Car Rentals

With the world renowned Kruger National Park, Sun City Resort and the incredible views of

the Panorama Route all within a couple hours car drive of each other there is no shortage of

things to see and do in Gauteng. Car hire or camper van rental, then seems like the obvious

option for all travelers touring the wonderful capital province of South Africa on holiday. It

not only allows you the flexibility and independence to determine your own tour but travel

at your pace and absorb as much of South Africa as you can.

Whether you hire a car from one of the reputable Gauteng Car Rental Companies, Car Hire

Agents or perhaps decide to use public transport to get around, here is a sample of what

Gauteng Province has to offer its visitors to wet your appetite.

Johannesburg

The enormous metropolis of Johannesburg is the biggest city in South Africa and is flavored

with our vibrant and diverse cultures as well as South Africa’s popular street culture. The

City is also renowned for its incredibly tumultuous political and historical anti-apartheid

tradition. Visitors should take advantage of the many interesting museums, historical

monuments and heritage sites which abound throughout the city.

Kruger National Park

Five hours drive from Johannesburg is South Africa’s premier National Conservation

Reserve, the Kruger National Park. Spanning over 350 km, the Kruger National Park is a

nature lover’s paradise and has one of the most diverse and spectacular collections of

wildlife, bird species and flora to be found in South Africa. There are plenty of car friendly

routes and trails to explore throughout the park as well as the chance to hop onto some

great game drives or enjoy a huge variety of adventure activities.

Panorama Route

The natural splendor and grand scenery of Mpumalanga’s Panorama route is the ideal

setting for any Gauteng car hire, self-drive or camping holiday in South Africa. The route

includes the enchanting historical town of Pilgrim’s Rest, God’s Window Viewpoint as well

as the quirky natural phenomena of the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. There is plenty

to experience, explore and savor in these main attractions as well as some great finds along

the way.

Sun City Resort

Just outside of Johannesburg, is the spectacular Sun City Hotel and Resort and its many

fantastic attractions, golf courses and accommodation. With the man-made Valley of the

Waves, Lost City Casino and a number of spas and trips to nearby game reserves Sun City

Resort is the ideal getaway for those travelers looking for a pampered and catered retreat

or a more luxurious South African holiday experience.

There are plenty more great attractions and activities for you to take advantage of in and

around Gauteng. Car hire is probably the best way to experience the province as public

transport in town can often be quite unreliable and unsafe.

Renting a car in Gauteng is a no hassle, pain-free process Cape and can be completed both

online and/or telephonically depending on the car rental operator you choose. Once you

have confirmed your booking, your car will be ready and waiting for you to collect and

begin your idyllic Gauteng holiday blazing a trail or retreating to a more luxurious resort.

But be warned the summer time is peak travel season with huge influxes of both local and

international tourists so be sure to budget time to explore the various Gauteng car hire

options and book your rental early to avoid frustration.

Drive South Africa provides Car rental Johannesburg

The busiest airport on the African continent, OR Tambo International, also know as Johannesburg International Airport, sees high traffic volumes pass through her terminal gates. Business travelers and tourists alike are faced with the same decision upon landing: How do I get from OR Tambo to my destination? The four most common choices are Johannesburg Airport car rental, hotel shuttle bus services, metered taxis, other minibus services and the Gautrain.

Each service has its merits, below is a brief explanation of each service.

Johannesburg Airport Car Rental

Experienced travelers and regular visitors to Johannesburg often choose Johannesburg Airport car rental as their primary option for independent and flexible travel. With almost every car rental supplier represented at Jo’burg International it’s easy to pick up of a vehicle that suits your taste, budget and itinerary. Ensure you have your credit card with you when renting a car from Johannesburg International Airport to cover the deposits required when hiring a car.

Hotel Shuttle Bus Service

If you are staying in hotel accommodation in Johannesburg, enquire about their airport shuttle service, most hotels offer this as standard. If you wish to make use of this point-to-point transfer let the hotel know your arrival time and flight details.

Metered Taxis

Considerably more expensive than a shuttle service, but more flexible, metered taxis are useful when Hotels don’t offer a shuttle service. Metered taxis are available at OR Tambo located outside arrivals; look for the cars with lit ‘taxi’ signs on the roof.

Other minibus services

These are similar to the hotel minibus transfer service, offering a transport option at a cheaper rate than metered taxis. These minibuses service key areas of Johannesburg. It’s worth booking this service at a kiosk in the arrivals hall to ensure you receive a regulated service, the informal minibus services at the airport vary in terms of quality and reliability.

The Gautrain

New, shiny, fast and slick. The Gautrain, when complete, will link Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport in a high-speed network. At present only the Sandton to OR Tambo portion of the network is open.

If you are looking for transport beyond a transfer from OR Tambo, Johannesburg Airport car hire makes the most sense, giving you unrestricted access to the metropolis that is the financial hub of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Author Bio:

This article was written for Drive South Africa talking about the different types of Johannesburg Airport Car Rental.

