The New Zimbabwe Beitbridge Border Crossing Procedure (Overlanding Zimbabwe)
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- With the upgrades and construction at Beitbridge border post (Zimbabwe side), there have been some changes in the border crossing procedure, and how to get through. So, what's it like at Beitbridge border post today? After three recent crossings, we detail the step-by-step process of crossing Beitbridge border post into Zimbabwe.
Hope this breakdown helps with your travel and passing through Beitbridge into ZImbabwe. The upgrades and construction are still on-going and further changes may still occur, but this is up to date as of publishing date.
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The confusion is intentional so that bribes thrive
What a tortuous process. Thank you for genuinely useful videos.
Yes, loads of patience required.
Thanks for the feedback.
Oooooohhh🥵 I crossed 3 weeks ago (after a very long time)... the state of the infrastructure was refreshing (BUT that's where it ended). The process is indeed as described however if you're driving a rental (I had a rented twin cab bush camper)... you'll need to go through a clearance agent & pay an additional US$70 for commercial vehicle clearance (instead of the US$40 for minibuses). Anyway I spent 5 hours there & eventually had to turn to the Zimbabwe Tourism Association (ZTA) at the border who sorted me out not more than 30 minutes. My advice, if you insist on using this border for your next Zim holiday, get in touch with the ZTA at the border ahead of your travels... make an appointment & let them deal with the processes... (NB: Their services are completely free & their agents carry visible IDs at all times - be warry of touts). Overall I had a great time on the trip - SA, Zim & Bots (visited a lot of camps recommended on this channel, the information I go here was invaluable... thanks for the good work @travelgigolo👍
Great advice! The ZTA person was unfortunately not available when we crossed, he had been sent elsewhere. So we couldn't report on that. But yes, that's great advice.
I really wish they would just make it easier and manage the procedures better and clearly.
I'm glad the channel has been informative for you! Great to get that feedback 👍🏾
I'm sure improvements will be made to make it easier for travellers. People are still trying to find their feet. I hope individuals who manages the border will be able to watch this video and make changes as necessary.
I hope so, this border is an artery for Zimbabwe and the surrounding countries to the north.
My goodness, the beaurocracy is impressive. The last time I went through this border post was in 1977 and things were a lot, lot easier
This is much better than a couple of years ago when it was just chaos and obscurity at every turn.
If u have wat is required and no dangerous and unwanted things it take u kess than 20 minutes if its not busy
Really 🤔
Got back to SA yesterday. Took us 3 hours to get through everything when we went into Zim, very confusing. Coming through border yesterday on the SA side, took us another 3 hours as there was load shedding, the generator was broken and so we had to wait for power to come back on. All the staff just hanging around telling everyone (quite rudely) to go outside and wait. Something must be done to sort this out.
A very frustrating experience. We found the lack of clear systems on the Zim side to be quite frustrating but the officials were professional and pleasant to deal with. Unfortunately the general demeanor on the SA side is quite different.
@@TravelGigolo Just to say thanks for your info. Going to post it on FB. One last thing. The 'agents' on the Zim side very persistent with regards to 'helping' one, and we had at least 4 or 5 staff (outside) telling us they were ;hungry'. I feel for them, but it's not a nice impression.
Thanks, glad the info is helpful. Hopefully they'll get the whole system properly sorted.
They really should prevent these touts from entering the border. It should be a controlled area. Fortunately we did not have any staff asking for 'drinks' etc the times we have been through.
Insane!
If u know the stages and wat is required its so somple and quick but if you dont know the stages and process yes your confusion and unpreparedness will humble u
True. Having been through a couple of times it gets better.
Thank you , boss
Will do an update when I go through again
I last crossed that border in 04/22. It is indeed a nightmare if you don't know what you doing. And those guys stood around will take every cent off you, rather spend 3 hours at the border than ask for their assistance, you'll save a lot of money. Some of them work with the officials at the border, you really need to have your A game on.
The border post should be a secured area for travellers only. There is no control of the touts, they seem to cause most of the chaos and delays.
True
Very true.
Oh 👀 dear Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 why so complicated, A good way to keep tourists away.! You should be welcoming people with open arms.
I hope the systems and efficiency will improve and become more automated.
They are yet to open a private vehicle lane, so its chaos. The process is being managed in the buses lane. We hope it will change as they open the private vehicle lane
I hope so too. I hope the process will also be more automated.
Nice exploring
What a mission !!!! Zim will chase travelers away with all that red tape
Ja, they really need to get the border procedures sorted out. Also they need to get control of the touts and manage the queues properly
The real pity is that they’ve sorted out the hard/ expensive part (building modern structures)… with basic, low tech processing, it can easily be a breeze to cross for pvt travellers. QR codes (similar to airport luggage handling) could do away with all the small tickets & hidden offices one has to knock on ( that Port Health office🤨)
Planning a trip next year 2025. Will avoid this crossing if I can. Will probably use Kopfontein into Botswana then maybe plumtree or kuzungula into Zims. Wish me luck fingers crossed 🇿🇦🇧🇼🇿🇼
More worrying is the state of the road from Beitbridge to Bulawayo. It has deteriorated a lot, some sections are potholed to the point of not being driveable. Beitbridge to Masvingo is great though.
