How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: Border Crossings, Routes & Tips for an Epic Road Trip

Driving from Namibia to Botswana is an incredible adventure, offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the freedom of the open road. But navigating the journey requires planning - especially when it comes to routes, road conditions, and border crossings. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to drive from Namibia to Botswana for a smooth and stress-free experience.

Crossing the border between these two stunning countries is easier than you might think, but it’s important to know the key requirements and best entry points. Whether you're starting in Windhoek or Maun, understanding the Namibia to Botswana border crossing process will help you avoid delays and unexpected challenges. Plus, we’ll share essential documents, fees, and vehicle regulations to keep in mind.

For those looking to embrace the thrill of a self-drive Namibia to Botswana adventure, the journey offers endless opportunities for exploration. Let’s dive into the details and get you ready for the ultimate cross-border drive!

How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: a Brief Intro

So are you ready for a fun road trip driving from Namibia to Botswana? Before sharing how to drive from Namibia to Botswana though, we're going to cover a few of the basics.

Why Drive from Namibia to Botswana?

Namibia and Botswana are both incredible countries to road trip (if you prepare correctly), and being that they are right next to one another, they are the perfect combo for exploring back to back.

Driving from Namibia to Botswana is easy, scenic, and is also a great way to save money rather than flying from one country to the other and having to rent 2 separate vehicles.

Can You Take a Rental Car from Namibia to Botswana?

You can absolutely take a rental car from Namibia to Botswana! You'll just need to make sure you have the proper documents, and that you pay the fees for the car to enter the country.

↔ How Long is the Border Between Namibia and Botswana?

The border between Namibia and Botswana is 1,544 km. Despite its large size though, there are actually only a few different border crossing locations!

These are the three different border crossing locations between Botswana and Namibia:

• Trans-Kalahari Border Post - Mamuno Border Post
• Ngoma Bridge Border Post
• Mohembo Border Post

(Don't worry - we'll go over the different border crossing options later in the article)

How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: Documentation

Now you know some of the basics, but before going over how to drive from Namibia to Botswana, let's go over the different entry requirements for entering each country.

 Namibia Entry Requirements

In order to enter Namibia you'll have to bring the following:

• Passport
• Car registration documents
• Credit card for car registration fees and potential visa fees

Passport Requirements for Entering Namibia

In order to enter Namibia you'll need to have a passport that is valid from 6 months of the date of entry into the country. You should also have 3 blank pages in there. I didn't have one at all, and I got really lucky that they let me in actually. I wouldn't press your luck though, and would recommend having the three pages available.

Also, you should have proof of a ticket leaving the country (in our case we showed them our flight leaving South Africa in a few weeks, as we were coming from there first).

Visa Requirements for Entering Namibia

Some nationalities need a visa to enter Namibia, which can be purchased on arrival. Visas on arrival cost $N 1,600 for non-African travelers, and $N 1,299 for Africa travelers.

Nationalities which are exempt from needing a visa for Namibia include Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Car Requirements for Entering Namibia

In order to enter Namibia you'll need to pay a fee for your rental car, as well as have the car's documents, so make sure to keep them handy. Just in case, have your license on you as well.

The vehicle fee for entering Namibia is $N 283 for motorcycles and $N 445 for cars, vans, and mini buses (under 25 passengers), which can be paid with a credit card.

Botswana Entry Requirements

In order to enter Botswana you'll have to bring the following:

• Passport
• Port Health Screening
• Yellow Fever Vaccine (if you have also been in Angola)

 Passport Requirements for Entering Botswana

Passports must have at least 6 months of validity to enter Botswana, and you should have at least two blank pages. Luckily even though I didn't have any left, they did let me in - we wouldn't recommend risking it though. 

You should also have a flight leaving (or in the case of road tripping, one that clearly shows you flying out of a neighboring country).

Visa Requirements for Entering Botswana

Many American and European countries do not require a visa for entering Botswana, and can stay for up to 30 days without needing a visa. The list of countries below do need a visa to enter Botswana, and to do so need to apply at their nearest embassy. Visas typically take 7-14 days, but can take up to 21.

Here are the countries that need a visa for Botswana - Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Health Requirements for Entering Botswana

Unlike Namibia, you'll have to stop at a port health screening before actually going through customs and getting your stamp into the country.

It's a small office you'll pass before getting to border control, so look out for it and make sure you stop there first.

You'll just need to fill out a form saying you're healthy, and show that you have not been to Angola, or if you have you'll need to show proof of a yellow fever vaccine (we'd recommend having the physical copy just in case).

How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: Border Crossings

Now that you know the entry requirements for both countries, it's time to actually talk about how to drive from Namibia to Botswana! (or vice versa).

Border Crossings Between Namibia & Botswana

We've already mentioned to you the different border crossings, but now we are going to share a bit more info about them, and the difference of choosing one from the other.

