dodgy areas and driving defensively. Only issue was Google maps once deciding to try to take us along the coast round the top of False Bay which is specifically mentioned in the FCO advice! I think that was because it was off line
djc206 said:
RGG said:
Oh and speeding ticket limit for prosecution is speed limit plus 10%
The police with the radar guns hide behind wheelie bins and such like.
There are speed traps in the Kruger, often near the camp exits.
The speeding in Kruger thing is a good point. Don’t do it. Firstly you’ll miss all the game, secondly I was going bang on the speed limit when a zebra ran out in front of me, she wasn’t alone, her baby ran out after her. I stopped a few feet short of the poor thing. Scared the living sThe police with the radar guns hide behind wheelie bins and such like.
There are speed traps in the Kruger, often near the camp exits.
t out of both of us!It's the large herbivores that could do the damage - (Not the big cats etc) Buffalo, Hippo, Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Antelope etc.
True story - I've got the dash cam footage.
I'd just circumvented a Southern Yellow Billed Hornbill which was sampling the recent elephant dung offering on my side of the road when - I came across a large silver grey curved branch further up the road. As I approached, the silver grey branch (8 foot Black Mamba) reared up and made off into the grass verge.
I stopped and spent a bit of time looking through the open window to try and find it before common sense prevailed and decided it might be better to move on.
OP, You can self drive in the Kruger - it's not difficult. You don't have to sit in a safari vehicle and be passively driven around. You can search for leopards or dung beetles collecting their dinner - it becomes your choice.
Others, especially the locals (tourists as well) will help you find the stuff. And it's a great feeling when you find something yourself.
djc206 said:
WRT insurance. You have insurance with the rental already no? You just need to get an excess cover policy? That’s some rotten luck, how many goats did you wipe out?
I’ve been very lucky, never pulled over in all the years I’ve been going there but I have been told that 200 rand will encourage them to ps off.
Yes, meant excess insurance sorryI’ve been very lucky, never pulled over in all the years I’ve been going there but I have been told that 200 rand will encourage them to p
s off.No idea as didn't hang around for long (fearing an angry village) - likely 5 or so
kiethton said:
djc206 said:
WRT insurance. You have insurance with the rental already no? You just need to get an excess cover policy? That’s some rotten luck, how many goats did you wipe out?
I’ve been very lucky, never pulled over in all the years I’ve been going there but I have been told that 200 rand will encourage them to ps off.
Yes, meant excess insurance sorryI’ve been very lucky, never pulled over in all the years I’ve been going there but I have been told that 200 rand will encourage them to p
s off.No idea as didn't hang around for long (fearing an angry village) - likely 5 or so
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