The travel nightmare that residents of Chobe and from elsewhere in the country and neighbouring countries have endured for decades, transiting the Chobe National Park between Sedudu and Ngoma gates came to an end this week with the opening of the transit route for 24 hours.
Before April 1, 2025, no movement of people was allowed through the park at night unless in cases of emergencies, as per the Wildlife and National Parks Act of Botswana, leading to a disconnect and difficulties in travel for people on the Chobe Enclave, those traveling from Namibia and Angola and those in Kasane to the rest of the country and northern parts of the region and continent.
Following its historic win of Botswana’s 2024 general elections, the UDC led administration, and under the minister of environment and tourism Wynter Mmolotsi assented to the long-standing request of the Chobe residents to be allowed 24-hour transit through the park.
Mmolotsi was this week in Chobe, where after addressing a series of Kgotla meetings with residents in the district, he officially launched the 24-hour operation of the transit route at the park’s Sedudu gate near Kasane.
Mmolotsi highlighted how restriction of people’s movement for whatever reason impeded on their rights of freedom, adding the current government was human rights centric hence the decision to grant the Chobe residents that wish. He said the official launch was an important delivery of a promise he made to the residents, parliament and Batswana in general.
“I am here today to reiterate that the ministry has made a decision to open the to Open the Sedudu -Ngoma transit route in the Chobe National Park so that it operates for 24 hours, effective from today, April 1, 2025,” Mmolotsi declared.
He indicated that opening of the transit route was a restoration of the rights and dignity of the people of Chobe, who have for the longest time pleaded with government to be given the right to transit the park day and night.
The socio-economic importance of the route has always been the base argument by residents advocating for the its opening. This as to the north eastern side lies Kasane, Kazungula, Lesoma and Pandamatenga (Part of Chobe) and across the two borders take one to Zimbabwe, Zambia and DRC further north.
On the western side is the Chobe Enclave and across Ngoma Border one goes up into Namibia and Angola. This makes this transit route a key conduit connecting these very key areas.
However, the changes to transiting the park are applicable to the 60-kilometre route between the two gates of the park only, while all other areas remain out of bounds to the public after the usual stipulated times, Mmolotsi has advised. He also warned that law enforcement will be heightened to ensure compliance with law at all times – as there will still be no stopping, with littering and noise in park still prohibited, adding that registration upon entry and exit will still be a requirement.
“The ministry of environment and tourism, through the department of wildlife and national parks will put in measures in place measures that will facilitate free movement of our people while also minimising the risks associated with unrestricted movement in the park in liaison with relevant stakeholders,” he said.
During his series of meeting prior to the launch in Parakarungu, Mabele and Kazungula where residents praised government’s gesture in removing the park’s transit restrictions, some raised worry that some sections of the society may be irresponsible in the use of the route, which may lead to fatal collision with wildlife.
Meanwhile tribal leaders from across the district have called for restraint and cautioned against unnecessary excitement following the opening up of the park which may lead accidents.
Mmolotsi has further called for cooperation with wildlife officers manning the gates, warning that entry will be denied to those who fail to do so.
