Buitepos
Namibia’s main border post with Botswana on the Trans-Kalahari Highway, a functional crossing rather than a town.
Buitepos is Namibia’s main border post with Botswana, around 120 km east of Gobabis on the Trans-Kalahari Highway. It is not a town in any conventional sense, but a functional border crossing and a practical stop for travellers driving between Namibia and Botswana or South Africa via the Trans-Kalahari corridor.
Photo: Hp.Baumeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Geographic setting
Buitepos sits on the flat, red-sand Kalahari plains that straddle the Namibia-Botswana border, at the eastern end of Namibia’s section of the Trans-Kalahari Highway, which continues into Botswana toward Gaborone.
Historical context
The Trans-Kalahari Highway was developed after Namibian independence as a regional trade corridor linking the port of Walvis Bay with Botswana and South Africa’s Gauteng region, offering a shorter route to the interior than the traditional routes via South Africa’s coastal ports. Buitepos was established as the Namibian border facility for this route.
Present-day character
Buitepos remains essentially a border post, with immigration and customs facilities serving both freight traffic on the Trans-Kalahari corridor and travellers moving between the two countries.
Photo: Hp.Baumeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Why visit
Buitepos itself is not a destination; it is a practical waypoint for anyone driving the Trans-Kalahari route between Windhoek, Gaborone or Johannesburg.
Where to stay near Buitepos
Buitepos is a border post, not a town, and there is essentially nothing to stay in at the gate itself. Gobabis, about 110 km west, is where travellers break the drive.
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Accommodation context
There is very limited accommodation directly at Buitepos; most travellers stay in Gobabis before or after crossing, or continue into Botswana the same day. See our accommodation hub for accommodation across Namibia, including nearby Gobabis.
Food, shopping, fuel and supplies
Basic fuel and a small shop are available at Buitepos, but travellers should not rely on extensive supplies being available and should stock up in Gobabis beforehand.
How to get there
Buitepos is reached via the tarred B6 highway from Gobabis, around 120 km to the west, and connects directly to Botswana’s road network on the other side of the border.
Crossing the border at Buitepos
The Namibian post at Buitepos faces Mamuno on the Botswana side, and the two are operated as a single Trans-Kalahari crossing, so you will see the pair referred to together as Trans-Kalahari–Mamuno. Since 1 April 2023 the crossing has run 24 hours a day, following a joint announcement by the Namibian and Botswana authorities. Border hours do change, so confirm the current position before planning a late-night arrival.
| Botswana-side post | Mamuno |
| Opening hours | 24 hours since April 2023 — verify before you travel |
| From Windhoek | Around 315 km via Gobabis; allow about four hours |
| From Gobabis | Around 120 km on the tarred B6; allow 1½ hours |
| Last reliable fuel and shops | Gobabis on the Namibian side; Ghanzi is the first town of any size once you are into Botswana |
| Hire-car paperwork | A cross-border letter from the rental company plus the vehicle registration papers |
| Entering Botswana | Road-user charges apply to foreign-registered vehicles at Mamuno; check current amounts and accepted payment methods |
Road and vehicle considerations
The B6 to Buitepos is fully tarred and suitable for any vehicle. Standard cross-border preparation applies, including vehicle documents, insurance and any requirements set by immigration and customs authorities at the time of travel.
Safety and responsible travel
Travellers should check current entry requirements, vehicle documentation and any cross-border rules with the relevant embassy or official sources before travelling, since these can change and this guide does not attempt to state current visa or customs rules.
Related destinations
Gobabis. The last significant Namibian town before the border.
Kalahari and Eastern Namibia. The wider region Buitepos belongs to.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buitepos a town?
No; Buitepos is a border post with minimal facilities, not a settlement in the usual sense.
What is the Trans-Kalahari Highway?
It is a regional trade route linking the Namibian port of Walvis Bay with Botswana and South Africa, crossing the border at Buitepos.
Should I fuel up before reaching Buitepos?
Yes; it is sensible to refuel and buy supplies in Gobabis before continuing to the border, since facilities at Buitepos itself are limited.
Is the Buitepos border open 24 hours?
Yes. The Trans-Kalahari crossing at Buitepos and Mamuno has operated around the clock since 1 April 2023. It is still worth confirming before you rely on a night crossing, because border hours are set by both governments and can be changed.
Planning a border crossing at Buitepos?
See the wider Kalahari and Eastern Namibia region, build a self-drive route across the Trans-Kalahari corridor, or check the practical planning guides before you go.
Kalahari and Eastern Namibia hub Self-Drive Namibia guide Itineraries Travel PlanningLast reviewed: 27 July 2026.