Renting a Car in South Africa

Should You Rent a Car in South Africa?

Renting a car is probably your best option when visiting South Africa. Buses are available but these are only within the big city limits and although they are cheap, many services end quite early in the evenings or don’t run on weekends and not everyone wants to use hop-on-hop-off tourist double-decker bus.

While there are always taxis, it will probably end up being more expensive than if you’re renting your own car and paying for your gas as you go along, as gas prices in South Africa are more than affordable for visitors from the US or Europe. 

The bonus is that you can pick up your car from the airport the moment you arrive. But you’ll want to make sure you leave the bigger cities with a full tank because there are fewer gas stations out of the cities.

You’ll be able to decide your own times and shouldn’t have much difficulty on the roads because they are generally in good condition. They also have plenty of road signs along the way written in both English and Afrikaans.

Don’t forget that they drive on the left if this is something you’re not used to, but don’t worry – it seems more intimidating than it actually is. In the worst case, you’ll be turning on your wipers first instead of your turn signal.

Safari in a Rental Car in South Africa

While many countries in Africa don’t allow you to enter national parks without a safari company, in South Africa self-drive safari is the best way to see wildlife. Plus, the cost can be significantly reduced if you’re doing it on your own.

You don’t need a 4×4 car for a safari unless you want to. I’ve done it without absolutely any issues in a small Chevy. Road are quite good in Kruger NP.

One thing you should check for is if the company has an excess mileage policy. Some rental agencies I researched had a limit on the daily mileage with an excess charge for each extra kilometer driven. It’s definitely better to pick rental with unlimited mileage upfront.

Kruger National Park offers many campsites and there are no restrictions on rental cars entering the park. Read my best tips of self-drive safari in South Africa.

It’s mandatory that all car rentals rates include fire and third party liability insurance. The latter also covers you for damage or injury to people or property outside of the rental car. 

You can get covered by your credit card such as American Express, but this depends on the agreement you have with your card provider. Otherwise, you can book it online and you don’t have to pay anything extra at the counter. 

Individual rentals will then discuss with you the optional coverage that they offer. This could include a Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection as well as Personal Accident Insurance. It’s then up to you to pick the packages that best suit your needs, keeping in mind that without these additional insurances you may be responsible for all damages to the vehicle.

Requirements for Renting a Car in South Africa

By law, you must be at least 18 years old to rent a car in South Africa and you have to have had your license for a year. 
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Is a US Driver’s License valid in South Africa?

Yes, it is. All you need in order to rent a car in South Africa is a valid license from your home country, as long as it’s in English.

There is no longer specific requirement to have an international driving license and these days US driver’s license holders can also rent manual cars (it didn’t use to be that way in the past). 
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You can compare car rental companies at Discover Cars. Prices, availability, and deals change all the time, so see what’s available during the time of your trip.

I personally rented from Hertz, Thrifty, Budget and Drive Africa.

Cost of Renting a Car in South Africa

Renting a car in South Africa can be quite budget-friendly. 

It’s good to keep in mind that there are lots of gas stations in the main areas and they open 24 hours a day. The prices are relatively cheap as well (about $2.62 per gallon).

Make sure you have some cash for it, as it’s easier than hustling with a credit card. There are petrol attendants at all the fuel stops who will fill you up, bring the credit card machine and wash your windows as you wait.

Cost can vary depending on the season, so make sure you check different rental companies through Discover Cars and pick your best rental car for South Africa.

I have never had a lower class of car given to me or had any problem with rental car companies. When renting and returning the car from Cape Town Airport the workers even made sure that I take additional photos of all the previous damaged, so I don’t charged for it later. 

Can You Drive a Rental Car Across the Border?

Yes, you can, but you need to double-check everything with your rental company and a pre-written letter allowing you to pass.

Some allow their rentals only into Namibia and Botswana. Others also allow Zimbabwe, but only to Victoria Falls by a particular border crossing. Check with individual ones, by e-mail, to see which has the most liberal policy. 

Read the fine print before making a final decision. There might be fees involved by the border patrol, but they change on a regular basis. 

Remember that while, for instance, a small Chevy can be great for South Africa, not all types of rentals are approved or suitable for cross-border travel as other countries might have gravel roads.

Sometimes it might be easier to buy a cheap flight to other countries and pick up another rental car from there.

 DON’T FORGET ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE

Don’t forget to arrange health insurance before heading to South Africa. The easiest and most reliable insurance is World Nomads Travel Insurance. Get it before your trip to skip unnecessary troubles that might ruin your holidays!

Any questions? Don’t be afraid to ask me!

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