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Drive South Africa has put together a comprehensive South Africa border crossing guide. Read on to learn everything you need to know about crossing in and out of the country.
South African passport holders resident to South Africa do not require a visa to visit Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. However, should you be travelling with an emergency travel document, other than your South African passport, for one or other reason you will require a visa to enter Botswana. Visa applications can be made to the Botswana Consulate in Braamfontein: TEL +27(0) 11 403 3748
The South African driver’s license is recognised in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Make sure that you have a valid driver’s licence when you Hire a car in South Africa.
Although not compulsory, this is recommended for everyone driving in foreign countries.
If you’re travelling from South Africa across borders, vehicles should bear a ZA sticker which designates that they are foreign vehicles from South Africa.
AA Accredited Sales Agent stores and outdoor retailers like Safari Centre will have them available for purchase.
In Zimbabwe – two small white rectangular size strips on the right and left hand side of the front bumper, as well as two small red square strips on the right and left hand side of the rear bumper is required.
If towing a trailer, two small red square strips on the right and left hand side of the rear bumper are required.
In Mozambique a set of two yellow and blue warning triangle stickers are required if towing a trailer; one in the front of the vehicle (on the bumper) and one on the rear of the trailer.
A certified copy of vehicle registration/vehicle license papers is acceptable at the border posts.
Must be accompanied with a letter from the bank giving you the authorization to take the vehicle across the border, and must indicate dates.
Both the bank letter and license papers should be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.
If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, please carry an affidavit from the police giving you authorization from the financial institution/owner to take the vehicle abroad.
A Police Clearance Certificate may be required if travelling through the Chirundu Border Post of Zimbabwe, both for vehicles and trailers.
If you are travelling in a rented car or 4×4 across borders, you have to have a letter from the rental company giving you permission to take the vehicle out of the country. You do not need police clearance for this.
Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD)
Namibia Border Post | South Africa Border Post | Opening Hours | Contact Number | GPS Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oranjemund | Alexander Bay | 06:00 – 22:00 | +27(0) 831 1662 | 28.5647°S 16.5036°E |
Sendelingsdrift | Sendelingsdrift | 8:00 – 17:00 | +27(0) 831 2203 | 28.1227°S 16.8889°E |
Noordoewer | Vioolsdrift | 24 hrs | +27(0) 761 8760 | 28.7656°S 17.6262°E |
Vellorsdrift | Onseepkans | 08:00-17:00 | +27(0) 549 51 0014 | 28.7345°S 19.3056°E |
Ariamsvlei | Nakop | 24 hrs | +27(0) 54571 0008 | 28.0949°S 19.9992°E |
Klein Menasse | Rietfontein | 08:00-16:30 | +27(0) 54531 0084 | 26.7564°S 19.9992°E |
Currency: Pula (BWP)
Botswana –Border Post | South Africa- Border Post | Opening Hours | Contact Number | GPS Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Two Rivers | Twee Rivieren | 07:30-16:00 | +27(0) 54561 0093 | 26.4701°S 20.6156°E |
Bokspits | Gemsbok | 08:00-16:30 | +27(0) 54511 0043 | 26.9044°S 20.6904°E |
Middleputs | Middelputs | 07:30-16:30 | +27(0) 53781 0212 | 26.6705°S 21.8826°E |
McCarthy’s Rest | McCarthy’s Rest | 08:00-18:00 | +27(0) 53781 0285 | 26.2015°S 22.5679°E |
Makopong | Makopong | 08:00-18:00 | +27(0) 53922 ask for Vorstershoop 2011 | 25.3653°S 22.9747°E |
Bray | Bray | 07:00-16:00 | +27(0) 53937 0026 | 25.4566°S 23.7141°E |
Pitsane Molopo | Makgobistad | 07:00-16:00 | 25.7485°S 25.1076°E | |
Ramatlabama | Ramatlabama | 06:00-22:00 | +27(0) 18390 2533 | 25.6419°S 25.5742°E |
Pioneer Gate | Skilpadshek | 06:00-24:00 | +27(0) 18366 0011 | 25.2756°S 25.7138°E |
Ramotswa | Swartkopfontein | 06:00-22:00 | +27(0) 18365 9010 | 24.8725°S 25.8826°E |
Tlokweng | Kopfontein | 06:00-24:00 | +27(0) 18365 9055 | 24.7064°S 26.0939°E |
Sikwane | Derdepoort | 06:00-19:00 | +27(0) 14778 0725 | 24.6426°S 26.4035°E |
Parr’s Halt | Stockpoort | 08:00-1800 | +27(0) 14763 4586 | 23.4027°S 27.3567°E |
Martin’s Drift | Groblersbrug | 08:00-18:00 | +27(0) 14767 1019 | 22.9981°S 27.9419°E |
Zanzibar | Zanzibar | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 14767 1024 | 22.5719°S 28.4663°E |
Platjan | Platjan | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 15575 1040 | 22.4855°S 28.8337°E |
Pontdrift | Pontdrift | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 15575 1056 | 22.2148°S 29.1382°E |
Currency: Dollar (USD)
Zimbabwe Border Post | South Africa Border Post | Opening Hours | Contact Number | GPS Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Beitbridge | Beitbridge | 24 hrs | +27(0) 15530 0070 | 22.2243°S 29.9865°E |
Currency: Metical (MZM) but Rand currency is acceptable in Mozambique.
