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We are returning to South Africa later this year after a very successful first trip last year. We're making our own independent arrangements. We were planning to book the same rental car company we used last year (First Car Rental), but were shocked to see that the daily rate of the vehicle we want has shot up from R393 to R781 per day. When I queried this, I received an email that this massive price hike was "due to the recession". So we now have a problem finding affordable car hire - any ideas?
More generally, it got me wondering about other SA businesses that rely on tourism - are they similarly suffering from diminishing bookings and trying to make up the losses by squeezing those who are still visiting the country? What about the hotels, lodges etc? I'm interested to hear other's perspectives - particularly from locals - as to how things are being affected by the recession.
Global recession having a big impact on tourism in South Africa?
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The price increase is hilarious!
I cannot assist with any advise here
Our first car rental experience April 09 might be an exception but nonetheless:
Booked a X-Trail (Group F) and got a Honda CRV. We wanted the X-Trail because of the higher vantage point.
On route from Botswana we intended to drive from Pafuri down to Sabi Sands doing a two night/day Kruger Safari.
The car broke down at Pafuri Gate - starter failure - at 12.00h one day. We immediately informed the road assistance which offered another car to be delivered to the gate but we had to agree to ANY other car as another Honda (X-Trail did not come to their mind at any point) wasn't available. We agreed.
At 14.45 we got a call (all calls were made via the park office as there is no mobile network! Thanks to the park officials to let us use their phone on end....) from the sub-contractor who was in charge to deliver the new car and tow the old one. That contractor told us he was still in Polokwana which meant he could not make it by 18.00hrs, the time the park gate closes.
We informed road assistance that this was by far not sufficient (park gate closes at 18.00hrs and Polokwana was at least a 5 hrs drive) and requested a car to be brought early morning next day to our chalet which we booked at Shingwedzi.
Road assistance agreed and promised to deliver the car by 08.00h at the latest next morning; the car coukd have entered the park at 06.00hrs and driven to Shingwedzi by 08.00hrs)
We ourselves arranged with a park official to be taken to Shingwedzi for a 600ZAR fee. Anyway - we had to go there in any case and paid.
Next morning we got the car not at 08.00h but at 10.45h. Again a Honda CRV.
So we missed one evening and one morning game drive.
We choose First Car Rental (they work with SIXT) because we hoped for a far better means quicker trouble shooting because of their network/stations.
When we returned to Germany we found out that they charged our credit card also for the kms the replacement car took from Polokwane to Pafuri!
It took us several mails and a complaint with the credit card company and then we got back the money for the kms they charged wrongfully.
They also reimbursed the 600ZAR we paid for the transfer Pafuri-Shingwedzi plus the refill of the tank which was almost empty.
We only had a receipt for the fuel but not for the transfer.
The trouble shooting related to the kms/transfer/fuel was good.
But we would have hoped for a better road assistance from such a big company.
SV
is this a reason to rent from one of the bigger car companies??
We found it the same price to get a driver to get us around as it was to rent a little SUV. We made the same drive (opposite direction) as SV in June and it was very pleasant. Remember while at the camps, you are leaving your car parked.
I'm hoping next year gets better with the World Cup and the recession lightens up a little. This is S Africa's first recession since the 80's (according to reports I read recently). If flights for next year are any indication, it looks like they are doing OK. Flights in June/July are upwards of $5000 already!!
GR- I don't know, but have you looked at Avis and Budget?
Interesting story SV. Do you think any other rental company could have handled it better at Parfuri? Avis has an office in Kruger Skukuza but the Kruger roads "close down" at 6pm all through the park. And also a long ways from Skukuza to Pafuri. The only game drives you missed were your own within Kruger, right?
We like to rent with Avis, works good for us out of JNB and Hoedspruit but I can't say if they would have been any better for the problem you had.
regards - tom
I know Avis has an office at the Phalaborwa airport, that's quite a bit closer than Skukuza.
