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Border post · Botswana to South Africa

Zanzibar

Central District · 22.57°S 28.47°E

Short answer

Zanzibar border post is closed on the Botswana side (checked 12 October 2026). It crosses to Zanzibar in South Africa.

Closed. Business Day reported in November 2023 that Botswana had closed its side for good in March 2023 because of the flooding, and that South Africa withdrew Zanzibar as a port of entry from 1 December 2023 at Botswana's request.

Hours
ClosedBotswana side · checked
Other side
Zanzibar (South Africa)
Nearest town
Bobonong
Road
R561 (South African side)

What to know

  • The Immigration Department's April 2025 list still shows Zanzibar at 08:00 to 16:00 and BURS still lists a customs office, but South Africa has had no port of entry on the other bank since 1 December 2023.
  • A low Limpopo crossing near Tsetsebjwe that flooded year after year. Use Platjan, about 40 km downstream.

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 Zanzibar border post open and close?

Closed on the Botswana side. The Immigration Department's April 2025 list still shows Zanzibar at 08:00 to 16:00 and BURS still lists a customs office, but South Africa has had no port of entry on the other bank since 1 December 2023.

Where does Zanzibar border post go?

It crosses to Zanzibar in South Africa. The nearest Botswana town is Bobonong.

Places to stay within 40 km

8
  • Mogalakwena River Lodge
    Hotel
    35.7 KM
  • Charley's Lodge - Private Site 2
    Hostel
    5.1 KM
  • Commercial Lodge Site
    Hotel
    17.6 KM
  • Island Lodge
    Hotel
    3.3 KM
  • Kirkia Camp
    Hotel
    17.3 KM
  • Kwadiwa Campsite
    Campsite
    24.1 KM
  • Kwadiwa Ranch
    Resort
    23.8 KM
  • Lephale Lodge
    Hotel
    16.8 KM

Sources

  1. Business Day, Home Affairs withdraws Zanzibar's designation as a point of entry (30 November 2023)checked 12 Oct 2026, one source only
  2. 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
  3. Botswana Unified Revenue Service, customs offices and border posts list (no hours given)checked 12 Oct 2026, official
  4. Wikipedia, Botswana and South Africa border crossings tablechecked 12 Oct 2026, one source only
  5. Botswana Daily News (BOPA), Mabolwe border post opens June 1, which calls Zanzibar a seasonal post (25 May 2016)checked 12 Oct 2026, official

Cite as: Travel Africa Guide, "Zanzibar border post hours", checked 12 October 2026, https://travelafrica.guide/botswana/border-posts/zanzibar/