Driving in South Africa. A few practical tips.

Driving, for most of us, is a very natural activity. We hardly think about it - we just turn the key and we're off. In South Africa, it's not quite the same (although you can continue to drive on the left side of the road). The distances are much greater and the facilities are very different. Based on our personal experiences and our customers' experiences, here a few tips that we would like to share with you:

Car rental on arrival
After arrival at the airport you can easily rent your car and head off on your way. At your request you can also book a transfer. If you want to relax on the day of your arrival, pick up your car the following day at the city offices in Pretoria and enjoy one of our  Easy Going Starter Packs.

Planning your route
South Africa can be travelled completely by car, however if you wish to travel from Johannesbug to Cape Town or vice versa it would take you 3 weeks. That would even be rushing it, 4 weeks would be better. 

If your trip is shorter or if you would like to see a lot, try to plan well in advance and fly one or more routes of your trip. Your trip will become a lot more fun and relaxed by cutting down on your driving time. Especially the trajectory Durban – Port Elizabeth (or vice versa) is flown by many passengers. However, in doing so they do miss seeing the former homeland Transkei, see module Transkei Wild Coast Drive.

The trip to Kruger from Johannesburg/ Pretoria will take approximately 6 hours. The three-lane road to Kruger can be particularly busy on Fridays and Sunday afternoons. There are several airports near Kruger (Phalaborwa, Nelspruit) that are gateways to other destinations. Other options are Hoedspruit, Eastgate airport and the new international airport Kruger Mpumalanga, not far from Nelspruit and Hazyview. Keep in mind that 500 kilometres a day is quite much and that it leaves little time for sight-seeing and stretching your legs.

Only car rental or...?
Driving around independently in a rental car through the country for weeks, it's seems like ultimate freedom- but is it the smartest way to see South Africa? There are plenty of accommodation in the cities and along the Garden Route there are plenty of bed & breakfasts. However, in parks and smaller towns accommodation can be sparse. Therefore it's better to plan your trip well before arrival in South Africa. If you're travelling during the South African school holidays, you should definitely book accommodation before departure to South Africa. If you would like to visit national parks, reservations should be made several months in advance. Of course you could research accommodation on the Internet, however South Africa Travel Plan offers the ease and affordability of booking unique modules on our site. Your accommodation will be booked for you, no matter how popular the location, your route will be well balanced and you'll be exactly where you should be to see the best that South Africa has to offer. 
 
Tip: Extend your stay at different places along the way by an extra day. Park your car and participate in an outdoors activity. It's the best way to truly get to know the country and also a great way to unwind after a long drive. Click here for more information on outdoor activities.

What type of car?
During your trip you'll be driving large distances. You may want to reconsider the size of the car you're renting and go one size up. Baggage room is usually limited and having just a little more space is worth a few extra euros according to many of our customers. A 4X4 is only worthwhile renting if you're travelling over unpaved roads as well as paved roads. Click here for more information on 4X4 trips in South Africa.

Departure / safety
Start driving early in the day: you'll be more relaxed, it isn't as warm outside and there are fewer cars on the road. Once you've driven quite a few kilometres, you'll be able to plan your day better and decide where and how long you would like to stop along the way. If you're travelling during the South African summer, we advise renting a car with air conditioning. We strongly suggest you do not drive at night. Driving in the parks is prohibited between sunrise and sunset (which differs in the summer and winter time). Be sure to adhere to the indicated speed limit. The roads outside of the cities are quiet and well-paved and therefore you may be inclined to drive faster than allowed. However be aware, at times there are treacherous bends and although police may not always be in sight, they do use radars and police fines are stiff. Also remember to be vigilant on abandoned roads. A car suddenly appearing in your mirror can be quite startling. The speed limit in parks is 60 km/hour. Be sure to close your windows and doors to your car while in the cities for your own protection.

Tanking petrol
It may seem obvious, however: be sure to fill up your tank with petrol on time. There are plenty of pumping stations, even near park entrances or in parks themselves and at some of the larger lodges. At times you may have to look for a pumping station though and therefore it's important to keep an eye on your fuel gauge. Tanking stations do not accept credit cards! They only accept Randen in cash. Your car windows and mirrors will be cleaned for free, however the pumping station staff is extremely grateful for any tips you can offer.

Food and drinks
Nearly all overnight stays at accommodation in South Africa include a fine breakfast. Dinner is usually served between 18.00 and 20.00. You may miss out on lunch during your travels from time to time. You may want stock up on sufficient food and drinks for during your drive at tank stations or, more affordable, at supermarkets on the edge of smaller towns. Snackbars and sandwich stores will be hard to find. Meals at lodges are mostly served at set times.

Communication on the road
Everything about telecommunication and other forms of communication in South Africa

Baggage
What should you (not) bring along. Since you'll probably be on the road for quite some time you'll probably be inclined to bring quite a lot along with you. Remember the following:
1. South Africans usually dress informally, therefore it won't be a problem to wear leisure wear.
2. Be sure to bring along different layers of clothes. Day time and night time temperatures differ quite significantly in large portions of the country (see our climate information). Click here fore more information on what to wear while on safari.
3. Hard shell suitcases do not fit well in car trunks. It would be better if you bring along duffel bags on wheels, but be sure they can be locked with small locks. 
4. Bring along a sturdy money belt and never leave any valuables in your car. Wet wipes and a flashlight are great to have along in the car with you.

In conclusion:
Naturally the rental organisation will provide you with maps of the area when you pick up your car. However these maps are not always very detailed. We advise that you purchase detailed car maps at a travel book store back home. Perhaps they may be more expensive back home than when purchased in South Africa, however it will allow you to be more prepared before arrival. For a surcharge of approximately 100 rand per day you can rent a navigation system. This is a handy tool, but you'll also be fine without it.