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
19 istraction (about £19) per day for international visitors while the Garden Route has a cluster of three areas with charges, totalling R372 (£26) a day. However, overseas visitors can buy a Wild Card, giving entry DISTANCES AND JOURNEY TIMES to national parks and conservation partner parks, reserves and resorts for a year and costing R1,920 (£133) for individuals, R3,005 (£209) for couples and R3,590 (£250) for families of up to seven, including two adults (2016 prices). Petrol stations attendants and car guards: Petrol stations (called garages in South Africa) are not self-service. Attendants wearing high-vis bibs will fill your car, take your payment and may also wash your windscreen. Tip them R5-R10 (£35p-70p). Keep some small change handy as you will need this when parking in a car park or on the street. ‘Car guards’, who keep watch on your vehicle, are widespread in South Africa. If official, they usually wear bibs, but may be self-appointed. Advise clients to tip at least R5 (35p). CAPE TOWN JOHANNESBURG South Africa is a big country and many of the main tourism centres are far apart. Here are some distances and non-stop driving times: JOURNEY DISTANCE (KM) TIME George 436km 5 hours Port Elizabeth 765km 8 hours Durban (Via Port Elizabeth) 1,658km 20 hours Johannesburg 1,393km 13 hours Pretoria 63km 1 hour Nelspruit 358km 3.5 hours Durban 566km 5.5 hours Top: Cars in South Africa’s National Parks must follow the central roads - as this elephant is doing the Voortrekker Monument experience it! culture, heritage & history... www.vtm.org.za Untitled-1 1 02/08/2016 09:15
- Page 1 and 2: selling
- Page 3 and 4: 3 Mapungubwe National Park Louis Tr
- Page 5 and 6: 5 around Getting South Africa is a
- Page 7 and 8: 7 Stay in the North West’s malari
- Page 10 and 11: Bush b 10 From the North West to th
- Page 12 and 13: 12 A day in the game reserve life o
- Page 14 and 15: 14 Exploring Jo South Africa’s se
- Page 20 and 21: 20 GREEN ROUTE The Cape escape Driv
- Page 22 and 23: 22 YELLOW ROUTE Over and above Driv
- Page 24 and 25: 24 BLUE ROUTE Take a meander Drivin
- Page 26 and 27: 26 RED ROUTE Game on Driving Route
- Page 28 and 29: 28 pillar towers 30 metres above a
- Page 30 and 31: 30 Lodges Ekuthuleni Lodge Ekuthule
- Page 32: “South African Tourism is committ
19<br />
istraction<br />
(about £19) per day for international visitors while the Garden<br />
Route has a cluster of three areas with charges, totalling R372<br />
(£26) a day.<br />
However, overseas visitors can buy a Wild Card, giving entry<br />
DISTANCES AND JOURNEY TIMES<br />
to national parks and conservation partner parks, reserves and<br />
resorts for a year and costing R1,920 (£133) for individuals,<br />
R3,005 (£209) for couples and R3,590 (£250) for families of up<br />
to seven, including two adults (2016 prices).<br />
Petrol stations attendants and car guards: Petrol<br />
stations (called garages in <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>) are not<br />
self-service. Attendants wearing high-vis bibs will<br />
fill your car, take your payment and may<br />
also wash your windscreen. Tip<br />
them R5-R10 (£35p-70p).<br />
Keep some small change<br />
handy as you will need this<br />
when parking in a car park or<br />
on the street. ‘Car guards’, who<br />
keep watch on your vehicle, are<br />
widespread in <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>. If<br />
official, they usually wear bibs, but<br />
may be self-appointed. Advise clients<br />
to tip at least R5 (35p).<br />
CAPE TOWN<br />
JOHANNESBURG<br />
<strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong> is a big country and many of the<br />
main tourism centres are far apart. Here are<br />
some distances and non-stop driving times:<br />
JOURNEY<br />
DISTANCE<br />
(KM)<br />
TIME<br />
George 436km 5 hours<br />
Port Elizabeth 765km 8 hours<br />
Durban<br />
(Via Port Elizabeth)<br />
1,658km<br />
20 hours<br />
Johannesburg 1,393km 13 hours<br />
Pretoria 63km 1 hour<br />
Nelspruit 358km 3.5 hours<br />
Durban 566km 5.5 hours<br />
Top: Cars in <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>’s<br />
National Parks must follow the<br />
central roads - as this elephant<br />
is doing<br />
the Voortrekker Monument<br />
experience it!<br />
culture, heritage & history...<br />
www.vtm.org.za<br />
Untitled-1 1 02/08/2016 09:15
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