Southern Africa Car Hire
Rent your wheels
4×4 Hire Southern Africa
Posted by rentvehicle in Oct 05, 2011, under Uncategorized
I have always equated 4×4 with blond bimbos (cappuccino in one hand, cell phone in the other) who power past me on the tarmac highway – not a sand dune or rocky slope in sight. My knowledge about 4WD drive was limited to ‘isn’t it something you need for driving up mountains?’
I couldn’t understand the attraction of off-road driving or the enthusiasm of so many people for 4×4. Until, that is, I experienced it for the first time, on a travel adventure in a camper through South Africa , Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I discovered that Southern Africa is a 4×4 enthusiast’s dream come true and that some of the most spectacular scenery is accessible only in a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
This is the story of my journey along many roads less traveled across Southern Africa.
Be safe, learn 4×4 driving
Before starting out on my travel adventure, I attended a one-day 4×4 driving course where we were taught all about traction and stability control, tyre pressures, cross-axling, wheel spin and rollover angles. We experienced driving up and down gradients, on sand, grass, mud, rocks and water. We crawled up side slopes and coped with stall starts. A whole new vocabulary opened up to me: differentials, hubs, break-over, drive shaft and transfer case. And I learnt that serious off-roading, 4x4s drivers look after their personal safety and treat the environment with respect.
I chose to hire a double cab 4×4 from Drive Africa because their price includes everything – full comprehensive insurance with no excess and no cross-border surcharges. The fully-equipped camper comes with roof tent and all the other accessories you need for a camping trip, from fridges to forks to first aid kit.
Source: Drive Africa
Betta Car Hire | Discount Car Rental
Posted by rentvehicle in Sep 30, 2011, under Uncategorized
Cape Town based car rental agency, Betta Car Hire, offer the cheapest car hire in Cape Town, as well as various other services, including cash car rental, free delivery and pick up within Cape Town CBD, no extra charge for extra drivers or baby and booster seats, unlimited mileage, discounts for senior citizens, long term car hire and excellent rates from only R99 per day. They also have branches in Bergvliet, Diep River and Tokai, making them accessible, as well as the most affordable. Explore these fantastic services on the Betta Car Hire website.
David’s Tariff Guide
Posted by rentvehicle in Jul 11, 2011, under Uncategorized
If you are looking for quality Green Point accommodation at an affordable price, David’s Guest House in Croxteth Road, provides comfortable accommodation and useful services at a reasonable price. A complete tariff guide is available on their website.
Car Rental Locations
Posted by rentvehicle in Jul 04, 2011, under Uncategorized
Drive Africa offers a comprehensive guide to the various car rental locations in towns and cities around South Africa on their webpage.
Swaziland Travel Guide
Posted by rentvehicle in Apr 24, 2011, under Uncategorized
Car Rentals In Zimbabwe
Posted by rentvehicle in Mar 27, 2011, under Uncategorized
Until recently it is has been next to impossible to find a car through a car hire or car rental service in Zimbabwe. The fact of the mater is that car rental companies simply have not allowed their cars from Southern Africa into Zimbabwe. This has left many of the visitors – planning trips to the area – alone and forced them to rely on other transportation methods.Car Rental Advice for Swaziland
Posted by rentvehicle in Mar 15, 2011, under Uncategorized
Drive Southern Africa: Ensuring Customer Satisfaction
Posted by rentvehicle in Feb 27, 2011, under Uncategorized
Headquartered in South Africa, the car hire company, Drive Southern Africa, is dedicated to ensuring their customer’s satisfaction. Since 2003, this elite car service company has been providing top service and quality cars.
Drive Southern Africa recognizes that the last thing their customers want to worry about on a trip or vacation to South Africa is the quality of their car or the service of the car hire company. They have made a conscious effort to set themselves apart from their competition. They do not want to be known simply as a cheap car hire Southern Africa Company; they want to be known as the best car hire company in South Africa.
To ensure the best experience possible, Drive Southern Africa makes sure that all of their car rentals come equipped with all the necessities. From luxury cars to 4 x 4’s, they are dedicated to providing the right car for the right situation. Customers staying within South Africa can rent one of their many luxury or economy cars; while, customers, planning to explore other countries in Southern Africa, are encouraged to rent one of their 4 x 4’s.
Since 2003, Drive Southern Africa has made it their purpose to provide tourists, as well as local area residents, with the opportunity to rent cars, jeeps, and 4x4s at the cheapest and lowest prices. They are not just focused on renting cars, but they are driven by a desire to provide superior customer service. It has been this commitment that has made them stand out and become one of the most popular car hire services in all Southern Africa. For more information on what they offer visit Drive Southern Africa
Guide To Addo Elephant National Park
Posted by rentvehicle in Jan 14, 2011, under Uncategorized
General Information
Addo Elephant National Park is located in an area that is free of malaria and just a one hour drive from Port Elizabeth city, which is located along the Garden Route. The Park as a whole is well known for its outstanding diversity – with a major variance of game viewing, adventures in the great outdoors, tourist accommodation and wonderful experiences of culture. A visit to the park gives the discerning visitor a unique insight into the wonderful flora and fauna of South Africa.
The Addo Park was originally set up in 1931 through the efforts of renowned naturalist Sydney Skaife, in response to the urgent need to provide sanctuary for the few remaining elephants in the Eastern Cape area here. Nowadays, there are over 450 elephants in the park, plus a large collection of wonderful native South African animals, from Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Antelopes such as the Springbok, and the unique flightless Dung Beetle that is to be found almost solely in the Addo National Park.
