AT THE BORDER

COMPULSORY STUFF

PASSPORT. It needs to be valid for six months or more from the date you plan to leave Namibia, and it should have at least two blank pages.

BIRTH CERTIFICATES. All children under 18 need an unabridged birth certificate to cross the border unless they have a new passport with their parents’ names listed in the back.

DRIVING LICENCE. Your South African licence is valid in Namibia – keep it at hand.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS. Bring the original or certified copies of these documents. Remember the papers for the trailer or caravan.

LETTER OF AUTHORISATION. If you’re still paying off your car, you need a letter of authorisation from the bank. If the car you’re travelling in doesn’t belong to you, you need a letter written by the owner giving you permission to take it across the border. The letter should include the vehicle registration number, the owner’s full name, ID number and physical address. The dates that you will be in the country also need to be specified.

EMERGENCY GEAR. You need at least one emergency triangle per vehicle.

ZA STICKER. Required. Stick it to the back of your vehicle.

PEN. Not compulsory, but having your own ballpoint pen will speed up the paperwork process!

A SMILE AND PATIENCE. The customs official behind the counter can end your holiday before it even begins – be friendly.

BORDER FEES

Have enough cash on hand. The current border fee is R337 per vehicle (including doublecab bakkies and kombis) and R215 per trailer and motorbike. You can pay in rand (R1 = N$1), but bear in mind that prices may go up unexpectedly. See the maps for border post times (South p 50; Central p 88; North p 120).

COVID-19

At the time of going to print, only the Vioolsdrif and Nakop border posts between South Africa and Namibia were open to tourists, as well as the Hosea Kutako and Walvis Bay international airports. All visitors need a negative SARS CoV2 PCR test result, not older than 7 days, to enter the country. Rather play it safe and be at the border within 72 hours. (Antigen rapid diagnostic tests are no longer accepted.) Regulations can change at any time, check for the latest updates at namibiatourism.com.na.

You need another negative test not older than 72 hours when you return to South Africa. You can do an antigen rapid diagnostic test (about R350) at the SA border.

VISA & MEDICAL

VISA. South Africans may visit for 90 days without a visa.

VACCINATIONS. Not compulsory, but it’s a good idea to be up to date with your yellow fever, hepatitis A and antitetanus shots.

MALARIA. Take precautions if you’re visiting the north.

MEDICAL INSURANCE. Always a good idea.