So, what are the steps to take to ensure you have a smooth border crossing?
• Remember that South African passport-holders residing in the country do not need a visa to travel to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and eSwatini.
• South African driver’s licences are valid Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and eSwatini.
• Obtain an international driver’s permit to make exploring on your own when visiting foreign shores easier.
• South African travellers must obtain a ZA sticker to be stuck on the vehicle in which they are travelling. These can be purchased from AA accredited sales agent stores such as Safari Centre.
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• If you are travelling to Zimbabwe, you will need white and red reflective tape. This has two small white rectangular strips on the right- and left-hand side of the front bumper and two small red square strips on the right- and left-hand side of the rear bumper. This is required by law. If you are towing a trailer, two small red strips on the right- and left-hand side of the trailer’s rear bumper are compulsory, too.
• In Mozambique, motorists towing a trailer are required to affix a set of two yellow and blue warning triangle stickers to the front bumper and one on the rear of the trailer.
• If your travels take you through Zimbabwe, you are required to obtain a police clearance certificate for vehicles and trailers. This applies to travellers using the Chirundu Border Post.
• Rentals and 4×4 vehicles travelling across borders need to be accompanied by a letter of authority from the rental company granting permission for the vehicle to be driven cross border. No police clearance certificate is necessary for this.
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