Car rental advice for foreign visitors

[Flutterby]

We rented a Toyota Quantum when my uncle and his SO came with us to Kruger. There are three rows of seat behind the driver, so plenty of room, but only 3 small opening windows for the whole back area. It was quite difficult to get a camera in the right position for photography , not to mention, very hot!

[Mel]

We usually get a Toyota Hilux double cab.

Like that I can hop into the back and SO as my driver and I both can enjoy
a sighting without having to reach over the other. Plus, it's easier for me
to take photos of course.

[Toko]

For the foreigners, booking in advance a vehicle with the large international companies it is not possible to choose e specific car, you can only book a group/category and then you see on arrival which car you get. You can check car details etc, but eventually get another car then -O It's even possible you get an upgrade and end up with a car of a larger category
Bottom line: you don't know whether it will be a VW, a Toyota or a Hyundai Kombi

BTW: If all modells of the H1 are the same, there are slideable windows in the side doors.

If you don't like that you have to search for local car rentals -O which I have never done in SA, only in Namibia

[mouseinthehouse]

We've hired cars in Zim. Bots., Namibia and RSA. Only used 4x4 for Botswana and a pretend 4x4 for Mozambique. Can't afford 4x4 usually so we just get the sort of second or third tier sedan for everywhere else. We usually go through a hire car broker although I can recommend Savanna Car Hire in Namibia (local company). Have been upgraded for free twice, once with Europcar and once with Budget.

Absolutely make sure you check the car thoroughly for scratches and dings etc. when you pick it up and know where the spare is, the jack and how to use it. If you find scratches etc. then check that they are recorded before you leave. On return if you need to have a full tank it has to be FULL. Here in Oz, one justs stops filling when the hose thing clicks off. This isn't what happens in South Africa. They want it filled to the brim - but I ignore that and just fill as per normal and make sure that it is recorded as being full before paying and signing off. They also like it to come back clean but I ignore that too...gives a man a job.

Getting used to some security features in South African cars can be annoying. The locking when you get in thing...eish. Freaks me out every time. The seat belts that beep when you take off if they're not done up. In KNP we don't wear seatbelts so I just pull the seat belt across behind me and click it in to stop the darn thing beeping.

I see a few people who sit one in front and one in the back but I just couldn't do that. Works well for photography though I guess. We don't have much luggage so boot space for us is not a big deal. I prefer to have lots of nooks and crannies in the front of the car to hold pad, pens, map books, bird books, snacks etc. Oh and it must have coffee cup holders for early morning coffee!

[Flutterby]

Good tips mith!

[Dzombo]

I have hired various cars in SA, for trips to various game reserves.

When we used to go to Pilanesburg, I alwayd rented a Nissan Tida, Auto.
Big boot for the size of the car.
And for me, auto is a must.

In 2010 I took the inlaws to Kruger. Can't seem to remember exactly what we had, but it was a 4 x 4 manual.

Kruger trip Dec 2012 - Nissan Xtrail, Manual

Kruger trip Dec 2013 Toyota Fortuner, Auto

Of all the cars, the best by far was the Fortuner. Was by no means cheap, but well worth it.
There were 4 of us, 2 adults, 2 children.
Tons of space in the car. Loads of space in the boot.
Nice high ride.
And of course not having to change gear was a huge bonus.

Something worth bearing in mind is the tyres, but prob impossible to check when you pick the car up.

This past December had the following incident:
I noticed that every 2/3 days I was pumping one of the tyres up.
Decided that there must be a problem, and I didn't fancy a drive back to Jhb unless it was sorted. Our last day was Skukuza, so I went to the Avis office there, and of course it was closed. There was a tel no on the desk, and no one answering that either.
So I took the car to the service station where a very helpful person removed a 5cm+ nail from the tyre
Repaired it, and fortunately wasn't that much. Only about R80 (in £ terms a bargain!)
He showed me that it must have been in the wheel for a long times because of the way the nail had worn.
When I returned the car to Avis at Jhb airport, I showed them the nail, and told them I had the wheel repaired.
The lady at the desk gave me a whole lecture about how I should have contacted Avis and they would have done the repair for me (duh, I did try).
And not that it was a lot of money, but they refused to re-imburse me for the funds I had laid out, because I had chosen to have the repair done myself.

[Lisbeth]

We usually book through a German/Swiss broker "Sunny Cars", as they have an all inclusive price covering everything included 2nd driver, all damages incl. tires, glass and the underside of the car. Only a scratch or a small hit makes up for the difference in price and you drive and park more relaxed. They work with "Budget".

When we went to KTP we hired a Nissan X-Trail (or similar ), which was great, but changed it for a normal smallish one for the rest of the trip, as the former was quite expensive and we were staying for 6 weeks. We have almost always been upgraded as we rent the car for a long period.

Last year in Kruger I would have preferred a taller car, as the grass was quite high, but it would have been to expensive staying away for 2 months. It is not always a question of which car is the better one, but also a question of budget.

[nan]

yes, rent a car is very expensive...

but in the sand better a 4x4... and for 2 persons... with all the meals, an hilux double cab (2 weeks+2weeks)
but... I have asked for an automatic (4x4 how you say with a special button to put it ) (with left hand is not so easy for WN) and I want to go to Gharagab

[MikeGoss]

My experiences so far

I have used 3 "factors" in the past for renting vehicles whilst on holiday. These are CarHire300 (now Carrentals), Autoeurope and Holiday Autos.

I only used Holiday Autos once and vowed never to use them again.

The other 2 companies do a search process and offer a series of prices, depending on insurance levels, on a wide variety of vehicles from small sedans up to the larger Mini-buses and bakkies.

I have always opted for the SUV class, which although only 4 x 2, do tend to offer a higher view and ground clearance. I have always opted for the "zero excess insurance package" for peace of mind. I would not relish getting a bill for a full respray because the sides of the car have been scratched by the bush.

Mike

[Flutterby]

Hi Mike

Thanks for your input here.