South Africa Mini Guide
South Africa is a huge country located at the southern most tip of the continent of Africa and hiring a car is advised if you want to get around and see what this incredibly diverse nation has to offer. From South Africa there are many borders you can cross to see the surrounding countries of
Botswana, Lesotho,
Mozambique,
Namibia,
Swaziland and
Zimbabwe. The opening times of these borders are often extended during South African national holidays and you can obtain a full list of entry ports or any additional information from the South African Border Information Service by contacting them on +27 (0)86 026-7337.
The South African roads which connect the major cities are for the most part very good. These include the N1 running from
Cape Town through
Johannesburg and
Pretoria up to
Harare and Zimbabwe. The N2 runs from Cape Town to
Durban passing through the world-famous Garden Route near Knysna, while the N3 goes between Durban and
Johannesburg. When driving all distances are measured in kilometres and fuel is sold by the litre. There is also the option of buying a car in South Africa and having the rental company buy it back from you.
Driving is on the left. One of the unusual rules of the road is the four way stop junctions. At these the car which stops first has right of way. Turning at traffic lights is illegal and the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory. It is forbidden to talk on a mobile phone while driving. The roads can be dangerous in South Africa, especially at night. Drivers often disobey road rules and you must watch out for pedestrians and cyclists doing the unexpected. There is even a chance of running into wild animals on the roads.
If you are in the suburbs of Johannesburg beware that cars may try to box you in so that they can perform a hijack. You should leave some room between you and the vehicle in front to be safe rather than sorry. Also, wherever you can refrain from leaving any valuable belongings on show in your car. Speed limits on highways are 120kph, 100kph on major roads outside towns, 80kph in built-up areas in towns and 60kph in towns. There are a few toll roads in South Africa and these generally have emergency telephones should you need them.
More Top South Africa Car Hire Locations:
Renting a car in South Africa is an ideal way to get around this vast country. Our vehicle pick up points are located in Cape Town, Pretoria and
Bloemfontein, as well as many others including the biggest city in South Africa, Johannesburg. Whether you are travelling for business purposes or for pleasure, we can supply you with a vehicle to suit your budget and requirements.