In the interest of safety, some southern African countries have put in place documentation requirements for both African and foreign nationals travelling with children (anyone under the age of 18). South Africa and Botswana, in particular, have certain requirements at border control for the admission of children into the country. Each country has its own set of requirements, although they tend to be fairly similar! Read on for a few more details to prep for a safari with children.
Important Travel Advice
Travelling with Minors
South Africa
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for travelling with minors to South Africa varies depending on your circumstances, so be sure to check which category you fit into below! All documents must be either original or a certified true copy of the original by a commissioner of oaths or the equivalent commissioning authority. It must be dated within 4 months of the first arrival or departure date. We do our best to outline the basic requirements for each category of traveller, but the most up-to-date information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. For more information on this, and the kinds of court orders, equivalent documents, visas and exceptions that may be granted, please read more at the South African Department of Home Affairs website.
SA Department of Home Affairs Site
Botswana
Documentation Requirements
Documentation for travelling with minors to Botswana varies depending on your circumstances, so be sure to check which category you fit into below! All documents must be either original or a certified true copy of the original by a commissioner of oaths or the equivalent commissioning authority. It must be dated within 4 months of the first arrival or departure date. We do our best to outline the basic requirements for each category of traveller, but the most up-to-date information can be found on the Department of Labour and Home Affairs website. For more information on this, and the kinds of court orders, equivalent documents, visas and exceptions that may be granted, please read more at the Botswana Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs website.
Botswana Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs SiteMinor accompanied by both of their parents:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
Minor accompanied by one parent, where parents are neither divorced, nor is the travelling parent widowed:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
- parental consent affidavit; or Court Order granted in terms of Section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005 of South Africa; or a letter of special circumstances.
Important Note: Single & Same-Sex Parents
In the case of single parents, where only one parent’s particulars appear on the unabridged birth certificate or equivalent document, no parent consent affidavit is required.
In the case where parents were never married, but both parents’ particulars appear on the unabridged birth certificate or equivalent document, the consent of the non-travelling parent is required.
In the case of same sex parents appearing on the unabridged birth certificate, it may be accepted.
Minor travelling with one parent who is divorced or legally separated and who has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights (also known as ‘sole custody’), or full legal guardianship of the minor:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
- court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights, or full legal guardianship of the minor.
Minor travelling with one parent who is divorced or legally separated and who has been granted specific parental responsibilities and rights (also known as ‘joint custody’), or legal guardianship of the minor:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
- court order granting specific parental responsibilities and rights, or legal guardianship of the minor.
- parental consent affidavit; or Court Order granted in terms of Section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005 of South Africa; or a letter of special circumstances.
Minor travelling with widow or widower parents
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
- death certificate of the deceased parent
Orphaned minor where no formal order of guardianship or adoption has been granted as yet:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- letter of special circumstances
Minor who is accompanied by a person who is not his or her biological parent:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
- parental consent affidavit; or a letter of special circumstances. Where a parental consent affidavit is presented: (1) copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the minor; and (2) contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor; and (3) contact details of the person in whose care the minor will be in South Africa/Botswana.
Minor who is accompanied by their adoptive parent(s):
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate reflecting particulars of adoptive parent(s); or, pending the issuance of a unabridged birth certificate containing the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s), a court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent(s) accompanying them.
- parental consent affidavit; or a letter of special circumstances. Where a parental consent affidavit is presented: (1) copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the minor; and (2) contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor; and (3) contact details of the person in whose care the minor will be in South Africa/Botswana.
Important Note: Adoptive Parents
Where only one of the adoptive parents is travelling with the minor or where the minor is travelling unaccompanied, the parental consent affidavit will still be required by the absent adoptive parent(s), or, in the case of a deceased adoptive parent, a copy of the parent’s death certificate.
Where either or both parents are unable to issue a written consent due to recent death or incapacity, a letter of special circumstances may replace the parental consent affidavit.
Minor who is is in alternative care:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides authorizing their departure from the Republic as contemplated in Section 169 of the Children’s Act, 2005 of South Africa.
Unaccompanied minor/minor accompanied by another minor:
- valid passport
- valid visa
- unabridged birth certificate (or equivalent document)
- parental consent affidavit; or a letter of special circumstances
- letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa/Botswana, containing their residential and contact details where the minor will be residing.
- copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent resident permit of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa/Bostwana.
- contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor (this may be contained in the parental consent affidavit).
