Namibia attractions - Caprivi is a narrow strip of land in the far northeast of Namibia bordering the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. The Kavango Region is the gateway to the Caprivi.
The Caprivi has officially been renamed to Zambezi Region.
Caprivi is about 400 km long and it protrudes from the rest of the country like a finger, owns a very unique history and shares borders with 4 other countries – Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
This is the wettest region of Namibia by a great margin and consists mostly of extensive wetlands, floodplains, woodlands and rivers, like the Okavango and Zambezi. This habitat sustains a large variety of animal and bird species. Spectacular herds of elephant, buffalo, red lechwe and reedbuck are among the highlights of any game viewing experience. But be careful, the waters are also home to five-meter long crocodiles and families of hippopotamus, which venture onto the floodplains at night to feed.The Caprivi regional capital is the town of Katima Mulilo, which is located on the Zambezi River.
For fresh-water angling, canoeists and white-river rafters, the far north east of the Caprivi Strip offers much excitement and challenge. Tiger Fishing is huge in this area and it would be hard to find a better angling spot.
Sunset river cruises on pontoons, photo safaris, swamp safaris, horseback trails, boating, a trip on a mokoro (dug-out canoe) and game viewing either on foot or in open 4x4 safari vehicles, are activities that are sought after in this region.
Bwabwata National Park
Bwabwata National Park (pronounced 'Babatwa') covers a large portion of the Caprivi Strip (formerly the Caprivi Game Park). The park is 6,100km² and extends for about 180km from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east. Bwabwata National Park is approximately 200km east of Rundu or approximately 100km west of Katima Mulilo.
Bwabwata National Park (pronounced 'Babatwa') covers a large portion of the Caprivi Strip (formerly the Caprivi Game Park). The park is 6,100km² and extends for about 180km from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east. Bwabwata National Park is approximately 200km east of Rundu or approximately 100km west of Katima Mulilo.
The park is sanctuary to numerous game species, including elephant, buffalo, impala, reedbuck, red lechwe, sitatunga, hippo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, Chobe bushbuck, tsessebe, and sable and roan antelope. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog also live in the park. Because there is no surface water, most species congregate along the Okavango and Kwando rivers and at the Malombe and Ndwasa pans in the north-east. The Okavango and Kwando rivers and their associated floodplains are important habitats for wetland bird species, such as wattled cranes and African skinners. Over 400 different types of birds are visible, like kingfishers, herons and African skimmers.
Mamili National Park
Lush, green, and wet are three words rarely associated with Namibia’s stunning national parks, but they aptly describe Mamili (Nkasa Lupala) National Park. Described as Namibia’s Okavango, the 124 square mile Mamili National Park has the distinction of being the largest wetland area with conservation status in Namibia. The park is characterized by a complex network of channels, reed beds, ox-bow lakes and tree-covered islands, with the focal point on Nkasa and Lupala, two large islands in the Kwando/Linyanti River.
Lush marshes, dense savannah and high river reeds mean that travelling through the area is a dream for 4x4 enthusiasts. For anyone who relishes the adventures of raw, real Africa, Mamili (Nkasa Lupala) National Park is the place to be. During the dry season the islands can be reached by road, but after the rains 80% of the area becomes flooded, cutting them off from the mainland. The same bird and animal species as in the Mudumu National Park (see below) occur in Mamili.
Mamili is located in the southwest corner of the eastern Caprivi Strip.
Mudumu National Park
Home to four of the Big 5, Mudumu National park is one of the few places in Namiiba where you will see buffalo, plus so much more! Dense mopane woodlands are at the core of the park, the combination of forest and water ensuring a wealth of wildlife. Centered on the Mudumu Mulapo fossil river course, this vast 390 square mile expanse of dense savannah and mopane woodlands bordered in the west by the Kwando River, was proclaimed a national park in 1990.
Home to four of the Big 5, Mudumu National park is one of the few places in Namiiba where you will see buffalo, plus so much more! Dense mopane woodlands are at the core of the park, the combination of forest and water ensuring a wealth of wildlife. Centered on the Mudumu Mulapo fossil river course, this vast 390 square mile expanse of dense savannah and mopane woodlands bordered in the west by the Kwando River, was proclaimed a national park in 1990.
