South Africa toll fees to rise from 01 March 2026: What self-drive travellers should know

If you’re planning a self-drive adventure in South Africa in 2026, it’s important to know that the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will implement a toll tariff adjustment from 01 March 2026.

This affects rental cars, road trips, and long-distance travel, particularly along major corridors connecting airports, cities, safari lodges, and coastal destinations.

Toll fee increase at a glance

• Effective date: 01 March 2026
• Increase: 3.12% (CPI-linked)
• Lower than last year’s adjustment of 4.85%

SANRAL explains that toll revenue is critical for maintaining, upgrading, and expanding national highways in South Africa, as well as servicing debt incurred from toll road projects. These funds ensure that travellers enjoy safe, reliable, and high-quality roads throughout the country.

Why toll roads matter for international travellers

South Africa is one of the world’s premier self-drive destinations. Major tourist routes often include toll roads, such as:

• Johannesburg > Kruger National Park (N4 corridor)
• Cape Town > Gqeberha (N2 via Tsitsikamma)
• Johannesburg > Durban (N3 highway)

Well-maintained toll highways help travellers save time, enjoy smoother journeys, and access remote safari lodges, beaches, and national parks. 

Example toll costs for key routes

Here’s a practical guide for international visitors planning road trips in South Africa:

Route	Estimated Toll Cost (One Way, Light Vehicle)	Notes
Johannesburg → Kruger National Park	~R280–R300	Three main toll plazas; ideal for safari access
Cape Town → Gqeberha	~R70–R90	Mainly Tsitsikamma toll plaza on N2
Johannesburg → Durban	~R200–R220	Multiple tolls along the N3 corridor; common for KwaZulu-Natal coast trips

Please note: Toll costs are approximate and may vary slightly depending on your vehicle class and exact entry/exit points.

Tips for self-drive international travellers

1. Check toll payment with your rental company – e-tags or manual payment may apply.
2. Carry small Rand denominations for manual tolls if required.
3. Include tolls in your budget for long-distance itineraries like Cape Town > Gqeberha or Johannesburg > Kruger National Park.
4. Plan routes ahead – use GPS or route planners that highlight toll roads.

Why this matters for your trip

SANRAL toll revenue keeps national highways in top condition, ensuring:

• Smooth drives for tourists exploring the Garden Route, Kruger National Park, and KwaZulu-Natal coast
• Safe access to lodges, national parks, and adventure activities
• Reliable infrastructure for connecting flights, buses, and local transport

For overseas visitors, this means better road quality, shorter travel times, and safer journeys, enhancing your South African self-drive experience.

Bottom Line

From 01 March 2026, toll tariffs on SANRAL-operated roads will increase by 3.12%. While modest, this adjustment ensures that South Africa's roads remain safe, efficient, and ready for international travellers.

Budgeting for tolls on long-distance routes is smart, but overall, self-drive trips remain an affordable and rewarding way to explore South Africa's iconic destinations.

Toll costs are approximate and may vary slightly depending on your vehicle class and exact entry/exit points.

 

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The 10 most dangerous roads in South Africa!

South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has released a list of the country's most dangerous roads. The list is based on the number of fatalities that took place on National Routes (N), Provincial Routes (R) and Regional Routes (R) in all nine provinces in South Africa. A total of 254 people died on these roads in 2018 and the human behaviour accounts for nine out of ten fatal crashes that occurred on these roads. The Top Ten roads and areas with the highest number of deaths nationally are:

• R71 Mankweng in Limpopo
• R573 Umhlanga in Mpumalanga
• N4 Nelspruit in Mpumalanga
• N2 Libode in Eastern Cape
• N1 Naboomspruit in Limpopo
• N2 Umkhomazi in KwaZulu Natal
• N2 Pongola in KwaZulu Natal
• N2 Idutywa in Eastern Cape
• R37 Mecklenburg
• N3 Harrismith in the Free State
  

According to the RTMC the Top Ten roads have been prioritised for intensified law enforcement to make these roads safer.

The 20 most dangerous roads to drive in South Africa!

South Africa's Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has released a list of the country's most dangerous routes to drive. The list is based on the number of road crashes and fatalities that took place on National Routes (N), Provincial Routes (R) and Regional Routes (R) in all nine provinces in South Africa. 

The 20 most dangerous roads to drive in South Africa:

1. N2 - East London <> Umtata (231km)
2. N2 - Umtata <> Kokstad (188km)
3. N1 - Mokopane <> Polokwane (58km)
4. N1 - Polokwane <> Makhado (109km)
5. N4 - Middelburg <> Belfast (72km)
6. N2 - Durban <> Tongaat (48km)
7. N12 - Springs <> Witbank (101km)
8. R573 - Pretoria <> Kwamhlanga (74km)
9. N1 - Naboomspruit <> Mokopane (44km)
10. R71 - Polokwane <> Tzaneen (95km)
11. R40 - Hazyview <> Hoedspruit (99km)
12. R61 - Port St Johns <> Bizana (149km)
13. N2 - Cape Town <> Somerset West (48km)
14. N2 - King Williams Town <> East London (70km)
15. R61 - Queenstown <> Umtata (226km)
16. N3 - Warden <> Viliers (104km)
17. N4 - Waterval Boven <> Nelspruit (91km)
18. R573 - Moloto Road (140km)
19. N14 - Coligny <> Beisiesvlei (47km)
20. N17 - Liandra <> Ermelo (120 km)

Kruger National Park: No leaded & unleaded fuel at Shingwedzi Rest Camp!

update (17 Oct 2016): Unleaded petrol available again at Shingwedzi Rest Camp in Kruger National Park. Leaded petrol is still not available. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced on 05 October 2016 that leaded and unleaded fuel is currently not available at Shingwedzi Rest Camp in Kruger National Park. Both fuel pumps are out of operation until further notice due to the decontamination of the tanks. The diesel fuel pumps are not affected by the decontamination, so that diesel is still available at the restcamp in the northern section of the Kruger National Park. We'll keep you posted!

