City guides
Car hire in Polokwane
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 6 min read · Updated 29 September 2026
- Main pickup point
- Polokwane International Airport (PTG)
- Pretoria
- About 280 km, roughly 3 hours on the N1
- Small car, from
- About R202 a day nationally (Discover Cars, 29 September 2026)
- Vehicle that usually fits
- Sedan for main roads, higher clearance for game farms
- Roads
- N1 north is tolled and carries heavy cross border freight
Car hire in Polokwane is usually collected at the airport a short drive north of the city, and it is the practical base for Limpopo, whether you are heading east to Tzaneen and the Kruger's Phalaborwa gate, north towards Mapungubwe and the Zimbabwe border, or simply breaking the long N1 run between Gauteng and the north.
This is bushveld country, so game farm access roads and gravel are part of the picture once you leave the main routes.
Below: brand presence, national rate benchmarks, road notes for the N1, and drive times across Limpopo.
Where to collect a car in Polokwane
Polokwane's airport handles scheduled domestic flights and has rental counters in the terminal, with quick collection. There are also branches in the city serving local and business demand.
Fleets are moderate rather than deep, so book ahead in school holidays when Limpopo lodges fill.
The alternative many visitors use is collecting at OR Tambo and driving the N1 north, about three and a half hours. That gives you a wider choice of vehicle, which matters if you specifically want an SUV or bakkie for game farm roads.
Which rental brands have a presence in Polokwane
| Brand | Presence |
|---|---|
| Avis | Polokwane presence |
| Budget | Run alongside Avis in South Africa |
| First Car Rental | Polokwane presence including a downtown point |
Coverage for the other brands on this site varies in Limpopo. Check availability for your dates rather than assuming a branch, and treat OR Tambo as the fallback for a wider choice.
What you can expect to pay
Polokwane rates track the national picture, with holiday spikes driven by lodge and game farm demand.
| What price comparison sites showed on 29 September 2026 | Per day |
|---|---|
| Discover Cars, small car, from | R202 |
| Discover Cars, average rental in South Africa | R271 |
| Discover Cars, premium car, from | R837 |
| Cheapflights, average paid over the last 12 months | R556 |
These figures come from Discover Cars and Cheapflights. Most are national, not Polokwane quotes. A "from" price is the cheapest car found on the day; an average includes bigger cars and longer rentals, which is why the two sites differ so much. Discover Cars puts December at about R474 a day against about R387 in September, so holiday dates cost more.
SUVs and bakkies are the groups that run out first here, for the same reason as in Mpumalanga. If that is what you want for farm roads, book it well ahead.
Driving in and around Polokwane
The N1 runs through Polokwane, south to Pretoria and north to Musina and the Beitbridge border. It is tolled, so keep a card or cash, and it carries heavy cross border freight, which means long truck convoys and patient overtaking.
The R71 east towards Tzaneen climbs the Magoebaskloof Pass, a tarred but steep and winding road that draws mist. Take it slowly and in daylight your first time.
Other notes:
- Livestock and pedestrians are common on rural roads, particularly near settlements.
- Avoid driving at night outside the towns.
- Game farm and lodge access roads are frequently gravel, and often corrugated in the dry season.
- Summer afternoons bring heavy thunderstorms that flood low water bridges quickly. Never drive into moving water on a low crossing.
Parking in the city is easy and mostly free at the shopping centres, with marshals in the central streets.
Drive times from Polokwane
Approximate one way driving times:
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Tzaneen | About 110 km | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Mokopane | About 60 km | 45 minutes |
| Phalaborwa Gate, Kruger | About 220 km | 3 hours |
| Pretoria | About 280 km | 3 hours |
| OR Tambo International | About 330 km | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Musina and the Beitbridge border | About 200 km | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Mbombela (Nelspruit) | About 350 km | 4 hours 30 minutes |
Mapungubwe in the far north is about three and a half hours, and it is worth planning as an overnight rather than a day trip.
Which vehicle makes sense here
A sedan or hatchback is fine for the N1, the towns and the tarred routes to Kruger's western gates.
A bakkie or SUV earns its place on game farm and lodge access roads, which are usually gravel and often rough. It also gives you better visibility on farm tracks, which is part of the appeal in this province.
The rental agreement is the deciding factor. Unsurfaced road damage is commonly excluded, and Limpopo is a region where you will meet gravel sooner rather than later. Ask the rental company what your booking permits.
If you are crossing into Zimbabwe or Botswana, written cross border permission must be arranged in advance and carries a fee.
Frequently asked questions
Which car hire companies are in Polokwane?
Avis, Budget and First Car Rental have a Polokwane presence, at the airport and in the city. Coverage for the other brands varies in Limpopo, so check availability for your dates rather than assuming a branch is nearby.
How much is car hire in Polokwane?
On 29 September 2026 Discover Cars showed small cars across South Africa from about R202 a day and an average rental of R271 a day, and Cheapflights' average over the previous 12 months was R556 a day. Prices move with the season, how early you book, how long you keep the car and the excess cover you choose, so get a quote for your dates.
How far is Polokwane from Kruger National Park?
Phalaborwa Gate is about 220 km and roughly three hours to the east. Plan to arrive well before the gate closing time, which changes with the season, and avoid the last stretch after dark because of livestock and wildlife on the roads.
Is the N1 north of Pretoria a toll road?
Yes, the N1 through Limpopo has toll plazas. Keep a card or cash in the car. It is also a heavy cross border freight route to Beitbridge, so allow extra time and overtake only with a long clear view.
Do I need a 4x4 in Limpopo?
Not for the main roads, which are tarred. Game farm and lodge access roads are usually gravel and often rough, so higher clearance helps. Check the unsurfaced road clause in your rental agreement, because damage there is commonly excluded.
Can I drive from Polokwane into Zimbabwe?
Only with written cross border authorisation from the rental company, arranged in advance and carrying a fee. The Beitbridge border is about two and a quarter hours north. Without the letter you will be turned back at the border post.