Drive through thick mopane forest and over wide floodplains past swamps of papyrus and temporary lakes besieged by waterfowl. Be dwarfed by immense leadwood trees. Encounter the water-loving creatures of Mudumu; the elephants and hippos, the spotted-necked otters and crocodiles, and the rare red lechwe and sitatunga antelope. Watch for the swirl of a fanged tiger fish or the ripples of turtles and water snakes. Don’t miss the sight of the local fishermen deftly poling their mokoros (dug-out canoes) and casting their nets for tilapia in the light of a setting sun to the sound of drums and singing from nearby villages. Complete the day by camping under riverine forest and listen to nature’s orchestra; the slosh of life-giving water, the croaking of frogs, the cries of owls and the throaty chuckles of Mudumu’s hippos.
Kavango Region:
Kavango Region:
The Kavango Region and its people rely on the Okavango River and its broad flood plains, which make the area considerably greener than the rest of Namibia. The biggest attractions are easily the game parks, such as the Khaudum Game Park. Covering 384,000 hectares, and home to animals such as antelope, elephants, zebras, lions, leopard and much more, the park can only be explored in 4x4 vehicles. Rundu, the main town, is the gateway to Caprivi and home to many skilled woodcarvers whose crafts are available at many markets and cooperatives. Popa Falls is also worth a visit. More rapids than a waterfall, it spans the width of the river before it forms the Okavango Delta.
Khaudum Game Park
This park is situated off the usual travelling routes in eastern Namibia and ends at the border fence between Namibia and Botswana. Patches of deep Kalahari sand make it difficult to negotiate in places contributing to the fact that Kaudom remains one of Namibia’s almost untouched areas. Kalahari dunes dissect the park and overgrown with a dry forest of varying heights. There are many types of rare wood among the deciduous trees, like Kiaat or Manketti. So-called omiramba that form green veins between the dunes. They are subterranean river courses, which fill with surface water only during the rainy season. Kaudom Game Park is particularly noted for its population of the very rare African Wild Dog. With a little luck you can encounter herds of Elephant, Gnu and Roan Antelope, Hyena, Leopard and Lion. In the thick bush game is sometimes difficult to spot, although bird lovers have more than 300 species to admire, including many birds of prey.
Visitors should take note that this remote park may only be entered in a convoy of at least two vehicles. This rule is foremost intended for your own safety, in case of a breakdown.
Popa Falls
The Popa Falls are situated in this tiny park. In reality the ‘falls’ are no more than rapids, which ease the Okavango over a gradual drop of three meters. However, the rush of water is audible from a distance and the multitude of water channels, the rocks and the lush green vegetation make for attractive Popa Falls photo themes. Huge old acacias provide shade, a tributary ripples through the park area, birds sing in the trees during the day and at night you hear the deep grumbling sounds of Hippo in conversation.
Mahango Game Reserve
In the eastern part of the park the road follows a river course. From your slightly elevated position you will ever so often enjoy fantastic views of the Okavango’s floodplains below. It is a picture of vast plains of grass and reeds, bordered by patches of shaggy palm trees or towering mighty Baobabs. In the west, on the other hand, the vegetation on the banks of the Mahango and Thinderevu omiramba is dominated by dense dry forest. You need a 4x4 to follow these subterranean river courses.
The Mahango Game Reserve is particularly known for its Elephant. You can also spot Buffalo or the shy Sitatunga and Lechwe. Similar riverine vegetation exists in very few other places in Namibia, as most of it has been destroyed by endeavors to till the land.
Mahango is a great favourite with birdwatchers; more species can be found here than in any other park in Namibia. This variation should come as no surprise, as the reserve has one of Namibia's few wetland habitats, adjacent to large stretches of pristine Kalahari sandveld. Thus many water-loving ducks, geese, herons, plovers, egrets, kingfishers and various waders occur here, along with the dry-country birds that you'll find in the rest of Namibia. Okavango specialities like the slaty egret can sometimes be spotted, and for many birds – including the lesser jacana, coppery-tailed coucal and racket-tailed roller – Mahango marks the western limit of their distributions.
Book your This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.