PET TRAVEL
Your guide to cross-border road-tripping with pets in Southern Africa.
For many South Africans, no adventure feels complete without a four-legged co-pilot along for the ride. Whether you’ re heading for the red dunes of Namibia, the Chobe River in Botswana or the beaches of Mozambique, travelling across borders with your dog is entirely possible. It simply takes planning, paperwork and a little patience.
The good news is that South Africa sits within the Southern African Development Community( SADC), where regional pet travel is relatively straightforward compared to many overseas destinations. You do not need a pet relocation agent or international flight arrangements. In most cases, you need a state vet appointment, valid vaccinations and the correct travel documents.
South Africa also currently has no specific national law requiring pets to be restrained inside vehicles. However, the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 makes it an offence to transport animals in a way that causes unnecessary suffering, which means a secure harness or travel crate is still the safest and most responsible option.
80 | SPRING 2026 • rovesa. co. za