Driving in South africa.

[drron]

Well 2013 is the time to visit the last continent for us.Flying to South Africa in March.Flying in to JNB and will overnight there.The next 5 days are to visit Kwa Zulu Natal.First Rorke's Drift and then the Drakensburgs.A distant family member got a VC at Rorke's Drift and our oldest granddaughter is called Tugela so we want to see Tugela Falls-My knees rule out walking in so it will be a helicopter over the falls.
Now the cheapest and easiest way to do this is by car.However one does get concerned re the stories that come out of Africa.So has any one hired a car.Our route will be Pretoria-Rorkes Drift-Cathedral hotel-DUR for our flight to CPT.
Will it be safe?
We will then be cruising the west coast of Africa,then 11 days in camps in Botswana,Zambia so no need for extra sights,game camps etc.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Drron,

Africa is a tricky place. Are you with locals in your party? Where are you staying jnb?

 

[Demented Freak]

I went to South Africa for the World Cup, hired a car a couple of times to drive around Joberg & Pretoria and drove from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town along the Garden Route.

If you're careful about where you're driving then you should be fine. Research your route, understand where you're going (GPS or Google Maps on you phone/ipad is handy), avoid driving through known shady areas (city centres, townships), especially at night, and you should be fine. All the cars over there engage the central locking when you go above 10kph which is a little off putting at first.

I hired from Avis all three times, choice of VW Polo or Hyundai i20 (really impressed me for a small korean car). Make sure you keep some change on hand to pay the car park attendants who find you a parking space and "guard" you car.

 

[drron]

Thanks.No locals with us.But definitely only be driving in daylight and generally on the highway between Joburg and Durban.Staying at Sheraton Pretoria(as it will be touch and go retaining SPG plat next year).From there straight down hway 3 turning off to Ladysmith and Rorke's Drift.Then back to the other side of route 3 to the Drakensburgs.then down 3 again to DUR-not going in to Durban itself.
So really the only worries are the minor roads in Kwa Zulu.

 

[travelislife]

Have never hired a car in South Africa, but have driven in our own vehicle from Dar Es Salaam to Cape Town return, down through Zambia and Botswana. If you only drive in daylight hours and have a pre planned route you will be fine. We got lost a couple of times in Northern South Africa and it was near impossible to get help and directions, no one wanted to know us (a car full of 5 whites in a black farming town, unfortunately the divides definitely still exist and go both ways). Johannesburg is definitely one place to be careful though, again we got lost on dusk and weren't going to stop and ask anyone, just kept driving until we got out to an area that seemed a bit more civilised and then pulled in to a service station.

Driving on the freeways as well is an experience, any road which is one lane in each direction is in fact 2 lanes each way with all slower vehicles to drive on the shoulder, this can make for some interesting situations when going over narrower bridges!

South Africa, and Africa itself are an amazing place you will enjoy yourself. Just have to be a bit more careful than a few other countries I have travelled too.

 

[bigjobs]

We hired from Thrifty and drove from Johannesburg to Kruger NP and back over the period of a week. We also drove from Johannesburg to Rustenburg in a hire car from Avis, over about 3 days. Finally, we drove around Cape Town and Hermanus for a week or so. I also drove from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa and around Phalaborwa for about a month without any drama what so ever.

our experience - we had no problems driving during the daylight hours. when you pull up at lights, leave enough space to the car in front that you can pull out if you need too (this applies in the big cities for the most part). keep your doors locked and valuables out of sight (wife's handbag was under passenger seat). if people try to sell you stuff at lights just wave them away and keep creeping forward, they will move on to the car behind you. When you see a sign that says 'do not stop, hijack zone' make sure you obey that sign. Stop for fuel in the servo's that are on the main motorways. don't drive through any of the townships.

Speed limits are a suggestion. we drove at 140 on the freeways routinely. carry about 1000 rand (approx 140 bucks) in case you get stopped by the traffic cops so you can 'pay the fine' and get on your way. there are traffic police who are different to the 'regular police' ...

if you are driving in rural areas, watch for livestock on the road and also wildlife (but no more that here in AU in terms of the wildlife), the livestock was the main issue. don't stop and eat or drink at any roadside stalls.

overall, South Africa is a brilliant place, colourful, vibrant, cosmopolitan and brimming with potential. we loved our time there and are searching for opportunity to return. like anywhere outside of AU there is so much diversity compared to the 2 all beef patties, special sauce etc, cookie cutter style you get here in AU.

Watch for potholes in the road when driving in rural areas (anywhere outside of main cities or off main motorways)

Just be sensible in terms of your personal security.

When it comes time to see the wildlife this will be truly spiritual and spectacular if you haven't had the privilege yet. You'll be amazed at how an elephant can be such a silent and stealthy creature.