South Africa Border Crossing Guide

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.

1. Passport and Visas

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

US visa, vintage map and passport background

2. Driver’s License

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.

3. International Driver’s Permit

Although not compulsory, this is recommended for everyone driving in foreign countries.

Mother and son packing up a rental van where they are vacationing to. They are standing in a car park at an airport in the sun.

4. ZA Sticker

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.

5. White and Red Reflective Tape

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.

A man is Installing the camper trailer padlock during camping in summer.

6. Yellow and Blue Mozambique Warning Triangle

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.

7. Vehicle Registration/Vehicle License Papers

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.

Woman with keys in hand proud of getting the licence to drive on public roads.

8.  Police Clearance Certificate

A Police Clearance Certificate may be required if travelling through the Chirundu Border Post of Zimbabwe, both for vehicles and trailers.

9. Letter of authority

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.

Drive South Africa takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information as this may change. Please get in touch with the specific border post before travelling there.
Sources:
If you have information on a border post being open or closed please email us at info@drivesouthafrica.com and we’ll update this information.

Vehicle and Border Post info:


Namibia-South Africa Border Crossings


  • The road users’ fee is R220 for a normal car with an additional amount of R140 for a trailer or a camper
  • You can pay with South African rands, Namibian dollars or a credit card
  • We strongly advise that you take cash in case the card machines are offline

Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD)

Namibia Border Posts

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

Botswana-South Africa Border Crossings


  • Road Transport Permit – P40 (Pula) +- R44
  • National Road Safety – P20 – valid for a calendar year (up to 31 December) P20 will also be charged on a trailer
  • Third-Party Insurance – P50 – motor vehicle insurance (mini buses and buses will pay a higher fee)
  • Temporary Import Permit (This form will be issued at the border post on entry)

Currency: Pula (BWP)

Botswana Border Posts

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

Zimbabwe-South Africa Border Crossings


  • Third-Party Insurance (Compulsory) – obtained at border post for R225 or at an AA Accredited Sales Agent store
  • Road Access Fee – based on the vehicle’s size paid on entry only. Rates: R60 for a small sedan, R270 for a large 4×4
  • Beitbridge Border Post Fee – R100
  • Exit Pass- R70 at each exit
  • Carbon Pollution Tax: Depends on engine capacity; fees start from R60 up to R270 (valid for 30 days)

Currency: Dollar (USD)

Zimbabwe Border Posts

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

Mozambique-South Africa Border Crossings


  • Temporary Import Permit for vehicle (Compulsory) – approximately R15 payable in Meticais
  • Third-Party Insurance (Compulsory) – available at any AA Accredited Sales Agent store; R160 (valid for 30 days)
  • Immigration Fees – R17.50 per person
  • Declaration Form for vehicle – cost is approximately R50

Currency: Metical (MZM) but Rand currency is acceptable in Mozambique.

Mozambique Border Posts

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


Swaziland-South Africa Border Crossings


  • Third-Party Insurance – included in the fuel price; no document required
  • Road Tax – R50 payable for vehicles, 14% tax charged on goods brought in for personal use with no charge on the first R1 000; charge is applicable on an excess of R1 000 and is non-refundable.

Currency: Lilangeni (SZL)

Swaziland Border Posts

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

Lesotho-South Africa Border Crossings


  • Toll fees – determined by the weight of your vehicle. +-R30

Currency: Loti (LSL)

Lesotho Border Posts

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

Quick Border Post Tips:

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!

Guest post author:

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.

self drive african safari

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