Car rental in South Africa

Rent a budget car from 7€/day · Electric cars start at 26€/day · Convertibles from 43€/day

Drive Through South Africa: All the Info You Need for a Smooth Rental Experience

Car rental in South Africa

Embarking on a road trip through South Africa is an adventure of a lifetime, offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural experiences. At Bookingautos, we're committed to making your car rental experience as smooth as possible, allowing you to focus on the journey ahead. Here's everything you need to know to ensure a hassle-free drive through this stunning country.

Choosing the Right Vehicle

South Africa's varied terrain demands careful consideration when selecting your rental car. For city exploration and well-maintained highways, a standard sedan will suffice. However, if you're planning to venture into rural areas or national parks like the famous Kruger National Park, opt for a sturdy SUV or 4x4 vehicle.

Documentation and Requirements

To rent a car in South Africa, you'll need:

  • A valid driver's license (in English or with an International Driving Permit)
  • Passport
  • Credit card in the main driver's name
  • Proof of insurance (often included in the rental, but always double-check)

Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 23 years old, though some may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee.

Navigating South African Roads

South Africa drives on the left side of the road. While major highways are well-maintained, rural roads can be challenging. Always be prepared for:

  • Wildlife crossings, especially in rural areas
  • Varying road conditions, from modern highways to unpaved tracks
  • Potential security concerns in certain urban areas (avoid driving at night in unfamiliar locations)

Fuel and Distances

Plan your route carefully, as distances between towns can be vast. Most rental cars run on unleaded petrol or diesel. Fuel stations are plentiful in urban areas and along major routes, but can be scarce in rural regions. Always keep your tank at least half full when venturing into remote areas.

With proper planning and the right vehicle, your South African road trip can be an unforgettable experience. From the stunning Garden Route to the rugged beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains, the open road beckons. Let Bookingautos help you find the perfect car rental deal to start your adventure on the right foot.

Video Guide for Travelers

A Journey Through South Africa by Car: The Best Road Trip Routes

Exploring South Africa by a rented car is an unforgettable adventure that allows you to experience the country's diverse landscapes, rich culture, and stunning wildlife at your own pace. With well-maintained roads and breathtaking scenery, South Africa is a road tripper's paradise. Here are some of the best routes to consider for your South African road trip:

The Garden Route

This iconic coastal drive stretches from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, offering a perfect blend of pristine beaches, lush forests, and charming towns. Key stops along the way include:

  • Hermanus for whale watching
  • Knysna for its picturesque lagoon
  • Tsitsikamma National Park for hiking and bungee jumping
  • Addo Elephant National Park for wildlife viewing

The Panorama Route

Located in Mpumalanga province, this scenic drive showcases some of South Africa's most spectacular natural wonders. Highlights include:

  • Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest green canyons
  • God's Window, offering panoramic views of the lowveld
  • Bourke's Luck Potholes, a series of natural rock formations
  • The quaint gold rush town of Pilgrim's Rest

The Wild Coast

This rugged stretch of coastline in the Eastern Cape provides a less-traveled but equally rewarding road trip experience. Your rental car will take you through rolling hills, traditional Xhosa villages, and unspoiled beaches. Don't miss:

  • Coffee Bay and the famous Hole in the Wall rock formation
  • Port St. Johns, known as the "Jewel of the Wild Coast"
  • Mdumbi Beach for surfing and tranquility

When planning your South African road trip, be sure to book your vehicle through a reputable car rental search engine like Bookingautos. This will ensure you get the best deal and a reliable vehicle for your journey. Remember to drive on the left side of the road and always be aware of wildlife, especially when traveling through rural areas or national parks.

With its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and abundant wildlife, a road trip through South Africa promises to be an adventure of a lifetime. So buckle up, hit the road, and prepare to create unforgettable memories in this beautiful country.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Budget

Most popular car class

Mini

Average price

24 € / Day

Best price

17 € / Day

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January
€158
February
€114
March
€105
April
€131
May
€151
June
€182
July
€178
August
€168
September
€143
October
€151
November
€143
December
€219

Popular car rental places in South Africa

Required documents for rental cars

Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental

Download desired area of Google maps for offline access

The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.

South Africa 1

Book a car in advance

South Africa is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in South Africa. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.

Which car to choose

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Audi A1 or Opel Astra. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Renault Megane Estate in South Africa will cost €31 per day.

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance recommendations

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

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What types of insurance are available for car rental?

  • Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
  • Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms

When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting South Africa for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.

South Africa 3

Unlimited mileage

According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.

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Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in South Africa, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

How to choose a rental company

When renting a car in South Africa, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.

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If we talk about the best companies in South Africa, then it is worth highlighting EUROPCAR with a rating 9.9 and BUDGET, the average rating of which is 8.9 points.

Getting a car at a rental office

You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.

Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.

Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.

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Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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