Platjan Border | Customs and Immigration

February 15th, 2024 by reliablereduction06

Crossed the boarder on 14.02.2024, because Pontsdrift was closed due to high water level of the river. Best boarder experience ever here in the south. Clean, tidy and friendly police and customs. From bots to ZA took maybe 15 min. Incl. carnet de passages.

October 20th, 2023 by mypinkbumper.com

Crossed from SA into Bots. Both sides very friendly - Botswana acknowledge my previously paid road papers from April this year - so I only had to pay the expired part.
This time I took return entry - because I know already I’ll be coming back again to Botswana, instead of transit. Definitely keep the slip for your revisit.

Went to Limpopo River Lodge from the border.

There are no shops, petrol station etc on the bots side. So bring what you need (and what you are allowed to;-)) But it feels like if you tell them you are going to the lodge here they don’t search your car and try to confiscate your fruits, meat etc …

April 25th, 2023 by Annie

a really easy border. South Africa to Bots, just quick immigration both sides. maybe police look at the car but only curiosity. can pay the car stuff (insurance 150P lasts 3 months, road safety fund 50P lasts 12 months. road permit transit 270P) with card. keep the receipt for other entries, only transit needs to be paid again if you are reenterig. the price of the great border is the 20km + of very corrugated road on each side, the plus is you will see wildlife immediately you cross!

April 5th, 2023 by expeditionconservation.org

From BW to RSA. Finnish passports, Namibian registered car. Extremely easy border, took maybe 15 minutes, both sides together. In BW they stamp you out and you fill your and your vehicle details in a book. On RSA side, they stamp your visa in the passport, they asked for a date when we’ll leave RSA, so count your 90 days forward. Police may check your car, or just ask do you have anything illegal (like from us) and don’t search. All officials very friendly on both sides.

January 25th, 2023 by www.trailblazer.co.za

RSA citizens with RSA registered vehicle and trailer from BW to RSA
BW side:
- Stamped out passport.
- Fill in vehicle book.
- Police officer records details of driver.
- Asked to check in trailer for something and of what we had.
RSA side:
- Stamped in passport.
- Gave vehicle slip to police officer who records details of driver.

Border post open 7 days a week 06h00 to
18h00.

August 16th, 2022 by jmbrons

Very easy border. I crossed from South Africa into Botswana. Both sides were very helpful. I had to explain the police officer on duty why I didn’t have a licence disc on my bike, but when I explained it is not a South African registered bike it was no problem at all.
3rd party insurance is bought at the border in the same room as immigration. You can pay by card.

April 15th, 2022 by Marix

We were going to enter Botswana via Platjan and booked accommodation at the Limpopo River Lodge. The lady advised that the border is closed and has been for the past 2 years. Hopefully it will open later in May again. Check with some of the nearby lodges before travelling here

March 13th, 2020 by theadventureethos.com

BOTS to SA

Incredibly easy border crossing. Friendly and efficient officials on both the Botswana and South African side. Was granted a 90 day South African visa on arrival (Canadian citizen). In total 20 mins max. The new bridge is completed.

Note: the roads on both sides of the border are bad. On the Botswana side (from the Zanzibar border post to Platjan) is heavily corrugated. On the South African side, there are stretches with pot-holed tar roads & corrugation.

October 21st, 2019 by KATventure

The new bridge is nearly finished. The old river crossing is still in use, easily accessible / wide enough for big rigs. According to Botswana side the new bridge will be opened end of October 2019, according to South African side it will take until December to finish everything :-) TIA Very nice officials on both sides of the border!

March 12th, 2019 by wildlifemargrit

Still an easy border post. Staff friendly.

January 10th, 2019 by Break-A-Way

Easy and fast border crossing. After 20 min all done. CdP you dont have to stamp because Customs Union. A new large bridge is under construction.

April 15th, 2018 by lottesewalt

We went to Zanzibar border because of the message above (we were on a Sunday). Zanzibar was closed due to flooding, but Platjan turned out to be open. People told us that platjan is your best bet for crossing the border in this area, because it has the highest bridge.

April 27th, 2017 by matatu.ch

Very easy border. No customs at ZA side but police stamped the CdP.
The "bridge" very narrow (see image), therefore not suitable for big rigs.

ONLY Monday till Thursday!