Coming back into SA via Beitbridge border is very quick.
Zim is still an amazing country to explore though.
All the best.
@@TravelGigolo thanks for the advice and quick response. Also if you know of any good company that rent out 4x4 vehicles with cross border options that would be great. I’ve found two so far but still shopping around. Thanks again 👍
We haven't ever rented an overlanding vehicle so unfortunately I can't advise from personal experience. All tye best with you trip planning though. Check out overland www.overlandplanner.com/ of you need some assistance.
Moz to Swazi or South Africa will take you less than 10 min
That's great. I've been through Kosi Bay, it was quite quick.
I was wondering where I saw your, I recall it was on a camera review
Yes, could be. I have done some reviews.
@@TravelGigolo I went to your achieves, it was the Canon SX 70 HS
I thought that might be the one 👍🏾
#theGreatZimbabwe 😍🇿🇼❤️
Beautiful country.
The border crossing process is very simple,it should be, proof of identity, proof of vehicle ownership, check identity against wanted people and criminals in hiding register, check the vehicle identity against a reported stolen vehicle register,search the vehicle for illegal drugs and weapons and large cash sums and illegal immigrants, you can do all this in 20 minutes with digital records, while you are there an alcohol test is a good idea for the drivers to help eliminate drink driving, a vehicle road safety check for older vehicles is worthwhile if you are there for an hour or more, the police can earn their money improving road safety this way and check for forged documents too. Common sense border crossing rules!✌️❤️🇬🇧
Yes, should be pretty clear and it should be an access controlled area.
Thank you, not those who just argue for the sake
Show me a border post anywhere in Southern Africa that operates smoothly
Some of the small border posts are quite efficient. Driving through Sango (Gonarezhou) or Kazungula (Victoria Falls) for example is quite quick if you have your papers in order. But yes, the bigger border posts can be soul-destroying!
Ngoma, Botswana Namibia is a breeze.
I was there 2weeks ago it's a complete torture I spent 3hours prossecing my papers.There is no guidance and they will send you from pillar to post.
A simple set of clear instructions would be helpful.
Weren’t there plans to make it a one stop border ? Did you have to deal SA separately?
It's still very much two separate national border posts.
From the look of things they are trying to automate the process (QR codes etc) but it is still largely manual (ink stamps and cash payments) with the exception of the electronic temporary import permit which you still have to manually confirm and pay for at the border post.
It looks like they have big plans, but the current situation is pretty much as described.
Sounds like torture! A reflection of how the entire country works (or doesn't). The people on the front line are always friendly and helpful but the management is in disarray...across the board.
Hopefully things will improve when they have everything in place.
@@TravelGigolo well videos like yours only help by highlighting the problems that need urgent addressing by those in charge. Hopefully they will take constructive criticism. A beautiful building alone does nothing to improve service delivery. Looking forward to more content from your channel
The cost and hassle really put me off
It would be much better if they can control the queues and remove the touts. It should not be so complicated especially now that there are so many things that one should do online.
Can i pass the border without having any documents plse I need your answer a friend of mine is there and i want visit him
You need a passport and relevant documents if you have a vehicle or need a visa.
Mnangangwas and his team Zanu with Mandaza must take their responsibilities
It's good to see that there is some forward movement in terms of constructing the border post and also improving the roads. I hope everything will get better.
Change of plans I'm not going to Zim anymore I'm not that patient.
It was still a great trip, if I put aside the 3 hours of frustration. Reportedly there may be assistance from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority however that person(s) was not present when we crossed.
@@TravelGigolo okay,i understand my brother and thank you very much for the vlog❤
Thx brother for the information
A pleasure 👍🏾
That’d be too bad… while the wait at Beitbridge is frustrating, Zim remains very much worth a visit… I’d suggest considering Plumtree or even better Pandamatenga or further west, Kasane.
its a fund raising system to keep the government officials alive as they need more cash
How much did you pay for your entry/tourist visa.?
We did not need visas. Unfortunately I don't know what the visa fees are for people from outside SADC.
@@TravelGigolo thanks so much buddie..just one more question..any registration with your filming drone? Any idea on the actual requirements? If you have ever brought one
Drones are generally not allowed in the national parks, so we didn't travel with one. So unfortunately I can't be of much help on that one either.
All these ppl standing there you can tell they're looking to pounce on someone who doesn't know their way
The touts are quite persistent, can be rather irritating. This is one aspect that should be easy to control, but there seems to be no effort to do so.
Shouldn’t this all be tap and play! It’s 2022 for crying out loud!! 😡✌️
It should be much more automated. Online payments, QR codes etc. Perhaps that's the end goal, but it's certainly very manual at present.
Zim won't see my money, not until they have a change of government and can get their house in order.
Stay there
Daylight robbery.
I hope the process is improved.
What a stupid and sub standard infastructure ...when other countries comeup with modern engineering designs ..this is the rubbish that zanu pf calls an upgrade in the 21st century ...what do you expect anyway when Mnaggwa and his criminal governemnt preside over all this sheet ...doti yodwa leyi ....disgrace of a crossborder ..it must be destroyed !
You can wipe your tears now.
Envy will humble u