| With FIFA World Cup fever mounting, car hire in | | | | that is as recent as 2009 or even 2010 to ensure |
| South Africa is fast becoming one of the most | | | | that it is accurate. If you have a mobile phone with a |
| popular options for getting around the country, with | | | | GPS system, or a separate GPS, this will be a huge |
| many travellers opting for this alternative to | | | | help. A good road map will be just as good however, |
| traditional tours. Self-drive travel is an ideal way to | | | | as long as it is current. |
| explore the country at your own pace, by hiring a | | | | - Decide on the best car hire options to consider. |
| car for the duration of your stay or for a week or | | | | First, determine what sort of travel you will mostly |
| two if you need to get from A to B without having | | | | be doing during your stay. If you are planning to stick |
| to rely on public transport or lifts from your hosts. | | | | to the main cities and towns and need a basic car to |
| To ensure that your trip is memorable and rewarding, | | | | get you around, then a small Group L car such as a |
| it is always important to keep a few important things | | | | City Golf will be ideal. If you want to spend more |
| in mind when planning a self-drive adventure: | | | | time exploring the countryside and the great |
| - Always make sure that you follow safety | | | | outdoors to enjoy camping or adventure sports |
| procedures. That means you should know and follow | | | | however, then a Group L car such as a Kia Sportage |
| the rules of the road at all times. In South Africa, | | | | 2x4 would be your best bet. |
| cars drive on the left hand side of the road, and | | | | - Plan your budget and time limits. You may decide |
| traffic can be very busy at times – especially | | | | that you will need a vehicle for your entire stay, or |
| with mini-bus taxis causing mayhem on the main | | | | you may need a car for a shorter duration such as a |
| roads. It is therefore essential to how to navigate | | | | weekend or few days of your trip. Plan your budget |
| these busy roads and to drive carefully and slowly at | | | | and decide how much you can afford to spend on |
| all times. It is also a good idea to avoid known | | | | vehicle rental, and then you can work out the length |
| dangerous areas. Try to find out about the areas | | | | of time you will need a vehicle. A little bit of planning |
| you wish to visit before after you have arranged | | | | will go a long way in ensuring that your adventure |
| your vehicle hire, this will help you know which areas | | | | goes smoothly. |
| are safest to travel through and which should be | | | | - Create your own adventure. As one of the most |
| avoided. | | | | thrilling and adventurous ways to travel, self-drive |
| - Make sure that you have an up to date road map. | | | | travel allows you to see and do the things that |
| A good street map is essential to find your way | | | | interest you most rather than doing the things that |
| around the cities and towns of South Africa without | | | | the tour guide says you should do. With car rental in |
| getting lost. In this country, road names can change | | | | South Africa, anything is possible! |
| every year, so it is important to have a current map | | | | |