4 Month TIP - Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi?
 

Currently have a South African 12 month TIP after completing the West Africa route to Cape Town, where my Land Cruiser is parked up.

I´ll be driving up the East Africa route later this year and want to know if its possible to leave my vehicle in Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi for 4 months with a TIP - want to split the route in 2 parts?

If not possible, does anyone know the consequences of overstaying a TIP duration in any of these countries?

I've asked on the overland.co.za list for you - somebody there is likely to know...

S Africa TIP
 

Hi Alanson

May I ask what was involved to get a 12 month TIP in SA? I am on a motorcycle. Thanks!

Many thanks Roamingyak for posting this question in another forum.

My South African 12 month TIP was completed at the Noordoewer, Namibia - Vioolsdrif, South Africa border and I just asked them politely to please extended the standard 6 month one, which they did in about 10 minutes at no cost. Others have also done this.

Reply 1:
"Zimbabwe is one month, and a big fine if you overstay without permission.

I've got a feeling Malawi is a month too (it could be two but no more than that). Can't help with Zambia, sorry."

Many thanks for the update and I wasn't positive about this possibility, but there are always surprises in Africa...

Zambia is one of the better run and more sensible countries, but also one of the most organised and expensive. And most officials speak excellent english. With a carnet I know many people have left their vehicles there, removing them once a year etc

I'd say they are your best bet.

Zimbabwe is one month, but it was super easy to extend it for another month. At the time I didn't ask, but I know I could have extended my personal visa for up to 6 months without a hassle, so I imagine it's possible to extend the vehicle for the same.


I did it in the office in Harare mid 2018.



-Dan

You were definitely lucky (or skilled!) there. I asked exactly the same at the same place on 6 March and they would not move even a month beyond the 6 months. Interestingly, the official tried to do it but the computer blocked him!

Intriguing...

Zambia gives you a 30-day TIP. It was easy to extend the TIP, but they only give you a one-month extension, so you would have to go into the office in person every month to do it. May be able to pay an administrative service to do this for you, if you are out of the country.

Not sure how many times you can extend the TIP, but probably not more than 3 months total since that is how long your tourist visa lasts anyway.