Top 5 best scooter rentals in Pretoria

Pretoria rewards anyone willing to explore beyond the hotel lobby, and a scooter is the easiest way to do it. Wind through the jacaranda-lined streets toward Church Square, watch the afternoon light hit the granite walls of the Voortrekker Monument, or climb up to the Union Buildings for a view over the whole city. With a scooter under you, all of it is a short, breezy ride away, not a logistics puzzle.

Pretoria's biggest sights sit close together, most within a 5–10 km radius, which makes a car feel like overkill and walking feel like a slog once the sun is out. Outside rush hour the traffic is manageable, the streets are wide, and a scooter lets you dip into the hillier spots — the Monument, Wonderboom — that are too far to walk but hardly worth a full car rental. If you want to rent a scooter in Pretoria, this is exactly the kind of city where it pays off.

Top 10 things to see in Pretoria by scooter

1. Union Buildings — the iconic government seat, with terraced gardens and a hilltop view over the city, an easy ride from most central pickup points.
2. Voortrekker Monument — a granite monument on a hill with a panoramic viewpoint, reached via a scenic approach road riders love.
3. Freedom Park — a memorial and heritage site right next to the Monument, easy to fold into the same loop.
4. Church Square (Kerkplein) — the historic centre of the city, home to the Old Palace of Justice and the Paul Kruger statue.
5. Pretoria National Botanical Garden — a large green space on the city's edge, a relaxed escape from traffic with trails and picnic spots.
6. Melrose House — a Victorian-era house museum downtown, a quick stop on a heritage ride.
7. National Zoological Garden (Pretoria Zoo) — one of the city's major draws, complete with a cable car up Zoo Hill for skyline views.
8. Groenkloof Nature Reserve — Africa's first proclaimed nature reserve, close enough for a short scenic ride with a real chance of wildlife sightings.
9. Wonderboom Nature Reserve — home to the ancient Wonderboom fig tree and a lookout over the northern suburbs.
10. University of Pretoria (Hatfield campus) & Javett Art Centre — a lively student district with cafés and a striking art gallery, great for an evening ride.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Pretoria?

South Africa requires a motorcycle licence to ride a scooter — a car licence alone won't cover it. Smaller-capacity machines typically fall under code A1, larger ones under code A; check with the operator which class your scooter needs. Riders are usually expected to be 21 or older, and an International Driving Permit is generally required alongside your home licence. A deposit is standard too, normally held on a credit card in your name.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Pretoria?

Expect around ZAR 100–150 per day for a basic 50–125cc scooter in low season, rising to roughly ZAR 180–280 per day in high season. Larger or newer models run about ZAR 300–500 per day.

• Prices climb in December and January, when summer holidays bring the most visitors.
• They drop in June to August, South Africa's quieter winter months.

When to book a rental scooter in Pretoria?

High season runs December through January, plus the Easter period, so book ahead if you're travelling then and expect to pay toward the top of the range. Low season falls in the Southern Hemisphere winter, May to August, when prices ease and availability is easier to come by. March to May and September to November tend to offer the best riding weather without the peak-season crowds.

Local traffic rules in Pretoria

South Africa drives on the left, so keep that in mind if you're used to the opposite side. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger. Speed limits sit at 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads and 120 km/h on freeways unless signs say otherwise. The blood alcohol limit is a strict 0.05 g/100 ml, and roadblocks are common, so it's not worth the risk. Four-way stops are everywhere and run on a first-arrived, first-to-go basis — a small local habit worth knowing before you set off.

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!