SV, they should have never promised you to get the car from anywhere outside the park to Shingwedzi in 2 hours. That's close to impossible to do without speeding.
Tom
YES it was meant to be a selfdrive. We did seldfrive a couple of years back and didn't find anything.
Now the second try also "failed".
Of course when going to Sabi Sands we always do a short loop in Kruger.
Somehow Kruger has never workd out for us.
I know from some of your reports it does for you. Obviously it's a matter of pure luck.
Gritty
They could have got us the car from Polokwana to Pafuri from the time I called them until 0500pm, the time the gate closes. That was the reason for us to agree to ANY car and not insisting on to a SUV.
By 14.45pm it was of course too late to get us ANY car to Pafuri.
If they had been on the gate at ß06am as promised they should have made it by 0800/0830am next day to Shingwedzi.
Anyway - booking with a huge company seemingly is no guárantee to get road assistance in a reasonable time if that company has sub-contractor with the tow-car.
SV
Avis are consistently one of the MOST expensive operators I've researched in South Africa. No way I could justify their sky-high rates. Unlike spassvogel, we were very happy with our prior experience with First Car Rental. Our ONLY issue right now is the huge price hike, but even then it's still cheaper than the likes of Avis. I did get a good quote from AutoEurope however and am seriously thinking about booking this.
But back to my more general question - does anyone have experience of tourism-related businesses in SA demanding huge price increases due to the recession, or is the First Car Rental quote just an isolated anomaly...?
To your OQ:
Opposite is the case. "specials" are appearing on a daily basis to attract tourists.
I have checked out this German site:
http://www.afrika.de/fahrzeugbuchung.html
I hope the listing gives you an idea of the rates you would pay if booked in germany.
I don't think there are huge increases compared to 2008.
Fahrzeug Foto Extras Infos Mietpreis
vom 15.09. bis 05.10. Auswahl
Gruppe M (z.B. Toyota Yaris T1 Hatch o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 380 €
Gruppe M (z.B. Toyota Yaris T1 Hatch o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 440 €
Gruppe P (z.B. VW Chico o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 340 €
Gruppe P (z.B. VW Chico o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 380 €
Gruppe B (z.B. Toyota Yaris T3 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 420 €
Gruppe B (z.B. Toyota Yaris T3 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 480 €
Gruppe C (Toyota Corolla 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 480 €
Gruppe C (Toyota Corolla 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 540 €
Gruppe D Automatik (z.B. Toyota Yaris T3 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 540 €
Gruppe D Automatik (z.B. Toyota Yaris T3 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 600 €
Gruppe E Automatik (Honda Civic o. ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 6.600 ZAR) 880 €
Gruppe E Automatik (Honda Civic o. ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1100 €
Gruppe F Automatik (Honda Accord / Audi A3 o. ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 1460 €
Gruppe F Automatik (Honda Accord / Audi A3 o. ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1440 €
Gruppe G Automatik (Mercedes C 180 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 1520 €
Gruppe G Automatik (Mercedes C 180 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1520 €
Gruppe I (Toyota Avanza o. ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 880 €
Gruppe I (Toyota Avanza o. ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1020 €
Gruppe J Automatik (Mercedes E200 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 12.000 ZAR) 2440 €
Gruppe J Automatik (Mercedes E200 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 2520 €
Gruppe K (4x2 Nissan X-Trail / Honda CRV o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 980 €
Gruppe K (4x2 Nissan X-Trail / Honda CRV o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1060 €
Gruppe N (Toyota Quantum o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 12.000 ZAR) 1820 €
Gruppe N (Toyota Quantum o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 2100 €
Anbieter: Safe!Cars operated by Europcar
Fahrzeug Foto Extras Infos Mietpreis
vom 15.09. bis 05.10. Auswahl
Gruppe A (KIA Picanto o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 360 €
Gruppe A (KIA Picanto o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 400 €
