Road tripping around a country can be a super daunting prospect. The idea can be a little bit easier to grasp if it’s your own country, if you know the place or if there is no language barrier, but no matter what the case, it’s still going to be a serious adventure.
Taking a road trip is different to other forms of going on holiday and doing long-term travelling, so don’t underestimate the challenges you may face. But it’s not all doom and gloom! In fact, there are roads of advantages to doing a road trip, rather than other types of travelling, that I think make it the best choice of all.
It all comes down to two things – being prepared and being flexible. Here are a few more tips to consider before you start your road trip around South Africa.
Consider the Seasons
South Africa doesn’t have major differences in weather and temperature during the year, unlike some countries that may experience snow in winter and extreme heat in summer. However, different parts of the country do experience varying climates and weather patterns. For instance, places like Gauteng and the Drakensberg Mountain region experience severe thunder storms and extreme summer rain.
These things shouldn’t be seriously detrimental to your experience, but just bear them in mind when planning and heading out for activities.
Have a Basic Route Plan
Part of the fun of road trips is flexibility, but it’s a good idea to at least have a basic plan of where you’re going. That way, you can keep an eye on weather and other important variables.
Also, if you’ve got a basic idea of your route in mind, you can chat to other travellers and knowledgeable people and potentially get advice on where to go, where to stay and what to do.
Make Sure Your Car is Reliable
This is an obvious one, but car reliability is essential, especially if you’re heading out to remote parts of the country. Make sure you’re keeping an eye things and always have a spare tire. It’s also a good idea to keep some reserve money just in case something goes wrong. The last thing you want is to have car trouble in the middle of nowhere and not have money to fix it. And if you don’t have to use it, at the end of your trip you’ll have more money left over for soccer world cup betting. So, it’s a win either way.
Prioritise Safety
As always, safety ought to be your number one priority, and in South Africa, this comes in many different forms.
First, personal safety and security. Don’t wander around quiet and dicey areas, and always ask advice if you’re not sure. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and don’t assume that everything is safe. Keep your belongings locked up and don’t do anything silly or reckless.
Be aware of poorly maintained roads. Unfortunately, much of the country has roads ridden with potholes, and in some more remote areas, roads can be dangerous and even undriveable at certain times of year, especially during winter. Make sure you consider this before heading on any adventures, and take this into account when deciding what kind of car to use.
