O. R. Tambo International Airport transfer

Once you have cleared passport control and collected your bags, your driver waits in the arrivals area holding a name sign. The exact meeting spot depends on your terminal and flight, so the local provider confirms it with you by phone or WhatsApp before or on arrival.

The ride is private from the kerb to your door. There are no stops for other passengers and no detours to other hotels of the city, which matters after a night flight.

A standard car is comfortable for one to three passengers with normal luggage. Families and groups of up to about seven usually travel in a minivan, and larger vehicles can be requested for bigger parties.

Safari travellers often carry soft duffel bags because light aircraft limit luggage, while golfers heading to Sun City bring bags that take real space. Declare golf clubs, bicycles or other bulky equipment when booking so a suitable vehicle is sent. Child seats can also be added to the booking.

Johannesburg works all year, but demand shifts. South African summer school holidays run through December into January, and Easter brings another rush towards the bush and the mountains. Lodges and resorts fill early in those weeks, and roads out of Gauteng are busier on the first and last days.

The dry winter, roughly May to September, is the classic safari season, with June to August the coolest months. Mornings on the Highveld can be cold, so keep a warm layer in your hand luggage. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms that can slow traffic for a while.

Most airlines ask international passengers to be at the airport about three hours before departure and domestic travellers about two. Add your drive time and a buffer for traffic: weekday mornings and late afternoons on the R24, N12 and N1 can turn a short trip into a slow one.

After dark, a pre-booked car means you are not finding your way on unfamiliar roads, which many visitors appreciate on both arrival and departure days. Your price is fixed at booking.