A planned railway between Botswana and Zambia is moving forward, and while the project is still in the study phase, it already has clear travel implications for one of Southern Africa’s best-known tourism corridors.
Source: Britannica
According to travelnews.africa, The proposed Mosetse to Kazungula to Livingstone Rail Project was reviewed during a Joint Steering Committee meeting held in Kasane, Botswana, on 1 April 2026. According to the current plan, the route would stretch about 430 kilometres in total. Of that, 365 kilometres would run from Mosetse to Kazungula in Botswana, while the remaining 65 kilometres would continue from Kazungula to Livingstone in Zambia.
For travellers, the route matters because Livingstone is one of the main gateways to Victoria Falls. It also places the line within reach of major tourism areas in the region, including Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, and the wider Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Why the project matters beyond transport
At first glance, this may sound like a story about freight, logistics, and regional planning. It is that, but it is also more than that. In a part of Africa where border crossings, road transfers, and long travel times often shape the visitor experience, better connectivity can influence how people plan and enjoy a trip.
A rail link between Botswana and Zambia could eventually create a different kind of travel flow through the region. Instead of relying almost entirely on road movement, future visitors may have another way to connect key destinations. That could matter not only for convenience, but also for the experience itself. Rail travel tends to appeal to travellers who enjoy a slower, more scenic journey, especially in places where the landscape is part of the attraction.
A route through a major tourism corridor
This is not a railway proposal cutting through an area with little visitor interest. Kazungula sits near one of the busiest tourism gateways in the region, and Livingstone remains central to travel around Victoria Falls. Add nearby safari destinations and cross-border travel demand, and the project begins to look important from a tourism point of view, not only an infrastructure one.
For travel planners, that creates long-term potential. If the line is eventually built and opened, it could support broader multi-country itineraries linking Botswana and Zambia more smoothly. It could also strengthen travel packages built around safari, scenery, and regional exploration.
The role of Kazungula
Travel between Botswana and Zambia currently depends heavily on road transport, including the Kazungula Bridge crossing over the Zambezi River. That bridge improved movement significantly after it was commissioned in May 2021, helping both freight and passenger traffic in the area.
Even so, road transport remains vulnerable to delays, congestion, and infrastructure pressure. A rail option could help ease some of that demand in the future while improving cargo and passenger movement between the two countries.
Where the project stands now
The latest meeting in Kasane brought together senior government officials from both countries, including representatives from Botswana Railways and Zambia Railways Limited. The committee reviewed progress and gave direction on the next steps needed to move the project forward.
Among the priorities raised were unresolved consultant deliverables, approval of key milestones, and stronger coordination between institutions. Both governments also expressed a desire to see the bankable feasibility study completed as soon as possible, with the Joint Technical Committee tasked with finalising the outstanding studies by the end of 2026.
That means the project is not yet at the construction stage, and no final build timeline has been confirmed. Funding and feasibility work still need to be completed before the next phase can begin.
Why travellers should keep an eye on it
For now, the railway remains a plan. But it is a plan with the potential to shape future travel in a region already known for its mix of wildlife, river landscapes, and cross-border adventure.
If it moves beyond the current study phase, the line could eventually change how visitors connect Botswana and Zambia, especially around Victoria Falls and nearby safari areas. In a region where the journey often matters as much as the destination, that is what makes this project worth watching.
Source: travelnews.africa
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook
ALSO READ:
Robben Island guard houses could become overnight tourist stays
