Africa
Pet travel to Pretoria
DALRRD import permit management and State Vet reception at OR Tambo — the Jacaranda City with world-renowned veterinary resources and off-lead nature reserves.
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.
South Africa's DALRRD import permit must be obtained before travel — allow 4–6 weeks. Dogs from some countries require a 14-day quarantine at a registered facility. Pretoria clients arrive via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB/Johannesburg) which has the principal State Veterinarian inspection point for the Gauteng region. We coordinate the full DALRRD permit application and airport reception.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Pretoria.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Pretoria.
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 Pretoria.
Pretoria has no commercial airport — all international arrivals use OR Tambo (JNB), 55 km south-east. DAFF inspection at JNB, then ground transfer to Pretoria (45–60 min). We handle the full chain from DAFF clearance to Pretoria door-drop.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
30–60 days
Ready to travel to Pretoria?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Pretoria.
Opikopi Guest House
Opikopi Guest House allows dogs of any size for no additional fee. Sorry, no cats.
VRBO Pretoria
Pet policies are determined by the individual owner of each Vrbo property. For more information on the pet fee, weight limit and other restrictions
Bed & Breakfast in Hatfield
Bed & Breakfast in Hatfield allows dogs of any size 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 Pretoria.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Pretoria. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Pretoria 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
Gautrain connects Pretoria to OR Tambo International Airport and Johannesburg in under an hour. Pets in carriers permitted at all stations. City bus and Rea Vaya for urban movement.
Private Cars
Uber, inDriver, and our vetted executive network operate throughout Tshwane/Pretoria. Essential for Onderstepoort, Irene, and the nature reserve trailheads.
On Foot
Hatfield and Arcadia are walkable embassy-quarter neighbourhoods. We provide maps of the botanical garden entry points, Church Square morning routes, and the best off-lead reserve approaches.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Pretoria, with your dog.
Every pet's travel style is different. Contact our team for customised local intelligence and pet-friendly recommendations for Pretoria.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Pretoria. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Terrace Dining
Craft Restaurant
Hatfield
Garden terrace in the Hatfield Gautrain precinct — dogs welcome at outdoor tables with advance notice.
Casual
Café Riche
Church Square
Pretoria's oldest café with pavement seating on Church Square; dogs welcome at outside tables.
Market
Irene Village Market
Irene
Pretoria's most celebrated monthly outdoor market on the Smuts House grounds — dogs welcome throughout.
Supply & Stores
Pet food & supply stores
Premium Pet Boutique
PetFlix Hatfield
1st Ave, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083
Premium nutrition brands and veterinary diet range; near Onderstepoort for specialist referral access.
Big Box
Petzone Menlyn
Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Atterbury Rd, Menlyn, Pretoria 0181
Largest pet retail footprint in the Pretoria metro; full prescription diet and grooming services.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
Export Clinic
Hatfield Animal Hospital
1189 Burnett St, Hatfield, Pretoria 0083
0.3 km from Protea Hotel Hatfield
Mon–Fri 8:00–18:00, Sat 8:00–13:00
Boarding & Daycare
Dogtown Pretoria
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Pretoria.
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 Pretoria.
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 Pretoria: 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 Pretoria and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Pretoria.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
