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Border post · Botswana to South Africa

Pioneer Gate

South-East District · 25.28°S 25.71°E

Short answer

Pioneer Gate border post is open from 06:00 to 00:00 on the Botswana side (checked 12 October 2026). It crosses to Skilpadshek in South Africa.

Hours
06:00 to 00:00Botswana side · checked
Other side
Skilpadshek (South Africa)
Nearest town
Lobatse
Road
A2 / N4

What to know

  • On the Trans-Kalahari Corridor just outside Lobatse, and the usual way in from Zeerust if you are heading west to Kanye, Jwaneng and Ghanzi.
  • BURS said in February 2022 that Pioneer was being rebuilt as Botswana's second one-stop border post, after Kazungula.
  • Foreign-registered cars pay a road permit, the road safety levy and third-party insurance at the customs counter on the way in. Drive South Africa (June 2026) puts the three at about P200 for a car, and we could not find an official BURS tariff to check that against. Carry pula as well as a card.

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 Pioneer Gate border post open and close?

06:00 to 00:00 on the Botswana side.

Where does Pioneer Gate border post go?

It crosses to Skilpadshek in South Africa. The nearest Botswana town is Lobatse.

Places to stay within 40 km

8
  • Cumberland
    Hotel
    +267 533 0281
    8.7 KM
  • Camphill Guest House
    Guest house
    25.9 KM
  • Peo Guest House
    Guest house
    25.9 KM
  • Camphill Community Trust Guest House
    Guest house
    26.0 KM
  • Botslano Campsite
    Campsite
    32.0 KM
  • Legora Campsitze
    Campsite
    34.4 KM
  • Lerako Campsite
    Campsite
    30.9 KM
  • Mogobe Tented Camp
    Campsite
    31.1 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 national budget contribution set at over 59 per cent (10 February 2022)checked 12 Oct 2026, official

Cite as: Travel Africa Guide, "Pioneer Gate border post hours", checked 12 October 2026, https://travelafrica.guide/botswana/border-posts/pioneer-gate/