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Travelling in Africa

There are several websites which offer detailed information about travelling in and around Africa. The information below has been taken from the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA). It is always important to keep up to date with all the required regulations, procedures and precautions when planning your trip into Africa. There are sometimes very specific regulations with regard to vehicles, inocculations etc which need to be done in advance. Whilst every effort is made to keep this website up to date, it is always important to check for any changes.

For more useful information see the AA's website.


Botswana Cross-Border Information

Dialling Code (00267)
Contact Details
Botswana Consulate General +27 (011) 403-3748
Department of Tourism +267 395 3024
Botswana Tourist Board +267 391 3111
SA Representative Email: sahcgabs@botsnet.bw
Immigrations +267 494 0254
Customs Botswana +267 491 5214 / 5907 (Ask for Cashiers Office)
Tlokweng Border Post +267 393 1002 (Ask for Cashiers Office)
Customs Head Office +267 363 8000 (For assistance on food restrictions)
Boat Permits Tel: +267 360 7206 / 7100
Address: Department of Water Affairs, Old Lobatse Road, Plot no. 25019, Block A, Second Floor, Office no. 228, Gaborone, Botswana
Visas Visas are not required by SA passport holders
Health Requirements
Compulsory Vaccinations
Yellow Fever (dependent on the country of origin)
Recommended Vaccinations
  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Rabies
  • Typhoid
  • Polio
  • Tetanus
Precautions Malaria risk
Documents Required
  • Valid passport of the driver
  • Certified copy of vehicle registration papers in the name of the driver
  • Letter of authority from the registered owner if the vehicle is not owned by the driver
  • If vehicle is still being financed, carry a letter of authority from the bank (must include dates of travel) together with the vehicle license papers.  
  • Border Charge: Vehicles registered in SACU (SA, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland) are charged the following fees:
    • Road Transport Permit – P50
    • National Road Safety – P50 - 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 - TIP - this form will be issued at the border post on entry to cars registered in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique
  • ZA Sticker: Available at any AA Accredited Sales Agent store
  • International Driving Permit: Recommended
Currency


AA Club

 Pula (BWP)


Tel +267 390 4537
Fax 267 3904542
Plot 20695 Unit 5 Block 3
Magochanyama Road
Off Western-Bypass
Gaborone

Namibia Cross-Border Information

Dialling Code (00264)
Contact Details
Namibia High Commission
+27 (012) 481 9100
Namibia Tourism +27 (021) 422-3298

Namibia Tourist Office     

+264 61 290 600

CBC (Cross-border charges)

 

 

 

 

+264 6329 7095
Customs +264 6328 0023
Noordoewer Border Post +264 6329 7147
Customs Windhoek (For Carnets) Tel: +264 61 209 2060 / 2424
Email: info.customs@gov.mof.na
Roads Authority Namibia +264 61 284 7215
SA Representative Tel: +264 612 057 111
Email: sahcwin@iafrica.com.na
Visas
Visas are not required by SA passport holders for tourism purposes. Business travellers going to Namibia to physically do business, a visa is required.
Health Requirements
Compulsory Vaccinations Yellow Fever (if coming from an affected area)
Recommended Vaccinations
  • Hepatitis A & B
  • Typhoid
  • Polio
  • Tetanus
Precautions Malaria risk
Documents Required
  • Valid passport of the driver
  • Certified copy of vehicle registration papers in the name of the driver
  • Letter of authority from the registered owner if the vehicle is not owned by the driver
  • If vehicle is still being financed, carry a letter of authority from the bank (must include dates of travel) together with the vehicle license papers.   
  • Valid driver's license
  • Cross-border Charge: R220 per vehicle; R140 per trailer
  • Carnet de Passage: Only compulsory if the vehicle is being shipped to Namibia. Application forms can be downloaded here. Police Clearance Certificates are not required for temporary importation. These are only required if the vehicle is being used for rental purposes or if the importer is in the country on a working permit.
  • Permit: Allowed up to three months, if staying in Namibia for longer and on a working permit, a provisional payment of duties valued at 16.5% of the value of the car has to be paid to customs. This is refundable upon the car's export from Namibia. The work permit must be shown on the passport and on the letter from the company in Namibia confirming that you will be working for them. Cars registered in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana do not need to obtain a Carnet.
  • ZA Sticker: Available at any AA Accredited Sales Agent store
  • Motor Insurance Certificate: Obtainable at the Border Free of Charge. Valid for 30 days
AA Club
AA Namibia
Physical Address 78 Sam Nujoma Drive, Bougain Villas, Jenny's Place, Klein-Windhoek
Postal Address PO Box 61, Windhoek, Namibia
Tel +264 6122 4201
Email aanamibia@iway.na
Currency Namibian Dollar (NAD)

 

Zimbabwe Cross-Border Information

Dialling Code (00263)
Contact Details
Zimbabwean Consulate +27 (011) 615-6309 / 0290 / 5873

Beitbridge Border Post

 

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority ( ZIMRA )

website: http://www.zimra.co.zw

 

 +263 862 2303 / 2366
+27 (015) 530-0066 / 71
Beitbridge Border Post Police +27 (015) 534-6300
SA Representative +263 475 3147 / 8 / 9
Email: sahecon@ecoweb.co.zw
Visas Visas are not required by SA passport holders.
Health Requirements
Compulsory Vaccinations Yellow Fever (if coming from an affected area)
Recommended Vaccinations Hepatitis A
Tetanus
Precautions Malaria risk
Documents Required
  • Valid passport of the driver
  • Certified copy of vehicle registration papers in the name of the driver
  • Letter of authority from the registered owner if the vehicle is not owned by the driver
  • If vehicle is still being financed, carry a letter of authority from the bank (must include dates of travel) together with the vehicle license papers.   
  • Police Clearance Certificate: May be required if travelling through the Chirundu Border Post, for vehicles and trailers. When applying for Police Clearance certificate, it is required to have a Request for Police Identification/ Clearance (RPC) Form obtainable from the Traffic Department.
  • Commercial Vehicle Guarantee (CVG): Private vehicles do not require a CVG ( 4X4 may be require to obtain a CVG ). Only applicable for Commercial vehicles. Obtainable from Zimbabwe registered clearing agents and payment of relevant bond -  between USD 30 to USD 50.
  • Third-Party Insurance: Compulsory - obtained at border post OR alternatively obtain at an AA Accredited Sales Agent store. Please contact your nearest store for prices.
  • Road Access Fee: Based on the vehicle's size paid on entry only. Rates:
  • R90 for a small sedan
  • R270 for a large 4x4
  • Beitbridge Border Post Fee: R100
  • Bridge Toll: R45 - R50 ( dep. on Rand/USD rate )
  • Exit Pass: R70 at each exit
  • Carbon Tax: charges from R50 to R240
  • White and Red Reflective Tape: 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. Ideally, the strips should be honeycombed. If towing a trailer, two small red square strips on the right and left hand side of the rear bumper are required
  • Carnet de Passage: Not required. Temporary Import Permit will be issued at the border post upon entry, free of charge
  • Warning Triangles: Two warning triangles on a metal plate
  • White and Red T-sign: Required if towing a trailer; white must be displayed on front right hand side of trailer / caravan and red on the rear right hand side of the trailer / caravan, when looking forward.
  • Fire Extinguisher: Compulsory
  • Safety Vests: Recommended
  • ZA Sticker: Available at any AA Accredited Sales Agent store
AA Club
AA Zimbabwe
Address 2 Kenilworth Road, Newland, Harare
Tel +263 478 8173 / 4 / 5
Currency Dollar (USD)