Getting Around South Africa

Ever wonder why there are so many 4x4s on South African roads? Well, here's your answer!

For a developing country, South Africa has a very comprehensive road network - much of which is tarred (sealed). However, road maintenance leaves a lot to be desired, and in recent years, avoiding potholes on the roads has become somewhat of a national sport. Major highways - prefixed with M or N - are usually kept in a reasonable state of repair (apart from the roadworks associated with upgrades for the 2010 World Cup, but that's another story). However, on ordinary roads - even the major roads indicated in yellow on the road maps - be on the lookout for potholes.

Many potholes can be huge and capable of stuffing up your oil sump or even breaking your axle, so please be careful: this is the time to exercise caution rather than machismo!

Be particularly careful when driving in poor light conditions when you can't easily pick up variations in the road surface: dawn and dusk tend to present particularly problematic driving conditions, especially if you are driving into the sun.

...and the prices won't kill you either. This budget airline sounds like the way to go if you are flying within South Africa

When I was in the Johannesburg airport waiting for my flight back to the USA, I saw several aircraft with what seemed to be excessive writing on them. I have not had an opportunity to fly on this airline but have done some reading about them since returning home and I will certainly try to make a connection on Kulula Airlines the next time that I am in South Africa. At this time they do not fly outside of South Africa. I suppose that they are afraid that they might get lost. (Please read on to see why I felt comfortable taking that jab at them as I share some stories which I found during my reading.)

On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where
you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, "People, people we're not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!"

---o0o---

"There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only four ways out
of this airplane."

---o0o---

From a Kulula employee: " Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth .
To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and
pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don't
know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public
unsupervised."

---o0o---

"Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an
emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments."

---o0o---

Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The
flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump
and I know what y'all are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the
airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendant's fault, it was the asphalt."

---o0o---

A Kulula pilot wrote that on one particular flight he had hammered
his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which
required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers
exited, smile, and give them a "Thanks for flying our airline. He said
that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the
passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, "Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Why, no Ma'am," said the pilot. "What is it?" The little old lady said,
"Did we land, or were we shot down?"

---o0o---

After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, "Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.."

---o0o---

I am posting my favorite Kulula Airlines story on my Durban page.

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Kulula Air

Kulula Air, like Mango, is a low cost airline very convenient to fly around in South Africa.

Flight tickets are priced very reasonable. For excellent deals, better buy tickets with many days in advance.

I've used Kulula Air, for a couple one-way trips, such as Johannesburg-CapeTown & Johannesburg-George and must say I was very happy the service.

I love Kulula !!!

- MF in South Africa, May 2009.

A website where you can plan your route in South Africa, you give your departure destination, and your destination where you go to and you can choose between fastest or shortest route... you can print out and take with... its gives detailed directions

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AROUNDABOUTCARS

A bit of a mouthful, but an excellent car rental company. They gave me the cheapest rates and you can take their cars into Zimbabwe. Many companies have stopped letting people go into Zim. Just tell them which countries you want to go to and they will prepare the paperwork.

They have modern cars, loads of locations and couldn't be more helpful and friendly. I have used these people 2 times now for a total of 2 months. I have travelled all over South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland in one of their new cars. When I have had an issue, twice, they answered the telephone after hours and helped me. When my car was accidentally damaged and not covered by insurance, they were very reasonable. Both my cars were new and were great on very bad roads. I highly recommend these folks!

After Hours/Weekend: +27(0)84 4224022
**If in Durban, Johannesburg, Nelspruit or Port Elizabeth you may use this number:
0860 4224022

South Africa is peculiar in the sense that a network of minibus taxis has mushroomed into a major commuter service that has become integral to the everyday life of visitors and locals alike. These minibus taxis require some knowledge of local customs and have a culture all of their own. There are no route maps or recognized stops, yet it is by far the most efficient means of getting around. Hand signs usually indicate a destination and taxis tend to stop whenever a passenger signals to a passing taxi.
Metered taxis are more traditional and can be caught at specific ranks or called for a pick up service.

When I book a flight within South Africa, I found Kulula - a cheap South African airlines. My tickets were quite a bit cheaper than I would have been able to get from major airlines, so if you are planning to fly within the SA, take a look at www.kulula.com!

There is a great choice of airlines to & from Johannesburg or Cape Town. South Africa is on the same time as Europe during the summer & one hour ahead during winter. If you search on the internet at http://www.airports.co.za/acsa/jia/jia_home.html you will find all the airlines telephone no(s) and details to and from South Africa!