Off-road on a safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Botswana border posts information

You finally organized a trip to Botswana with your own or a rented car. Time to start packing! What do you need for that dreaded border post? Where are the various posts and what time are they open?

Botswana border posts information: Where and what times?

Travelling from South Africa? Here is vital information. Botswana border posts are strategically placed at crossing points for maximum accessibility. Adapted from map by Map-of-Namibia.com

Botswana	South Africa	Opening hours	Contact number	GPS coordinates
1. Pont Drift	Mashatu	7:00 – 16:00	+27(0)51 575 1056	22°12′53″S 29°08′18″E
2. Platjan		8:00 – 16:00	+27(0) 51 575 1040	22°29′08″S 28°50′01″E
3. Zanzibar		07:30 – 16:00	+27(0)41 767 1024	22°34′19″S 28°27′59″E
4. Groblersbrug	Martins Drift	8:00 – 18:00	+27(0) 14 767 1019	22°59′53″S 27°56′31″E
5. Parr’s Halt	Stockpoort B	8:00 – 18:00	+27(0) 14 763 4586	23°24′10″S 27°21′24″E
6. Sikwane	Derdepoot B	6:00- 19:00	+27(0) 14 778 0725	24°38′33″S 26°24′13″E
7. Tlokweng Gate	Kopfontein	6:00 – 00:00	014-778 0725	24°38′33″S 26°24′13″E
8. Ramotswa	Swartkoppie	6:00 – 22:00	018 365 9010	24°52′21″S 25°52′57″E
9. Pioneer Gate	Skilpadshek	6:00 – 24:00	018 366 0011	25°16′32″S 25°42′50″E
10. Ramatlabama		6:00 – 22:00	018 390 2533	25°38′31″S 25°34′27″E
11. Phitshane Molopo		07:00 – 16:00	5487204	25°44′55″S 25°06′27″E
12. Bray		07:00 – 16:00	053 937 0026	25°27′24″S 23°42′51″E
13. Makopong		08:00 – 18:00	053922 Ask Vorstershoop 2011	25°21′55″S 22°58′29″E
14. McCarthy’s Rust		08:00 – 18:00	053 781 0285	26°12′05″S 22°34′04″E
15. Middelputs		07:30 – 16:00	053 781 0285	26°40′14″S 21°52′57″E

How to cross Namibian border posts: Your checklist

A ZA sticker is one of the items the officials check at the Namibia border posts. Photo: Danielle M de Jager

□ Valid passport

Your passport has to be valid for at least six months from the exact date you leave South Africa.

□ Internation driving permit

Your South African driver’s license is valid in Namibia and will be accepted at the border.

□ Cash

The road users’ fee is R220 for a normal car with an additional amount of R140 for a trailer or a camper. You can pay with South African rands, Namibian dollars or a credit card. We do, however, strongly advise that you take cash in case the card machines are offline.

□ ZA Sticker

You can get a ZA sticker at any AA Accredited Sales Agent store for about R20, or at outdoor retailers like Safari Centre.

□ The vehicle’s papers

If your vehicle documents are not in the order you will not be able to cross the border. You have to have proof of ownership of the vehicle owner or rental company; your driving license, as well as a Police Clearance Certificate. The Chassis, engine number, trailor number, and license details will be checked by the police at the border posts. Your vehicle license papers have to be accompanied by a letter from the bank giving you the authorisation to take the vehicle across the border, including dates. Both the bank letter and license papers should be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths. You should also consult your insurers and make sure you have adequate cover for your vehicle before starting your journey to Namibia.

□ Letter of authority

If you travel hire car or 4×4 Namibia, you have to have a letter from the rental company giving you permission to take the vehicle out of the country. You do not need police clearance for this.

□ Carnet de Passage

Cars registered in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana do not need to obtain a Carnet de Passage unless your car is being shipped to Namibia. If staying in Namibia for longer than 90 days and on a working permit, the permit must be shown on the passport and on the letter from the company in Namibia confirming that you will be working for them.

Keep a close watch

On the first Sunday in April, Namibians set their watches back by an hour for winter. So, if it’s 09:00 am in South Africa, it’s 08:00 am in Namibia. In summer, from the first Sunday in September, the time is the same. With this Namibia border posts information in mind, you can cross that border with ease, drive around and discover the many fascinating offerings of this country. Who knows, you might bump into seasoned travellers like Stan Rogers! Here’s an account of his Southern Namibia experience.

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