Henye & Kalabo/Caprivi Border Crossing

The Katima Mulilo-Sesheke Crossing: The Zambezi Bridge

The border crossing at Katima Mulilo, the capital of Namibia’s Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), which connects to the Zambian town of Sesheke via the magnificent Katima Mulilo Bridge, is a major international gateway and a critical link in the transport network of southern Africa. This is the main border on the “Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor,” the highway that links the Namibian port of Walvis Bay with the Copperbelt of Zambia and the mining regions of the southern DRC. The centerpiece of the crossing is the impressive, 900-meter-long bridge that spans the mighty Zambezi River. The crossing is a busy, modern hub for trade and tourism, a constant flow of massive freight trucks, buses, and safari vehicles. The landscape is the lush, subtropical floodplain of the Zambezi, a world of immense rivers, wetlands, and rich wildlife. For the traveler, this is the primary route for journeying between Namibia’s unique Caprivi Strip and Zambia, a passage that opens up a world of remote national parks and incredible biodiversity, including the nearby Victoria Falls.

A History of a New Corridor

The history of this crossing is very recent. For most of the 20th century, there was no bridge here. The Caprivi Strip was a remote and strategically sensitive area, a bizarre geographical anomaly created by a colonial-era land swap that gave Germany access to the Zambezi. During the Namibian War of Independence and the Angolan Civil War, the region was a major military zone for the South African Defence Force. The border was a tense and undeveloped frontier, with the only way to cross the Zambezi being a slow and unreliable pontoon ferry. The opening of the Katima Mulilo Bridge in 2004 was a transformative event. It was a major post-independence infrastructure project, funded by Germany, designed to create a new, peaceful economic corridor. The bridge, for the first time, created a direct, all-weather road link between Zambia and Namibia. It has been a massive catalyst for regional trade, providing Zambia with a new, efficient, and politically stable route to the sea at Walvis Bay. It is a border that is a powerful symbol of the new, post-apartheid era of cooperation and integration in southern Africa.

Before Crossing

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The Border Crossing Procedure: A Formal and Organized Process

The border is open during daylight hours (typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). The facilities on both sides are modern and the process is generally well-organized, though it can be slow due to the volume of truck traffic. You must have the correct visas if your nationality requires them.

Exiting Namibia (Katima Mulilo): You will arrive at the Namibian border post. You will go to the immigration office and present your passport. The officer will provide an entry stamp. After immigration, you will proceed to the customs and road authority offices. You will need to pay a cross-border charge. You will also need to have third-party insurance for Namibia, which can be purchased at the border if your existing policy is not valid. The officials are professional and the process is generally straightforward.

The Katima Mulilo Bridge: You will then drive across the impressive bridge over the Zambezi River. The view of the wide, powerful river is spectacular. This is the no-man’s-land.

Entering Zambia (Sesheke): You will arrive at the Zambian border post. You will go to the immigration hall. You can obtain a Zambian visa on arrival for most nationalities (a KAZA uni-visa, covering both Zambia and Zimbabwe, is a great option if you plan to visit Victoria Falls). You will pay the fee in US dollars. After getting your Zambian entry stamp, you will go through the customs process. If you are in a vehicle, you will need to pay a carbon tax and purchase temporary third-party insurance for Zambia. The process can be a bit bureaucratic but is well-practiced.

Route, Onward Travel, and The Caprivi Strip

This crossing is on the main Trans-Caprivi Corridor (the B8 highway). On the Namibian side, the Trans-Caprivi Highway runs west from Katima Mulilo, a perfectly paved road that cuts through a series of magnificent and unfenced national parks, including the Bwabwata National Park. This is one of the great road trips in Africa, a journey through a wilderness area where elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife frequently cross the road. The highway continues all the way to the main part of Namibia and the Etosha National Park. On the Zambian side, the road from Sesheke connects to the city of Livingstone, the gateway to the Victoria Falls, which is a few hours’ drive away. For those without a car, there are direct bus services that run from Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, to Livingstone and Lusaka in Zambia, that use this crossing. This is a convenient option for long-distance travel.

Final Planning Advice for the Zambezi Gateway

The Katima Mulilo-Sesheke crossing is a modern, efficient, and scenically beautiful border. It is the main and most highly recommended gateway for overland travel between Namibia and Zambia. The key to a successful crossing is to have all your documents in order, especially your vehicle registration and insurance if you are driving. Be prepared for a multi-step process for your vehicle on both sides. The journey it enables, through the wild and beautiful Caprivi Strip, is one of the greatest wildlife and road trip experiences in Africa. This crossing is more than just a bridge; it is a gateway to adventure, a smooth and easy passage into a land of immense rivers, vast wilderness, and incredible wildlife. It is a testament to the power of modern infrastructure to open up new frontiers for the adventurous traveler.