This is the 'mother' of all border posts in South Africa - by far the most busiest. Probably the busiest in Africa. It is not only South Africans and Zimbabweans that use this border post. It is also Malawians, Congolese,Tanzanians, Mozambiqians and more.
It is also one of the busiest commercial border posts and trucks are lined up for kilometers on both sides to cross the border. Over the festive season vehicles are lined up for more than 10 kilometers. More than 10,000 people cross the border per day. Up to 30 immigration officials are on duty at any time through out the 24 hours of operation. The entrance roads are lined with street hawkers and there is a bustling street life that leaves an uneasy feeling.
While we were standing around inside the parking area to observe everything, I was approached by a suspicous looking character who offered to speed-up our border crossing for a fee of R50 per passport. After I explained our mission and asked him for assistance to get a stamp from an immigration official on a piece of paper, he lost interest and left to look for other customers.
Inside the immigration building people were standing shoulder-to-shoulder (soos sardiens) on both sides. If you suffer from claustophobia like I do, this is not a comfortable place to be.
Although this is the only border post to Zimbabwe, there are alternatives via Botswana that can be considered by South Africans. May the patience be with you!
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| Filling up at Shell Ultra City just before Beit Bridge. |
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| Inside the parking area at Beit Bridge |
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| The South African side at Beit Bridge |
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| Street life at the entrance to Beit Bridge border post |
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| This picture at Beit Bridge border post nearly got us into trouble |