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Video: A road trip through South Africa!

Cornelius Bierer, a German videographer and photographer, recently did a 18 day road trip through South Africa. He travelled about 4000km from Johannesburg to Cape Town, filmed his trip and thankfully made it available online. From Johannesburg and Pretoria Cornelius travelled to the Blyde River Canyon and the Kruger National Park before crossing the border to Swaziland to visit the Mkhaya Game Reserve. The next stops along his way to Cape Town included St Lucia, Durban, Coffee Bay, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Hermanus and Franschhoek. Enjoy the video! Kudos Cornelius!

South Africa Roadtrip - experiencing a world in one country from Cornelius Bierer on Vimeo.

Car rental company Sixt expands to Kenya

Car rental company Sixt has announced the expansion of its mobility services in Africa. Starting immediately, travellers can now use Sixt’s mobility solutions in Kenya. The product range in the East African country currently covers short-term and long-term rentals alike, from classic one-day hires to packages that cover several weeks.
The first Sixt branch has already started operating at Jomo Kenyata International Airport in Kenya's capital Nairobi. A second branch will shortly open at the airport in Mombasa. Sixt’s service package in the country initially comprises a fleet of 30 vehicles from Toyota and Hyundai.
Kenya has become the 13th nation in Africa to be included in the Sixt network. The car rental company already serves customers in Angola, Egypt, Libya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Tunisia. The branch network will shortly be extended to include Ivory Coast.

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Europcar expands its Botswana operations

The international car rental company Europcar opened a new branch in Maun - the 3rd largest town in Botswana and the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The company furthermore secured one of the best parking position at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Botswana's capital Gaborone, so that clients of Europcar now have only a short walk between the Europcar's office and their rental car.
Europcar also made a bid for facilities inside the new Francistown International Airport terminal.

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Car Hire: Europcar South Africa recently introduced tyre and windscreen cover

Europcar South Africa recently introduced a "Tyre and Windscreen Cover" (TWC) with zero excess to all customers. TWC is the latest product offering that covers customers in the event of tyres being damaged and/or windscreens chipped, cracked or broken.
Many drivers suffer damages such as tyre bursts from potholes and broken windscreens after being hit by a stone from a passing vehicle. This just goes to show how easy it if for tyres and windscreens to get damaged on the road. Europcar South Africa is offering customers Tyre and Windscreen Cover to ensure that they have one less thing to worry about.
TWC can be purchased at R15 per day when making a reservation or picking up a vehicle. A driver who declines to take out this cover will be liable for the full amount of repairing or replacing damaged tyres and windscreens, including the payment of a handling fee.

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Namibia: new traffic fines from 17 Dec 2010

Namibian newspaper "The Namibian" is reporting that new traffic fines are coming in force on Friday, 17 Dec 2010. It was confirmed by the Commanding Officer of the Namibian Police’s Traffic Law Enforcement Division, Deputy Commissioner Ralph Ludwig. [src.]

New traffic fines (from 17 Dec 2010):

• Talking on cellphone while driving - N$2000
• Failure to stop at red traffic light - N$2500
• Failure to stop at stop sign - N$1500
• Not wearing seatbelt - N$1000
• Reckless or negligent driving - N$4000
• Driving vehicle that is not roadworthy - N$2000
• Parking on disabled parking space - N$1000
  Speeding:
• Driving at 71 to 75 km/h in 60 km/h zone - N$375
• 96 to 100 km/h in 60 km/h zone - N$500, etc
• 126 to 130 km/h in 120 km/h zone - N1000
• 141 to 145 km/h in 120 km/h zone - N$2000, etc
• Buses (100 km/h speed limit):
• Driving at 106 to 110 km/h - $1000
• 116 to 120 km/h - N$1500
• 141 to 150 km/h - N$3000, etc

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Driving in South Africa

Any valid driver's licence is accepted in South Africa, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English. Vehicle hire companies may also require an international driver's licence. Double-check it when booking a car.

South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road (right-hand drive vehicles)

All distances, speed limits are marked in kilometres.

Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Make sure that you have either a credit card or cash to pay.

Wearing of seat belts is compulsory. Using cell phones while driving is against the law (in case you are not using a hands-free kit)

The general speed limit on South Africa's national highways, urban freeways and other major routes is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary or rural roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph), unless otherwise indicated.

Various types of petrol (gas) are available in South Africa: unleaded, 97-, 95- or 93-octane ("super" or "premium"). The 95-octane petrol is available at higher altitude, as well as 93-octane. At the coast, your choice is between 95- and 97-octane. Diesel is available with 0.05% sulphur content and 0.005% sulphur content.

South African petrol stations are not self-help: an attendant will fill the car, ask if you'd like your oil and water and tire pressure checked, and offer to clean your windscreen. Attendants expect a tip of two to three rand for their service. Petrol stations are usually open 24/7!

Motorists in South Africa are now (since 2009) able pay for fuel with their credit cards. Filling stations that cannot handle credit card payments are urged to put up prominent notices to this effect.

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