Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BORDER CROSSINGS: KASANE & CHOBE
Kasane stands at a crossroads of countries, with Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe all within an hour's drive of the
town centre.
Namibia
The
Ngoma Bridge-Kasane Gate
(open 6am to 6pm) lies 57km west of Kasane and is handy for Namibia's
Caprivi Strip. As always, coming into Botswana your car will be searched for fresh meat, fresh fruit and dairy
products (all of which will be confiscated if found), and you may be required to walk through a soda solution (and
drive your car through the same) as part of measures to protect the country from foot-and-mouth disease. Other-
wise, this is a relatively hassle-free border crossing.
Zambia
The
Kazungula-Mambova Gate
(6am to 8pm) requires a river crossing by ferry. Don't be put off by the ex-
traordinary queue of trucks (some of which wait up to five days to cross this border) - drive to the front of the
queue. Leaving or entering Botswana should pose no special problems (save for the usual customs searches and
foot-and-mouth controls). For crossing into Zambia, we recommend hiring a local fixer (agree a fee up front, nev-
er hand over money until all formalities are completed, and get your fixer's mobile phone number and check that
it works). It is possible to do it all on your own, but it will take longer and the paperwork required can be confus-
ing. All fees into Zambia are paid in kwacha, apart from visa fee and road toll fee (US$48 for Botswana-re-
gistered vehicles, US$20 for Namibian or South African vehicles). Sample costs include ZMW30 council levy,
ZMW150 carbon tax and ZMW182 third-party insurance.
Zimbabwe
The surprisingly quiet
Kazungula-Victoria Falls Gate
(6am to 6pm) advertises that the border is open until
10pm but we wouldn't count on it. The border is generally hassle-free. Those on day excursions to/from Victoria
Falls will encounter few difficulties, while self-drivers can expect around two hours in total, with whispered re-
quests for small 'gifts' common among customs officials on the Zimbabwean side. As long as your documents are
in order and you're not in a hurry, be firm but calm and refuse all requests and you should be on your way in no
time.
Sights
Kasane has little to detain you and most people use it as a base for visiting nearby Chobe
National Park.
