{"id":3139,"date":"2017-08-09T09:19:26","date_gmt":"2017-08-09T07:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/?p=3139"},"modified":"2019-02-15T14:24:30","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T12:24:30","slug":"crossing-the-border","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/","title":{"rendered":"CROSSING THE BORDER (PART  I) &#8211; PLANNING"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>African border posts have a notorious reputation, but it is not as bad as everyone thinks as long as you go prepared and have no illusions.&nbsp; <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most border trouble comes down to inexperience or impatience \u2013 not only in Africa, but throughout the world.&nbsp; The key is to prepare well beforehand and remember, every successful border crossing pans out differently in each country.  Regulations change all the time and is rapidly outdated.&nbsp; There are general tips that you can follow to ease your encounter at the border post, so consider some of the following tips:<\/p>\n<p><strong>SO, THIS SAID, WHERE DO I START?&nbsp; <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Right at the beginning.&nbsp;&nbsp; Planning, planning, planning and some more planning!&nbsp; Start doing your homework well in advance, because it might take some time to get your ducks in a row and quacking.<\/p>\n<p>The number one place to start will be at your documents.&nbsp; Without a passport, the trip is not going to happen \u2026..<\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<h2>DOCUMENTATION<\/h2>\n<p><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A valid passport with at least two <strong>unused <\/strong>pages for all the stamps and does not expire within the next six months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3147\" src=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-300x102.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"482\" height=\"164\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-300x102.jpg 300w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-600x204.jpg 600w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-768x261.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-1024x349.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-190x65.jpg 190w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-60x20.jpg 60w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps-400x136.jpg 400w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/stamps.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As a South African citizen, you do not need a visa for the following neighbouring countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland.&nbsp; If you are in doubt check with your capable local travel agent, as regulations do change.<\/li>\n<li>If you travel with children under the age of 18 years you will also need their birth certificates and the non-traveling parent\u2019s consent, if this might be the case.<\/li>\n<li>Your South African driver\u2019s license should suffice in the neighbouring countries, but when you travel further afield it is a good idea to obtain an international driver\u2019s license.  They are obtainable from the Automobile Association.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3144\" src=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-203x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"579\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-203x300.jpg 203w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-600x887.jpg 600w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-768x1136.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-692x1024.jpg 692w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-128x190.jpg 128w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-54x80.jpg 54w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002-227x335.jpg 227w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-002.jpg 1689w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make a list of all the serial numbers of your electronics before leaving home. If possible, make a copy of the documentation.&nbsp; It makes declaring it at the border post a lot easier.&nbsp; A scanned version I keep as my backup should any item or copy go missing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<h2>FINANCES<\/h2>\n<p><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Arrange with your bank beforehand that you will be traveling outside South Africa otherwise the bank might block your card, presuming that fraudulent transaction are done. I normally submit to the bank the dates within which we are going to travel as well as the different countries to avoid frustration and embarrassment when paying.<\/li>\n<li>Cards work mostly in the bigger cities only. If you venture to the rural areas make sure you have enough cash on you.&nbsp; We once arrived at Rakops (Botswana) en route to Central Kalahari Reserve, where we <u>had<\/u> to refuel, and the garage did not have a card machine. The only ATM was without money for the past two weeks!&nbsp; Nice, nice, nice \u2026.<\/li>\n<li>The South African Rand is accepted widely for instance in Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho, but do not always bargain on it.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3140\" src=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-290x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"420\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-290x300.jpg 290w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-600x620.jpg 600w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-768x793.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-991x1024.jpg 991w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-184x190.jpg 184w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-60x62.jpg 60w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-005-324x335.jpg 324w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<h2>HEALTH ISSUES<\/h2>\n<p><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Yellow fever is a typical must-have inoculation, which normally has to be administered by a travel doctor a few weeks before your departure. It is valid for 10 years. If you visit countries in Northern Africa this is compulsory.&nbsp; There are also various other shots such as cholera and typhoid, although we never deemed it necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp; With common savvy, you can avoid a lot of these diseases.&nbsp; In our 20 odd years\u2019 of traveling the African continent we have never ever contracted any of these threatening diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3141\" src=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-286x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"408\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-286x300.jpg 286w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-600x630.jpg 600w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-768x806.jpg 768w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-975x1024.jpg 975w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-181x190.jpg 181w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-60x63.jpg 60w, http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Cross-Borders-004-319x335.jpg 319w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Remember to always carry your Yellow fever certificate with you.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check with your medical aid whether they will cover the costs if you need to be repatriated after a serious accident. This is not automatically covered in all medical schemes.<\/li>\n<li>Remember malaria is rife in Africa. Speak to your doctor about prophylaxes and precautions.<\/li>\n<li>Note:&nbsp; We found that lots of garlic as well as gin and tonic keep them mostly at bay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&#8212;&#8211;OOO&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><em>A wise person will always find a way. ~ Tanzanian proverb<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>African border posts have a notorious reputation, but it is not as bad as everyone thinks as long as you go prepared and have no illusions.&nbsp; Most border trouble comes down to inexperience or impatience \u2013 not only in Africa, but throughout the world.&nbsp; The key is to prepare well beforehand and remember, every successful border crossing pans out differently in each country. Regulations change all the time and is rapidly outdated.&nbsp; There are general tips that you can follow to ease your encounter at the border post, so consider some of the following tips: SO, THIS SAID, WHERE DO I START?&nbsp; Right at the beginning.&nbsp;&nbsp; Planning, planning, planning and some more planning!&nbsp; Start doing your homework well in advance, because it might take some time to get your ducks in a row and quacking. The number one place to start will be at your documents.&nbsp; Without a passport, the&#8230; <a class=\"read-more-button\" href=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/\">Read more &gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4226,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,156,510,203,204],"tags":[1081,1046,672,374,197,1051,671,676,1048,736,874,1047,1045,1052,674,673,1050,1049,675,670,232],"geo":null,"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>CROSSING THE BORDER (PART I) - PLANNING | TRAVELBUCKET<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"African border posts have a notorious reputation, but it is not as bad as everyone thinks as long as you go prepared and have no illusions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CROSSING THE BORDER (PART I) - PLANNING | TRAVELBUCKET\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"African border posts have a notorious reputation, but it is not as bad as everyone thinks as long as you go prepared and have no illusions.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"TRAVELBUCKET\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/travelbucket.co.za\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-08-09T07:19:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2019-02-15T12:24:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/ADDO-MAP-logo-683x1024.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"TravelBucket\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"TravelBucket\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/\",\"name\":\"CROSSING THE BORDER (PART I) - PLANNING | TRAVELBUCKET\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2017-08-09T07:19:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-02-15T12:24:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/#\/schema\/person\/cc04253df164c722665885283479f0fa\"},\"description\":\"African border posts have a notorious reputation, but it is not as bad as everyone thinks as long as you go prepared and have no illusions.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/crossing-the-border\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\/\/travelbucket.co.za\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"CROSSING THE BORDER (PART I) &#8211; 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