Park fees with their source and date. Last checked .How we check

Deutsch
Free safari quote
South AfricaNamibiaBotswanaZimbabwePark feesPlanGuidesPark fee calculatorWild Card calculatorBorder postsHow we checkContactDiese Seite auf Deutsch

Border post · Zimbabwe to Zambia

Chirundu

Mashonaland West · 16.04°S 28.86°E

Short answer

Chirundu border post is open 24 hours a day on the Zimbabwean side (checked 18 October 2026). It crosses to Chirundu in Zambia.

Hours
Open 24 hoursZimbabwean side · checked
Other side
Chirundu (Zambia)
Nearest town
Chirundu
Road
A1

What to know

  • 24 hours since October 2023, when a Statutory Instrument from Home Affairs added a third shift; before that 06:00 to 22:00. KAZA.org lists 24 hours, and Zambia's customs order of 2021 already allowed business at Chirundu at all hours. Zambia Tourism's border list still prints 06:00 to 22:00.
  • Africa's first one-stop border post, opened in 2009, so you deal with both countries' officers in one place. It carries the Harare to Lusaka traffic and the copper and cobalt trucks heading for southern ports, and in December 2019 the queue reached 12 km.
  • The Chirundu Border Consortium, led by Safaga International, which led the Beitbridge upgrade, secured funding for a rebuild in September 2026 under a 20-year concession; Cabinet had put the cost at $66.8 million. Expect roadworks on the approach once building starts.
  • Two road bridges cross the Zambezi here. Elephants often wander through the village, so drive slowly after dark.
  • Foreign-registered cars need a Temporary Import Permit from ZIMRA at the border (ZIMRA says its services are free; hired cars need a Commercial TIP backed by a clearing agent's guarantee) and pay carbon tax and third party insurance at the ZIMRA counter, in US dollars. ZIMRA's own guide puts the two at US$10 and US$30 a month and the Herald (July 2026) at about US$40 together for a car. The US$10 road access fee that light vehicles paid on each entry was scrapped by Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026, gazetted on 24 July 2026, because ZINARA's toll gates already charge for the road.
  • Carry US dollar cash. Border charges in Zimbabwe are quoted in US dollars; the ZiG has been the local currency since 8 April 2024, and paying in foreign currency stays legal until the end of 2030.

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 Zambia asks of your passport: visa, fees and the papers it wants to see

Check the entry rules for Zambia before you go.

Quick answers

What time does Chirundu border post open and close?

24 hours on the Zimbabwean side. 24 hours since October 2023, when a Statutory Instrument from Home Affairs added a third shift; before that 06:00 to 22:00. KAZA.org lists 24 hours, and Zambia's customs order of 2021 already allowed business at Chirundu at all hours. Zambia Tourism's border list still prints 06:00 to 22:00.

Where does Chirundu border post go?

It crosses to Chirundu in Zambia. The nearest Zimbabwean town is Chirundu.

Places to stay within 40 km

8
  • Chirundu Safari Lodge
    Hotel
    +263 78 544 2361zambezivalleysafaris.co.zw
    4.9 KM
  • Tiger Safari Lodge
    Hotel
    +263 77 802 0699tigersafaris.co.zw
    1.1 KM
  • Jecha Point Fishing Lodge
    Hotel
    +263 77 728 0642jechapoint.com
    2.4 KM
  • "B" Camp
    Chalet
    21.5 KM
  • Mongwe Camp
    Guest house
    17.9 KM
  • New B Camp
    Chalet
    21.3 KM
  • Nyakasanga Fishing camp
    Campsite
    32.1 KM
  • Rukomeche Camp
    Guest house
    35.3 KM

Sources

  1. The Herald, Chirundu border now open 24 hours (15 October 2023)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  2. TimesLIVE (Reuters), Zimbabwe secures funds for key commodity gateway upgrade (22 September 2026)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  3. KAZA.org, border crossings guide (2026)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  4. Zambia, Statutory Instrument 62 of 2021, Customs and Excise (Ports of Entry and Routes) (Amendment) Order (customs hours on the Zambian side, 22 April 2021)checked 18 Oct 2026, official
  5. Zambia Tourism Agency, Zambia border crossings (undated, Zambian side hours)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  6. The Herald, Hive of activity at border posts (23 December 2019)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  7. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Getting to Zimbabwe (lists the ten main road border posts, no hours)checked 18 Oct 2026, official
  8. The Herald, Govt scraps duplicative access fees in transport sector, on Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026 (28 July 2026)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  9. ZIMRA, Temporary Importation for Visitors' Vehicles (undated guide: TIP, third party insurance, carbon tax, road access fee)checked 18 Oct 2026, official
  10. Wikipedia, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG official currency since 8 April 2024; foreign currency payments valid until 31 December 2030)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  11. Wikipedia, Chirundu, Zimbabwechecked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  12. Wikipedia, Roads in Zimbabwe (A-road numbers and end points)checked 18 Oct 2026, one source only
  13. OpenStreetMap, Chirundu Customs and Immigration buildingchecked 18 Oct 2026, one source only

Cite as: Travel Africa Guide, "Chirundu border post hours", checked 18 October 2026, https://travelafrica.guide/zimbabwe/border-posts/chirundu/