For a lot of us, the road trip doesn’t feel right without the whole family in the vehicle, and that includes the ones with fur, feathers and whiskers. Over the coming weeks, What The Gravel is launching a series on travelling with pets, written for South Africans who would rather bring their animals along than leave them behind.
Why a pet travel series?
Travelling with a pet is rewarding, but it’s rarely as simple as throwing a bowl in the boot. Camps have rules, borders have paperwork, heat is a real danger, and every animal travels differently. A dog on a gravel road has very different needs from a cat in a campsite or a budgie on a long drive. We want to give you practical, honest guidance so you can plan with confidence.
What’s coming
The series is organised by the kind of companion you travel with:
• Dogs: the most common travel partner and the one with the most to think about, from vehicle safety and heat to camp etiquette and trail rules.
• Cats: yes, cats can travel too. We’ll look at stress, harnesses, carriers and making a strange place feel familiar.
• Birds: how to move feathered passengers safely, keep them calm and protect them from temperature swings.
• Small pets: rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and other small companions, and how to keep them comfortable on the move.
Crossing borders
One of the most requested topics gets its own run of articles: taking your pet across the border. We’ll start with the general principles, such as vaccinations, microchips, health certificates and permits, and then go country by country through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and more. The first article in that run is already up, so you can start planning early.
Who is it for?
Whether you’re a weekend camper, a long-haul overlander or someone planning a first trip with a new puppy, there’ll be something here for you. Each article is practical and written from a South African point of view.
A note on rules
Pet travel rules change, and they can be enforced differently from one place to the next. We’ll point out what to check and who to check it with, but always confirm current requirements with your vet and the relevant authorities before you travel.
Follow along
The first articles land soon. Keep an eye on What The Gravel, and tell us which pets and destinations you’d like covered. The best trips start with good planning, and we’d love to help you take the whole family.
