Africa
Pet travel to Johannesburg
DAFF import permit and OR Tambo airport live-animal inspection coordination.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
DAFF import permit obtained prior to travel
- 2
ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit)
- 3
Rabies vaccination — minimum 30 days before entry, not older than 3 years
- 4
Health certificate endorsed by national competent authority
- 5
External and internal parasite treatments within 7 days of departure
These are the official entry rules for South Africa.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for South Africa.
OR Tambo International Airport hosts a dedicated DAFF veterinary inspection office. Permit processing takes 4–6 weeks. As the main hub for southern Africa, Johannesburg sees high live-animal import volumes; we pre-schedule inspection slots to prevent delays.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Johannesburg.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Johannesburg.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into Johannesburg.
OR Tambo International (JNB) hosts a DAFF veterinary inspection office for live animals. As South Africa's main hub, it processes high volumes — we pre-schedule inspection slots to prevent delays. Lanseria (HLA) is for domestic and charter flights only.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
30–60 days
Ready to travel to Johannesburg?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Johannesburg.
Motel Mi Pi CHi
Motel Mi Pi CHi is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome in designated rooms for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Margaret's Place
Margaret's Place allows two dogs of any size for no additional fee. Sorry, no cats.
BnB on 8th Avenue
BnB on 8th Avenue is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Johannesburg.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Johannesburg. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Johannesburg with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Public Transit
Johannesburg's Gautrain and Rea Vaya BRT do not permit pets. Private cars are essential. Uber operates extensively; we pre-book pet-confirmed vehicles for all journeys.
Private Cars
Our Johannesburg network covers Sandton, Rosebank, Melville, and OR Tambo Airport. Post-DAFF clearance pickup timed to inspection sign-off. Executive SUVs available.
On Foot
Delta Park and Emmarentia are the city's best off-lead spaces. We provide security-conscious walking maps and recommend morning hours (6–9am) for the quietest routes.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Johannesburg, with your dog.
Walkhaven Dog Park
Walkhaven Dog Park is a private recreation space for pups in Johannesburg. This idyllic outdoor hangout is the go-to place for dogs and their owners
Plot 77, Walkhaven farm, M5, Zwartkop, Johannesburg, ZA, 1748
Golden Harvest Park
Leashed dogs are welcome at Golden Harvest Park, a 55-hectare park in Johannesburg, South Africa. This pet-friendly, pristine outdoor space features
1st Rd, Northgate, Johannesburg, ZA, 2194
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Johannesburg.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Bryanston Veterinary Hospital
Export Clinic
Sunninghill Veterinary Clinic
Boarding & Daycare
Lucky Dog Daycare Joburg
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Johannesburg.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Johannesburg.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for Johannesburg: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Johannesburg and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Johannesburg.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
