Renting a car in South Africa: essential tips & everything you need to know
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
South Africa is a huge country—around 30 times larger than the Netherlands. Renting a car is therefore not only very convenient, but almost essential. Distances that may look short on the map can easily take several hours to drive, and public transport and taxis are not as widely available as they are in many European countries.
On top of that, South Africa is one of the best destinations in the world for road trips and self-drive safaris. Because some things work a little differently here, renting and driving a car can feel a bit intimidating at first. That's why we've put together these practical tips based on our own experiences.
Is it safe to drive in South Africa?
In general, driving in South Africa is safe, but there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First of all: never leave anything visible in your car. South Africa has high levels of poverty in certain areas and if people think there is something valuable inside, they may break into the vehicle. Make sure bags, cameras and other belongings are always taken with you.
You'll also notice a lot of hitchhikers along the roads, especially near larger cities. While most people probably don't have bad intentions, tourists are generally advised not to pick up strangers.
In busy cities, it's also common to see people selling items or asking for money at traffic lights. For that reason, we always make sure the doors are locked while driving.
It's also worth paying attention to where you park. When we picked up our rental car, the rental company even advised us not to leave valuables in the car when parking on the streets of Cape Town. In secure hotel parking areas or places such as Camps Bay, this is generally less of a concern.
Roads in South Africa
Another important tip is to research your routes beforehand and, whenever possible, drive during daylight hours. Not every road is considered equally safe, especially around some urban areas. It's therefore worth checking your route in advance rather than blindly following your navigation system.
That being said, the roads themselves are generally in very good condition and are well maintained. On some longer routes you'll come across toll roads, but overall driving in South Africa is very comfortable.
For us, driving around the country was one of the highlights of the trip. The scenery changes constantly and there is always something beautiful to see along the way.
Driving on the left side of the road
One of the biggest adjustments for most visitors is that South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. It sounds more difficult than it actually is because everything inside the car is reversed as well. Still, it took us a few hours to get used to it. More than once we accidentally switched on the windscreen wipers when we wanted to indicate a turn!
Roundabouts also work the opposite way, which feels slightly strange at first.
If you're collecting your rental car at the airport, it can be helpful to spend a few minutes getting familiar with the car before heading into traffic.
Traffic Rules in South Africa
Most traffic rules are fairly similar to those in Europe. One thing you'll notice quickly is the large number of stop signs. Unlike in some countries where drivers roll through them, you are expected to come to a complete stop before continuing. This is something that is regularly enforced. Speed limits are also taken seriously.
Another thing we noticed is the local driving etiquette on single-lane roads. If a faster vehicle wants to overtake, drivers often move slightly onto the shoulder to create space. Once they've passed, it's common for them to briefly flash their hazard lights as a way of saying thank you. It may seem unusual at first, but you'll see it happen all over the country.
Parking in South Africa
Parking is generally straightforward and often free. In Cape Town, however, you'll regularly encounter parking attendants. In many areas, each street seems to have its own attendant who keeps an eye on the parked cars. They'll often help you find a parking spot, guide you while reversing and even stop traffic to help you leave safely. It's customary to give them a small tip when you return to your car.
Refuelling in South Africa
One thing we really liked is that fuel stations are fully serviced. You don't need to get out of the car to fill up. An attendant will do everything for you, including processing the payment.
They may also clean your windscreen while you're there, especially if it's dusty after a long drive.
Just like with parking attendants, it's common to leave a small tip as a thank you for the service.
Do you need an international driving permit?
Although a Dutch driving licence is generally accepted in South Africa, we would still recommend obtaining an International Driving Permit before your trip. It's inexpensive, easy to arrange and can be useful when dealing with rental companies or if you're ever stopped by the police.
What type of rental car do you need?
Every time we've rented a car in South Africa, we've chosen one of the smaller models.
We find them easier to drive in busy cities, easier to park and usually more affordable.
We personally book through Sunny Cars because the insurance is included, the pricing is clear and reservations can often be cancelled free of charge up until shortly before departure.
If you're planning to visit Kruger National Park, a small car is usually perfectly fine as well. However, some travellers prefer a larger vehicle or SUV for the slightly higher seating position during game drives.
