Pandamatenga border. Botswana /Zimbabwe | Customs and Immigration

October 18th, 2023 by brigitta

Excellent border post. Very friendly staff on both sides. Leaving Botswana took us 5 Minutes, entering Zimbabwe 15 Minutes for Immigration, custom and police. Quick look into the car - thats it. Was no problem to bring extra fuel in jerry cans. Recommended border posts.

September 13th, 2022 by darrinj

As stated, open, super easy and friendly. Only one or two tourist vehicles cross each day it seems.
On the Zim side you can pay with usd, rand, euro, gbp or Pula at the official exchange rates, you don’t lose 10% on commission or anything silly.
On the Bots side, they don’t issue the car document with insurance and road tax etc on it, you’ll probably need this at a checkpoint or two during your stay. Where to get it?
Bots immigration did stamp my carnet in, but were quite reluctant to do so, I had to politely politely ask nicely etc.
Track from the border to the gravel road to Hwange is ok, two small and easy bits of water, might be a challenge in the rains, but one has concrete and the other has stones lining the bottom.
Customs guy in Zim is super nice.

August 10th, 2022 by alan.dobinson

This is now open since 01/08/2022 and really simple and stress free to cross (took us less than 30 minutes for both borders) directly into Hwange National Park.

April 16th, 2022 by Marix

Went to the border to find out if motorbikes can ride through and were advised that the border is still closed due to COVID. Not sure when it will open. According to the man we spoke to motorbikes are allowed when it is open

November 18th, 2019 by terryandkarin

From Zimbabwe to Botswana as South Africans in our own vehicle. 10mins on Zim side: they stamped passports and checked TIP. Then a policeman in plains clothes checked our car reg papers and then we were cleared to go. They did ask for something "extra" (leftovers or dollars) but didn't badger us when we said we had nothing. Bots side 10mins. Filled on immigration papers, they stamped passports, driver fills in a book. Then an inspector checked our vehicle (she let us through witha few mangoes as she said we would be eating them soon). Easy border crossing. Friendly people both sides. Always makes things smoother when you learn how to greet and say thankyou in the local language. The 27km of gravel road from where you turn off from the main road north from Nantwich gate, Hwange is VERY corrugated but a beautiful scenery.

October 31st, 2019 by tadhgocuilleain

Leaving Botswana took 5-10 minutes. Entering Zimbabwe took about 20 minutes. The officials in the office were very friendly. One guard at the Zimbabwean gate asked for money - not a bribe, more like begging. He wasn’t insistent when I didn’t answer.

July 20th, 2019 by williams4x4

great no hassles border post, the only negative is the bad road through park, in the rainy season if passable with a 4x4, as it was dry I went in with fitted out van, the park has lots of Lions so cyclists will not be allowed through as confirmed by border officials, at time of writing you may take in 40 litres of fuel

July 1st, 2019 by guidostraathof

Easy border crossing. They made us pay $70 dollars for the car as with a rental the road tax was 50 instead of 30 for a private vehicle.
Cash only and change was not possible at the immigration counter, so take small notes!

May 19th, 2019 by quirin

Opening hours from 8am to 5pm. Very easy and quiet.

November 2nd, 2018 by walkonthewildside

very easy border. we were the only ones there. took about 40min to get from Botswana into Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe they only have single/double entry visas. No univisa (zim/zam). We paid $30pp for a single entry visa and $50 for our car (Toyota Land Cruiser 80).

June 15th, 2018 by contact

Very relaxed and friendly borderpost. We arrived at lunchtime and were the only ones there. Exiting Botswana took 5 min and entering Zimbabwe about 15 min. Customs and Immigration in the same building on both sides. Stamped our Carnet on both sides. After the Border you drive through a National Park which was very nice. There is a easy dirt road for about 55 km. Much better than Kazungula. Highly recommended!

September 22nd, 2017 by Only the Wind Knows

Small, uncrowded border crossing. Open 8am - 4pm
Botswana: there is no customs in Pandamatenga. Immigration stamped our carnet. They told us this is their agreement with customs and is common for them.
Zimbabwe: immigration and customs are next to each other in one building. Very nice people. We bought our visas (for US citizens, $30 single entry or $45 double).
Fees for the vehicle were $50 total: road access fee, carbon tax, and third-party insurance - all valid for 30 days.
Customs Inspection was quick and easy. No questions about meat or alcohol.
Finally, we showed our carnet to police at the boom gate right in front of the customs and immigration building. They did ask what we brought for them from the US. We said nothing. No problem.