Craven : South Africa 2019 TR #4

[craven morehead]

Hello Craven.

This was a good report.
I was looking at things to do between Durban and JNB soon, and came across the Sani Pass. Thi sounded familiar and thought I had read about it in your report possibly, so I just went back and skimmed through it.

I was wondering if you or anyone had any guidance on where to hire a simple four wheel drive that would get me up there, and that I can drop back in JNB? (That is not hugely expensive!) I am always trying to do things on a budget... haha.

Avis/Budget etc do not seem to have much other than a full size SUV whatever that is, that seems a bit expensive.

I was thinking of something like a Hilux ute or similar or even an SUV but a lot of them seem to be pretty small two wheel drives these days.

Thanks any way and it was a good read.

I get to Emerald occasionally myself, but mostly only for a night or so. Nice spot.

One option you may consider is taking one of the 4x4 day trips up the pass from Underberg. Then you could stick with a conventional vehicle for the rest of your cruising around.

 

[Cessna 180]

One option you may consider is taking one of the 4x4 day trips up the pass from Underberg. Then you could stick with a conventional vehicle for the rest of your cruising around.

Thanks, yes I did wonder about this, but thought it would be "funner" to drive up myself. I have never been a real tour person, but I guess if they get me up and back that is the main thing.

It looks like I can hire an "Xtrail or similar" for a bit over a hundred a day.

 

[craven morehead]

Thanks, yes I did wonder about this, but thought it would be "funner" to drive up myself. I have never been a real tour person, but I guess if they get me up and back that is the main thing.

It looks like I can hire an "Xtrail or similar" for a bit over a hundred a day.

Yep the X-Trail worked fine for us

 

[kpc]

Well that's a wrap for me on this gig. Far from the most touristy TR ever presented but hopefully something in it for those interested in this beautiful country.
I/we certainly covered some miles but thoroughly enjoyed every minute and the opportunity to visit many of our friends was priceless. In a way this may have given some of you an insight into something close to normal South African life as it currently is. Plan is to go back in late 2021 for my mate in Newcastle's 60th. Thanks for reading and commenting along the way. Cheers CM

Thank you for the TR....enjoyed it immensely We are heading to Franschhoek in November for a 60th but it is a rather rushed trip as we are heading to Rwanda and Tanzania after but I do want to check out the Cape of Good Hope and your TR gave us some tips!

 

[craven morehead]

Thank you for the TR....enjoyed it immensely We are heading to Franschhoek in November for a 60th but it is a rather rushed trip as we are heading to Rwanda and Tanzania after but I do want to check out the Cape of Good Hope and your TR gave us some tips!

Definitely look forward to following that TR

 

[Jacques Vert]

I was wondering if you or anyone had any guidance on where to hire a simple four wheel drive that would get me up there, and that I can drop back in JNB? (That is not hugely expensive!) I am always trying to do things on a budget... haha.

Avis/Budget etc do not seem to have much other than a full size SUV whatever that is, that seems a bit expensive.

When we were looking for a 4x4 to hire in Namibia, we finally found one at a reasonable price through Britz; the booking was completed through their Capetown Office. It was way cheaper than the main companies so worth an enquiry.

Link: Britz 4x4 and SUV Rentals Southern Africa

Good luck.

 

[drross]

Thank you for the TR....enjoyed it immensely We are heading to Franschhoek in November for a 60th but it is a rather rushed trip as we are heading to Rwanda and Tanzania after but I do want to check out the Cape of Good Hope and your TR gave us some tips!

You’ll love Franschhoek at that time of year!! Lovely pilotage in front of a raging fire!! And we throughly enjoyed Rwanda and Tanzania - we we’re in all 3 countries(and a few others) in May/June 2019

 

[Bundy Bear]

I had completely missed this trip report until now.
South Africa is in the list.
I will have to come back to it after work.

 

[Cessna 180]

Thanks Craven and Jacques.. You gave me some ideas.

After looking at the rental cars thread and exploring a few options: I have just booked with Thrifty, direct ~ $450 Aussie for six days for a Nissan 4x4 ute.
Had to prepay so hopefully will be ok. I am a bit like Juddles, Having used Avis/Budget a lot with no issues.


Would you say it is best to pay the R1500 for a cross border permit at Thrifty? Or is this something I can just get at the Lesotho border?
Apologies for hijacking your thread Craven!

 

[craven morehead]

Thanks Craven and Jacques.. You gac=me some ideas.

After looking at the rental cars thread and exploring a few options: I have just booked with Thrifty, direct ~ $450 Aussie for six days for a Nissan 4x4 ute.
Had to prepay so hopefully will be ok. I am a bit like Juddles, Having used Avis/Budget a lot with no issues.


Would you say it is best to pay the R1500 for a cross border permit at Thrifty? Or is this something I can just get at the Lesotho border?
Apologies for hijacking your thread Craven!

$450 sounds ok to me for the hire. Are you just planning a day trip to Lesotho? If so I doubt the hire company would even know you had been there albeit AUD$150 for cross border permit is not much to pay to cover ones a$$ and have peace of mind. Lesotho border control is very relaxed, from memory I had to ask for a passport stamp. I don't see this as hijacking my thread as we're all here to share information and learn

 

[Cessna 180]

$450 sounds ok to me for the hire. Are you just planning a day trip to Lesotho? If so I doubt the hire company would even know you had been there albeit AUD$150 for cross border permit is not much to pay to cover ones a$$ and have peace of mind. Lesotho border control is very relaxed, from memory I had to ask for a passport stamp. I don't see this as hijacking my thread as we're all here to share information and learn

Ha, yes thankyou. This is what I was thinking, They would be unlikely to know.!

My loose plan is to leave Umdloti in the morning relatively early and head out to the pass, potentially staying overnight at the Mountain lodge or somewhere in Lesotho.
Perhaps cough the situation a bit more on arrival Underberg.

I have six days between arrival DUR and departure JNB.

Departure next week, I like to leave things till the last minute....!

( I best start my own trip report this time). I was half way through last years on a word doc and then stopped writing, kind of regret that now even just my own records)

 

[drross]

Ha, yes thankyou. This is what I was thinking, They would be unlikely to know.!

My loose plan is to leave Umdloti in the morning relatively early and head out to the pass, potentially staying overnight at the Mountain lodge or somewhere in Lesotho.
Perhaps cough the situation a bit more on arrival Underberg.

I have six days between arrival DUR and departure JNB.

Departure next week, I like to leave things till the last minute....!

( I best start my own trip report this time). I was half way through last years on a word doc and then stopped writing, kind of regret that now even just my own records)

Have fun and travel safely. Looking forward to the TR

 

[craven morehead]

Ha, yes thankyou. This is what I was thinking, They would be unlikely to know.!

My loose plan is to leave Umdloti in the morning relatively early and head out to the pass, potentially staying overnight at the Mountain lodge or somewhere in Lesotho.
Perhaps cough the situation a bit more on arrival Underberg.

I have six days between arrival DUR and departure JNB.

Departure next week, I like to leave things till the last minute....!

( I best start my own trip report this time). I was half way through last years on a word doc and then stopped writing, kind of regret that now even just my own records)

Yep! time to get started on your TR now ........... no excuses you never know what suggestions others will come up with once you post your proposed itinerary etc.