In the northeast of the country, Namibia reaches out to touch the great Zambezi. Here, in the Caprivi Strip, wide tropical rivers bear names to conjure with – the Zambezi, the Okavango, the Chobe and the Linyanti. The vegetation is lush and supports a dense population, making this a unique corner of the country.

On a trip across the Caprivi you will come across many villages and their inhabitants. Children herding goats wander back and forth across the road, women sell fruit, carvings, pots and pans from makeshift stalls, and everywhere you will be warmly welcomed. Even the Strip's main town, katima Mulilo, is fairly small. Once in the parks, you will find big game, including hippo, crocodile, elephant and even buffalo.

Mahango and Mudumu national parks are both worth visiting here, as is Impalila Island. Mamili national park is also interesting, and best seen on a long day-trip from Mudumu. Meanwhile if you're driving past, consider dropping into Botswana for just a taste of that country during your trip. Read on for more details ...

Mahango National Park

Tucked in a corner of the Caprivi Strip, bordering both the Okavango River and Botswana, Mahango is a small national park, but it protects great diversity. Its western side is pure dry Kalahari bush, whilst its east is the riverine forest, open floodplain and papyrus swamps of the Okavango River. This tremendous variation allows it to boast more bird species than any other Namibian park as well as an array of larger mammal species too.

Here both Mahangu Safari Lodge and Suclabo Lodge make excellent bases from which to explore; call us for the latest news and details of both.
<< Click on the menu, above left, for more details of these lodges.

Mudumu National Park

In the heart of the Caprivi, on the banks of the tropical river Kwando, are two excellent lodges. Activities at both are similar, including game drives, walks, boating trips and fishing. Game concentrations in this area are excellent, with highlights including large numbers of elephant, buffalo, lion and red lechwe. The Kwando River's rich birdlife includes dazzling colonies of migrant carmine bee-eaters and endemic coppery-tailed coucals.

There are three lodges here to consider. The tiny Susuwe Island Lodge and the conveniently-located Namushasha Lodge, as well as a long-standing favourite, the excellent Lianshulu Lodge.
<< Click on the menu, above left, for more details of these lodges.

Impalila Island

On Namibia's easternmost tip, at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe, lies a small island known as Impalila. With only two tiny lodges, this is a peaceful island, perfect for a relaxing stay. Spend a morning being punted gently around floodplains on a mokoro (dug-out canoe), or boat down the beautiful Chobe River, enjoying the animals and birds that come to the waterfront of Chobe National Park.

The two lodges are slightly different in style – see Impalila Island Lodge and Ichingo Chobe River Lodge.
<< Click on the menu, above left, for more details of these lodges.

A Taste of Botswana

If you plan to drive across the Caprivi Strip, then there are several possibilities which would allow you to drop into Botswana for a few days.

To have an excellent introduction to the Okavango Delta, drive south of Mahango for an hour or so to Nxamaseri Lodge, in Botswana's Panhandle area. Alternatively, for a drier experience with more big game, if you stay at Lianshulu Lodge for at least two nights then you can cross the border by boat, and stay for a few days at Lebala or Lagoon Camp, in Botswana's Kwando-Linyanti area.


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