Trans-Kalahari Border Post - Mamuno Border Post

This is the most popular. border crossing, as it is the highway that connects Windhoek (the capital of Namibia) with the west of Botswana.

Ngoma Bridge Border Post

Situated in the Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip), this crossing links Namibia's Katima Mulilo with Botswana's Chobe National Park, making it ideal for travelers heading to Botswana's National Parks, Kasane, or Victoria Falls. This is a longer route, but is super scenic

Mohembo Border Post

Located in the northwest, this crossing is in the beginning of the Caprivi Strip, and connects Namibia's Bwabwata National Park with Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This is most ideal if you are coming from the North of Namibia, and looking to explore the entire north of Botswana.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: Road Conditions

Luckily the road conditions between Namibia and Botswana are really good, especially on the Trans-Kalahari Border Post - Mamuno Border Post crossing. For the crossing itself you won't need any kind of special vehicle. However, we should also mention a few things about driving in Namibia vs driving in Botswana. 

 Driving Conditions in Namibia

Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind when driving in Namibia:

Is it Safe to Travel by Car in Namibia?

It is definitely safe to travel by car in Namibia! You'll certainly want to keep in mind though to be a bit careful in bigger cities like Windhoek or Swakopmund. Make sure to park in well-lit areas, and never to keep any belongings on site just in case.

Do You Need a Car in Namibia?

The absolute best way to get around Namibia is by car! We enjoyed our road trip in Namibia so much, and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves adventure, photography, or simply traveling on their own schedule.

You don't NEED a car in Namibia, but honestly, not having one is really not ideal since there is very limited public transportation, and organized tours can be very pricey.

Do You Need a 4x4 in Namibia?

You don't necessarily need a 4x4 for Namibia, but you'll certainly want to have some good tires and a high clearance vehicle. Having a 4x4 is highly recommended, but if you don't have one you'll still get by fine. Just be careful in the thick sands when driving to desert camps!

Is Namibia Left or Right Drive?

Just like South Africa, driving is on the left side of the road in Namibia.

 Driving Conditions in Botswana

Here are some of the things that you should keep in mind when driving in Botswana:

Is it Safe to Self Drive in Botswana?

In terms of general safety, Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa! The people are extremely kind, welcoming, and trustworthy. One thing you WILL need to watch out for is animals! This is the only country we've ever been to where we came across wild animals all along the highways.

As soon as we crossed the border an officer pulled us over and he told us to watch out for animals. We didn't actually anticipate that we'd have to stop for elephants, ostriches, and zebras along the way!

Do You Need a Car in Botswana?

You have two main choices for exploring Botswana - one is by hiring professional guides to take you everywhere, and the other is by driving on your own. If you're looking to save a bit of money, then you'll definitely want to have a car.

Do You Need a 4x4 in Botswana?

Having a 4x4 in Botswana is CRUCIAL. We had a high clearance vehicle and thought we'd be okay, but we ended up getting stuck multiple times.

Almost every tourist attraction is a national park with extremely thick sands, and without a proper 4x4 and really good driving skills, you'll end up sinking like we did. One stop we even got stuck for 12 hours! It took 3 safari cars and 8 people pushing for a few hours to eventually get us out - so don't make the same mistake we did!

Is Botswana Left or Right Drive?

Just like Namibia and South Africa, driving is on the left side of the road.

How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: FAQ Answered

We covered almost everything you need to know for how to drive from Namibia to Botswana, but we also found some other frequently asked questions across the web that we'd like to share the answers to.

How to Drive from Namibia to Botswana: Conclusion

Doing a road trip in Namibia and Botswana is a one-in-a-lifetime experience, and one we highly recommend! It truly allows you to experience more than just the highlights, and explore on your own terms.

Here are a few highlights of this guide that we're going to reiterate:

• There are three different border crossings between Namibia and Botswana.
• Namibia and Botswana both drive on the left side of the road.
• Make sure to see if you need a visa for either Namibia or Botswana.
• You'll need a yellow fever vaccine if you've been to Angola or another country recently that is prevalent to yellow fever.
• Check your passport to make sure you have 3 blank pages and 6 months validity.
• Namibia has a fee for bringing a car, but Botswana does not.
• Invest in a 4x4, especially for Botswana.
• Watch out for animals, especially while driving along the roads in Botswana.
• Lower your tire pressure when driving in the sand.

So are you ready to experience an incredible road trip through Southern Africa? We hope our guide for how to get from Namibia to Botswana has helped answer any questions you may have had, and help you prepare for an incredible trip.

Want to learn more about traveling in this area? Don't miss out on our Namibia travel guides, South Africa guides, and our Botswana articles that we have coming up! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates, as well as exclusive content we share with just our email list.

Ready to start planning the most incredible trip around Southern Africa? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, finding you the best flights, and making you completely personalized itineraries. Want to learn more? Send us an email to set up your free consultation!

Here are some other articles you'll find useful: