 (updated December 2016)
Handy Hints for Southern Africa –
Welcome! This information sheet is designed to help you prepare for your trip with a hired vehicle, 4x4 campervan or motorhome. It contains essential information, which will hopefully help you enjoy your holiday. Please contact your agent if you have any problems with items mentioned in this sheet. Enjoy your vacation and remember that we drive on the LEFT hand side of the road and overtaking is done in the RIGHT hand lane!
IMPORTANT
Smaller guesthouses do not have a 24-hour reception service. If you know you will be arriving late (after 18.00 hrs), it is very important that you call the guesthouse and tell them when you plan to arrive!
Safari lodges in National Parks or in private wildlife reserve, have gate-closing times which are strictly enforced. Please ensure that you arrive at your lodge in good time before the gate-closing time!
We always ask for a mobile contact number for our guests before they arrive, but it happens that we do not receive a number. Lodges and guesthouses sometimes call us to say that the clients have not arrived. If we have your phone number we can call you to find out if you have a problem, or what the reason for your late arrival is. But without a phone number, you are on your own and unless you call us, we cannot assist!
CREDIT CARDS
It is essential to travel with a credit card if your itinerary includes vehicle hire, or you plan on hiring a vehicle once you arrive in the country. You will NOT be able to obtain a hired car unless you can present a valid credit card.
As an amount will be blocked on your credit card to cover petrol costs, one way fees, extras such as baby seats, possible administration fees etc., it is important to have the spending limit on your card increased temporarily before departing your home country, so as not to have any purchases with your credit card declined. Bear in mind that should you be hiring two cars at different locations whilst on holiday, the card will be blocked twice. This deposit/s will be released once all amounts owing to the rental company have been settled.
Foreign credit cards are not accepted as payment for Toll Fees; ensure you have cash available for Toll Fees. They are also seldom accepted for payment at petrol / gas stations, where you will have to pay in cash. Therefore remember to have enough cash on you when travelling overland.
DISTANCES
Please note that distances in map books and distances according to the car’s odometer may vary somewhat. Do not become alarmed by this.
DRIVERS LICENCES
In order to drive a vehicle in Southern Africa, you MUST be in possession of a either a Driver’s License written in English, or a valid “International Drivers Permit/License” and carry it with you together with your valid National Driver’s License. Should you neglect to obtain this document before leaving your country of residence, you will NOT be permitted to hire a vehicle in South Africa. Should you be using a motor vehicle, other than the hired one, i.e. making use of a company or friend’s vehicle etc., you will STILL need to be in possession of such license. Licenses will NOT be issued to foreign visitors upon arrival in this country.
DRIVING ETIQUETTE AND TIPS
In Southern Africa we drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Beware of cars overtaking both left and right on dual carriage motorways – this is allowed in South Africa.
Traffic lights are known as “ROBOTS” here. They are located on all four corners of an intersection and change directly from red to green, unlike in some other countries.
When approaching a traffic circle, the person coming from the right – and who is already in the circle – has right of way.
4-way stops: the first car to arrive is also the first car which is allowed to drive again.
What to do when traffic lights don’t work: Follow procedure for 4-way stops.
Pedestrian crossings: drivers tent to ignore pedestrian crossings. Remember to look right first, then left, then right again before crossing at these points.
On single lane country roads, it is common practice for vehicles to pull over to the left hand side of the road, to allow faster moving vehicles to pass. As a sign of appreciation for the driver’s courtesy, the motorists will flash their hazard lights two or three times as they pass.
The speed limit on motorways is between 100 – 120kms and on country roads anywhere from 40 – 100kms. It is imperative that you obey the speed limits. Speed controls are not an uncommon sight in South Africa. The traps are either overhead or in the form of radars on the side of the road.
Unfortunately more and more single vehicle accidents are being recorded annually on gravel roads. The maximum suggested speed limit is 70 / 80 km per hour on untarred roads, less if it has rained, as gravel conditions may change without warning, making driving hazardous.
Adjust your tyre pressure when driving off road. Pack your luggage, your clothes and all other baggage in plastic bags, to avoid as much dust in amongst your belongings as possible.
Do NOT drink and drive, because it is an offence. You will be heavily fined and have to spend the night in jail.
Talking on a mobile phone without a hands free set or texting whilst driving is strongly forbidden and will also be fined.
It is compulsory to wear seatbelts at all times.
e-TOLLS and TOLLS
“E-Tolls” – these are new road tolls on the motorways surrounding Johannesburg. Your hired car will have an automatic scanner and the toll fees will be added to your credit card at the end of the rental period.
Several roads in South Africa are toll roads. The amount due can only be paid in cash, unless you are in possession of a South African credit card.
MOTOR VEHICLE ORGANISATIONS / AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION –
If you are a member of an Automobile Association in your home country, the chances are that they are affiliated to the South African AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION, AA. In such cases, you will be able to receive free maps on presentation of your membership card. Please consult your automobile organisation before departure if this applies.
