Around About Cars

What Around About Cars does

Around About Cars is a Cape Town-headquartered car rental company founded in 1995 that operates the largest disclosed rental fleet footprint in Southern Africa through a hybrid of company-owned branches and a 40+ affiliated partner network providing access to 10,000+ vehicles. The company rents more than 12,000 vehicles per year and serves international tourists, domestic travelers, young drivers aged 18-23, adventure and safari travelers, and families, with multi-language service in English, German, Afrikaans, and Xhosa. Its core product spans economy, family, luxury, SUV, 4x4, people carrier, and motorhome categories, supplemented by add-on services including Hepstar excess reimbursement insurance, Airalo eSIM/GPS hire, camping equipment rental, and a recently launched chauffeur and direct transfer service.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model via an online booking platform, phone reservations, and walk-in airport and downtown branches across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tanzania, and Zambia, with integrated cross-border authorization documentation for travel into nine neighboring countries. Revenue is generated primarily through daily and weekly rental fees (ranging roughly from R1,188 to R3,300 per day across vehicle classes), with supplementary income from insurance add-ons, cross-border authorization fees, GPS and eSIM rentals, affiliate commissions, and a 50+ accommodation partner referral network. The company is privately held by the Moser family, B-BBEE certified, and operates with a lean team of 11-50 employees supported by a vetted affiliated branch network.

Name

Around About Cars

Legal name

Around About Cars

Website

https://aroundaboutcars.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Around About Cars is a Cape Town-based car rental company founded in 1995, operating 40+ affiliated branches across Southern Africa and serving international tourists, domestic travelers, young drivers, and adventure travelers with unlimited-mileage vehicles and cross-border rental capabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Car Rental Services

NAICS

Passenger Car Rental and Leasing (53211), Passenger Car Rental (532111), Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing (5321), Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing (53212), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)

SIC

Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Vehicle Rentals (SUVs, Convertibles, 4x4) (THADAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Long-Term / Seasonal RV Rentals (THADAIAF), Campervan Rentals (Class B / Converted Vans) (THADAIAA), Off-Road / 4x4 Camper Rentals (Overland Rigs) (THADAIAH), Car Rental & Car-Sharing Booking Platforms (BPAMAIAF)

Keywords

• Car rental services
• Vehicle hire
• 4x4 rental
• Motorhome hire
• Unlimited mileage rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Rental: Core revenue from daily/weekly vehicle rentals across all vehicle categories including economy cars, SUVs, luxury vehicles, 4x4s, people carriers, and motorhomes. Charges based on rental duration, vehicle category, and insurance options selected.
2. Insurance Products: Revenue from insurance add-ons including Standard Cover (mandatory), Super Cover (reduced excess), and Executive Cover (zero excess). Partnered with Hepstar for excess reimbursement insurance at R140/day.
3. Additional Services and Fees: Fees from one-way rentals, cross-border travel authorization, additional driver fees, GPS/mobile phone rental, camping equipment rental, and fuel handling charges.
4. Affiliate Network Revenue: Revenue share or commission arrangements with 40+ affiliated branches and over 10,000 additional vehicles through partner rental companies across Southern Africa.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Around About Cars rents passenger vehicles, SUVs, 4x4s, people carriers, mini vans, motorhomes, and camping-equipped 4x4s to consumers and small groups across Southern Africa through 40+ affiliated branches and an online booking platform. Core offerings are priced with unlimited mileage on most vehicles and bundled with optional insurance, cross-border authorization, GPS/eSIM hire, camping equipment, and chauffeur transfer services.

Product overview

Around About Cars is a traditional car rental company founded in 1995, operating as the largest car hire company in Southern Africa with over 40 affiliated branches. The company offers a comprehensive fleet of rental vehicles through multiple product lines: Economy and small vehicle rentals (Renault Kwid Climber, Hyundai Grand I10), medium and family-sized vehicles (Nissan Almera), luxury sedans (BMW 3 Series), convertibles (Mini Cooper), SUVs, Single and Double Cab 4x4s, people carriers (8-14 seats), and mini vans. Their specialty products include camper vans and motorhomes (Iveco M4Bi and M6B), camping-equipped 4x4s (Toyota Hilux, GWM Tank 300), and dedicated motorhome rentals in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Add-on services include Hepstar excess reimbursement insurance, travel insurance, mobile phone/GPS hire, camping equipment rental, young driver car hire (age 18+), unlimited mileage options, cross-border vehicle rental to neighboring African countries, and chauffeur/direct transfer services. The company positions itself as a full-service car rental provider emphasizing unlimited kilometres, comprehensive insurance options, and personalized customer service across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and other regional locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cape Point Villa: Sister brand offering luxury 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom guesthouse located along the Cape Peninsula National Park in Scarborough.

