Wondering how to cross the Namibia border into Botswana? I recently did the Katima Mulilo border crossing to Kasane and didn’t find much information published on how to do it by land, so I created this resource for you based on how I did it during my trip backpacking across Southern Africa.

By minibus, it is possible to get from the Caprivi strip to Kasane, Botswana via the Ngoma border post for just $10. Here’s how:

Namibia Border Information

There are five border crossings between Namibia and Botswana (but I travelled through the Ngoma border post). You will need a valid passport (with minimum 6 months before expiring). To determine if you need a visa for Botswana click here.

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Getting to the Namibia Border by Car

If you have your own vehicle or have a rental car, you can simply drive there during the opening times. Note: You will need valid insurance (I use rental car insurance through American Express), registration documents, a plate origin sticker (if you have a rental car it will already have this) and a temporary vehicle import permit (you can get this at the border).

If you have a trailer, there will be an additional fee. I didn’t cross by car, but I have read this all should cost no more than 200 Pula round trip.

Getting to the Namibia Border by Bus

Take the intercape bus from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo, a town just West of the Namibia border in the Caprivi Strip. This service departs Mon/Wed/Fri at 13:00 from the Intercape office in Windhoek. You will arrive the following morning at 04:50 at the Katima gas station.

Note: This is not ideal for a solo traveler, especially females. I didn’t want to show up alone, at a road-side gas station and attempt to get to the Namibia border in the dark. However, I was willing to take my chances that we would be on “Africa time” and run late. Sure enough, we rolled up at 06:30 when the sun had already come up.

Next you will need to take a shared mini bus for N$100 ($10.00) from the Katima Mulilo taxi stand to Kasane. This bus will take passengers across the Namibia border via the Ngoma border post to Kasane. Note that it waits to depart until it is completely full.

To get to the taxi stand from the gas station, walk out of the station and turn right on the main road, and take the first street on your right. From the corner, the taxi stand is a 10 minute walk down the road on your right. You can also wait at this street corner and hail a taxi to the stand for N$10 ($1.00). I opted for this option and it only took 1-2 minutes until a taxi came by and I got a lift to the taxi stand (which was ideal as the driver helped me find the correct mini bus).

Crossing the Namibia Border at the Ngoma Border Post

One the mini bus fills, you will depart for the Ngoma border. The driver will park on the Namibian side for you to get out and have your passport stamped to exit the country. This is relatively simple and quick. You will get back into the mini bus and drive to the Botswana side of the border, where an immigration officer will assist you.

Once this is done, guards will have you step into a small shoe cleaning station (to presumably wash off the Namibian dust?) and then you can walk across the border and to the mini bus which has pulled through.

From here, the drive is only a short distance into Kasane. The drop off point is right in town and only a 5-10 minute walk from a plaza with an ATM, a liquor store and a grocery store. You can store your bag at the grocery store while you shop, and you can also get a taxi from this parking lot.

Tips for Bus Travel in East Africa

Bus travel in East Africa can be super long and uncomfortable depending on road conditions so I always pack my backpack accordingly with supplies (I use the Osprey Questa 27 as my daypack/ carry on).

You will want to pack food and water, hand sanitizer, sunscreen (depending on your sensitivity to the sun). I wear SPF 60 on my face daily).

I also recommend traveling with an external charger so you know you will have a charged phone while in transit (I use and love this one by Anker), a good book (Dark Star Safari is an interesting read for overland travel in Africa) and a BUFF (I use mine religiously to shield my hair from dirty bus seats and boda helmets).

Now you are ready to start your adventure in Kasane! Don’t miss a sunset cruise on the Chobe River — it was one of the highlights of my trip.

If this article was helpful, let me know in the comments below!

If you are continuing onwards, be sure to check out my border guide series or my backpacking Africa itinerary for more useful info to plan your trip around Africa.

Happy travels!

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