PETROL
As petrol stations (gas stations or garages) are set relatively far apart in Southern Africa, it is important to fill up regularly. Petrol stations occasionally also run out of fuel in rural areas. They are generally well maintained and have toilets, a restaurant and shop attached.
There is no self-service at petrol stations in Southern Africa. Petrol is filled by a petrol attendant, who will also offer to check the oil and water and pump the tyres. A tip is paid for these services of between R / N$ 2,00 - R / N$ 5,00. The petrol and diesel prices are regulated, so that the pump price is identical at all stations regardless of the fuel company. The only difference will be between 93 and 95 octane petrol and diesel and whether the station is located inland or at the coast.
PICK UP, DROP OFF AND DELIVERY
At the time of pick up insist that you are shown all the functions of the vehicle or camper. It is important that marks and scratches are noted before you leave the depot.
Campervans can generally only be taken over at the depot of the camper hire company. At pick up time you will require 2-3 hours for inspection and to learn about the vehicle and how to use the equipment. At drop-off time you will require approximately an hour.
A surcharge will be deducted off your credit card for delivery of your vehicle to a hotel as well as if delivery or collection at your hotel is after hours or on weekends.
CROSSING BORDERS
If your route involves crossing borders (even if – for example - driving through Swaziland on your way from Kruger Park to Durban), you MUST inform us of this at time of booking the car. We have to request a “Cross Border Letter” from the car hire companies with details of which country/ies you will be travelling through – this must be requested ahead of time. Each Cross Border Letter will incur a cost so it is best if you advise us of any planned border crossings at time of booking the car hire with us. When collecting the car, please ensure that your Cross Border Letter is handed to you.
ROAD WORKS, ROAD BLOCKS and RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC
It is advisable to consult the manager at your accommodation venue about road works in the area so that you can make allowance for this, especially if needing to get to a particular place at a particular time.
Road blocks are not to be alarmed by, as the police are merely checking that the vehicle is licensed and is not a stolen.
If staying in an urban area it is advisable to avoid travelling during rush hour traffic or to leave before the onset of this traffic, if you need to get to an airport. Generally traffic starts building up from about 06h30 in the morning and ends at about 08h30. In the afternoon the traffic builds up from about 15h30 in the afternoon until about 17h30. On Friday afternoons the traffic heading out of the city to the countryside increases dramatically. If driving at these times cannot be avoided, calculate taking twice as long.
Please beware that during the rush hour certain taxi drivers tend to alter the rules of the road to suit their needs pace. Overtaking on the pavement, squeezing in, cutting off other vehicles on the road and sometimes crossing intersections before the lights have changed to green is not uncommon.
SAFETY
In towns and cities, where you often stop at traffic lights and intersections: for your own safety, drive with your windows closed and doors locked – use the Air Conditioner! Be vigilant if stopping on the highway in urban areas, avoid stopping if at all possible.
Plan your day’s driving so that you always reach your destination before sunset. After dark, you may encounter animals on the road and road safety could be compromised.
If someone indicates that there is fault with your car, do not stop and investigate. Drive to the nearest petrol station or similar, to check what the problem could be.
Anything left visible in the car will not be insured if stolen, therefore all baggage etc. must be locked in the boot of the car.
Do not take hitchhikers with you!
STREET AND ROAD SIGNS
These are sometimes written in Afrikaans, which requires a bit of fantasy and a good map book. The town of Witrivier for instance is the same as White River, Hoof Straat equates to Main Road…
Road and town names from the Apartheid era, South Africa, as well as in the other neighbouring countries bordering, have been changed in the past few years. Unfortunately, not all maps and GPS Systems have been updated. If you cannot find a street name be aware that they are sometimes written on the curbstones.
SUNDRY
CDs
As your vehicle will in all likelihood have a CD player, we suggest you bring along a few CDs for the journey. Remember to take them with you before returning the car at the depot.
ENTRANCE FEES TO NATIONAL PARKS
All visitors to the National Parks and Reserves will be charged Gate Entry Fees. These range in price, but average R / N $ 150.00 – R / N $ 180.00 per person, per day (Kruger Park is currently ZAR 248.00 per person per day).
MAP BOOKS
Maps are not provided in the cars. It is advisable to visit the Tourist Centre at the airport or a bookstore to acquire the relevant material for your journey.
OTHER ROAD USERS
In rural areas the roads are used by pedestrians too, especially where there is not a decent pavement to walk on. Please drive slowly!
Being in Africa it is not uncommon for animals such as goats of cattle to be grazing on the curbside. Beware of them suddenly crossing the road. Should you have to drive at night, look out for wildlife crossing the road. This can be extremely dangerous.
Inspirations Travel & Tours
Email: info@itt.co.za l Tel: +27(0)31 266 0030 | Fax: +27(0) 31 266 0255
Inbound: www.africaninspirations.co.za l Outbound: www.inspirations-travel.co.za
9 Kensington Drive, Westville, 3629 l PO Box 1166, Westville, Durban, 3629, South Africa
24-hour emergency mobile phone contact: +27 (0) 82 853 1727
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