Products and services

• Passenger Car Rental Rental of economy hatchbacks, medium hatchbacks, family-sized vehicles, convertibles, luxury sedans (e.g., BMW 3 Series), SUVs, people carriers (8-14 seats), and mini vans to individual travelers and families across Southern Africa, with air conditioning, modern safety features, and unlimited mileage on most vehicles.
• Motorhome Rental Rental of fully equipped motorhomes including the M4Bi Iveco (4-berth with walk-through entrance, flush toilet, shower, fridge, water tank, and gas hob) and M6B Iveco (6-berth with Luton bed) for self-contained road trips across South Africa.
• Camping-Equipped 4x4 Rental Rental of camping-equipped 4x4 vehicles including the GWM Tank 300 (5-seat), Toyota Hilux Single Cab 4x4 (2-seat), and Toyota Double Cab 4x4 with rooftop tents and camping equipment for adventure travel across South Africa, Namibia, and cross-border safari destinations.
• Cross-Border Vehicle Rental Vehicle rental that includes cross-border authorization permitting travel into neighboring Southern African countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia for 4x4s, Malawi for 4x4s), with documentation support and Angola explicitly excluded.
• Under 23 Car Hire (Young Driver Rental) Rental service enabling drivers aged 18 and older to rent vehicles without a young driver surcharge, expanding access to a demographic excluded or penalized by most competitors.
• Hepstar Car Hire Excess Insurance Third-party excess reimbursement insurance covering excess liability, tyres, windows, undercarriage, rental car key loss, and claim processing fees, with Standard (up to R30,000 excess) and Premier (up to R60,000 excess including towing) tiers from R140 per day.
• Hepstar Travel Insurance

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 12,000 vehicles rented annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cape Town TourismcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1995Proud members of Cape Town Tourism for over 25 years. This membership provides credibility validation and marketing exposure through Cape Town's official tourism promotion channels. Reciprocal referral arrangement benefiting both parties.
• Cape Town MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Cape Town Magazine for travelers exploring the Mother City. Magazine provides destination inspiration while Around About Cars enables mobility for exploring recommended attractions.
• Hepstar InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Hepstar for excess reimbursement insurance products. Hepstar provides world-class full cover from R140/day covering excess liability, tyres, windows, keys, and admin fees. Integral to the insurance product offering.
• SAYTC (South African Youth Travel Confederation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegistered member of SAYTC, South African Youth Travel Confederation. Provides access to youth and budget travel market segment through official industry association.
• Backpackers South Africa (BSA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliated with Backpackers South Africa, the national backpacking tourism association. Opens distribution to budget-conscious independent travelers.
• Cape Point VillaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSister brand luxury 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom guesthouse in Scarborough. Part of accommodation partner network offering discounted stays to Around About Cars customers.
• Accommodation Partners (50+ establishments)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerExtensive network of accommodation partners including 5 Camp Street Luxury Guesthouse, Chartfield Guest House, Tintagel Guest House, Parker Cottage, and 50+ more. Mutual discount and referral arrangements benefit both car rental and accommodation bookings.
• Kolisi FoundationminorOthersSupport for Siya and Rachel Kolisi's foundation which assists communities through food donations, gender-based violence support, sports opportunities, and educational projects. Around About Cars supports 40 community kitchens.
• Work For Love / Bhongolethu FoundationminorOthersLong-term involvement in Work For Love (now Bhongolethu Foundation) providing education access for children in Masiphumelele township. Company was actively involved in founding and continues sponsorship.
• U-TurnminorOthersSupport for U-Turn homeless charity which provides multi-stage Life Change programs including food, clothing, education, internships, and business career opportunities. Donations of textiles and food accepted at Around About Cars office.
• HokisaminorOthersPartnership with Hokisa which creates homes for children affected by HIV/AIDS within their community. Builds bridges between South Africa and other countries through this initiative.
• Township Help / HokisaminorOthersSupport for Township Help NGO including acquisition and renovation of orphanage in Langa township. Organization provides safety and security for babies to teenagers with five employees on site.
• National Council of SPCAsminorOthersSupport for NSPCA animal protection organization active since 1955, older and larger than any other animal protection organization in South Africa. Participation in events like Padel for Pets and Wines2Whales.
• Tourism Community Development TrustminorOthersFriends of Tourism Community Development Trust supporting work in local communities through annual donation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• First Car Rental: South African-headquartered rental company with broad national coverage and airport presence; closest direct domestic competitor with similar fleet breadth and tourist focus.
• Tempest Car Hire: South African rental company with national branch network; listed among Around About Cars' affiliated branches and competes for similar tourist and domestic rental demand.
• Maui Motorhomes South Africa: Specialist motorhome rental brand operating in South Africa; directly comparable product offering to Around About Cars' Iveco M4Bi and M6B motorhome fleet.
• Drive South Africa: Specialist in 4x4 and overlanding vehicle rentals for Southern African safari travel; directly comparable in the adventure and cross-border rental niche that differentiates Around About Cars.
• Britz Africa: Specialized motorhome and 4x4 rental operator in Southern Africa; competes directly in the campervan and self-drive safari segment that Around About Cars targets with its Iveco motorhomes.
• Europcar South Africa: Major international car rental brand operating across South Africa with airport branches; directly competes with Around About Cars for tourist and domestic rentals in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and other major cities.

Broad incumbents

• Sixt Rent a Car: European-headquartered premium rental brand expanding across Southern Africa; competes for international tourists and offers a similar premium fleet mix including SUVs and luxury vehicles.
• Budget Rent a Car South Africa: Value-oriented international rental brand operating across South African airports; competes primarily on price in the mainstream passenger car rental segment.
• Hertz South Africa: Global rental incumbent with strong airport presence in South Africa; competes broadly in passenger car rental with broader fleet scale but less specialization in safari/4x4/motorhome segments.
• Avis South Africa: Established international rental brand with extensive South African airport network; competes in the same traditional car rental category but offers less depth in adventure and cross-border-specific products.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AroundACars
• Facebookfacebook.com/aroundaboutcars
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/around-about-cars

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Around About Cars