Mozambique Border Post | South Africa Border Post | Opening Hours | Contact Number | GPS Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pafuri | Pafuri | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 13 735 6882 | 22.4490°S 31.3157°E |
Giriyonda | Giriyonda | 08:00-16:00 Oct-March 08:00-15:00 April-Sept | +27(0) 13 735 8919 | 23.5840°S 31.6600°E |
Ressano Garcia | Lebombo | 06:00-24:00 | +27(0) 13 793 7311 | 25.4431°S 31.9867°E |
Ponta do Ouro | Kosi Bay | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 35 593 9871 | 26.8643°S 32.8293°E |
Above: Kosi border post in Mozambique. Photo by: Andrew Ashton
Currency: Lilangeni (SZL)
Swaziland Border Post | South Africa Border Post | Opening Hours | Contact Number | GPS Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mananga | Mananga | 07:00-18:00 | +27(0) 13790 7075 | 25.9331°S 31.7613°E |
Matsamo | Jeppe’s Reef | 07:00-20:00 | +27(0) 13781 0382 | 25.7507°S 31.4676°E |
Bulembu | Josefsdal | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 13712 3891 | 25.9446°S 31.1215°E |
Ngwenya | Oshoek | 07:00-22:00 | +27(0) 17882 0138/9 | 26.2125°S 30.9892°E |
Lundzi | Waverley | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 17819 5763 | 26.3275°S 30.8885°E |
Sandlane | Nerston | 08:00-18:00 | +27(0) 17846 9207 | 26.5697°S 30.7918°E |
Sicunusa | Emahlathini | 08:00-18:00 | +27(0) 17826 0941 | 26.8605°S 30.9084°E |
Gege | Bothashoop | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 17826 0400 | 26.9737°S 30.9684°E |
Mahamba | Mahamba | 07:00-22:00 | +27(0) 17826 0076 | 27.1055°S 31.0691°E |
Salitje | Onverwacht | 08:00-18:00 | +27(0) 34413 1380 | 27.3162°S 31.6438°E |
Golela | Lavumisa | 07:00-22:00 | +27(0) 34435 1070 | 27.3172°S 31.8884°E |
Currency: Loti (LSL)
Lesotho Border Post | South Africa Border Post | Opening Hours | Contact Number | GPS Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maseru Bridge | Maseru Bridge | 24 hrs | +27(0) 51 924 4300 | 29.2980°S 27.4546°E |
Peka Bridge | Peka Bride | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 51 933 3951 | 28.9450°S 27.7344°E |
Maputsoe | Ficksburg Bridge | 24 hrs | +27(0) 51 933 2760 | 28.8839°S 27.8903°E |
Caledonspoort | Caledonspoort | 06:00-22:00 | +27(0) 58 223 8400 | 28.6948°S 28.2339°E |
Montansa Pass | Montansa Pass | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 58 713 1600 | 28.5902°S 28.6826°E |
Sani Pass | Sani Pass | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 33 702 1169 | 29.5847°S 29.2863°E |
Ramatsilitso | Ramatsilitso | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 39 256 4443 | 30.0502°S 28.9339°E |
Qacha’s Nek | Quacha’s Nek | 06:00-10:00 | +27(0) 39 256 4391 | 30.1297°S 28.6856°E |
Ongeluksnek | Ongeluksnek | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 39 256 7001 | 30.3383°S 28.2519°E |
Tele Bridge | Tele bridge | 06:00-22:00 | +27(0) 51 611 1710 | 30.4319°S 27.5673°E |
Makhaleng Bridge | Makhaleng Bridge | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 51 673 1484 | 30.1641°S 27.3996°E |
Sepapus Gate | Sepapus Gate | 08:00-16:00 | +27(0) 52 332, ask for 190 | 29.9476°S 27.1993°E |
Van Rooyen’s Gate | Van Rooyen’s Gate | 06:00-22:00 | +27(0) 51 583 1525 | 29.7560°S 27.1091°E |
Above: Lesotho border post. Photo by: Mark Turner
Border posts can be daunting, confusing and may even frustrate you but no worries, follow these tips and you will sail on through with no problems.
1. Make a folder for all your important documents to prevent unnecessary loss and stress.
2. Get all your documents in order ready to hand into the border official.
3. Be patient and smile – always be polite and cooperate; this will help make the procedure go smoothly without annoying the person who has the power to give you access.
4. Ask for the maximum amount of days possible – you could end up stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat tyre and not be able to return in time.
5. Don’t overstay your time; this will lead to problems at the border when trying to leave.
6. Make sure your passport has enough empty pages for the necessary stamps.
7. Keep a few pens with you, there are never enough at the border posts, it will help you fill out the paperwork faster without having to wait.
Now go enjoy your travels on the roads of Africa!
Jezemae Cogan harbours a passion for exploring her home country of South Africa and beyond. With an eagerness to write, Jezemae enjoys capturing and sharing, moments and information gathered from her adventures with fellow travellers. Working for Drive South Africa, Jezamae has the opportunity to do what she loves as her 9 to 5. If you’re interested in traveling through South Africa this holiday, hire a car with Drive South Africa.