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Car on the road in South Africa
Car on the road in South Africa

Car hire: South Africa

Discover South Africa your way with the freedom of car hire. From the wildlife of Kruger National Park to the iconic Garden Route and the beauty of Cape Town, the open road is yours.

 

Get ready to immerse yourself in the colours, cultures and characters that make South Africa unforgettable.

See more of South Africa, your way

Whether hitting the game reserves in a 4x4, touring the cities or making tracks to the penguin beaches on the outskirts of Cape Town, the easiest, most fun (and happily, best-value) way to tick South Africa off your bucket list is undoubtedly behind the wheel.

We've highlighted some key routes to get you started but believe us, there's plenty more road trips to discover. So what are you waiting for?

 

Car hire in South Africa: Here's what you need to know

So, you’re thinking of a South African road trip? Brilliant choice! With winding coastlines, safari routes, and vineyards galore, the open road truly is calling.

To help you cruise confidently, we’ve popped together some need-to-knows, must-dos, and smart-don’ts.

  1. Drive on the left

    South African’s drive on the left-hand side of the road. So when taking on a roundabout, make sure to go clockwise.

  2. Full stop means stop!

    Treat stop signs like a red light. Come to a full hold and yield to your fellow drivers.

  3. Manual transition

    While automatics are available, most hire cars in South Africa are manual transmission.

  4. Speed limits

    Speed limits will be measured in Kilometres per hour (Km/h). Typically the limits are 60km/h in cities, 100km/h in rural roads, and 120km/h on highways.

  5. Drivers Age

    Minimum drivers age to hire a car is 18. Drivers under 25 may be subject to a young driver surcharge.

  6. Deposit and payment

    Expect to pay a refundable security deposit (minimum ZAR 2,000) held on a credit card.

  7. Extras & add-ons

    GPS, child-seats, additional drivers, young-drivers? We got you covered. You can add all of these on as extras.

  8. Petrol or diesel

    Hire cars can run on either petrol or diesel. Always double check the full type before refuelling – engines don’t like surprises.

  9. Fuel policy

    Collect your car with a full tank of fuel and return it full to avoid any chargers. Some of our packages do include a free tank, so make sure to check.

  10. Stick to the light

    Avoid driving at night in rural areas where streetlights can be rare, and wildlife may be unexpectedly social.

  11. Be map smart

    Signal can often be patchy in the wild, so GPS may come in handy. Petrol stations may also be few and far between on remote routes, so plan this in and don't run on fumes.

  12. Lock it, don't lose it

    Always lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight.

However you roll, we've got you covered

The whole holiday, sorted.

  • Group it all together in one easy, hassle-free booking.

What's included:

  • Flights
  • Hotel
  • Car hire
See our best South Africa holiday deals

Book a fly-drive

  • Want a bit more freedom? Fly-in, pick up the car, and take the journey at your own pace.

What's included:

  • Flights
  • Car hire
See our best fly-drive deals

Car hire only

  • Already got your other plans sorted? Just simply book your car-hire with us.

What's included:

  • Car hire
  • Ready to book? Simply search for your car hire in the panel at the top

Get your car hire sorted out as part of a South Africa holiday package and you’ve got everything you need for the ultimate driver's dream... What are you waiting for? Get that engine revved up and get going!

More details

If you're looking to rent a car for just a one-way journey, an additional cahrge will apply, which is paid locally when picking up the vehicle.

Please click here to see the charges by pick-up and drop-off points.