INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
Travelling by Car in South Africa
Self Drive Holidays in South Africa
Self-drive South African holidays are enormously popular thanks to the excellent roads and good road signage throughout the most of the country. The lure of the open road, wide open spaces beneath a blue bowl of sky and often minimal traffic (once you’re out of the cities and suburbs) encourage many thousands of visitors to explore South Africa by car each year. Even the gravel and untarred roads are usually in good condition.
By the way - parking in South Africa is always only legal if you park in the same direction as the traffic. In some countries such as the UK it is legal to park on the opposite side of the road but this is not the case here and you will probably be fined for this. You have been warned!
South African Petrol Stations
Foreigners often find our petrol (gas) prices compare favourably with what they are used to back home. As a first time visitor to this country you may be pleasantly surprised at the level of service offered at South African petrol stations (known locally as garages). Friendly petrol station attendants handle all required services – from filling your fuel tank and monitoring oil and water levels to checking tyre pressure and often cleaning your windscreen.
Garages accept cash or South African Garage Cards as payment. Unlike Europe, they do not accept general credit cards at all. However one or two petrol companies accept specific credit cards, but this is not yet sufficiently widespread to assist international tourists. So don’t be caught out – be sure you have sufficient cash to fill up at a petrol station when travelling long distances. It is customary to pay a tip of around R5 to the attendant.
South African Car Hire
NOTE: As of 12 October 2010, it is compulsory for SA vehicles to have reflective red triangles to be used in case of emergency. Failure to comply could lead to a fine of R500. Full details at http://travelblog.portfoliocollection.com/Blog/Emergency-Triangles-Now-Compulsory-for-SA-Motorists-
