At the moment there's little here except a ZESCO power station, and a turning to the ferry over the Zambezi into Botswana, which is reliable and large enough to take several trucks at a time. However, until recently there were two ferries here… but one sank in September 2003 after an overloaded lorry drove on to it – drowning nine people. At time of writing, there is only one working!

The ferry journey costs about US$25 per vehicle, the precise amount depending on the vehicle's size. Once on the Zambezi's south bank, it's a few kilometres to a junction. Left leads you to the land border into Zimbabwe; straight on brings you immediately to a disease control post. Here your vehicle will be driven through a puddle of insecticide and you'll be asked to stamp your shoes on an impregnated mat. You'll also be checked to make sure that you're not importing banned animal products – like fresh meat, milk, bones or skins. (All part of Botswana's zealous efforts to protect their national herd from diseases.) Under 2km later and there's a right turn to Kasane, while straight on leads to Nata and Francistown. This second junction is about 12km east of Kasane town.

Where to stay

There's currently nowhere to stay here, although last time I passed a large thatched roof was being erected … which looked as if it might be for the entrance to a lodge. With the opening of the Sesheke Bridge, and the tarring of the road to Livingstone, it's highly likely that more lodges and camps will spring up along this section of the Upper Zambezi.

Getting there and away
Buses link Mongu and Livingstone once or twice per week, so if you're heading for Botswana, then hop on one of these and get off at Kazungula. The ferry to Botswana is a good place to hitchhike. After that, to get into Kasane or to head for Nata, you should walk the short distance to the disease control post, which makes a perfect hitchhiking spot as vehicles have to stop here anyway.