South Africa is blessed with thousands of kilometres of wide smooth tarmac between all the major cities. However, many of the true gems that lure tourists to this beautiful place are hidden away, and well off the beaten track. In fact, a beaten track is often all you’ll have between you and the next addition to your bucket list.

Which brings us to the point of this article.

Driving on Dirt

Sand, gravel and corrugated roads snake across South Africa and there is a very good chance that you will encounter these on your travels. Too many people assume that their “great” driving skills will be sufficient to allow them to navigate their way over these roads.

While you won’t always a need a 4×4 to traverse these tracks, the additional traction and control that they offer can be a bonus. For the most part, a solid sedan will see you through. Provided, of course, you respect the dirt.

Speed and Sand

A rookie mistake made when driving on dirt roads is a little too much speed. The wide road, relatively solid surface and complete lack of verges often encourage you to put your boot down and pop the occasional tailslide. Fun, right? Wrong. Gravel and sand can be as treacherous as driving in snow or ice. A deep section of sand, a little loose gravel and an unexpected oncoming vehicle will see you in trouble faster than your skills will allow you to correct.

Following on from that, hard braking and aggressive steering are additional checkpoints to add to your “things not to do” list. Overcorrecting and braking at the same time will see you on your roof. Or at the very least, enjoying a close-up of the nearest tree.

While on a loose and often treacherous dirt road, drop your speed to a sensible 40- 60 kph, depending on the state of the road. Potholes and rain gullies will slow you down whether you like it or not, but even a smooth surface can wreak havoc on your hire car if you’re not super careful.

If the road you’re on is very long and very corrugated, consider letting some air out of your tyres – no more than 20%. This will ensure a softer and quieter ride…just don’t forget to pump them up again at the end of the road.

Local Fauna

If you’re on a rural road surrounded by beautiful bush, then you will no doubt encounter some of the local wildlife. Goats, sheep, cattle and dogs are common fellow road users in the South African outback, but when you’re driving in a game park or conservation area, you are likely to come across a somewhat different type of creature.

To be fair, most wild animals are pretty skittish and are more likely to bolt away from you at high speed. But others are more curious and less concerned about the size and speed of your car. It’s not uncommon for animals to run alongside or in front of your vehicle while you’re driving on dirt – and is definitely something to look out for.

Don’t assume that the animals will get out of your way in time – or at all. And if you are going too fast then you may get a Springbok on your lap. Explain that to your car hire company!

Defensive Driving

Slow down and don’t hit the animals. Got it. However, there is a little more to navigating a successful South African road trip than that.

Defensive driving – on and off dirt roads – is a must. We all know to maintain a safe following distance, to keep your eyes on the road, avoid distractions such as cell phones, and of course to make sure you don’t drive whilst tired or after a few beers.

However, when you’re driving on dirt, these “good ideas” can save your life. A safe following distance on a sandy road means that other vehicles will still be able to see you outside of the dust cloud thrown up by the car ahead of you. Sticking closely to your side of the road when cornering means less likelihood of side-swiping an oncoming driver on a tight bend if one of you loses a little traction. Keenly concentrating on the road ahead – keeping your eyes up – increases reaction time in the event of an emergency.

For more information on driving safely on gravel roads take a look here. Being keenly aware of the perils (and joys) of driving on dirt will guarantee you a wonderfully exciting holiday in South Africa.

To book your safe and affordable car, talk to one of our team and let’s get driving.

The post Seeing South Africa’s Hidden Gems Mean Driving on Dirt. Here’s How. appeared first on Tony's Car Hire.

GPS rental is the easy, hassle-free way to find where you need to go these holidays. It’s true that you could use the map app on your smartphone. However, if you’re visiting South Africa from another country, data roaming charges get very big very quickly. And if you’re travelling to some of our more remote locations, cell phone signal and 3G can be unreliable at best.

What Are The Benefits Of GPS Rental?

GPS rental really is the smart way to get where you’re going these holidays. Because your GPS unit receives its data from no fewer than 24 satellites, it doesn’t rely on cell phone coverage. The satellite data combines with mapping technology, so you can successfully navigate all South Africa’s major, primary and secondary roads. Your GPS has mapping details of over one thousand South African cities and towns, 759 rural villages and nearly 300 000km of road data. You get unrivalled coverage and it’s extremely user-friendly.

