Rental Cars & Left-Hand Traffic
A rental car is almost indispensable in South Africa. The public transport network is hardly available outside the cities, and the roads are well developed. The challenge: left-hand traffic!
Left-Hand Traffic — Tips for First-Time Drivers
- Book automatic! Absolutely. Shifting with the left hand in left-hand traffic is a recipe for chaos.
- Mantra: "Driver sits towards the center of the road" — always sit towards the center line.
- Roundabouts: Clockwise! Enter left, exit right. The opposite of Germany.
- Wipers instead of indicators: Switches are reversed. At first, you'll wipe every time you turn. Don't worry, everyone does it.
- First kilometers: Best to arrive at the airport, drive to the hotel, and start driving properly the next day. Jetlag + left-hand traffic = dangerous.
Rental Car Prices
| Category | Per Day (approx.) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Small Car (VW Polo) | 20–35€ | Cape Town, short distances |
| Compact (Toyota Corolla) | 30–50€ | Garden Route |
| SUV (Toyota Fortuner) | 50–80€ | Kruger, gravel roads |
| 4×4 (Toyota Hilux) | 70–120€ | Only needed for remote areas |
Important Tips
- Full coverage without excess: Absolutely! South African roads have potholes, and wild animals cross the road.
- Don't drive at night! Poor street lighting, pedestrians on the road, animals, potholes. Rule No. 1 in South Africa.
- E-Toll in Gauteng: The highway around Johannesburg has an electronic toll system. The rental car provider charges the fees via credit card.
- Gas stations: Full service (attendant fills up, checks oil, cleans windows). Tip: 10–20 ZAR.
- 4-Way Stop: Common instead of traffic lights. First come, first served. When in doubt: smile, hand signal, go.
- Providers: Europcar, Hertz, Avis (international), First Car Rental, Tempest (local, cheaper). Compare via CHECK24 or billiger-mietwagen.de.
Achtung
NEVER drive outside cities at night! Pedestrians without reflectors, livestock on the road, and potholes are the most common causes of accidents. Plan your stages so that you arrive before sunset.
