Thanks sb. Cheers!

sandi - very funny stories. At least you can say you've driven a Ferrari!

If you're comfortable with driving a "normal" (right-hand) stick shift, you should have no problem with a manual-transmission car in SA. Our first experience with this was in England, where we rented a manual because the prices for automatics (and gasoline) were so outrageous. My husband adjusted quickly to the left-hand shifting, even after an all-night flight and in the midst of morning rush hour outside Gatwick.

I agree, with the others, if you are comfortable with a manual shift, you won't have any problems with the manual in SA........but watch out for the windshield washers......I ALWAYS turn them on when I am trying to turn on the turn signal!!

We drove 1500 kms in October frpm Port Elizabeth to Capetown without any hitches.I was surprised by the lack of traffic on the highways and route 62.Even Capetown and the cape were easily navigated.You dont need a GPS.Only word of caution apprroaching a roundabout when there is no traffic coming the other way ALWAYS steer to the left.Coming from Canada you automatically would pull to the right and for the first two days I had to remind myself.Also south africans rarely seem to obey speed limits unless they suspect radar traps.you can do up to 100kms/hr on the highways quite legally so speeding isnt really an option.Happy trails

Traffic lights are called robots & at 4 way stops its as in the USA.

I rented a manual in SA a few months ago - had never driven on the left before, and had not driven a stick in years. I had more problems with shifting (and I admit I stalled out at a couple of intersections in the beginning!) than with driving on the left, which took amazingly little time to adjust to.

We flew into Cape Town, and it probably helped that we started out visiting the Overberg, which had relatively little traffic.

The one thing I never did get used to was the ticket dispensers at parking lots/garages. I ALWAYS looked left for them, despite sitting on the right side of the car!