Gruppe B (Toyota Yaris Sedan o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 420 €
Gruppe B (Toyota Yaris Sedan o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 460 €
Gruppe C (VW Polo Classic o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 500 €
Gruppe C (VW Polo Classic o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 560 €
Gruppe D Automatik (Chevrolet Aveo o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 580 €
Gruppe D Automatik (Chevrolet Aveo o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 660 €
Gruppe E (Toyota Quantum o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 9.600 ZAR) 1880 €
Gruppe E (Toyota Quantum o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 2040 €
Gruppe F Automatik (Toyota Avensis o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.600 ZAR) 860 €
Gruppe F Automatik (Toyota Avensis o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 940 €
Gruppe H Automatik (Audi A4 o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 1140 €
Gruppe H Automatik (Audi A4 o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1260 €
Gruppe J (VW Citi Golf o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 340 €
Gruppe J (VW Citi Golf o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 380 €
Gruppe O Automatik (Mercedes C180 o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 1160 €
Gruppe O Automatik (Mercedes C180 o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1340 €
Gruppe S (2x4 Nissan X Trail o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 980 €
Gruppe S (2x4 Nissan X Trail o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1060 €
Gruppe T (Hyundai Atos o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 6.000 ZAR) 380 €
Gruppe T (Hyundai Atos o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 440 €
Gruppe V (Toyota Verso o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic (Selbstbehalt: 7.800 ZAR) 860 €
Gruppe V (Toyota Verso o.ä.) Versicherung: Classic PLUS (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 920 €
Anbieter: Safe!Cars operated by THRIFTY
Fahrzeug Foto Extras Infos Mietpreis
vom 15.09. bis 05.10. Auswahl
Gruppe TA (VW Chico 1,4i o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 380 €
Gruppe TA (VW Chico 1,4i o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 420 €
Gruppe TB (VW Polo 1,4 HATCH o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 400 €
Gruppe TB (VW Polo 1,4 HATCH o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 460 €
Gruppe TB+ (VW Polo 1,4 Sedan o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 440 €
Gruppe TB+ (VW Polo 1,4 Sedan o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 480 €
Gruppe TC (Toyota Corolla 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 460 €
Gruppe TC (Toyota Corolla 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 520 €
Gruppe TD (Toyota Corolla 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 620 €
Gruppe TD (Toyota Corolla 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 700 €
Gruppe TE (Toyota Avensis 2,0L o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 920 €
Gruppe TE (Toyota Avensis 2,0L o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1020 €
Gruppe TF (BMW 320i o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 920 €
Gruppe TF (BMW 320i o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1020 €
Gruppe TG (Mercedes C180 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 10.000 ZAR) 1120 €
Gruppe TG (Mercedes C180 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1240 €
Gruppe TK (2.0 Nissan X-Trail, 4x2 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 10.000 ZAR) 1080 €
Gruppe TK (2.0 Nissan X-Trail, 4x2 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1240 €
Gruppe TL (VW Touran 1,9 Tdi o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 10.000 ZAR) 1120 €
Gruppe TL (VW Touran 1,9 Tdi o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1240 €
Gruppe TN (Mercedes Vito 2,2 CDi o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 10.000 ZAR) 1440 €
Gruppe TN (Mercedes Vito 2,2 CDi o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1600 €
Gruppe TO (Toyota Verso 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 10.000 ZAR) 820 €
Gruppe TO (Toyota Verso 1,6 o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1020 €
Gruppe TQ (Toyota Avanza o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 5.000 ZAR) 620 €
Gruppe TQ (Toyota Avanza o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 700 €
Gruppe TY (Toyota Quantum o.ä.) Versicherung: Standard Cover (Selbstbehalt: 10.000 ZAR) 1180 €
Gruppe TY (Toyota Quantum o.ä.) Versicherung: Super Cover (Selbstbehalt: 0 ZAR) 1300 €