The majority of visitors at this border post are tourists from KwaZulu-Natal to the Kruger National Park, the lowveld of Mpumalanga, or to Mozambique.
We reached Golela from Swaziland's side (Lavumisa border post) and the road on that side was in equally good condition. The crossing from Swaziland went smooth and efficient. Passports are scanned and processed electronically. No forms to be completed.
The buildings on the South African side are modern and very different from all the border posts we have visited so far. It was upgraded during 2010 but there are still construction work in progress. The many trucks and other commercial traffic that requires SARS and customs intervention creates some confusion, but should disappear when the construction work is completed.
This was the last of the eleven border posts to Swaziland that we visited.
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| Entering South Africa from Lavumisa |
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| Construction work at Golela hides the modern and efficient buildings |
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| Tamper proof toilets at Golela border post |
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| Palmtrees and sugar cane fields next to the N2 from Pongola |
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| Road through the Pongola Biosphere Reserve leading to Golela border post |