The units are multi-lingual, which means you can programme them to display and speak in the language of your choice. So, there’s no need to worry about having to try and read signposts in a language you may not understand. And if you do accidentally take a wrong turn, you won’t have to stop on the side of the road to spread out a map on the bonnet of your car! Your unit simply recalculates your route without you having to do a thing! Except, of course, to follow the new directions it’s given you!

You can customise your GPS to give you information in a format you’re used to. For example, you can choose to receive your route guidance information in either metric or imperial format (yards and miles or metres and kilometres). GPS’s work using a touch screen mechanism, so are quick and easy to operate, and you don’t have to worry about running out of battery. They plug directly into either the cigarette lighter point of your vehicle, or into a USB port, so they charge while you’re driving. Once parked, to can remove them and take them with you to use while walking.

Other Points To Consider

Depending on the car hire package you choose, you may have only a limited number of kilometres per day included in your package. After that, there is a per-kilometre rate to pay. On top of that, you have fuel costs to consider. Using a GPS system means you can choose the shortest route to your destination. This not only saves you money, it also means you have more time to enjoy your destination once you arrive.

Your GPS unit is portable, and is easy to remove from your vehicle. This means you can take it with you when you go walking or hiking, for example. Or, if you’re exploring a town or city on foot, it can help you find your way to the places you want to visit. It’ll even tell you how to find that little coffee shop the tourist guide recommended!

Even if you’re a local tourist and feel as though you know your intended route well, a GPS unit can still be invaluable for a number of reasons. For example, a GPS lets you know of any hazards along your intended route, such as roadworks or traffic accidents. It can then recommend alternate routes. This could save you hours of frustration in a traffic jam. A GPS also warns you if you’re travelling over the speed limit for the area you’re in. This could save a fortune in speeding fines, which means more money to spend on holiday!

A GPS also lets you know how long your journey should take, and gives you an estimated time of arrival. This is particularly useful if you’re on your way to catch a flight or if you need check in to your hotel before a certain time.

How Do I Add GPS Rental To My Car Hire?

It’s as easy as requesting a unit at the same time as you book your car hire! If you only decide later that want to add GPS rental to your car hire, no problem! A simple phone call should be enough to take care of this. Try not to leave it  later than 48 hours beforehand, so that unit availability can be guaranteed.

Here are a few points to remember when collecting your GPS device:

• Make sure all accessories are included with the unit.
• Check that the GPS works, and is charged and ready for use before you leave the car hire office.
• Keep all the paperwork relating to your GPS rental in a safe place.
• If you plan to take the unit out of South Africa into a neighbouring country, make sure you have permission from the car hire company to do so.

 SA Car Hire offers GPS rental at competitive rates when you hire a car with us. Call us now to chat about pricing options and availability.

The post Paradise Lost? Not With GPS Rental From SA Car Hire! appeared first on Tony's Car Hire.

South Africa is probably one of the best countries in the world to explore by car. We have over 750 000 kilometres of excellent roads – the largest road network of any country in Africa. This comprehensive network spans the entire country. So, no matter where you want to go, there’s always a road that will get you there! However, although driving in South Africa is usually easy and hassle-free, there are several key differences between driving here, and driving in the States. Here are a few of the most important ones:

Driving In South Africa Means Driving On The Left

This is one of the trickiest differences to get used to. As a general rule of thumb, South Africans keep left and pass right. However, this is not always adhered to! Many South African drivers pass left or down the middle lane on a multi-lane freeway.

When driving in South Africa, keeping to the left is particularly tricky when stopping at an intersection or entering a roundabout. At any intersection without traffic lights (in South Africa, these are often referred to as “robots”) remember to look to the right first! At a roundabout, you have to give way to traffic approaching from the right.

Driving on the left means all cars are right-hand drive. This, in turn, means all the controls in the vehicle will be on the other side of the steering column to most cars found in the States. Most rental cars in South Africa are manual (stick shift). So, you’re reaching for gears with the “wrong” hand, which can take a little getting used to. If you feel this is going to be a problem, you can request an automatic. They are usually, however, more expensive to hire.

