Border Crossing: Botswana to Namibia at the Ngoma Border Post
Posted: September 30 2023 | Tagged: Namibia, Botswana, Border Crossings
After my Chobe National Park Game Drive and Boat Cruise, I got a message from Nick from Nambia to say he was back home in Katima.
I needed to get from Kazungula, Botswana to Kasane, where I would hopefully get transport to Ngoma Bridge with the River Chobe which forms a natural border with Nambia and then onto Katima Mulilo.
I needed to get from Kazungula, Botswana to Kasane, where I would hopefully get transport to Ngoma Bridge with the River Chobe which forms a natural border with Nambia and then onto Katima Mulilo.
After an early breakfast, I headed to the Kasane Bus station. A bizarre bus station with no ticket kiosks, and no timetables. Just a few Sprinter vans to Maun and Francistown and luckily, a mini van to the Botswana Namibia border at Ngoma.
There is minimal transport. Ultimate travel tip, go early and be prepared to wait. My buddy from the Chobe National Park trip opted to snooze. I fear that he wouldn't find transport. If you snooze you lose.
I was there just after 8. We were still 2 passengers short of a full van. By 9 the driver wanted to get going. We left at 9:08 am.
There is minimal transport. Ultimate travel tip, go early and be prepared to wait. My buddy from the Chobe National Park trip opted to snooze. I fear that he wouldn't find transport. If you snooze you lose.
I was there just after 8. We were still 2 passengers short of a full van. By 9 the driver wanted to get going. We left at 9:08 am.
To Ngoma Bridge it's 50km it took 1 hour 5. The fare is 20 Pula.
Checking out of Botswana was fast. The female immigration officer nicely squeezed in the exit stamp:
I asked how far it was to the Namibian border post.
At that moment a minivan turned up. "It is going to Katima"
So I asked the driver if he had room.
Apparently, my rasta driver should have told me to wait for the direct minivan but hadn't. He wanted the fare. He had left with 2 free seats as it was.
A stroke of luck.
The full fare was 120 Pula.
The fare from the border to Katima was 50 Pula. I had paid just 70 Pula.;)) a small saving. The money was irrelevant. I was happy not to be stranded.
So I asked the driver if he had room.
Apparently, my rasta driver should have told me to wait for the direct minivan but hadn't. He wanted the fare. He had left with 2 free seats as it was.
A stroke of luck.
The full fare was 120 Pula.
The fare from the border to Katima was 50 Pula. I had paid just 70 Pula.;)) a small saving. The money was irrelevant. I was happy not to be stranded.
And then we drive across the Ngoma bridge to Namibian immigration. Easy.
I asked for a week and got a week:
Had I not gotten a ride, I would have had a long wait. Traffic was very light. No minivans waiting. A back-and-beyond border post. No money changers, no ATMs
Welcome to Namibia, my 106th UN Member State. 113 Country and Territory on my own list.
The time from the border to Katima, 1 hr 30.
Welcome to Namibia, my 106th UN Member State. 113 Country and Territory on my own list.
The time from the border to Katima, 1 hr 30.
Do you need a visa to visit Namibia?
Namibia allows free entry for upto 3 months per 1 calendar year for nationalities from 55 countries. But always check official sources before you go. Things can and do change.
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