UA Fan

Thanks, would it be enough to just take all the insurance that the car rental offers or should I get additional?

Gardyloo

Have done it a couple of times, also 1000s of KM elsewhere - pretty much zigzagged the country except the N2 along the Wild Coast. Not a problem; good roads for the most part. Watch out for minibus taxis and pedestrians, animals in rural areas (as in cows) and potholes here and there, but generally an easy go. I'd allow 5 hours from JNB to the Blyde River area; could be less.

UA Fan

Would any of you Yanks or foreigners recomend taking a tank of gas with me?

UA Fan

What are the other differences between road rules between the US and SA? Does SA have the turn left on red rule and don't turn right on green till opposing traffic has moved?

UA Fan

If I was to drive from Nelspruit to Blyde area how many kms would it be?

nyc123zoe55

While I was studying with my friend at UCT we took a road trip through Southern Africa. We drove through South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique. We are two young females doing all the driving alone, and we had no problems.
We had one traffic fine in Swaziland that was about $7.

> We never drove when it was pitch dark outside.
> We kept our purses in the trunk (boot) of the car
> If you are crossing the border be sure you know the hours some shut down early.
> When we saw a station we always filled up with gas.
> We had extra money for the toll brides, they add up.

I have driven alone through Cape Town and I have had no problems. If you lock your doors, and try to park in well lit areas then you should be ok.

Gardyloo

Ha ha. Buy it as you go; the price is not that much higher than in the US. Note the previous warning that you can't use credit cards at the stations, but there are almost always ATMs inside, as well as clean loos, usually mini-marts and fast food restaurants, and other amenities. Look for the modern stations on the edges of towns, or roadside along the freeways. It's customary to tip the pump attendants a few Rand on top of the bill.

I always use UK rules and haven't gotten a ticket yet. (Famous last words.) There's a lot of slow traffic that usually stays on the hard shoulder. Drivers are very courteous and there's lots of headlight and tail-light flashing as you pass and are passed. That said, there are also a lot of too-fast drivers and inexperienced ones, so stay alert. I try not to drive after dark due to livestock in the road and variable pavement conditions.

Around 120 km depending on where in the canyon. Allow 90 min - 2 hrs depending on route. Note the Panoramic Route (God's Window, 3 Rondavels etc.) is really worth slowing down and savoring.

http://www.shellgeostar.co.za/

aisleorwindow

Agreed. I LOVE this practice in S. Africa. I wish Americans would do this. The shoulders are so wide, most of the time you don't even need to slow down to let someone pass. I always kept an eye on the rearview mirror to ensure I wasn't slowing anyone up. Without exception, I would get a blinker "thank you." ^

UA Fan

bump...

nyc123zoe55

I would go for the extra insurance. You are driving on the opposite side of the rode with new elements thrown in. I think extra insurance especially is S.A. is a good idea.

Look at the contract some companies do not cover damage done on a gravel or non paved road. Study the contract and know what the insurance will cover.

UA Fan

Has anyone here done a self-drive through a wildlife park like Kruger? I am considering it, but nervous at the thought of driving with my wife in an animal country. Do rental companies prohibit driving on unpaved roads?

Also I am thinking of staying in Hazyview and driving from the Numbi Gate to the Malalene Gate. Would this be a good drive?

This website says it is 4 hrs for the above drive. Is it true/reliable?

http://www.african-safari-journals.c...onal-park.html

UA Fan

What does "stopstreet" mean? I see this under directions for this hostel:

http://www.roomsforafrica.com/establishment.do?id=2929

simon stingray

A stopstreet is just a junction/crossroads where there is a STOP sign.

Gardyloo

Driving through Kruger is no big deal; you're allowed to take rental cars on gravel roads, but of course check out the terms and conditions of your rental contract before heading out. Just stay in your car and you'll be fine. Depending on your itinerary, Addo Elephant Park at the north end of the Garden Route is also great park for self-drive safaris.

Travel times within Kruger are pretty long - it's a big place and there are plenty of reasons to stop (e.g. elephants in the road) and the speed limits are set low.

I don't know about staying in Hazyview. Why not look at the lodging choices at Skukuza camp inside the park? They're quite affordable and there are plenty of visitor services close by. http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/skukuza/

Of course, driving through Kruger is not the same sort of experience as a guided safari where the vehicles can go off-road or do night drives (not inside Kruger but in the private reserves abutting.)

UA Fan

i am thinking of driving from Graskop to Paul Kruger gate at 5AM, would I encounter drunks, pedestrians, and animals?

Also in July what time does the sun rise and set?