The 439-kilometer border between Mozambique and Zambia is a relatively quiet frontier, a secondary but increasingly important route for trade and travel in southern Africa. It is a passage that connects the eastern part of Zambia with the Tete Corridor in Mozambique, offering an alternative path to the sea.
The main crossing for you is at Cassacatiza in Mozambique, which connects to the Zambian side. This border post is located in a remote, rural area and sees significantly less traffic than the major crossings with Zimbabwe or Tanzania. The journey to the border, particularly through Mozambique’s Tete province, can be a long one on roads of variable quality.
The procedures at the crossing are standard for a regional border post but operate at a more relaxed pace due to the lower volume of traffic. This route is primarily used by commercial trucks and local residents. For travelers, it offers an off-the-beaten-path alternative to the more congested main corridors.
This border is part of a broader regional plan to develop more diverse transportation routes. By providing another link to the Mozambican port of Beira, it helps to reduce Zambia’s reliance on a single corridor. It is a journey through the heart of rural southern Africa, a look at a developing frontier far from the main tourist trails.