It’s worth taking a few moments before leaving the rental car park to familiarise yourself with where everything is. It can be very distracting trying to find lights or windscreen wipers when you’re trying to concentrate on unfamiliar roads. And try not to drive when you’re tired. This is good practice anyway, but when you’re fatigued, you’re more likely to forget you should be driving on the left. Tired or not, you’re pretty much guaranteed to inadvertently wash your windscreen whenever you want to put your indicator on! At least for the first couple of days, anyway!

Driver’s License

To drive in South Africa, you have to be at least 18 years old. Americans can get their driver’s license at the age of 16, but this is not relevant in South Africa. Even with a US license, you won’t be allowed drive in South Africa unless you’re 18 or older. It’s compulsory to carry your driver’s license with you at all times. Failing to do so could result in a significant fine. In addition, you cannot hire a car in South Africa unless you’ve had your driving license for at last five years.

Get Security Savvy

Driving in South Africa is usually a great experience, but it doesn’t hurt to be wary of a few security issues:

• Always lock your car when you park it and never leave valuables in the car if you can help it. If you do have to, try to make sure they are hidden from sight. Physically check that the doors are locked, even after you think you’ve locked them. “Remote jamming” is common, particularly in shopping mall car parks.
• “Car guards” are common in most shopping mall parking lots, and they help keep your car safe. They are usually identifiable from their uniforms and high-vis vests. A tip of a few Rand is customary.
• Never, and we do mean never, stop to pick up hitch-hikers or anyone else flagging you down on the side of the road. If you’re concerned that someone might be in trouble, report their location at the nearest police station.
• Keep your doors locked and windows closed when you stop at a traffic light or other intersection.
• If you’re driving along, do not put your handbag or other valuables on the passenger seat. Rather lock them in the boot.

Having A Gas

When driving in South Africa, remember that “gas” is definitely not something we put in our cars! If we talk about gas, we mean Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) which we buy in bottles of varying sizes. We use gas for braais (barbeques), cooking, lighting, hot water and heat, but we do not run our cars on it! So, if you need fuel for your car, you have to ask for petrol or diesel, depending on what vehicle you have. Unleaded fuel is usually widely available, but low and very low sulphur diesel is sometimes trickier to find in remote areas.

Petrol stations are not self-service in South Africa. There will always be an attendant to fill up your car for you. You can also request an oil, water and tyre (tire) pressure check, as well as a windscreen clean. It’s customary to tip between R5 and R10 for these services.

Also remember that fuel is priced per litre, not per gallon. A litre is a little under a quarter of a gallon, so multiplying the per-litre price by four will give you a rough idea of how much you’re paying per gallon.

The Need for Speed

Speed limits on South African roads are higher than in the States. We work on a metric system, so all limits and distances are in kilometres, not miles. The general speed limit on national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary (rural) roads it is 100km/h (60mph), and in built-up areas, it’s usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated. Average speed cameras are common on dangerous stretches of roads, and “pop up” manned speed traps can catch you at any time – especially during peak travel periods.

Remember that if you are “flashed” by a roadside speed camera, and you’re in a hired car, the fine goes directly to the car rental company. It’s common practice for them to charge a steep admin fee for paying and processing any fines you incur. So, it’s best to stick to the speed limit at all times!

More Helpful Information

If you’d like to know any more information about driving in South Africa, here are a couple of really useful websites to check out:

• The Automobile Association of South Africa https://www.aa.co.za
• Arrive Alive https://www.arrivealive.co.za
• The South African National Roads Agency Limited https://www.nra.co.za

And if you’re looking for a car rental company that goes the extra mile to make sure your car hire experience is as wonderful as your road trip, look no further than SA Car Hire.  With over 20 years in the business, you can trust us to make your holiday in our beautiful country a truly memorable one.

The post Everything Americans Should Know About Driving In South Africa appeared first on Tony's Car Hire.

