Traveling alone in South Africa. Is it ok just to rent a car or should I join a tour?
Hi, I'm raveling to S, Africa in July August. I'll be working on a preserve until 8/4. I have 4 days before my tour to Botswana. Will be in Hoedspruit region. Do you have recommendations for that area. Do you think it's ok to rent my own car by myself and tour around Blyde Canyon and Kruger? Or would it be better to take a short tour? Are reervations necessary?
Reply to this I rented a car with three of my friends and spent a month driving around South Africa. We spent eight days in Kruger and we spent less money than had we each done one of the three day tours. The area is easy to drive around and, in my opinion, there is no finer way to explore Kruger (except maybe on foot). If you will be by yourself then possibly a tour would be a better choice, because it is difficult to spot animals and drive at the same time (not impossible though).
As far as reservations go, inside Kruger I would think you need reservations for the campsites - We were there in the off season and we still needed them.
-Keith
Reply to this Hi there,
I (German) am living here and have been traveling a lot. Yes you can travel without any problem with a car around that area, you just need a good map. Roads are all good, especially in and around the Kruger Park. It's the best time to travel as you can see lots of game and the light is fantastic. And yes you need to do a booking prior.
If you want, I can arrange you car hire (I have really good rates of serious suppliers) and also accomodation (depending on budget I could organise a holiday home or a lodge for you, let me know...) Should you be interested, contact me directly.
or visit my website
Andrea Reply to this Thanks for the great info. However, my tour in Botswana was canceled. I'm now changing plans to go on a longer tour starting in Cape Town and so will not have extra time around Kruger. Will now spend my 4 extra days around Cape Town. Have same question here. Is it better to rent a car for 4 days and get myself around on the garden route?Or are the buses ok?
Reply to this It is fine to drive down to the garden route, but if it just 4 days you have in and around Cape Town then stay close to the city there is plenty to do, a trip to the winelands is great, either as a tour from Cape Town or go and stay over in Stellenbosch for a night, it is a very picturesque town. Plus you'll want to go up the mountain, a walk through kirstenbosch botanical gardens to the top is nice and not too steep.
Otherwise Robben island is worth a visit, and Hout Bay and seal island ws a fun trip. Plus you can do Cape point as a tour or take a car for the day, if your staying in hostels, there will probably be someone to team up with. Baz bus offer a tour there, they take bikes to cycle around the reserve, i think there address is bazbus.com but it should come up on a search.
Reply to this Cape Town offers a lot to do and to see. What I would suggest is that you visit an information center where you could pick up small but very usefull tourist maps and info. If you are planning to visit some of the game reserves or historical routes, then hiring a car would be your best option. It will take you about 2 hours to plan a week in Cape Town if you have the right brochures and info.
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