South Africa 2017

Driven to d
18
Top: Scenic backdrops often
accompany a South African road
trip; Below: Cheetah crossing
in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park;
Golden Gate National Park;
Johannesburg
South Africa is made for exploring by car.
The country has an excellent road network, both
in and between the main tourist regions, and your clients
won’t even need a 4x4 vehicle if they are visiting game
reserves or staying at safari lodges.
Renting a 4x4 is certainly an option for those who want
to get off the beaten track, but even the dirt tracks that
lead to the safari lodges are well
maintained. And should clients
wish to go on a self-driving
safari through national parks,
such as Kruger or Addo,
they must stick to the
tarred and gravel roads
anyway as off-road
driving is not
allowed.
All the major
car rental companies
operate in South Africa, along
with a number of local operators, with
locations in major cities and at international
and larger domestic airports. Rental vehicles
range from budget through to luxury, and
even campervans and luxury motorhomes.
Motorcycles and scooters can also be rented.
Drop-off fees may apply if renting from one
city or airport and returning at another.
ROAD WORTHY
The basics: Traffic moves on the
left, as in the UK. Seatbelts are
compulsory and the use of mobile
phones is illegal, unless with a
hands-free kit. The minimum
age for drivers varies. Some
allow 18-year-old drivers
to rent
while others
limit rentals to those
over 20 or 23. Distances
are in kilometres and speed limits
are 60km/h for urban roads, 100km/h for
secondary roads and 120km/h for national
highways unless otherwise posted. Drink/
drive limits are stricter than in the UK.
Tolls: Some national roads have tolls,
particularly those around major cities
and on popular tourist routes. For example,
between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth there
is a toll plaza at Tsitsikamma on the Garden
Route, with a toll fee of R45 (about £2.50), and
if driving on to Durban there are three more
tolls, making a total of R95 (£5). Individual tolls
in South Africa range from R4 (20p) to R75 (£4).
National park fees: National parks have
a daily ‘conservation fee’ that visitors
must pay. The Kruger Park’s tariff is R280
saspecialist.southafrica.net