Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
ZIMBABWE and South Africa have approved the opening of a pilot tourism border in the Tshikwalakwala area, which links the two countries’ components of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).
Two government ministers — Dr Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs (South Africa), through the Border Management Authority (BMA), and Cde Kazembe Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs (Zimbabwe) — approved the project on Friday.
The pilot project will feature a pre-scheduled, tourism-only border crossing, linking the Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe via the Sengwe-Tshipise corridor.
Zimbabwe’s International Co-ordinator, Mr Gwinyai Muti, of the GLTFCA — which includes parks from Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique — said the pilot tourism access facility would allow travellers to experience easy access between the two National Parks, in one wild experience.
“The facility will open at the Pafuri-Sengwe crossing in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area for a one-season pilot project to assess the feasibility and demand for tourism movement between the two National Parks,” he said.
“Nature lovers, wilderness seekers, and conservation-conscious travellers can now explore the heart of southern Africa like never before with the opening of this pre-scheduled, tourism-only border crossing. Nestled within the awe-inspiring Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), a visionary conservation landscape linking Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, this access point offers a unique, low-impact travel opportunity that unites three iconic parks into one unforgettable journey.”
Mr Muti said the pilot initiative would be a game-changer for safari tourism and that it would only be implemented on a trial basis for the 2025 season, from 1st May to 30th November 2025, subject to river levels.
He added that the tourism border facility would promote seamless eco-tourism across borders, strengthening community-led travel experiences, boosting regional economies, and showcasing the GLTFCA as a single, shared wilderness destination.
Mr Muti added that the crossing would be undertaken on pre-scheduled days, for a maximum of twice a week, from 11.00 to 15.00, for 4×4 vehicles only.
“To access the crossing, travellers must pre-book a minimum four-night stay across the GLTFCA network, which is two nights in South Africa’s Kruger National Park in the Makuleke Region, Awelani Lodge, or other approved sites,” he said.
“Tourists will also be required to book nights in Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park or approved lodges. All travellers are required to register with SANParks and ZIMParks prior to travel. All bookings are to be completed at least 14 days in advance. Furthermore, travellers will be required to complete the immigration exemption forms during pre-booking and submit the form through SANParks for processing with the BMA and ZIMParks for processing with the Department of Immigration.”
Under the arrangement, all entry and exit checkpoints will be facilitated at Pafuri Gate on the South African side and at the Zimbabwe entry point.
