With its extensive and well maintained network of roads, Cape Town makes a fantastic self drive destination. Pick up your hire car when you arrive at Cape Town Airport, or have it dropped off at your hotel.
With a whopping great big mountain in the middle of the city, orientating yourself and self driving around Cape Town is very easy. The Winelands, Cape Point, Hermanus, Overberg and the West Coast are only a short distance away and make the perfect ‘ day away’ from Cape Town. Hiring a car and self driving around Cape Town, gives you the privilege of exploring Cape Town and its environs at your own speed.
Cape Town has an extensive network of National , Metropolitan and Regional highways. Surfaces are generally in very good condition.
Drivers Licenses
This must be carried at all times ! Foreign licenses are valid, provided that they carry a photograph and are either printed in English or accompanied by an English Language certificate of authenticity. There is currently some debate whether international visitors need an International Driving Permit, and therefore speak to your Rhino Africa Travel Consultant about obtaining the latest information.
Insurance
Third Party cover is essential in South Africa. The insurance on our car hire packages ranges from Standard to Super Cover. Speak to your Rhino Africa consultant about the most appropriate package for your hire car requirements.
Petrol
Cape Town, its suburbs and outlying centres and main routes are well provided with fuel outlets and service stations. Many of the stay open 24 hours a day. Petrol is serves in litres, Pump Attendants see to fuel and service needs. Petrol stations only accept Cash and Credit Card / Debit Cards are NOT accepted as form of payment.
Car Guards
A very common place sign in Cape Town is official and unofficial car guards. Official Car Guards operate in the city centre and have computerized ticketing systems around their necks. Unofficial Car Guards spring up every where else ! To avoid verbal abuse we suggest you tip the Car Guards about ZAR 5.00, do not be bullied to tipping any more than this.
Road Rules and Signs
In Cape Town you drive on the left. The general speed limit on major routes 120kph, tha on secondary rural roads is 100kph and it built up areas 60 kph unless otherwise indicated. Keep to the lefts, and pass on the right on highways with many lands. Main roads are identified by colour signs and numbers rather than by name.
Although most sign posts appear in both English and Afrikaans, the following might help you to navigate a little easier !
Links (Left)
Regs (Right)
Stad (City)
Straat (Street)
Weg (Road)
Rylaan (Avenue)
Lughawe ( Airport )
Hawe ( Harbour )
Hou Oop ( Keep Open )
Gesluit ( Closed )
Gevaar ( Beware Hazard )
Verbode ( Forbidden )
Ompad ( De Tour )
Tuin (Garden; but often used wild )
Strand ( Beach )
Robot ( Traffic Light )
