Maitengwe Border Crossing

Important Note: A Minor and Local Crossing

The border crossing at the divided village of Maitengwe is a very minor, local checkpoint between Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is not a designated international border crossing for foreign tourists. This is a local post, intended to serve the communities living in the immediate border area, and it lacks the formal immigration and customs infrastructure required to process international travelers and stamp passports. This guide is for geographical and contextual purposes only. It is not possible for a foreign tourist to legally use this crossing to travel between Botswana and Zimbabwe. You must use one of the designated international crossings like Plumtree or Kazungula.

The Maitengwe Crossing: A Local Footpath

The border crossing at Maitengwe is located in a remote, rural part of northeastern Botswana, south of the main Plumtree-Ramokgwebana highway. This is not a road crossing in any conventional sense. It is likely a simple footpath or a rough track across the Maitengwe River, which forms the border in this region. The crossing exists as a practical concession to the reality that the local Kalanga people, whose traditional lands straddle the international border, need to visit family, attend funerals, or go to local markets on the other side of this artificial line. The atmosphere would not be that of a formal border post, but of a simple checkpoint, a place where local life flows across the frontier, largely invisible to the outside world. It is a border that is about local people and their daily lives, not about international trade or tourism. It is a human-scale border, a world away from the massive logistical operations of the main highways.

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A History of a Porous and Informal Frontier

The history of this border is one of informality. The Kalanga people, who are closely related to the Shona of Zimbabwe, have lived in this region for centuries. The international border, established by the British in the late 19th century, had little impact on their daily lives for many decades. The main lines of trade and travel were always directed towards the major towns and the main railway line to the south. The Maitengwe crossing has never been a major route. It has always been a simple, local checkpoint. During the Zimbabwean liberation struggle and the subsequent Gukurahundi massacres in Matabeleland in the 1980s, this porous frontier became a route for refugees fleeing the violence into the safety of Botswana. In the modern era, its function is to manage local movement, not to serve as an international gateway. It is a recognition by both states that it is impossible to completely seal such a long and rugged frontier, and that facilitating local, traditional movement is a necessary part of maintaining peace and stability in the borderlands.

Border Procedures: Not Applicable for Tourists

As this is not an international crossing for foreigners, there are no procedures for tourists. The crossing is not equipped or authorized to handle international passports or visas.

The Process for Local Residents: For the local residents who are permitted to cross here, the process would be very simple. They would likely need to show a local identity card or a special border pass to the guards on either side. The focus would be on confirming local residency, not on formal immigration procedures. The movement would be restricted to a limited zone on either side of the border.

For a foreign traveler, there is no way to get a legal entry or exit stamp at this location. The border posts, if they are even permanently staffed, would not have the necessary stamps, systems, or legal authority to process a foreign national. Any foreigner attempting to use this crossing would be in violation of the immigration laws of both countries and would be immediately detained by the police or military for questioning. It is not a legal or viable route.

The Regional Context: The Tati District and Matabeleland

The crossing is located in the North-East District of Botswana, near the historic Tati Concession, one of the first areas of European settlement and gold mining in the country. On the Zimbabwean side, it connects to the Matabeleland South province. The infrastructure in this entire region is very basic. The roads are mostly unpaved dirt tracks that can become impassable during the rainy season. Travel is slow and difficult. This is not a region that is equipped for or accustomed to tourism. The main international crossing at Plumtree-Ramokgwebana is located on the main paved highway between the two countries’ second cities, Francistown and Bulawayo, and has the necessary facilities and transport connections for travelers. The Maitengwe crossing exists in a different world, one of local, subsistence life and deep-seated cultural connections.

Final Contextual Note: A Border to Be Aware Of, Not to Use

The Maitengwe crossing is a fascinating example of a local, informal border that serves the deep-seated needs of a community divided by an international line. It is a testament to the resilience of local life on the frontier. However, for the international overland traveler, it is a non-option. It is a point on the map to be understood, not to be included in an itinerary. The risk of being turned away, or worse, detained, is absolute. Any travel plan between Botswana and Zimbabwe must be routed through one of the major, designated international gateways like Plumtree or Kazungula. These crossings are equipped and authorized to handle all nationalities and will provide a predictable passage. The quiet reality of the Maitengwe crossing is best left to the local residents it is intended to serve.