Car hire
South Africa
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Car hire in South Africa with SIXT
Car hire in South Africa is essential if you want to visit the best tourist attractions in a country five times the size of the UK, with thousands of miles separating the major cities. Thankfully SIXT has it all covered, with branches in different provinces and major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria. We offer affordable luxury: first-class vehicles at economy prices, with each on average only three months old. We have models appropriate for this expansive country – from a tough 4x4 to a city saloon, and everything in-between. Our dedicated team are on hand and all speak English to help you any time along the way.
SIXT services in South Africa
Our car hire in South Africa is tailored to the country’s long distances, and we offer long-term rental or weekly rental, as well as daily offers perfect for business trips. When it comes to choosing a model, we have all you need, from versatile MPVs that can take you from the city streets to the many nature reserves, convertibles in which to soak up the glorious summer weather and minibuses for larger groups. Some of the city streets can get quite congested – for that we have compact and economy models. A sat nav is useful in SA, available as an extra, along with other accessories like child seats.
Best places to visit in South Africa
- Cape Town: The most famous tourist city in SA, offers many highlights. Start at Kloof Street and hop the bars and restaurants all the way into Long Street. For a driving treat, go along the coastal roads to Camps Bay and Clifton for their world-famous beaches and nightlife. A hike through Kirstenbosch Gardens to the top of Table Mountain is almost mandatory.
- Johannesburg: The economic hub of the country as well as the Cradle of Humankind, just an hour’s drive into the nearby Magaliesburg area, you can see some of the oldest human fossils ever discovered. Take a tour of the colourful Soweto township for a real slice of African life or visit the Apartheid Museum on Constitutional Hill in the Braamfontein suburb, next to the city centre.
- Durban: This city is known for uShaka Marine World, a huge aquarium complex on the main beachfront. The Botanical Gardens are also worth visiting, as is the historical Point Road dockland area. If you drive a little out of the city, you’ll enter the Midlands area, with miles of rolling verdant hillsides dotted with traditional Zulu villages.
Summer in South Africa
UK summer is wintertime in South Africa, but don’t think that Africa doesn’t get cold: inland regions in SA can reach -7 Celsius. Winter is the best time to visit the famous Kruger National Park in the far north, which can get too hot in other times of the year. Or hire a car in South Africa to drive through the bleakly beautiful Karoo and experience rural culture. The East Coast has a warmer subtropical climate, so head for Coffee Bay to enjoy unspoilt nature in the gorgeous Transkei region.
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*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in South Africa. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in South Africa
Credit cards are accepted from leading companies, e.g. American Express, Mastercard etc., however, cash, cheques and debit cards are not.
Always drive on the left, some major roads will only have to lanes for long stretches, make sure it is safe to pass slower vehicles in front of you, and move aside for those behind.
You do not need an International Driving Permit if the licence is valid and in English, non-English licences must have an accurate translation with the original.
Currently you are not able to cross into these countries with a rental car: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. Always enquire ahead if you plan to cross borders in Africa.
Cancellation is free and easy, simply select ‘pay later’ while booking, then you can pay on arrival and cancel any time up to the booking day.
In South Africa the minimum age for car hire is 23 years old; you must hold a valid licence for at least two years though, and the selection of cars may be limited.
