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Advices for Car Trips
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Advices for Car Trips through South Africa
37. In suburban areas and in remote districts of some large cities, robbers have become a serious threat to drivers. When leaving a car at a parking lot, even if the lot is paid and secured, it is not recommended to leave any valuables inside.
38. On the road, in no case should drivers stop in deserted places or pick up travellers. The probability of becoming a victim of robbers and thieves is very high. Foreign visitors are recommended to avoid rides to desert areas in the evening and at night.
39. If you need to travel in the evening, you should follow a number of precautions. Having got into the car, you should immediately lock all the doors and raise the glass in the windows. Do not close the windows completely. It is better to leave them a couple of centimeters open as this way the glass will be much harder to break than when fully closed.
40. Tourists, who plan to make long distance rides, are recommended to get a tire pumping spray can. The reason is that it is not safe to repair wheels on the road.
41. Local burglars often scatter sharp objects on deserted roads, hoping to "entrap" foreigners. If you were unlucky enough to puncture the tire, you should drive from that place as far as possible, quickly pump up the flat tire with the spray can and move on.
Renting a Car in South Africa - Recommendations
If you need a car with an automatic transmission, it is recommended to book it in advance. Cars with automatic transmissions are often sparse in South Africa, so the rental confirmation may take a longer period.
When selecting a specific model for traveling throughout South Africa, we recommend to take into consideration some practical apects. If you are going to drive mostly in the cities, then a car of a small size is preferable, while for long distance trips (and trips in the mountains) we recommend to choose a larger and more powerful car.
Prior your car retrun, please clean the salon from a garbage, and do not forget to take away all your belongings from the passenger compartment.
At the car return time, please ask the officer to make a visual inspection of the vehicle for defects and to sign the acceptance report. Keep the invoice and the acceptance report for next few months.
For a car rental options in South Africa, we advise you to check OrangeSmile.com actual offers in the orange search form at the top. We guarantee that you would not be able to find better rates anywhere else!
43. Drivers will often meet locals who offer to help in finding a free parking space. As a rule, these people stand along busy roads in some cities. It is not recommended to use the services of such “parking workers” because there is no guarantee of safety of the car. Simply give them a small tip (1 - 2 rand), thank for the offer and politely refuse.
44. It is enough to have a driving license of another country for foreign drivers to be allowed to drive in the country, but the license must be translated into English. You must also always have the vehicle certificate and insurance, if any.
45. As public transport in the country is used by dark-skinned people only, for “whites” the car remains the only means of transport. It is literally impossible to find a white resident without a private vehicle.
46. Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW, as well as older models of Mercedes, are the most frequently seen cars on the roads of major cities. These cars are the most popular in the country. Such brands as Renault, Peugeot and Citroen are also rather widespread, but Audi is not popular with local motorists.
47. In South Africa, more than 30% of roads are paved. They are distinguished by quality of surface and equipment. All major highways are equipped with all necessary traffic signs, so driving on them is not difficult.
48. However, some road signs that are usual for foreign drivers are extremely rare in the country. For example, the “main road” sign is rather rare on local roads.
50. Black women are often called the most undisciplined drivers on local roads. They rarely accompany their maneuvers with appropriate light signals, so it is better to expect literally anything from them. Experienced drivers are recommended to keep as far as possible from such drivers.
51. Taxi and bus drivers are another potential source of problem as they are also likely to make very sudden and unexpected maneuvers. Fixed run taxis often exceed the permitted speed and cut in front of other cars.
52. There are many picturesque roads that may attract the attention of curious travelers, but tourists are recommended to visit the road that connects Porth Elizabeth and Mussels Bay. The road runs along the Indian Ocean coast and is particularly popular with fans of natural places of interest.
53. Travelers, who are not indifferent to local wine, will be surely interested in making a ride in the outskirts of Cape Town. Many roads will lead motorists to popular wineries. The route of such "wine road" is better to plan in advance.
54. Many remarkable and beautiful roads are located at the Cape of Good Hope. Some roads that pass through its territory have rather an unusual road sign - "warning, penguins". These representatives of the local fauna often appear on the road. It should be noted that there are no such signs anywhere else in the world.
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