Taking SA rental car into Zimbabwe and/or Botswana
 

Thinking of returning to southern Africa later this year for another self-drive tour (have done three previous ones). We'd most likely fly into JNB and pick up a rental car (ideally SUV) there. I am struggling to find any information on whether it's possible to take a South African rental car into Zimbabwe and Botswana. We have done so before into Swaziland and that was no proble - just a small additional charge and some paperwork to show customs. Anyone know what the score is with ZIM and BWA, and recs for specific companies?

I'd think your most reliable source for info about this would be the car rental company. Have you called?

regards - tom

See Cross Border Rentals:

http://www.avis.at/avisonline/terms....enDocument#383

I think other agencies may have the same sort of policy though you'd be smart to contact them directly.

You'd be surprised how difficult it is to get this information, let alone a company that ca actually do it. Only positive so far is First National, but they're expensive and apparently only allow their smaller car to go into Zimbabwe.

Last year I looked into taking a Budget rental into Botswana from SA and was told I'd have to pay for a letter of authorization, much like Avis and somewhere around $70 or so though my memory might be fuzzy.

Budgets lays out various Cross Border Rental fees here:

http://www.budget.co.za/budgetonline...TGROUP=Default

I often recommend Aroundabout Cars, they allow cross country borders, see website https://www.aroundaboutcars.com/faq

In Johannesburg most rental companies are sticky about Zimbabwe, so you are limited to Pace Car Rental www.pacecarrental.co.za and First car rental www.firstcarrental.co.za . If you are hiring a camper van or 4x4 with a roof top tent, you can use Bushlore safaris www.bushlore.co.za .

Generally the companies charge you a documentation and insurance fee of around R1350 per border, although some charge it once for as many borders as you like. The car rental company will provide all the relevant documents. Mostly the cover cover repairs if you are in an accident cross border, but they will require you to repatriate/tow the vehicle to the border.

Your best bet would be a reputed car rental in SA,they would do all the paperwork,the relevant documents and a Letter of Authority to take the vehicle across. I can't advice on taking a car to Zimbabwe as I've no experience there but Bots is very sticky about paperwork as a lot of cars are stolen in SA and taken across to Bots to be sold illegally. The McCarthy's Rest border Post where I crossed over to Bots subjected the car to a detailed scrutiny & check before letting me in.It takes a some time at other busier border posts like Twee Rivieren,so factor that in your travel schedule.

I personally had a bad experience with Bushlore, I'll probably never use them again,but that is a different matter. Many here seem happy with them.I'll leave it at that.