Namibia’s green, wet corner — a narrow corridor of land wedged between Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Kwando, Okavango and Chobe rivers flow through the Caprivi Strip creating a lush, riverine landscape that feels entirely unlike the rest of Namibia. Wildlife density along these river systems is excellent, and the near-total absence of other tourists makes every encounter feel entirely your own.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★★★★☆ Infrastructure: ★★☆☆☆ Photography: ★★★★☆
Adventure: ★★★★☆ Exclusivity: ★★★★★ Price: $$ Scenery: ★★★★☆
Key wildlife: Elephant, lion, leopard, hippo, crocodile, sable antelope, roan antelope, reedbuck, sitatunga, wild dog (occasional), African skimmer, pel’s fishing owl, 460+ birds
Best for: Off-the-beaten-path adventurers, birders, combining with Botswana’s Chobe
Best time: April–October (dry season, best wildlife access)
Guides & articles
Wildlife & Ecology
Bwabwata stretches between the Kavango and Kwando rivers, combining teak woodland, floodplain and river habitat. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, sable, roan, wild dog and a wealth of birds occur here, with Mahango and the Kwando riverfront the most rewarding sections for visitors.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is dry and best for wildlife near the rivers and floodplains. November to April is hot, humid and green with excellent birding, though rain can make sandy side tracks more difficult to negotiate.
Conservation & Community
Bwabwata is unusual because people live within the national park itself and participate in conservation and tourism through resident communities and conservancies. It is also a key wildlife corridor in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Activities
Boat trips on the Kavango or Kwando, guided walks and birding complement self-drive or guided game viewing to round out the Bwabwata experience.
How to Get There
Rundu serves the western side of the park and Katima Mulilo/Mpacha the east. The B8 highway crosses the park and is paved, while riverfront loops and lodge approaches are sandy and may require 4×4.