Unlike organised travel packages or tours, hiring a car gives you unlimited freedom to go where you want, when you want. You can take spur of the moment detours, and make up your own itinerary. It’s a very liberating way to travel!

Travelling by car also gives you a lot more flexibility in terms of luggage. You’re not restricted by weight allowances or numbers of suitcases, and can shop for souvenirs to your heart’s content!

Of course, although car hire gives you the freedom to follow your instincts and indulge your wanderlust, it is good to have a basic plan of where you want to go. It’s also helpful to have a rough idea of what you’d like to do while you’re there. Are you a culture vulture who loves museums and historical sites and buildings? Or are you more adventurous, looking for adrenaline-filled activities such as bungee jumping and shark diving? Perhaps you just want to relax on a sunny beach and catch up on some much-needed R and R?

Knowing where you want to go and what you’d like to do will help make your holiday easier to plan. It will also help you decide on the type of car you hire. Although most roads – even the gravel ones – are easily doable in 2-wheel-drive vehicles, there are some places where only a 4×4 will do. You will also need to think about how much boot (trunk) space you’ll need, how powerful the car should be, and whether you’ll be travelling in the summer or winter.

Remember that South African seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere – we have our summer from December to February. Most of the country gets summer rain, except for the Western Cape, where the summers are usually dry.

Helpful Hints For Carefree Car Hire

Hiring the right car is one of the most important decisions you can make when planning a road trip in South Africa. Most people choose their car based on budget, but it really is worth taking the time to factor in a few other considerations as well.

Number Of People

If there are only two of you, and you don’t have much luggage, then a small car is ideal. Cheap and cheerful, a little hatchback is both budget-friendly and perfect for parking! It is also one the most fuel-efficient options. This allows you to travel further without breaking your budget.

If you’re a family travelling with children, you’ll naturally have more luggage. A family-friendly sedan would be perfect in this case. If you’re driving long distances, an SUV may be preferable, as it’s slightly roomier. SUVs also usually have bigger boot spaces than sedans. If you have items such as toddler pushchairs in addition to your luggage, this could be a better option for you.

Type Of Terrain

Most roads in South Africa are in good condition. We have over 16 000kms of tarred National roads. These are the main arterial roads linking the major cities, such as the N3 from Johannesburg to Durban, and the N2 from Cape Town to Durban and beyond. These roads are supplemented by metropolitan freeways and provincial main roads – all of which are tarred.

South Africa also has a massive network of secondary roads, which are either gravel or surfaced. Most of our 300 000kms of “country” gravel roads are in excellent condition, as are about 170,000kms of supplementary surfaced and non-surfaced roads in urban areas.

All of which means a standard 2-wheel drive vehicle is more than adequate for the vast majority of the roads you’re likely to encounter on your trip. However, if you’re planning a slightly more adventurous excursion, you might want to consider a bigger, more rugged vehicle. Some roads along the Wild Coast, for example, are usually only accessible by 4-wheel-drive – especially if it’s been raining. At the very least you’ll need an SUV, as it has higher ground clearance than the average sedan.

Although you won’t need one for the roads, a 4×4 in the many game reserves in South Africa can be very useful as it gives you additional height. This offers a better viewpoint for spotting game than lower-to-the-ground sedans.

Compulsory 4×4 Areas

Definite 4×4 areas include certain areas in the Drakensberg, the Western Cape coast and certain parts of the former Transkei. If you plan to include a trip across the border into Mozambique, Namibia or Botswana, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended (compulsory, actually, for Mozambique).

A trip up Sani Pass in the Drakensberg is always a great highlight, but a 4×4 is compulsory here too. Border authorities at the South Africa/Lesotho border are likely to refuse you permission to drive up the pass unless you have the right vehicle. The conditions of the pass are testing, so enforcing this rule is in the best interests of safety for all drivers.

You also need to produce proof of vehicle ownership and insurance. If you are hiring a car, you can ask your rental company for written permission to take the vehicle across the border. This then acts as your Border Letter of Authority.

Distances Travelled

South Africa is a vast country, so the chances are you’ll spend many hours at a time in your car during the course of your road trip. The country’s two most iconic tourist destinations — the Kruger National Park and the city of Cape Town — are over 1 700kms apart. If you’re planning to visit both these places, you’re in for a long drive! In a case like this, it’s really worth hiring the best car you can afford to give you the most comfortable trip.

