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Planning to cross borders?

The DSA Botswana Border Posts Crossing Guide

If you’re planning a self-drive adventure to Botswana, then you’ll be happy to know that we’ve created this Botswana border posts crossing guide just for you. Before we jump into the border post locations, we’d like to offer a snippet of advice: skip the queues and spend some time taking the scenic route to one of the smaller border crossings. After all, travel is about the journey, not the destination.

At Drive South Africa, we believe that the best way to experience a self-drive road trip adventure through southern Africa is with a camping-equipped 4×4 rental. Once you’ve secured your 4×4 or camper van, use this handy guide to navigate Botswana’s many border posts.

A road to one of the Botswana border posts.

A typical dirt road in Botswana

Botswana Border Posts Locations

Namibia – Botswana Border Posts

Namibia Border Post	Opening Hours	Contact Number	GPS Coordinates
Mamuno/Buitepos	07:00 – 18:00	6592013/6592064	22°16’93”S 19°59’48”E
Muhembo/Shakawe	06:00 – 18:00	6875505	18°15’642”S 021°45’719”E
Ngoma Bridge	07:00 – 18:00	6236002/6250736	17°55’538”S 024°43’244”E
Impalila Island	07:00 – 18:00	71303418	17°45’52”S 025°11’30”E

Zambia – Botswana Border Posts

Zambia Border Post	Opening Hours	Contact Number	GPS Coordinates
Kazungula Ferry	06:00 – 18:00	2150420/651717	17°47’625”S 025°15’737”E

Zimbabwe – Botswana Border Posts

Zimbabwe Border Post	Opening Hours	Contact Number	GPS Coordinates
Kazungula Road	06:00 – 18:00	2150320	17°48’911”S 025°15’715”E
Pandamatenga	08:00 – 16:00	6232029	18°32’949”S 025°37’593”E
Ramokgwebana – Plum Tree	07:00 – 20:00	2489266	25°38’319”S 025°34’440”E
Matsiloje – Mphoengs	06:00 – 18:00	2483205
Maitengwe	06:00 – 18:00	2986272

If you’re lucky, you might spot leopard in Botswana

South Africa – Botswana Border Posts

South Africa Border Post	Opening Hours	Contact Number	GPS Coordinates
Pont Drift – Mashatu	07:00 – 16:00	015-575 1056	22°12′53″S 29°08′18″E
Platjan	08:00 – 16:00	015-575 1040	22°29′08″S 28°50′01″E
Zanzibar	08:00 – 16:00	014-767 1024	22°34′19″S 28°27′59″E
Groblersbrug / Martin’s Drift	08:00 – 18:00	014-767 1019	22°59′53″S 27°56′31″E
Parr’s Halt – Stockpoort B	08:00 – 18:00	014-763 4586	23°24′10″S 27°21′24″E
Sikwane – Derdepoort B	06:00 – 19:00	014-778 0725	24°38′33″S 26°24′13″E
Tlokweng Gate – Kopfontein	06:00 – 00:00	018-365 9055	24°42′23″S 26°05′38″E
Ramotswa – Swartkoppie	06:00 – 22:00	018-365 9010	24°52′21″S 25°52′57″E
Pioneer Gate – Skilpadshek	06:00 – 00:00	018-366 0011	25°16′32″S 25°42′50″E
Ramatlabama	06:00 – 22:00	018-390 2533	25°38′31″S 25°34′27″E
Phitshane Molopo	07:00 – 16:00	067-548 7204	25°44′55″S 25°06′27″E
Bray	07:00 – 16:00	053-937 0026	25°27′24″S 23°42′51″E
Makopong	08:00 – 18:00	053-922 Ask Vorstershoop 2011	25°21′55″S 22°58′29″E
McCarthy’s Rust	08:00 – 18:00	053-781 0285	26°12′05″S 22°34′04″E
Middleputs	07:30 – 16:00	053-781 0212	26°40′14″S 21°52′57″E

Look out for elephants along Botswana’s remote roads

Helpful Botswana Border Crossing Info

What’s the Most Exciting Botswana Border Crossing?

Pontdrift is arguably the most exciting of the Botswana border posts to cross. During the dry season, when the Limpopo River is not flowing (typically anywhere between June and November) you can drive across the sandy riverbed – nothing 4×4 tyres (and adjusting the pressure accordingly) can’t handle.

What Documents Do You Need to Cross Botswana’s Border Posts?

Visa Requirements

Citizens of some African countries won’t need a visa for crossing a Botswana border post, but if you’re travelling with an emergency passport or any other kind of travelling document, you will require a visa.

Driver’s License

South African and international driver’s licenses are accepted.

Vehicle Insurance

Third-party insurance (at P50) is required and is valid for 90 days.

Vehicle Registration Documents

If the vehicle is rented, not registered in your name, or not yet fully paid, you will need an affidavit from the police giving you permission from the rental company, financial institution, or owner to take the vehicle across a Botswana border post. Both this letter and the registration documents need to be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.

Clearance Certificate

You need a temporary import permit (TIP) to bring a vehicle into Botswana. You can buy this at the Botswana border post.

Indication of Origin

You will need a country of origin sticker for your vehicle, indicating the country it’s registered in.

Important Botswana Phone Numbers

Emergency Numbers

Police: 999
Ambulance: 997
Fire: 998

How Much Does it Cost to Cross Botswana Borders?

P50 for a single entry and P90 for a return trip
P20 for road fund tax (disc must be displayed, valid for one year)
P20 per trailer and P50 for third-party insurance

In other words, you should budget for about P180 for a return trip across one of Botswana’s border posts.

Customs Information

You may have goods to the value of R500 within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) area, and outside the SACU area, you may have goods to the value of R3 000.

This can include up to two litres of wine, one litre of spirits or other liquor, 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, 250 g tobacco, 50 ml perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette.

As far as meat is concerned, regulations change regularly, so it would be best to enquire at the customs office before trying to import meat.

If you do have an import permit, you may bring in the following for private use:

Red meat: 25 kg per family
Poultry: 5 kg per person
Tinned poultry: 20 kg per person

Remember, no pork whatsoever is allowed across Botswana’s border. A detailed list of produce import regulations can be found on the Botswana Tourism website.

Photo Source: Getty

Useful Botswana Road Trip Information

Fuel

Leaded and unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available at petrol stations in Botswana.

Health

No inoculations are required, but hepatitis A and tetanus shots are advisable. To ensure you stay healthy while travelling in Africa, you will need prophylactic Malaria treatment as the risk in Botswana is high.

Currency

Botswana’s currency is the Pula.

A tar road towards one of the Botswana border posts.

Stay safe on the road on your self-drive adventure through Botswana

Armed with this Botswana border posts information you should be feeling prepared to explore this beautiful country. Along with your camera and journal, don’t forget to take along an open mind and adventurous spirit. Welcome Africa with a smile and she is sure to smile back.

If you are interested in going on a 4×4 adventure here, but find yourself in need of a vehicle, you might want to consider 4×4 hire Botswana to find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs.