Car Hire Harrismith

Its unusual name comes directly from ‘Harry Smith’, the governor of South Africa and it’s best known as having the largest truck stop in the world where transcontinental truck drivers stop on their routes to and from the south coast of South Africa. Don’t let this put you off though for there are many natural highlights of the area that make it very worthwhile to spend some time there. The town was also a thriving staging post during the Kimberley diamond rush as well as being a large British encampment during the Boer Wars.
 

Whilst Harrismith has its own airport, it is tiny and flights in and out are limited to general aviation. The closest alternative airports are Ladysmith Airport, around an hour away from Harrismith which takes chartered flights from other South African Airports and Newcastle Airport, around seventy miles away and which again has only charter flights to the airport. The nearest major airports are in Durban and Johannesburg, around two to three hours away. With these distances, long distance buses are available for connections but it’s far more convenient, and often safer, to hire a car and drive the route yourself.

What Should I do in Harrismith?

In the city, the town hall, made of sandstone, is spectacular and now a national monument. The Platberg Reserve is the key attraction though. It’s a flattish mountain top, around six miles long and home to many rare South African animals. You can hike or mountain bike along the trails, or just enjoy the scenery and the wildlife.