SANParks.org Forums

Tbird,
I hear ya!!! We are on our 4th CRV here in the states,we love'em.Do they rent'em there?

I don't think any car manufacturer does a car where the back windows go all the way down for safety reasons.

The best to go for would be a double-cab bakkie (pick-up) with a hard body back to put the luggage in.

CR-Vs are hired out but as most companies state X-trail or similar it's very hard to specify the exact make.

There's a thread here that will give you lots of reading about vehicle choice. That might give you more information as well.

I normally hire an X-Trail or CRV (you can never choose the exact make).
Last time I was in SA I was given a brand spanking new Fortuner instead as they didn't have the class I had ordered. Talk about luxury, was much bigger and far more comfortable than either the X-Trail or CRV.

This time I have hired through Hertz and the vehicle looks like it could be a Kia Sportage, but once again have to wait until I get there to see what I actually get.

If going to Kruger a
Nissan Grand Livina will do just fine
Rented one 2 years ago

It also depends on your budget, how high the vegetation is when you are visiting and how long you are going to be in the park. I really value space to move around inside the vehicle so people can access both sides. We visit most years for about nine or ten nights at a time. I go with a Caravelle size vehicle even though there are only three of us. The interior space is a huge benefit when you are in the car for hours on end - camera and cooler bags and the like can go on the rearmost seats and the middle row has those sliding windows. These windows are not ideal but work well enough. If you get a choice the Mercedes equivalent is better than the VW, although this year I saw a few very comfortable looking big Hyundais as well, might try that next time. But best of all with these vehicles is the height, good bit taller than an X-Trail and the seats have a very high setting as well, but be careful not to block the view of those in small cars at sightings. The only downside is that some of the tight gravel loops along river edges aren't negotiable in such a big car, oh and the cost!

But whichever you go with, I'm sure you will have a great trip.

Hi John

You can't go wrong with a Renault Koleos.

Great ride height ; plenty of space for 4 with "normal" luggage and a cooler box ; the back windows also go right down.

The best feature is that the ride over corrugated roads (even the S36) is also much more comfortable than with other similar vehicles (French style seats and a slightly softer suspension) Had one the last 2 times in the park and have booked one for next November again.

When I make the booking (Class S - which includes Nissan X-Trail and the Hyundai) I just stipulate that I want a Koleos. At the airport they once tried to fob off the Hyundai on me - trick is to remain friendly but firm and they then give you the car ordered.

Give me a PM and I can let you have the agent's details

Cheers
fanki

The back windows in Nissan Hardbodies go right down. We had one this summer.

Thunderbird and I talk the same language, but I am not tall.

You probably need to know more about the folk suggesting's motivations, than the cars suggested

I am not a big person and I love Honda. It is for someone like myself, easy to drive. Enough window space and amazingly blonde friendly.

Collected the car from Hertz and they have given me a Honda CRV. Seems ideal for the job although the back windows don't go down all the way which isn't a problem as their are only two of us.

I wanted to update this thread with my experience...which was fantastic.

If you have access to get one, I suggest getting a Visa Signature card. I rented a car from Hertz at MQP for 19 days, and I had no problem declining the rental insurance (ALL rental insurance) and saving myself nearly R6k in the process.

My suggestion is that you print out the Visa Signature benefits document (pdf is online) and bring it along. I simply had Hertz reverse the insurance charge they attempted to add, make a copy of the benefits document, and keep it in my file. It's a money saver.

On a related note, I was happy renting with Hertz. A full spare tire was included, and the Kia Sportage was a comfortable vehicle. It sits a bit higher, the windows in the back roll down all the way, and we (3 of us) were more than comfortable riding around. It wasn't a 4x4, but thats okay. I'll do the 4x4 trails some other trip.

Thanks for the update Stark. Good to know!

Topgunhorse and welcome!

If you are looking at something like a bus, I would go for the VW kombi or the Hyundai H1 bus.
Both are equally nice and spacious. The one isnt better than the other. The H1 may and surely will be a bit cheaper than the VW but then again the VW is a bit more considerate with feul consumption. So its 6 of the one and half a dozzen of the other...it cuts no ice.

If looking at something like a SUV, a X-trail will work well, as well as the Tucson. But if I were to choose it would be the Hyundai IX35. It drives like a dream, very low fuel consumption( lower than the x-trail and the tucson) and have enough space for all the bags.

Decisions

Thank you for the replies. We had thought about something like a Toyota double cab, bakkie type 4x2, but the VW combi/caravelle sounds good. (we wouldn't need a shoe horn then! )
When just the two of us were last in Kruger (feb 2010) we had a Chevvy Aveo so the back seat was full of hand luggage cameras cool box etc.
We will actually be on our honeymoon, the other couple (one of whom is a Saffy) got married near Worcester in the Cape, which was the reason we first visited Kruger and got hooked!
So excited to be going back!!!!!!

We have hired an X-Trail and a Tucson in the past for 4 people, and we found them not very good, with all our luggage and then if you want to buy food and booze before you enter the park.

The Tucson had a very odd shaped boot, and I had to sit all the way from OR Tambo to Kruger with one of our cases in the front seat with me!!

I would definitely recommend a bigger vehicle than those if your budget stretches to it!!

Whatever you hire, I wish you a very happy holiday.

IMHO it would be hard to beat a Toyota Fortuner. Front seat passengers have eye level views at about 1m65 and rear seat passengers 1m85.
There's plenty of legroom and a good size storage area.

Most of the other vehicles I have used - like the X Trail and the Tucson have seats which are actually lower inside than one imagines ( I guess 1m45) and barely higher than a normal car. And even with only two of us carrying luggage, cameras and provisions tested the limits of their "boots".
I'm afraid I can't give any insight into rental availability and comparison prices.