Tips For Staying Out Of Trouble

Crime, like anywhere else in the world, can be a problem, but you really need not do much more than take all the usual sensible precautions. Know where you're going before you set off, particularly at night, watch your possessions, don't walk alone in dodgy areas, lock your doors at night. Much like anywhere else. And, like anywhere else in the world, there are some areas of major cities which are more dodgy than others. It is easy to avoid these and still have a good time.
When walking through areas that are considered risky, avoid wearing visible jewellery or carrying cameras and bags over your shoulder. Keep cellphones (mobile phones) and wallets tucked away where no one can see them. Check beforehand that the areas you plan to visit are safe by asking hotel staff or police. It is not advisable to use local commuter and metro trains as attacks on foreigners have occurred.

Other sensible advice is not to hitchhike or accept or carry items for strangers. Our airport security is quite strict so, to avoid delays in checking in, remove all sharp objects (even nail files and hairclips) from your hand luggage.

Carjackings
Those who choose to drive private cars, either borrowed or hired, should be aware that car hijackings do occur, although precautions can be taken to avoid this. Drivers should always be on the alert when they come to a halt at traffic lights or stop streets, as well as when they are arriving at or leaving premises. Doors should be locked at all times, and while the temptation is to keep windows open in sunny weather, they should be kept closed. Plan your travel route beforehand. Make sure that you do not leave valuables in clear view of people on the side of the road. Articles such as cellular phones and handbags left on seats are favoured targets of smash'n'grab thieves.

When parking at night choose well-lit or security-patrolled parking areas. Street security guards will usually ask whether they can watch over your car and in return should be paid a small fee – anything from two rand upwards.

ATMs and con artists
Watch out for con artists. A favoured target is the automated teller machine (ATM). Under no circumstances allow a stranger to assist you in your transactions. Should your card become stuck in the ATM, enter your PIN three times whereupon the machine will retain your card. You can then approach the bank to release it, or call the helpline number that can usually be found at ATMs for assistance.

Beware, too, of confidence tricksters who try and persuade you to invest in their schemes, requiring you to disclose confidential banking details.

Stay out of jail!
And, while on the subject of crime, do bear in mind that committing a criminal offence in any foreign country is always more of a problem than doing so at home. You're probably not planning to, but there are a few actions which could land you in one of our not-too-luxurious jails. These include smuggling, bilking, and trading in, or using, recreational drugs – with the exception of tobacco and alcohol. Poaching is probably far from your mind but, just in case you're tempted to "harvest" a rhino horn as a souvenir, remember our game scouts are armed.

Lost passports
Should you lose your passport, report the loss as soon as possible to your country's embassy or consulate, and to the local police.

Source: Safety Tips | Car Hire South Africa

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Places of Interest in South Africa

South Africa is a truly remarkable country and a wonderful holiday destination. It has a rich historical heritage, magnificent natural beauty, abundant wildlife all complimented by a range of accomodation from the simple to the luxurious with a huge spectrum of activities both on land or sea. Here we give just a few of the highlights of the country to help you to decide what you want to see and where you want to stay on your holiday.

Beaches
From KwaZulu-Natal to the Wild Coast, from the Eastern Cape to the West Coast, South Africa boasts more than 3 000km of coastline. Pristine beaches, fishing communities, golf estates, luxury hotels and guest-houses dot the landscape as you explore the marine wonderland that is South Africa .
  Bird Tours
With nearly a thousand bird species, no wonder South Africa has become one of the Worlds bird hot spots.

Bungi Jumping
Bloukrans River Bridge - IT IS OFFICIAL - You can now bungi-jump the highest commercial bungi jump in the world, usurping the position previously held by Vic Falls. The bridge is 216 m high but the jump is only about 160 m. You jump from the arch support of the bridge, not from the road and getting there and back is an experience in itself. After the jump you are winched back up to the bridge.

Cango Caves
The Cango Caves lie in the Swartberg Mountain Range in a limestone belt measuring 1,5km in width and almost 16km in length. The present tourist route extends for 1,2km into the cave, with a further 4,1km being kept closed to the public for conservation reasons.

Cango Wildlife Ranch
The Cango Wildlife Ranch is situated just outside Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo, and since its inception in 1977 it has grown to become one of the largest tourist attractions of the region. In 1988 the Ranch developed a facility known as Cheetahland, within its borders, in an effort to promote its goal of making the public aware of endangered species. This unique facility is home to a large variety of big cats, which can be viewed from an elevated "catwalk" providing an uninhibited view of these magnificent creatures.

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Located at the southern most tip of the peninsula is the nature reserve, with fantastic panoramic views of the Cape of Good Hope from the viewing area, reached by cable car. The area has a dry and desolate look but this is deceptive as more than half the flowering plants of the peninsula, like the protea grow here. The reserve is also home to zebra, baboon, ostrich and eland. En route from Cape Town, the penguin colony at Boulder's Bay is worth stopping for as is Simon's Town a naval town and the country's third oldest European settlement.

Cape Town
Cape Town is the most fabulously diverse and vibrant city, with great natural beauty, fascinating architecture, great restaurants, bars and nightlife. Whether you hike to the top or take the cable car, the views from Table Mountain are astounding. See the famous 'dassies (rock rabbits) scampering aound the rocks and also the imposing Lion's Head and Devil's Peak which together with Table Mountain form the Cape Peninsula. Take a ferry from the V & A Waterfront to Robben Island to see the tiny cell which held Nelson Mandela for almost three decades.

Cape Winelands
Just an hour's drive from Cape Town are the beautiful towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Constancia in the heart of the wine producing area. Visit some of the beautiful wine estates and taste some of the best wines in the world.

  Cradle of Humankind
Declared a World Heritage Site, the Cradle of Humankind west of Johannesburg includes, among its numerous sites, the Sterkfontein Caves, where anthropologist Dr Robert Broom discovered the skull of Mrs. Ples, a three-million year-old hominid, in 1936. At the time she was thought to be the closest evidence of the "missing link" to be found.

Car Hire - Driving in Southern Africa

With a wide range of national parks and open plains, the southern plateaus of Africa attract thousands of tourists eager to catch glimpses of rare and dangerous creatures on safari tours.

But there are also a variety of different routes for those looking to head off the beaten path and explore more of the continents’ picturesque and unpredictable landscape.

Fly-drive and self-drive packages to countries such as Namibia, Botswana and South Africa are widely available. Flights and car rental are usually included in the price, but it’s always best to double check. Such tours can take you through national parks to scenic coastal drives.

Such tours usually fly to cities such as Cape Town and Windhoek, with a set itinerary for the journey – such trips are usually spread around a timescale – usually a fortnight - so you can make best use of your car hire service.

For those wanting to embark on fly-drive holidays, the time you are on the road varies depending on the itinerary you select – although such timescales are usually provided as guides, giving you the freedom to choose what to see and do along the way to your stop for the night.

As well as the vast countryside and variety of wildlife on the open plains and plateaus, safari tours can be included along the route – usually involving stopovers in national parks or game reserves.

Accommodation can vary from tour to tour, there are a number of reserves along the way which include basic hotel facilities, as well as the opportunity to camp under the night sky, listening to the sounds of the night wildlife passing through camp.

African Travel Tips when visiting Namibia

Namibia Safari: A Trip To Perfect Destination

Car Hire Cape Town