Which company would you choose and how much insurance did anyone buy. They sell tire, windshield, theft, two levels of car ins. etc. We were told to get a car to drive to our hotel which is outside of Cape Town. Just don't know what rental company is best and the amount of ins to buy. Thank you.

Howzit cherylbr,

We always use Around About Cars - www.aroundaboutcars.com
and choose the Super Cover rather than Standard Cover.

I've used several; Hertz, Avis (South Africa), Budget ZA and Europcar, all booked thru Autoeurope. I bought all the insurances i.e. CDW, PAI, theft protection, windshield, tyres etc - the whole lot. Car rental is very inexpensive in ZA so no reason to skimp on the insurance coverage.

Thank you so much for this information. Now I can proceed and feel like I know what I am doing. Fodor's Forum is so good for traveling.

Since I get travel/med insurance that covers the car rental, I don't add insurance for the car. I always rent through Avis. Look for a coupon - they can save a lot off the regular price, but hard to find international coupons that work.
If you are not comfortable driving (and an automatic transmission is very expensive!) on the "wrong" side of the street, shifting and trying not to get lost, you can get a cab or a private driver if it's just for back/forth to the hotel, and a few side trips. I find driving in S Africa "adventurous".

Thank you. All good information. Next question.
Without a car in Johannesburg, staying at the Maritime Bushwald Estate hotel for 3 days--
what do you suggest for side trips. The hotel lines some up for 350 a couple but that seems high. If we wanted to go golfing or see the MIT or Aparthide Museum how much will it cost to get to these places and is it worth it. What other ideas do you think should be done in Johannesburg?