- Air Flights
Major airlines fly into Cape Town and Johannesburg on a daily basis. You won’t get cheaper fares by booking them in Southern Africa so you may as well book them from wherever you are/live.
- Baz Bus Hop on Hop off
The Baz Bus is a hop-on, hop-off backpackers bus in South Africa. It’s an easy way to get from A to B and a fun way to meet other travellers. They drop you at your backpacking hostel door.
- Buy back Car Companies
Buy a car here for your journey through Southern Africa and save up to 60% in rental fees!
- Long Distance Buses
There are a number of long distance buses including Translux, Intercape, Greyhound and the Baz Bus (which is the only real backpacker bus).
- Long distance trains
Southern Africa does not have a great railroad infrastructure so travelling by train is fairly restrictive (but fun nonetheless).
- Minibus taxis
Without doubt, the cheapest way to travel is to use local black transport systems or “minibus taxis”. They require nerves of steel but are definitely the most efficient way to get around pretty much anywhere in South Africa.
Car Hire South Africa
There are a number of cheap car hire operators in South Africa. All of the cities in South Africa have car hire branches.
Owning a car means absolute independence
If you've got the cash and are here for some time, we recommend buying a car. That way you can zip around to the more obscure parts of Southern Africa and get a real taste of what local life's all about. Hostel notice boards are often good for picking up used cars.You can also try the local classifieds or free ads paper.
If you've got the cash and are here for some time, we recommend buying a car. That way you can zip around to the more obscure parts of Southern Africa and get a real taste of what local life's all about. Hostel notice boards are often good for picking up used cars.You can also try the local classifieds or free ads paper.
Warning! Warning! Warning!
Please don't pay a cash deposit for the excess on your rental car. Reputable companies will make an authorisation on your credit card to check that you can pay the amount, but won't take the money out of your card. If you pay cash to a small car hire company there's an outside chance that your cash will remain in their bank account and never find its way back to you. People who do this kind of dodgy business know that you are leaving the country and won't be able to come knocking on the door to get your money back, so pleez be careful. If you do use your credit card you can't query the payment after one month has passed, so be sure to check that the money was not taken out of your account. An authorisation is all that is necessary, you don't have to make a payment for the deposit.
Please don't pay a cash deposit for the excess on your rental car. Reputable companies will make an authorisation on your credit card to check that you can pay the amount, but won't take the money out of your card. If you pay cash to a small car hire company there's an outside chance that your cash will remain in their bank account and never find its way back to you. People who do this kind of dodgy business know that you are leaving the country and won't be able to come knocking on the door to get your money back, so pleez be careful. If you do use your credit card you can't query the payment after one month has passed, so be sure to check that the money was not taken out of your account. An authorisation is all that is necessary, you don't have to make a payment for the deposit.
Don't use Alpha Car Rental in Durban.
They're the guys who take your deposit and don't return it.
They're the guys who take your deposit and don't return it.
Transport
- AroundaboutCars - Car Hire
This Cape Town based car hire company has reliable and affordable car hire for both local and national use. They pick up and drop off anywhere in the country. Their share call number is 0860 447 3222.
- AroundAboutCars Nelspruit
You should put AroundAboutCars on speeddial.
- Carhire-WP
Cheap car hire in South Africa and rentals to under 21's.
- Drive Africa
Affordable car hire in South Africa
- Global Car Rental
This Cape Town based car rental agency offers great deals on car hire in Cape Town.
- Renta-VW
Does a Chico blow your hair back? Or do you prefer a Polo? This is your spot.
- Wicked Campers
Rent a camper in South Africa
Tourist Offices
- Wicked Campers
An international company specializing in Campervan Hire
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Situated within a vibrant Xhosa community overlooking a spectacular untouched beach, this is a true glimpse into rural Africa.
(Coffee Bay,Wild Coast)
Kruger Inn Backpackers is a community inside a nature reserve, on the border of the Kruger National Park.
(Marloth Park,Mpumalanga)
This Backpackers' hostel is set in 3 hectares of forest near to the Vic Bay's famous surfing beach
(Victoria Bay,Garden Route)
Formerly the Phoenix Hotel now a great Backpackers Hostel
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
Vic Bay is a Garden Route Surfing top spot also try Snorkeling, Fishing and beach strolling.
(Victoria Bay,Garden Route)
Easy access to the North West and to the Plilanesberg National Park.
(Hartbeespoort and surrounds,North West Province)
Set between the Gamka Nature Reserve and Swartberg Mountains a self catering lodge with outstanding views
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
They organise volunteer projects and can book day trips and safaris.
(Lobamba,Swaziland)
Little Brak Beach House offers fab out-of-town tranquillity and loads of comfort .
(Little Brak,Garden Route)
A Johannesburg backpackers with a unique opportunity to experience township life.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
