SA Grensposte - SA Ports of Entry: Oshoek - busy commercial port to Swaziland

Oshoek border post to Swaziland is 120 km from Ermelo via the N17 national road. We took the Genesis Route from the Josephsdal border post. It is a 50 km gravel road through the mountains, following the border with Swaziland as close as possible. About half-way we turned onto the D481 to remain close to the border. This is a scenic route with magnificant mountains and forest plantations. On the way we passed through a few informal settlements and had to rely on our instinct for direction as these roads are not indicated on any map. It took us 90 minutes to complete the 50 km, but it was worth the time.

Oshoek border post is a busy, commercial port of entry, only 23 km from Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. It is ranked as one of the five busiest border posts in South Africa. During our visit early on a Monday morning, it was relatively quiet, but the officials assured us it is not always the case. Up to 150,000 passports are stamped here during an average month. Many of these belong to migrant workers from Swaziland, as well as school children attending schools in South Africa. The hours of operation is 7:00 to 24:00, but during Easter and December the hours are extended to 24 hours per day.

The name of the border post on the Swaziland side, just 50 meters away, is Ngwenya. It is situated at an altitude of 1505 meters, so far the highest border post we have visited.