While your on holiday in Cape Town or its surrounding towns and villages it's ideal to hire a car for the duration of your visit, the other alternative would be to use taxis, tour guides or public transport, but if you want to get out into the land itself you will need your own rental vehicle.

Many different classes of vehicle are on offer from many different car hire agencies dotted all over the Western Cape, from 1300cc 3 door saloon, to people carriers (kombis) if you are a family of four, 2 adults with 2 children, we would recommend anything that's 1600cc, 4 door with air-con.

While booking your holiday in your home country, you can also book a vehicle, the operator will meet you at the airport to hand over the vehicle. You are also able to return the car at the airport when you leave so there's no messing about on your last day without transport, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave Cape Town. If you didn't have time to book a vehicle you can also rent direct from the airport you land at, all the big names are there waiting for you.

See contact details for car hire & rental in the many areas surrounding Cape Town.

You will need a credit card and your driving license, the traffic drives on the left hand side of the road, as in the UK and all road markings are in English. There are a few things you need to be aware of:

Taxis

These are the guys you read about in the news, Hi Ace and E20's many are in a poor condition and they manage to squeeze up to and sometimes over 20 people in them, they WILL cut you up on the road, keep your eyes on them.

4 way stop streets

These run on a first come first served basis, not like the UK's, give way to right rule, always make sure the other drivers have seen you before you pull away to cross the intersection as some people ignore the rule!

Robots

This is the name for traffic lights, Red, Amber & green are used

Speed Limits

The measurement used is Kilometers per hour, with urban built up areas set to 60Kms per hour and National roads/Freeways set at 120Kms per hour.

Speeding

There are fixed speed cameras and traffic police activated ones, just don't speed.

Hijackings

It does happen, here's a common procedure while driving in your rental car, make sure all doors are locked and seatbelts are on before setting of, also make sure the boot is locked, you will notice many beggars at the traffic lights, most of whom are harmless and only want food but there are elements that will hijack an unlocked vehicle, don't make it easy for them. Do not leave valuables in the vehicle at any time and do not leave your children alone in the vehicle while you go into a shop, even if it's only for 2 minutes. At night intersections are the most dangerous, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front so you can't get boxed in and attacked. The safety of you and your family are paramount, your in a foreign country so keep your wits about you!

Petrol/Fuel

All garages have petrol jockies who put the petrol in for you, they also clean your windscreen and check oil and water, for these extras a tip is expected but not compulsory.