Botswana/South Africa: Tlokweng Border Post temporarily closed! [update]

update (24 September 2025): BURS has confirmed that services at the border post have resumed! 

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has announced the temporary closure of the Tlokweng Border Post, known on the South African side as the Kopfontein Border Post, on 24 September 2025. The closure is due to operational challenges and will affect all travellers, commuters, and cross-border trade for the day.

The Tlokweng/Kopfontein Border Post is one of the busiest crossings between Gaborone, Botswana, and Zeerust, South Africa, located just 15 km east of Gaborone's city centre. It is a key port of entry for private travellers, tourist traffic, and commercial trucks heading to and from South Africa.

Alternative Ports of Entry

During the closure, travellers are advised to use nearby border posts, such as:

• Ramotswa Border Post (South Africa: Swartkopfontein) – located southwest of Gaborone, ideal for those heading to or from Zeerust or Rustenburg.
• Pioneer Gate Border Post (South Africa: Skilpadshek) – the main border crossing on the Trans-Kalahari Highway (A2/N4), suitable for commercial and long-distance travellers between Gaborone and Johannesburg/Pretoria.
• Lobatse Border Post (South Africa: Ramatlabama) – located further south, convenient for travellers connecting to Mahikeng.

Travellers should plan their journeys accordingly, allow extra time for possible congestion at alternative crossings, and stay updated on announcements from BURS and the South African Border Management Authority.

 

Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.