Impalila Island Border Post (NAM/BOTS) 07h30-16h30

Impalila Immigration, although this is in Namibia you must go to Kasane in Botswana to enter Impalila Island.

There are no landlines on the island. The number on the Botswana side is +267 625 0252.
This border post crossing is for island lodge guests only. There is no vehicle access from Kasane so vehicles have to be left in the secure grounds of the immigration office. Guests are transported by small boat from there to the Namibian immigration, which is on Impalila Island. The trip takes about 15 minutes. At the end of their stay on Impalila Island, guests exit via Namibian immigration and are brought back by boat and re-enter Botswana at the office in Kasane. There is also an airstrip on Impalila Island for access by air.

Namibia has a very mature immigration and customs system, so passing through border posts is normally quite easy, given you have the correct documents. So make sure you have all the necessary official documents.

Some travellers have had unfortunate experiences with having to pay bribes at border posts elsewhere in Africa. Happily, Namibian border post officials tend to be efficient and not open to bribery. Service is not always delivered with a smile but if you take off your hat and sunglasses and adopt a cheerful manner, chances are good that you will receive a warmer reception.

07:30-16:30 (GMT+2) Time Guideline

CUSTOMS:
It is illegal to have any of the following goods in your possession:

Narcotic, habit-forming drugs and related substances in any form.
Firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Indecent and obscene material such as pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software.
Namibia is a tourist-friendly country and allows visitors to take personal items like binoculars, cameras, clothing, jewellery, etc. into the country without having to pay customs duty. There are, however, restrictions on the duty-free quantities of the following consumables:
Cigarettes – 400
Cigars – 50 Tobacco – 250 g Wine – 2 litre
Spirits or other alcoholic beverages – 1 litre Perfume – 50 ml
Eau de Toilet – 250 ml

Other than your personal items, travellers can take new or used goods to the value of not more than the equivalent of 3 000 South African rand duty-free into Namibia. You are not allowed to take maize or firewood into Namibia.

Meat, fruit and vegetables: The import regulations on meat, meat products, fruit and vegetables change frequently because they’re based on disease outbreaks in the region. You can also ask a trustworthy travel forum (www.tracks4africa.co.za/community, www.4x4community.co.za or www.overland.co.za) for an update.

DURATION OF STAY:
You can travel Namibia for a maximum of 90 days per year, thereafter you have to apply at the Ministry of Home Affairs for an extended stay.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
A valid passport with at least six months remaining validity before expiry. Double check your passport is stamped with the correct date when entering the country.

A yellow fever certificate is strongly recommended. If you’ve been to an affected country, a yellow fever certificate is compulsory. Neighboring Angola has a history of yellow fever and the potential risk is high for this to spread to bordering countries like Namibia and Zambia.

IMPORTANT:
Be at the border post at least an hour before closing time or at the least 15-20min before closing.

PHONING:
Best time to phone is in the morning.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN:
If you intend crossing into South Africa and you’re travelling with children under 18, they must carry valid passports, unabridged birth certificates stating both parents’ names, and affidavits from both parents (if either one or both aren’t present).

VISAS:
Nationals from the following countries DO NOT require visas to visit Namibia: Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Nationals from the following countries can get a visa on arrival (N$1000) at Hosea Kutako International Airport or Walvis Bay Airport if they show a return ticket and their passport is valid for at least another 6 months: Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Vietnam.
Visitors from other countries should check with their nearest Namibian consulate about obtaining a visa.

* For the purpose of tourism, visitors can stay for up to 90 days.

Namibia recently announced a Digital Nomad Visa Programme whereby visitors can work, travel and study in Namibia for a total of six months. Applicants will have to prove that they earn enough money to be self-sufficient and apply online: https://nipdb.com/nomadvisa/.

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