5 Essentials You Wouldn’t Think To Prepare when Planning A Road Trip In South Africa

This year was the first year we decided to drive back from Cape Town. David drove down from Joburg a week after we flew down and we will all drive back together next year.

Last year we all drove down to Durban but a road trip to Durban can’t really be compared to a road trip from Cape Town.

Fortunately this time we have the bus so there is enough space for everyone to be comfortable and transport the many many suitcases, gifts and other miscellaneous bags we seem to have accumulated over the last 3 weeks (suddenly the baby has 3 suitcases of stuff and she hasn’t even been born yet.).

There is still a lot to consider though, when planning a road trip that can, potentially take 2 days. My focus, on any holiday, is making sure we all have enough clothes, medicine, food, bottles etc. My husband however, being a member of the insurance fraternity considers all the practical things that insurance companies try to get us to consider.

If you are planning a road trip, I have a few things that maybe you haven’t considered yet, that you should to make it easier and safer.

• Check your vehicle admin – I am not just talking about the obvious tyre pressure, water check, brakes and what not but rather, check your licence disk is up to date and won’t expire while you are away. Check the details of your car insurance and make sure that any one who may be driving your car for an extended period is covered. If you are pulling a trailer or a caravan then check their disks are also up to date and valid. While you are busy with admin, if you are crossing borders then make sure you have some sort of travel insurance in place.
• Plan entertainment. iPads, DVD players, games, books, Leappads – whatever it takes you need to have it in the car to help keep the kids entertained in between stops! And snacks. If all else fails feed them!
• Make sure your drivers licences are valid. This may sound like a simple thing most people check and maybe most do but I was caught earlier this year in East London, trying to hire a car with a licence that had just expired. I never received a notification and I never check the dates of these things. Same applies to anyone else who may be driving your car.
• Get hands free! South African  roads get crazy during the holidays, so you need to be focused the whole time but family and friends also want updates and you may need to use your GPS so keep your phone charged but also make sure you have a hands free kit so you can keep your eye on the road. Or a passenger who can answer all your calls.
• Plan alternative routes. One accident can cause roads to be closed for hours. If you have kids then you don’t really want to be stuck in stand still traffic for hours. So plan alternative routes in, it may work out longer time wise but at least you are still moving.

Have you done a long road trip before? What are some of your tips?