The 1,544-kilometer border between Botswana and Namibia is a long, straight line drawn by colonial map-makers directly through the heart of the Kalahari Desert. This is a frontier defined by its remoteness and the vast, arid wilderness it traverses. It is a key route for overland travelers exploring the great deserts and wildlife reserves of southern Africa.
The primary crossing for you is the Buitepos (Namibia) and Mamuno (Botswana) border post. This lies on the Trans-Kalahari Highway, a modern road that provides a direct link between the capitals of Windhoek and Gaborone. This is the busiest and most developed crossing. A second, more scenic crossing is at Mohembo, which provides access to the Okavango Panhandle.
The Trans-Kalahari Highway has transformed what was once an arduous, multi-day journey into a straightforward drive. The border post at Buitepos-Mamuno is a modern and efficient facility, a lonely outpost of civilization in the middle of the vast Kalahari.
This border is a journey through a unique and fragile ecosystem. The highway is fenced for much of its length to prevent collisions with wildlife. The crossing is a gateway to some of the region’s most iconic destinations, from the dunes of the Namib Desert to the waterways of the Okavango Delta. It is a passage through a land of immense space and solitude.