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Border post · Botswana to South Africa

McCarthy's Rest

Kgalagadi District · 26.20°S 22.57°E

Short answer

McCarthy's Rest border post is open from 08:00 to 16:00 on the Botswana side (checked 12 October 2026). It crosses to McCarthy's Rest in South Africa.

Hours
08:00 to 16:00Botswana side · checked
Other side
McCarthy's Rest (South Africa)
Nearest town
Tsabong
Road
B210 / R380

What to know

  • The two sides do not agree. The Immigration Department (April 2025) gives 08:00 to 16:00. The BMA and Wikipedia give 06:00 to 18:00 for the South African side and Drive South Africa says 08:00 to 18:00. Plan on 08:00 to 16:00.
  • The crossing for Tsabong, which BURS puts about 25 km from the post. BURS spells it MacCarthy's Rust and the Immigration list McCarthy Rest.

Bring with you

  • Your passport
  • The vehicle's registration papers
  • For a hired car, the rental company's letter of authority to take it across
  • Whatever South Africa asks of your passport: visa, fees and the papers it wants to see
Entry rules for South Africa

Quick answers

What time does McCarthy's Rest border post open and close?

08:00 to 16:00 on the Botswana side. The two sides do not agree. The Immigration Department (April 2025) gives 08:00 to 16:00. The BMA and Wikipedia give 06:00 to 18:00 for the South African side and Drive South Africa says 08:00 to 18:00. Plan on 08:00 to 16:00.

Where does McCarthy's Rest border post go?

It crosses to McCarthy's Rest in South Africa. The nearest Botswana town is Tsabong.

Places to stay within 40 km

4
  • Springbok Motel
    Motel
    +267 654 0747
    26.7 KM
  • Desert Motel
    Motel
    26.5 KM
  • Springbokpan Guest Farm
    Guest house
    7.5 KM
  • Springbokpan Guest Farm campsite
    Campsite
    7.4 KM

Sources

  1. Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Botswana ports of entry with operating hours (PDF, updated April 2025, copy hosted by pcf11.org)checked 12 Oct 2026, official
  2. Botswana Unified Revenue Service, customs offices and border posts list (no hours given)checked 12 Oct 2026, official
  3. Border Management Authority, South African ports of entry (hours list)checked 12 Oct 2026, official
  4. Wikipedia, Botswana and South Africa border crossings tablechecked 12 Oct 2026, one source only
  5. Drive South Africa, Botswana border posts crossing guide (updated 12 June 2026)checked 12 Oct 2026, one source only
  6. Botswana Daily News (BOPA), BURS to open offices in Tsabong next year (30 November 2022)checked 12 Oct 2026, official

Cite as: Travel Africa Guide, "McCarthy's Rest border post hours", checked 12 October 2026, https://travelafrica.guide/botswana/border-posts/mccarthys-rest/