South African Travel – Driving Is Easier Than You Think (Really!)

I was surprised how easy it is to travel around South Africa.

BG and I have flown to both Cape Town and Johannesburg (the two major gateway cities). Airline connections and transfers are pretty much the same as in the U.S. – you either catch a regional flight to your destination city or rent a car.

There really are no lions or elephants walking the streets to hinder you (but you can see plenty of them in the wildlife reserves). South African cities and towns look just like any other modern city (except for the spectacular scenery just outside the city limits).

We are fortunate to have relatives in South Africa so we get to borrow the family car for our excursions (although I have rented with no problems – my U.S. drivers license was fine “as is”). Driving on the left hand side of the road by an American was another matter…

BG took me out in the local neighborhoods for my first lesson. Driving on the left hand side in a standard car was definitely a challenge. I hugged more curbs than I should have. One time BG shrieked. I asked her if I was hugging the curb. She said no, I was not hugging it-I was practically making love to it…

Eventually I graduated to city driving - ”look left, look left!” I played follow the leader a lot and got pretty nervous when there was no one in front to follow when turning. But South African roads are marked very well and I always paid attention to the blue signs marking the right (I mean proper) lane.

Highway driving was a rush! I still can’t shake the feeling I got (pretty queasy!) when entering the main expressway from the left. I would be facing rushing, headlong traffic in the U.S.

Sometimes the main highway narrows down to two lanes, but South African drivers turn them into three lanes – one each way with a rotating passing lane in the middle. This is where courtesy is essential.

Typically a driver will close the gap on a slow moving car or truck. Invariably the slower vehicle will pull slightly to the side, allow for passing, and signal if there is oncoming traffic. After making the pass the faster driver signals “thanks” by flashing the emergency lights.

At first I would be the slower driver, but as my confidence (or stupidity – not sure which) increased I would make the passes. BG and I could sail down the Garden Route, even in moderate traffic - but only due to other South African driver’s good graces.

Getting back on the road in the U.S. after spending time in South Africa is another story (probably a full blog entry!).

Note: here is a good link about driving in South Africa

What do you think? Click on the title above to make a comment (South African Travel-Driving Is Easier Than You Think-Really!)…

Raymond Pechacek lives in the U.S. and is married to a wonderful South African lady (BG!). He writes about the people, customs, wildlife, and places of South Africa, runs a consulting firm to help companies improve their global trade processes, and imports products into the U.S. - with an emphasis on supporting South Africa!