If you’re going to visit more remote areas, be aware of your fuel consumption. You will always find fuel along the main freeways and in all towns. But once you start venturing further afield, opportunities to get fuel will become fewer and further between. If you’re really going to be “out in the sticks,” consider hiring a vehicle with long-range fuel tanks. Alternatively, carry spare fuel with you in jerry cans.

Other Considerations

• Types of Transmission – Most rental cars in South Africa have a manual transmission. If you’d prefer an automatic, you need to mention this when you book. Automatic cars are usually more expensive to hire.
• Insurance – If you plan to travel on a lot of un-surfaced roads, check the damage policy of your car hire company. Some insurance policies won’t cover you if you’ve taken the car on “unsuitable” roads.
• Security – it is worth making sure you can pack your luggage in such a way that it’s not visible from the outside of your vehicle. In the case of a hatchback or SUV, check that the car you’re hiring has a sliding luggage cover. This is especially useful when parked in a town, or a busy tourist area.

If you’re looking for a car hire company with a range of cars to suit your unique South African road trip, chat to Tony’s Car Hire. We’ve got over 20 years in the business, so you can trust our advice and our vehicles.

The post Planning A South African Road Trip? Start With The Right Car! appeared first on Tony's Car Hire.

When you add these attractions to three award-winning international airports, numerous regional airports, and a (largely!) well-maintained road network spanning almost 750 000kms, it’s not hard to see why South Africa attracts over 10 million international tourists every year.

While many of these tourists choose to base their stay in one particular city or area, others opt to hire a car and hit the road! Exploring a country by road is definitely one of the best ways to really experience its true character and beauty. With the largest road network of any country on the continent, South Africa is the perfect place to discover from the comfort of your car.

Ramp Up Your Road Code

South Africa has a great road infrastructure, and driving conditions are usually really good. So if you have a bit of basic common driving sense, you’ll have no problems doing a self-drive holiday through our beautiful country. Knowledge, however, is power, so here’s a bit of road knowledge to give you a better idea of how to plan your routes.

South Africa has over 16 000kms of National roads. You’ll recogise these from the letter “N” and then a number – the N1 and N2, for example, from Cape Town, the N3 from Durban to Johannesburg and the N6 from East London to Bloemfontein.

We also have Metropolitan freeways, which are designated with an “M,” and Provincial Main Roads, identified with the letter “R,” such as the R21 from OR Tambo International Airport to Pretoria, and the R27 from Cape Town to Upington.

These major arterial roads are supplemented by a massive network of secondary roads, which can either be gravel or surfaced, and which are designated with a number. There are actually around 300 000kms of excellent “country” gravel roads that can easily be negotiated with a normal two-wheel-drive vehicle, and another 170 000kms of roads (surfaced and non-surfaced) in urban areas that are also in great driving condition.

Even most of the unclassified roads in rural areas are fine for two-wheel drive vehicles (except in very wet weather), although you will definitely encounter some bumps, lumps and potholes! There are actually only a few roads in the entire country that are exclusively four-wheel drive. Even most of those in the National Parks and other game reserves are fine for normal cars.

Helpful Hacks For A Happy Holiday

If you’re planning a South African road trip, we’re very excited for you!! We know you’re going to have a wonderful time and will fall in love with our beautiful country. There are a couple of things you might not know about driving in South Africa, so to help you prepare fully for your trip, here are a few helpful holiday hacks and hints:

Download Before You Hit The Road

In some of the more remote places in South Africa, data speeds are slow. In fact, you may not have 4G at all, or even a cellphone signal, for that matter. So, before you leave home, download to your smartphone any maps you might need for your holiday. And make sure your Maps app is as up to date as possible. Even in those areas where you have connectivity, road names may have changed.

