How to enter by car from Botswana and Namibia

Driving through Southern Africa requires careful route planning. Most important, always arrive at your destination before it's dark (18h30). You won't really need a navigator if you take the main roads as it is practically and 'silly' speaking always straight ahead, except for a few left and right turns. Should you be on a trip into the real bush eg. Moremi and Chobe in Botswana we suggest to use a navigator so won't get lost. According to "our experts", (namely Dutch and German guest) Tracks4Africa provides updated maps for downloads.

When entering Zimbabwe through a land boarder post by car a bit of paperwork is necessary, like almost anywhere else in this world! Take a deep breath: Here is how it works at the Kazungula boarder between Botswana and Zimbabwe: The friendly immigration officer who issues the visa will give you a small piece of stamped paper called Gate Pass.

Move to the next counter; Customs a.k.a. ZIMRA: you need to complete a form called "Temporary Import Permit", in short 'TIP' for the vehicle. This is for free! Next you will be asked to pay "Carbon Tax", charges (payable in US$, Euro, Rand or Pula) are according to the engine capacity of the car and are roughly 1500cc US$ 6; up to 2000 cc US$ 11; over 2000 cc US$ 15. Another charge is called Road Access Fee, you'll contribute about US$ 10; and if you don't have it you need to purchase a Third Party Insurance. Voila, you are almost done. If you drive a hired 4x4 you need to obtain and pay for a Carnet de Passage, you should not be charged more than US$ 50 for that! All in all you can incur costs of over $100 in charges just for the car. Zimbabwe welcomes you!

From the Botswana Kazungula boarder post you will be at Amadeus Garden (70 km) in an hours time. Just watch out for Elephants on the road, it's all through National Park on a wide tarred road.

If you hire a car in Namibia and you don't have Third Party Insurance for Zimbabwe buy one at these insurance companies in Windhoek, Namibia; it's cheaper and you'll have less hassles at the boarder!

Santam, Tel: +264 61 292 8000 Fax: 226 897; Mutual & Federal Tel: +264 61 2077111, Fax 2077224 (updated 05.12.2009)

Lodge accommodation, B&B style, two kilometers from the Victoria Falls

Owner managed - for travellers who prefer the personal athmosphere of a guesthouse to a hotel