The Caprivi Strip and the Zambezi Region
The Chobe River marks the border between Botswana and Namibia, and the far bank is Namibian land. In everyday speech people call it the Caprivi Strip or simply the Caprivi. The administrative region of that name was renamed Zambezi Region in August 2013, so today you will find both names on maps and in trip plans.
The two names are not exact synonyms. The geographic Caprivi Strip also reaches west into the Kavango East region, so it is larger than the Zambezi Region. For a trip from Chobe, the Zambezi Region is the part that matters, with Katima Mulilo as the seat of the Zambezi Regional Council.
Most visitors cross for a houseboat, a stay on the Namibian bank or a longer route. If you only want a day on the river from Kasane, a Chobe river cruise stays on the Botswana side.
Entering Namibia from Chobe
A Botswana stay does not cover Namibia.
Visa since 1 April 2025
Citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and many other nationalities need a visa for Namibia since 1 April 2025. Visa on arrival costs 1,600 NAD, and Ngoma, Katima Mulilo and Impalila are entry points. That is the adult fee, and children may be charged differently, so ask before you travel.
Houseboats can mean Namibia
Some houseboat trips run on the Namibian side of the river, and the entry requirements apply. A Botswana booking alone does not give you permission to enter Namibia.
The Ngoma crossing
Ngoma is the border post where the Riverfront meets Namibia. Typical border hours are 7:00 to 18:00. Treat that as a planning value, not a guarantee. Our page on the Chobe Riverfront explains the gate, the transit road and the border as three separate things.
Our pick: Impalila Island in Namibia
A day that splits between the Chobe and Impalila Island at the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Chobe safaris, cruises and day trips
Game drives, river cruises and day trips around Chobe, with live prices and availability.
Boat trips from the Namibian side
Houseboats and tender boats start on the Namibian bank.
Houseboat and tender-boat trips from the Namibian side exist, and border formalities are part of the process. Houseboat operators work to set immigration hours: 7:30 to 16:30, with 16:00 as the latest recommended arrival. If you want a game drive in the Botswana park, you must clear the border again. Not every trip enters Botswana's park waters either, so ask where the boat will actually go. Private houseboat charters on the Namibian side run for at least 3 nights and up to 8 guests.
| Trip | Where you start | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Day cruise from Kasane | Botswana bank | No Namibia visa needed if you stay on the Botswana side |
| Houseboat or tender boat | Namibian bank | Namibia visa, border hours, where the boat will go |
| Overnight stay in the Zambezi Region | Katima Mulilo or the river | Visa, transport, 4x4 for park areas |
For most visitors who only want the river, a day cruise from Kasane is the simplest choice. Choose the Namibian side when you want a houseboat stay and you have the visa ready.
Nkasa Rupara, Bwabwata and Mudumu
Nkasa Rupara, once called Mamili, is a wetland park with hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo. Namibia's ministry asks for a fully equipped 4x4 and self-sufficiency, and the Chobe fee does not apply there.
Bwabwata and Mudumu are neighbouring national parks in Namibia. Their fees, hours and access are set separately, so confirm them with the park authority before you go. The same goes for any border crossing you plan to use.
Practical points for crossing the river border
Small details that stop a trip at the border.
Passports
A regular German passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter Botswana, with 4 free pages recommended. Namibia has its own entry rules on top of that, so check both before you leave.
Children under 18
Travellers under 18 should carry an original or certified birth certificate. If one parent is not travelling, bring the matching consent and custody documents.
No swimming in the river
Swimming in park waters is not allowed, and travel advice warns against bathing in rivers and lakes in general. Hippos and crocodiles live along both banks.
Driving and distances
Distances from your lodge to Katima Mulilo or the border depend on where you start, so ask your host for the drive time. Driving is on the left, and night driving is risky because of wildlife and cattle on the road.
Plan your Caprivi and Chobe trip
Where to go next.
Caprivi Strip: frequently asked questions
Is the Caprivi Strip the same as the Zambezi Region?
Not exactly. The region called Caprivi was renamed Zambezi Region in August 2013. The geographic Caprivi Strip also includes areas further west in the Kavango East region.
Do I need a visa for Namibia from Chobe?
Citizens of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and many other nationalities need a visa since 1 April 2025. Visa on arrival costs 1,600 NAD at entry points such as Ngoma.
Where is the administrative seat of the Zambezi Region?
Katima Mulilo is the seat of the Zambezi Regional Council.
Does a houseboat trip need a Namibia visa?
Houseboat trips on the Namibian side require the entry rules to be met. A Botswana stay alone does not cover Namibia.
What are the border hours at Ngoma?
Typical border hours are 7:00 to 18:00. Use them as a planning value, not a guarantee, and confirm the current hours before you cross.