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Including for border stops, fuel stops, etc, Jhb to Kabula is a comfortable 2 day drive. We recommend going through Botswana, entering at the Martins Drift Border Post. Please make sure you have all your vehicle papers with you when you leave home otherwise you will not be allowed to take your vehicle out of SA (Log book, proof of insurance, permission from bank to
take out if under HP). • On the Botswana side of the border you will be required to pay a Road Tax of about Pula 120; Pula 200 with trailer. Get Pula at Rennies or your bank and change back those you do not use on your return. Visas into Botswana are not required for SA passport holders. • SA third party is valid. •Credit cards are generally accepted for fuel purchases but some
places only take cash (Pula). Garage Cards are generally not accepted in Botswana. • You should find that if treated with respect the Botswana people are generally very pleasant and friendly.

From Martin’s Drift head for Francistown, then Nata. We strongly recommend an overnight stay in Nata. Consider spending a full day at Nata and visiting the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikagidi which comprise the largest area of salt pans in the world covering some 37
000 sq km in overall extent. It is the last vestiges of Africa’s largest inland sea. Also visit the Nata Sanctuary where the Nata River delta feeds the Sua Pan and forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands, transforming the shore line into a pink haze blending into the western sky.

• From Nata head north to Kasane • Except for a 50km stretch between Nata and Kasane (large potholes), the roads are fully surfaced and generally good but watch for speed traps especially through the small towns. Speeding fines are payable on the
spot and you must pay in Pula. • Fill up with fuel at Nata as supplies at Kasane are not always reliable due to Zimbabweans coming across and draining supplies.. • From Kasane you can elect to enter Zambia via Kazangula or Katima Mulilo via Namibia and avoid the Kazangula Border Post which is always busy and congested • Kazangula is the most direct route if you are intending visiting the Victoria Falls on route. You will cross the Zambezi River on a ferry ($20 or R160). • If you have seen the falls then we suggest you enter Zambia via Katima Mulilo. This route requires you to go through Namibia (Caprivi Strip). As you approach Kasane you will see a road going to the left which heads for Ngoma Bridge which is the border post between Botswana and Namibia. About 5 kms along this road you will enter the Chobe Game Reserve. Sign the book as you enter and then again when you exit the reserve at Ngoma Bridge. Some good game sightings are probable along this road.


• Visas into Namibia are not required for SA passport holders. • SA third party is valid. • Currency; Rands or Namibian Dollars. Rands readily accepted everywhere. • Once in Namibia head for Katima Mulilo which is the border town with Zambia. • A Cross Border Tax of about R120 is payable in Katima Mulilo. (Directions to tax office clearly shown). You will need to show this tax receipt when exiting Botswana. • Fill up with fuel in Katima Mulilo as there is no fuel once you enter Zambia.• Katima Mulilo has
a few large supermarkets if you need some last minute goodies. Please note that you may not take raw meat into Namibia and your car will be searched at the border. Purchase your meat requirements at the shops in Katima Mulilo.


• Welcome to Western Zambia (Barotseland), which is very much the “4th World”. Please note that once you cross the border there is nothing! No petrol, no shops, nothing……just nice friendly people, lots of bush and lots of more bush, and the most magnificent river in Africa. • Once entering Zambia head for the border post. Not that obvious to see. (A collection of buildings
on the left as you get to the T junction). • Visas into Zambia are not required for SA passport holders. • The currency is the Kwatcha. (Approx K500 to the Rand). Rands generally readily accepted everywhere.• SA third party is NOT VALID in Zambia so unless you have obtained special cover in SA you will have to purchase this at the border post; plus Carbon Tax plus a Local Levy. (Third Party + Carbon Tax + Local Levy will cost you about R500). • Please be patient at the border post, this is “Africa” and it all takes place in African time. The customs officials are a friendly bunch and a few smiles and niceties definitely makes everything move along that much faster. • Head for Kabula which is on the road to Mongu. If you cross the Zambezi River at
the border post you are going in the wrong direction! • The road from the border post to Kabula is an unsurfaced sandy road
but easily passable in most vehicles except during the rains (November to Feb when a 4x4 is essential). Take it easy and take
the sandy bits at speed and you will have no problems. The 58 kms will take you about 1.5 hours. • The entrance to Kabula is well signposted and you cannot miss it. The lodge is about 4 kms from the main road along a well worn bush track/road which
is signposted.


On your return from Kabula we suggest that you consider a visit to the Chobe Game reserve in Botswana and take an evening game cruise on the Chobe River. A truly memorable experience! There are a number of lodges to stay at in Chobe and we suggest you visit the internet to choose a place which suits your pocket. Chobe is 3 km from Kasane and makes a convenient stopping off place on your way home.

* Please note that the figures given for cross border charges, road taxes, ferry charges, etc, are to be used as a guide for planning purposes only.