The small village of Pandamatenga began life as a trading post during the colonial period, providing a launch point for explorers heading towards Victoria Falls and Northern Rhodesia (today Zambia).

The region around Pandamatenga contains Botswana’s only large area of black cotton soil. This soil has high nutrient and water-holding capacity; this, together with a yearly rainfall of some 600ml allows for profitable agriculture. Due to a high presence of predators, the area isn't suitable for livestock farming. The land is very flat in this region and prone to periodic flooding.

The Pandamatenga Agricultural Infrastructure Development Project was put in place to develop infrastructure in order to produce grain to meet national demand. The project began in 2008 and incorporated 200 000 hectares of the Pandamatenga Plains. It included the development of a drainage system to reduce water-logging, building of grain silos for storage, erection of an electric perimeter fence to avoid elephant raids, power lines, and an improved road network to enable transport to points of sale. In addition, the tracks between fields were gravelled to allow access to crops during the rainy season and to facilitate the maintenance of the electric fence.

Completed in 2011, the project has reduced Botswana’s dependence on grain products from South Africa and improved employment and income in the region. Excess sunflower seeds are exported to South Africa.

The village is conveniently situated on the A33 between Kasane and Nata and has an Engen fuel station and convenience store with basic supplies and excellent fresh meat. You can place an order in advance if you phone them on +267 623 2010.
The fuel station accepts bank cards but this facility is sometimes out of order so be prepared to pay cash if required. Across the road, the Panda Food Save sells basic groceries, bread, and frozen meat.

Do not attempt Hunter's Road alone during the rainy season. You can expect some serious mud and the likelihood of getting stuck is big. The road can get treacherous and water-logged, with deep holes made by the elephants, who can get quite aggressive. Parts of Hunter's Road can be overgrown. Take care not to cross over into Zimbabwe on the well-maintained road (sometimes just metres away) used by the border police for patrols.

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Doctors come to the government clinic on Thursdays but for serious cases it is best to go to the hospital in Kasane.

PANDAMATENGA BORDER POST:
This border post is small and not often used. If you're travelling into Botswana via Pandamatenga Border Post, you may not import red meat and certain fresh fruit and vegetables - these will be confiscated if found in your vehicle.

ROAD INFO:
A good tar road leads from the village to the Pandamatenga Border Post, allowing access into Zimbabwe towards Robin’s Camp in Hwange National Park, the Matetsi Safari Area and Hwange town. Once in Zimbabwe, an off-road vehicle is recommended for the badly-corrugated gravel road (muddy in the rainy season) leading to the tarred A3 north of Hwange town.

SERVICES:
Nearby Border Control point.
Panda Food Save sells fresh bread and meat.

USEFUL NUMBERS:
Pandamatenga Border Post (Botswana): +267 623 2029.
Pandamatenga Border Post (Zimbabwe): +263 134 4322.
Government clinic (Thursdays only): +267 76 853 406.

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