Jimbe & Jimbe (Angola side) Border Crossing

The Jimbe-Jimbe Crossing: A Remote and Challenging Frontier

The border crossing at the divided village of Jimbe is the main gateway between Zambia’s North-Western Province and the Moxico Province of eastern Angola. This is not a border for the casual traveler. It is a remote, challenging, and deeply adventurous route, a passage through one of the most sparsely populated and least-developed regions in all of southern Africa. The crossing is located deep in the miombo woodlands, the vast, dry forest that covers much of the continent’s central plateau. For years, this border was effectively closed due to the Angolan Civil War. Its reopening and the upgrading of the road on the Zambian side have turned it into a viable, if very difficult, option for the most dedicated of overland explorers. The atmosphere is one of profound isolation, a quiet, dusty outpost at the end of a very long and arduous road. It is a border that requires a high degree of self-sufficiency and a true spirit of adventure.

A History of a War-Torn and Porous Border

The history of this border is the history of the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002). The border is a colonial legacy, a line drawn by the British and Portuguese through the traditional lands of the Lunda and Luvale peoples. After Angolan independence, the eastern part of the country, particularly Moxico province, became a major stronghold for the UNITA rebel movement. The border with Zambia was a critical lifeline for UNITA, a route for supplies and a sanctuary for its fighters and their families. The region on the Zambian side became host to a massive population of Angolan refugees. The border was a highly militarized and dangerous zone. The end of the war in 2002 brought peace, but the region was left devastated and heavily contaminated with landmines. The reopening of the Jimbe crossing and the slow process of demining and rebuilding the roads has been a major post-war challenge. It is a border that is still emerging from the shadows of one of Africa’s longest and most destructive conflicts.

The Border Crossing Procedure: A Basic and Rustic Affair

This is a very quiet border with very little traffic. The border is open during daylight hours only. The facilities are very basic. You must have your visas sorted in advance.

Exiting Zambia (Jimbe): The Zambian immigration and customs post is a very basic facility, likely a small, simple building. You will present your passport and get your exit stamp. The customs check for vehicles involves checking your temporary import permit. The process will be manual, with your details recorded in a ledger. The officials may be surprised to see a foreign traveler and the process, while friendly, may be slow.

The No-Man’s-Land: After clearing the Zambian side, you will proceed on a rough track through the bush to the Angolan side.

Entering Angola (Jimbe): The Angolan post will be equally basic. You must have a pre-arranged Angolan visa. Visas on arrival are not available. You will present your passport and visa to the immigration officer. You will also need your yellow fever vaccination certificate. The customs process for a vehicle will be a manual, bureaucratic affair. You will need a temporary import permit for Angola. The entire process requires a high degree of self-reliance and patience.

Route, Onward Travel, and Extreme Challenges

This crossing is for 4×4 vehicles only. The roads on both sides are extremely challenging. On the Zambian side, the road from the provincial capital of Solwezi to the Jimbe border has been upgraded but is still a long and remote journey. On the Angolan side, the road from the border to the nearest major town, Luena, is a very long, slow, and arduous journey on sandy, unpaved tracks that can be impassable in the rainy season. This is one of the most remote and least-developed parts of Angola. You must be completely self-sufficient with multiple spare tires, recovery equipment, and enough fuel, food, and water for a multi-day expedition. There is no public transport on this route. The main caveat for any traveler is the uncertainty. The road conditions, the availability of fuel, and the security situation can all be unpredictable. The risk of landmines, while much reduced, is still a consideration in some off-road areas.

Final Contextual Note: A Route for Expeditionaries Only

The Jimbe crossing is a true overland expedition. It is not a border for tourists but for serious, well-equipped adventurers. The logistical challenges and uncertainties are immense. For almost all travelers, entering Angola is best done by air. For those determined to drive, this crossing is a legendary challenge. The key to a successful journey is meticulous planning and a very capable vehicle. You must have your Angolan visa in your passport before you arrive. You must have detailed maps and a GPS. And you must be prepared for a long and difficult journey through a very remote and wild part of the continent. It is a passage through a land that is still healing from a long and terrible war, a journey into the deep, beautiful, and challenging heart of Angola.