Rules Are Cool

Yes, we know you’re on holiday. But a hefty fine for a traffic violation could put a dent in your spending money so it’s worth take a few minutes to brush up on local road rules and regs:

• Carry your international and national driver’s licenses with you whenever you’re driving. You will definitely need both these documents in order to hire a car in the first place.
• We drive on the left-hand side of the road in South Africa. On dual carriageways and highways, keep in the left-hand lane and use the right-hand lane for overtaking.
• All speed limits are in kilometres – 120 kms/hr on major routes (although slower speeds are common in high accident zones or when passing through towns or villages), 100kms/hr on secondary roads, and 60kms/hr on urban roads.
• It is compulsory to wear seatbelts in the front and back seats.
• Talking on your phone while driving is illegal unless you have Bluetooth or a hands-free kit.
• The maximum legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%.
• Four-way stops are common. The first vehicle to arrive should be the first to leave, but this is not always adhered to. Drive cautiously through these intersections.
• At roundabouts, give way to the right. Again, exercise caution as driver’s don’t always observe this rule.

Learn The Lingo

No, don’t panic! There are 11 official languages in South Africa, but English is widely spoken and understood. There are, however, a few unique “South-Africanisms” you may encounter on our roads…

• Robots – This is actually what we call traffic lights! So if someone tells you to “turn left at the robot,” don’t think he’s lost his mind!
• Bakkie – the local word for a utility vehicle or pick up truck.
• Minibus taxi – the 15-seater vehicles that make up the majority of South Africa’s public transport system.
• Padkos – collective term for food and drink for your road trip.
• Takkies – usually a term for sports shoes or trainers. However, it is sometimes used to describe vehicle tyres – “look at the takkies on that bakkie!”

Being Po-light

You might find that sometimes, motorists coming towards you flash their headlights. This most commonly means that you are approaching a speed trap so should slow down. It could also, however, mean there is another hazard coming your way. Perhaps a herd of cattle or goats crossing the road. This is actually quite common, especially in more rural areas.

Drivers often also flash their lights if they are coming up behind you at speed and want you to move over (to the left) to allow them to pass. Often, on single lane, long distance roads, motorists will temporarily move over onto the hard shoulder to allow the faster vehicle to pass. This is not the law, and is not even strictly allowed, but is a common practice. It should only ever be done, however, when the hard shoulder is clear for a long way. And of course, should never be attempted on a blind incline.

If a driver pulls over for you to pass, it’s customary to thank him by switching on your emergency indicators for a couple of flashes. He will then usually acknowledge your thanks with a quick flash of his headlights.

More Helpful Information

There are some very useful websites you can visit to find out more about road travel in South Africa, as well as some general safety hints and tips and other really handy info:

• Arrive Alive https://www.arrivealive.co.za
• The South African National Roads Agency Limited https://www.nra.co.za
• The Automobile Association of South Africa https://www.aa.co.za

If you’re looking for a car hire company to start your South African road trip off in style, chat to SA Car Hire.  With over 20 years in the business, you can trust us to make your holiday in our beautiful country a truly memorable one.

The post Just Tripping – Making The Most Of Your South African Road Trip appeared first on Tony's Car Hire.

Saint Augustine said, “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” And who is ever satisfied with only reading one page?

Travel broadens our horizons and enriches our experiences. It can also, however, leave a sizeable dent in our wallets! This is why camping your way around a new country is the ideal solution. Especially if that country is South Africa. Swapping Suburbia for sleeping bags is as easy as pitching a tent. Even easier, in fact, if your tent-pitching skills are a little rusty!

South Africa is extremely camping-friendly. Locals and visitors alike love to make the most of the wonderful camping facilities we have to offer. In 2016, caravan parks and camping sites recorded the highest year-on-year growth in income at 31,4%, followed by lodges, bed-and-breakfast and self-catering establishments, which showed an 18,7% growth rate.

Camping Countrywide

South Africa has, literally, thousands of campsites located all over the country. Many of these are in our national parks, but there are also many others situated in scenic spots in, or close to, towns. It’s advisable to do a little research before choosing your campsites. Some of the sites in smaller, less “touristy” towns are possibly not as well maintained or secure as others. Most municipal sites in coastal areas are usually really good, as these are popular spots with tourists.

