Borderless Travel in Africa: Cross-Border Tourism Opens Opportunities for Lesser-Known Regions

Africa is a continent full of fascinating landscapes, cultures, and adventures that often transcend national borders. Cross-border tourism allows travellers to explore multiple regions on one journey, strengthen emerging destinations, and at the same time protect nature and ecosystems.

“Landscapes, wildlife corridors, and cultural bonds do not stop at man-made borders,” explains Hanna Kleber, Chairwoman of Voice4Africa.
“Travel across borders creates opportunities to better manage and distribute visitor flows. This way, more regions can benefit economically while fragile ecosystems are relieved. At the same time, travellers experience authentic diversity – from desert safaris and water adventures to truly borderless wildlife experiences.”

Namib Desert (Angola/Namibia) – Endless Discoveries Along the Coastal Dunes

Stretching along the Atlantic coast from Angola to Namibia, the Namib forms a striking desert landscape. On both sides of the border, several national parks, protected areas, and tourism concession zones combine to form the Iona–Skeleton Coast Transfrontier Conservation Area, which covers a total of 50,000 square kilometers.

On the Angolan side, Iona National Park in Namibe Province is the country’s oldest and largest national park. Still little visited, this part of the coastal desert offers travellers pristine landscapes where red sand dunes meet the rocky expanses of the Angolan highlands.

Away from the well-established tourism routes in southern Namibia, visitors have a unique opportunity to experience the desert’s beauty, rare wildlife, and the fascinating natural character of this remote region almost exclusively.

Travellers can enjoy desert safaris, photography tours, and guided hikes, and engage with the semi-nomadic Muhimba, Mucubal, and Mucahona communities, who share their traditions and craftsmanship through community-based tourism initiatives.

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia) – Natural Wonder and Adventure Destination

The iconic Victoria Falls, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, offer not only a spectacular natural spectacle but also a wealth of outdoor adventures. Both countries provide experiences such as white-water rafting, helicopter flights, and sunset cruises — though each side has its own appeal.

The Zimbabwean side impresses with wide panoramic views of the main waterfall, while the Zambian side allows for closer encounters with the water itself, such as swimming in the Devil’s Pool or hiking to the Boiling Point viewpoint at the base of the gorge.

A special experience is the walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge, which connects both countries. Visitors can “walk between Zimbabwe and Zambia,” cross the breathtaking Batoka Gorge, try bungee jumping, and experience the transboundary nature of this world wonder first-hand.

Another major advantage: the KAZA UNIVISA allows for reciprocal entry between Zimbabwe and Zambia at Victoria Falls, making it easy for visitors to explore the attractions of both countries in one trip.

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (Mozambique/South Africa/Zimbabwe) – A Borderless Safari

The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park unites three of Southern Africa’s most important national parks — the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, and the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe — into one vast, cross-border conservation area.

Covering an area roughly the size of the Netherlands, the park allows wildlife to move freely across borders, fostering the connection of entire ecosystems.

While Kruger is well known as a flagship safari destination, the adjacent, lesser-known regions in Mozambique and Zimbabwe particularly benefit from the shared conservation and tourism approach. New lodges, sustainable safari experiences, and improved infrastructure are creating income opportunities for local communities that have previously seen little benefit from tourism.

Supporting these efforts is a new tourist-only border crossing, providing a direct route between Kruger and Gonarezhou National Parks. This seasonal pilot project (May–November) is open to pre-booked 4×4 vehicles and promotes small-scale, environmentally responsible wildlife tourism, especially in less explored areas.

Across different parts of Africa, these examples demonstrate how cross-border travel not only creates exciting experiences for visitors but also provides lasting benefits for regions, communities, and nature alike.