In recent years the original Addo Park has been expanded to include the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, which runs from the mouth of the Sundays River to Alexandria and a water reserve, which encompasses St Croix Island and Bird Island. The latter is an important breeding home to gannets and penguins. The planned expansion is part of the planning process to enlarge the present 1,640 km
RENTAL PURCHASE CAR BUY-BACK OPTION – SOUTH AFRICA
Posted by rentvehicle in Jun 07, 2010, under Uncategorized
with Drive Africa “the original buy-back company” founded in 1997
COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO LONG TERM CAR RENTALS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Offering a wide range of cars for sales with guaranteed buy-back in South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg,Port Elizabeth, East London, George, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Stellenbosch, Nelspruit, Kruger Park.
HOW RENTAL PURCHASE CAR BUY-BACK WORKS
WRITE-DOWN for buy-backs called “RENTAL PURCHASE
A car sale with a guaranteed Buy-back option is designed to be up to 60% cheaper than conventional long term car rental or long time car hire. If staying in South and southern Africa for 3 months and longer and you require independent transport, purchasing a vehicle under the Buyback scheme is the wisest and most economic choice. Drive Africa revolutionized the South African holiday and visitor’s car rental purchase market with the introduction of the “buy back” concept into the country and have named this special product “Rental Purchase”!
View cars for sale in South Africa here.
When choosing a car group that may travel outside the borders of South Africa all Southern African countries are permitted whereas normal car hire or rental of a vehicle would be restricted to certain countries around South Africa and extra charges would be levied to cross into different countries, insurance costs would increase and certain vehicle models are restricted to countries outside the borders of South Africa. Rental cars would also come with an increased excess for the insurance.
With a buy back “rental purchase” you are free to do what you want to do within the frame of your buyback contract.
The Rental Purchase – Buy back scheme is the ideal transport method and was created for:
- Foreign nationals staying on extended temporary professional/occupational postings/assignments or community service volunteers.
- International Gap year students, practical students doing an internship or job shadowing at a South African company.
- South African residents that are imminently emigration can dispose of all their assets including their vehicles, without loosing mobility in the last months before their departure.
- Short projects where basic vehicles are required and a lease is not possible due to lease period being too short.
- A cost saving alternative while waiting or making up your mind to buy a new car and the purchase date is uncertain.
- An alternative to leasing which is only available to South African companies and possible only with new vehicles however no monthly instalments possible.
- Individuals/businesses/movie makers requiring affordable transport at a predetermined cost with absolute control to end the contract when desired.
- Foreigners wanting to pay for a car by credit card with no added fees, which is not possible in South Africa can, do that with us. Even the normal purchase of a car is seldom if not at all possible by credit card in South Africa.
Here are some excellent reasons to consider Drive Africa’s
Buy-Back “RENTAL PURCHASE” option:
The Rental Purchase buy-back scheme with Drive Africa includes
- Substantial savings over conventional car rental.
- Comprehensive insurance for any age is included as long as you have valid national or international drivers licence.
- The return date of the vehicle is determined by the Buyer and can be extended or reduced at any time costs will be adjusted accordingly.
- A financial guarantee is in place that covers the buyer should we default on deal. See financial guarantee
- Regular service and maintenance that is done for peace of mind.
- Travel to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Tanzania and Malawi permitted. All border letters and documentation organised
- Payment for car can be made either by credit card, bank transfer or when in South Africa with a debit card or cash.
- Enjoy unlimited kilometres throughout Southern Africa
- Vehicle registration, licensing, roadworthy and insurance all taken care of.
- All Drive Africa’s cars are roadworthied and tested by the government approved AA Test & Drive Station.
- Should your vehicle break down or is stolen and you have purchased the extra insurance Drive Africa will assist with a substitute or rental car for up to 28 days.
- Free 24–hour AA Automobile Association South Africa breakdown service throughout South Africa this includes a petrol delivery, key and battery service with costs and an ambulance call.
- Earlier returns than planed are refunded more and extensions are charged more according to our write-down table.
- No uncertainty or hassle with selling the car at the end of the trip.
- All our cars are registered, insured and ready to go.
- No restrictions on the number of drivers and drivers with valid driver’s licence can be added at any time without notification or permission from Drive Africa
Still unsure with Car Buy Back? Compare the above to: A regular car hire scenario.
- Mileage restriction on the cheaper rentals for some packages
- Certain radius restriction from major cities
- Higher effective costs over longer period (3 months and longer)
- Minimum age limit to rent car of either 21 or mostly 23 years of age, heavy surcharges per day make it very expensive
- Higher insurance costs and bigger insurance excesses for well known car rental companies.
- Inadequate insurance or no third party cover with smaller private rental companies – beware!!!
- Border crossing problems, restrictions and heavy costs if allowed
- Limited number of drivers, they must be registered with rental company or the insurance cover falls away.
Compare the rental purchase “BuyBack” to a regular private car purchase scenario which has:
- No comprehensive insurance for foreigner (or difficult to get short term insurance for cars as foreign nationals)
- Purchase of car not possible with a credit card
- No guarantee on purchase of second hand vehicles in South Africa
- No financial guarantee if car is not available after payment made or never delivered.
- High time and energy costs to source reliable car
- No free AA Automobile Association membership
- No recent service and no reliable service record when last serviced
- No guarantee of a buyback at the end of the journey
- Will be a problem to do a hassle free return of your money back to your home country after sale of your vehicle at end of trip if bought privately.
- Not possible to get the buyback amount refunded on your credit card.
MAXI / Long term car rental as another option.
Should you require a vehicle/car for a period longer than 6 to 8 weeks or even up to 3 months but unable to pay the full purchase price required for a Buy Back guaranteed contract or want a better, newer car, a Maxi or long term car hire option may be right for you. For further information regarding this, please see our Long term care hire rates page.