Campsites usually take the form of private caravan parks, municipally-run parks, or semi-government parks, such as those run by the South African National Parks. In all but the most remote campsites, you’ll find spots supplied with electricity. Most also have communal ablution facilities with hot and cold running water.

In most of the sites in the national parks, there are shared kitchen facilities for washing up (although some may also have stoves). Some sites may also have laundry amenities. The bigger camping spots also usually have shops selling basic grocery provisions and, of course, charcoal and wood for the mandatory “braai!” That’s a barbeque for all you South Africa newbies!

Virtually every spot in every campsite has its own braai facilities, although you may need to bring your own grid. Sometimes, you can get them from the campsite’s main office, usually for a refundable deposit.

Of course, if you’re looking for more of a “back to the wild” experience, there are also plenty of those to be found! Many camping spots in the more remote parts of South Africa have no electricity or hot water. They also don’t have an on-site store, so you need to bring all your food and drink supplies with you.

South African Camping Know-How

Camping in South Africa is different in some ways to camping in, say, Europe. It may not, for example, occur to you to bring a heavy mallet or hammer with you! Why? Because you’ll need one to bang tent pegs into hard, dry ground! And yes, we know hard, dry ground in Europe isn’t really a thing!

Here are a couple of other useful hints to help make sure your South African camping holiday is enjoyable and hassle-free:

• Camping is much cheaper than other holiday accommodation and many of the more popular sites get booked up early. So, try to reserve your camping spot as far ahead of time as you can. The majority of sites have online booking and paying facilities, and you might even be able to reserve a particular site.
• Find out as much as you can about the facilities available, and pack accordingly. Read the website or phone the campsite directly.
• Many parts of South Africa get extremely hot in the summer months. Try to choose a campsite that has lots of shady trees.
• On the other hand, some parts of South Africa get extremely cold in the winter, and snow is common in certain areas – particularly in the high-lying areas such as the Drakensberg. Make sure you’re properly equipped for below-freezing overnight temperatures.
• If you’re hiring an off-road or 4×4 vehicle, inquire about the possibility of equipping it with a rooftop tent. This is especially useful if you plan to camp in a remote spot where nocturnal animal activity may be a consideration.
• Always remember to properly extinguish your campfire before going to bed. This is especially important in the dry months, as a gust of wind could blow an ember onto parched grass and start a potentially devastating fire.
• If you’re camping in a game reserve, always make sure you pack away all your food and properly dispose of your rubbish before leaving camp for the day. Baboons and other animals are common visitors and will scavenge food that hasn’t been properly stowed.

Benefits of Camping

If you’re still not convinced that camping is for you, here’s a little extra persuasion. Camping is not only fun, but also offers many great health and family benefits. Here are just a few:

No Screens

We all think our children spend too much time in front of screens, but we adults are equally as guilty! If you find it hard to put down your phone, then camping can definitely help!

Many campsites have little cell phone reception. There may be some initial horror, but it will pass, trust us! After that, you’ll find that surviving without constant Facebook and Instagram updates is actually possible. In fact, it’s pretty amazing! Without constant technological distractions, you can reconnect with your family, and yourself.

Fresh Air

Trees, and plants in general are fantastic producers of high-quality oxygen. Most campsites have abundant trees and plants, and passionate campers often talk about “getting drunk” on the air. Take a deep breath of the fresh air of your campsite and you’ll know what they mean. We all need a break from the pollution and rancid air that we breathe every day. Healthy air makes us feel happier and lighter.

Better Sleep

You might think there’s no way you’ll sleep better on the ground in a tent than you will at home. But the truth is, camping holidays are usually quite active, so our bodies are tired at the end of the day. Add this to the fresh air and absence of blue light from our tech devices (which interrupts our Circadian rhythms), and you’ve a failsafe recipe for a good night’s sleep!

At SA Car Hire, we know that when you visit South Africa on holiday, it’s impossible to bring everything with you that you need for a fun camping holiday. This is why, in addition to car hire, we also offer a wide range of camping equipment for hire! We’ve got everything you need, from tents and tables to cookers, coolboxes and cups. And pretty much everything in between!

For a fuss-free, fun camping holiday in South Africa, contact us today.

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