South Africa, once synonymous with apartheid and high crime, has overcome its troubled past to become one of the world’s most popular and rapidly growing tourist destinations. This constantly evolving ‘Rainbow Nation’ truly has something for everyone, from cosmopolitan cities filled with modern conveniences to adventurous safaris through untamed wildlife.

Johannesburg and Cape Town are South Africa’s two largest airports, and both receive several daily flights from European and North American cities. Both airports also provide a variety of cheap South Africa hire car options. Despite the country’s reputation for high crime, exploring South Africa by hire car is safe for drivers who use common sense and use proper precautions. Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city, even features safe guided tours around notorious Soweto township.

The comparatively sedate city of Pretoria is under 60 minutes away from Johannesburg by South Africa hire car. Pretoria, nicknamed ‘Jacaranda City’ for its tree lined streets, is filled with interesting museums, nature reserves, and monuments to South Africa’s Voortrekker movement.

Coastal Cape Town, located where the Atlantic and Indian oceans connect, successfully combines South Africa’s natural beauty with sophisticated urban living like no another city in the country. Majestic Table Mountain, the Cape Point Nature Reserve, the gorgeous Stellenbosch and Franschoek vineyards, and many of the most beautiful beaches in the world are just a brief drive away from Cape Town by South Africa rental car.

Massive Kruger National Park, which borders Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is South Africa’s largest national park and provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for North American and European tourists to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and other exotic African wildlife in their natural habitat.