Road trips, scenic journeys and sight seeing drives are available in abundance in Cape Town. Car hire is an easy and independent means of exploring the vibrant city and the surrounding peninsula, winelands and nearby towns. [Read more…] about Car Hire Cape Town

These days, many people consider a car to be more of a necessity than a luxury. Gone are the days when only the rich and privileged had cars. Now, having a car is almost as important as having a job. In fact, many companies actually request that anybody applying for a job have their own car. So, since your car is such an important part of your everyday life, you have to take care of it.

When maintaining your car, tyres are an important aspect that should not to be overlooked. Since they’re rubber, a bit of wear and tear is to be expected but properly maintained tyres are something that your car cannot do without. Tyres do not last forever and when the time comes to replace them, it is important that you buy the right ones.

Tyre shopping is not as easy as walking into a shop and picking out the prettiest set though. There are certain things you need to consider when shopping for tyres:

• Is safety your main concern?
• Are you looking for durable tyres that last longer but may cost more?
• Do you want a more comfortable ride?
• Are the tyres for a person al car or a commercial vehicle?
• Where is the car driven most of the time?
• Are you looking for style or sport?
• Are you concerned about fuel efficiency?
• Do you feel more comfortable with a brand name tyre like Bridgestone tyres?

Safety should be your main concern when it comes to buying new tyres, so don’t take any chances. Tubeless tyres are far safer than tube tyres. You should always opt for branded tyres, like Bridgestone tyres, as they are tried and tested and have been around for years.

Comfort is another factor when it comes to choosing new tyres. For added comfort, pick a soft compound tyre. This tyre, however, won’t last as long as a hard compound tyre. These types of tyre are best suited to commercial vehicles used to carry heavy loads at lower speeds.

A good set of alloy wheels and nice tyres will make your car look good but remember that looks can be deceiving.  Tyres which look attractive may have drawbacks like increased road noise and reduced grip, particularly on gravel or muddy roads.

Some tyres can actually increase the fuel efficiency of your car. So, if fuel efficiency is a highly desirable factor when you’re shopping for tyres, silica based tyres can help by bringing down rolling resistance. This can increase the fuel efficiency of your car by up to 10%.

Remember that you can always change tyre brands if you feel they are not delivering the performance you’re looking for, you do not have to stick to the brand of your previous tyre.

Buying tyres is a serious affair that should not be done on a whim. Take the advice of professionals and decide what you need out of your tyre.

Author bio

This article was written by First Stop Tyre Experts and offers advice on shopping for tyres, including Bridgestone tyres.

With FIFA World Cup fever mounting, car hire in South Africa is fast becoming one of the most popular options for getting around the country, with many travellers opting for this alternative to traditional tours. Self-drive travel is an ideal way to explore the country at your own pace, by hiring a car for the duration of your stay or for a week or two if you need to get from A to B without having to rely on public transport or lifts from your hosts.

To ensure that your trip is memorable and rewarding, it is always important to keep a few important things in mind when planning a self-drive adventure:

1. Always make sure that you follow safety procedures. That means you should know and follow the rules of the road at all times. In South Africa, cars drive on the left hand side of the road, and traffic can be very busy at times – especially with mini-bus taxis causing mayhem on the main roads. It is therefore essential to how to navigate these busy roads and to drive carefully and slowly at all times. It is also a good idea to avoid known dangerous areas. Try to find out about the areas you wish to visit before after you have arranged your vehicle hire, this will help you know which areas are safest to travel through and which should be avoided.

1. Make sure that you have an up to date road map. A good street map is essential to find your way around the cities and towns of South Africa without getting lost. In this country, road names can change every year, so it is important to have a current map that is as recent as 2009 or even 2010 to ensure that it is accurate. If you have a mobile phone with a GPS system, or a separate GPS, this will be a huge help. A good road map will be just as good however, as long as it is current.

1. Decide on the best car hire options to consider. First, determine what sort of travel you will mostly be doing during your stay. If you are planning to stick to the main cities and towns and need a basic car to get you around, then a small Group L car such as a City Golf will be ideal. If you want to spend more time exploring the countryside and the great outdoors to enjoy camping or adventure sports however, then a Group L car such as a Kia Sportage 2×4 would be your best bet.

1. Plan your budget and time limits. You may decide that you will need a vehicle for your entire stay, or you may need a car for a shorter duration such as a weekend or few days of your trip. Plan your budget and decide how much you can afford to spend on vehicle rental, and then you can work out the length of time you will need a vehicle. A little bit of planning will go a long way in ensuring that your adventure goes smoothly.

1. Create your own adventure. As one of the most thrilling and adventurous ways to travel, self-drive travel allows you to see and do the things that interest you most rather than doing the things that the tour guide says you should do. With car rental in South Africa, anything is possible!

Author Bio:

Andre Van Kets is the co-founder and IT Director of a leading car hire agency, and offers advice and tips on car hire in South Africa for travelers seeking affordable and reliable self-drive travel solutions.