An Unspoilt African Wildlife Experience
The Zambezi Region (formerly known as the Caprivi Strip) is unlike anywhere else we’ve been in Namibia.
As we left behind the dry, arid, desert–interior, the landscapes were transformed by the life giving rivers, into a mix of lush green woodlands, grasslands and wetlands, all teeming with life. At times it felt like we were in a different country entirely!
The lush green landscapes were a welcome breath from the dry, desert dust-bowls and sun-burnt savanna plains.
Nearly everyday during our stay in the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) we ventured into the national parks! The excitement of off–roading coupled with great game-viewing, and having the parks virtually all to ourselves made this our favourite safari experience. We regularly spotted large herds of elephants playing in the river, and crossing through the thick vegetation. In-between seeing some of the larger animals and antelope we were treated to sightings of rare and colourful bird life.
The Zambezi Region is home to 4 of the big 5 and if you’re looking for a raw and gritty safari experience you won’t be disappointed. You don’t get the busy safari traffic of the more frequented destinations, and arduously navigating the off–road trails through thick vegetation, rivers and marshes makes for some incredibly rewarding wildlife encounters.
Location Of The Zambezi Region (formally Caprivi Strip)
The rather peculiar, pan-handle shaped piece of Namibia borders Angola, Zambia, Botswana and stretches as far as the borders of Zimbabwe.
Things haven’t always been good in the Zambezi Region, the area was plagued by war in the past, and disrupted by decades of poaching.
Leaving its turbulent past behind the area has undergone drastic changes and the wildlife that once left the region has now returned and flourished again. New campsites and lodges are being built as well as old ones expanded, and the area is fast becoming a prime destination rather than just a pass-through between Namibia and Botswana.
The strip of land also benefits from a good, strategic position bordering several neighboring countries, as well as being a good access point to the Victoria Falls.
The People
This small strip of land, measuring only 32 km’s wide at its thinnest point, is Namibia’s narrowest region, but it’s also one of its most diverse. The area is so diverse that it boasts 7 different ethnic tribes each with their own language.
Driving through the Caprivi Strip, it was clear the extent of poverty in the region. We passed small villages and settlements with no electricity and even the most sturdiest buildings were made from mud and straw.
The village buildings are largely built from mud and timber with thatched roofs, and settlements surrounded by reed fences. Each village has a headman who is the senior male in the area, he advises the senior headman (Induna) who governs a number of villages and is a local representative on the tribal council (Khuta). The chief councillor (Ngambela) governs the tribal council which is ultimately overseen by the Chief.
National Parks In The Zambezi Region (formally Caprivi Strip)
The national parks are the main draw for many visitors to the Zambezi Region. The parks are home to 4 of the big 5, but unfortunately commercial poaching caused the local extinction of the black rhino population by 1990.
The area has some of the largest concentrations of elephant, hippo and crocodile in Namibia as well as some of the rarer species of antelope such as Sitatunga, Roan and Tsessebe. There is also an abundance of bird life, including regionally and globally threatened species, as well as a number of rare, local species such as the Eurasian Bittern, Wattled Crane, and Western Banded Snake-Eagle
There are three national parks in the area, the Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park and the Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly called Mamili). The Mahango Game Reserve is also a popular area but this is inside the Bwabwata National Park.
Best Time To Visit The Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)
There are two seasons in the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip), wet season and dry season. This area of Namibia has the highest rainfall in the country and has a more hot, humid and tropical climate.
Dry Season
Dry season runs from May to October. The coolest months are May to August when there is rarely any rain and the days are sunny. Daytime temperatures are in the late 20’s (low 80’s), but in the early morning temperatures can be a chilly 8°C (46°F).
In September and October the temperatures increase, with October being the hottest month. October daytime temperatures reach up to 35°C (95ºF) with the mornings being around 15°C (59°F). The rainy season can sometimes start at the end of October.
Wet Season
Wet season runs from November to April, although there is still plenty of sunshine and temperatures rarely drop below 19°C (66°F) even in the early morning. The rain usually starts at the end of October or early November.
For November and December it is still mostly dry and 32°C (90°F) in the day with the occasional thunderstorm. January and February are the wettest months and heavy, afternoon thunderstorms are common that can sometimes cause travel disruption due to the many rivers in the area. This can also continue into March and temperatures are still around 31°C (88°F) in the day. In April the rain and temperatures start to decrease as it heads into the dry season again.
We were in the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) during the last week of October and the rain had just started. On our first night in the area it heavily rained all afternoon and night, but it didn’t rain again for the rest of the week. It was very hot in the day, but was a pleasant temperature at night when sleeping in the tent.
Where To Stay In The Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)
Camping
The setting here was the most basic we had experienced in Namibia, and the campsites were more basic and remote as well, but in our opinion they were also some of the best.
The campsites we stayed in were positioned along the river, close to the national parks and were in keeping with traditions in the area. They were completely open with no fences or boundaries, and the wildlife was free to roam in and out of the area. We were gladly woken up to the sounds of hippos and elephants on more than one occasion — could you ask for more of an African experience!
When it comes to booking campsites and lodges over the internet, most will require you to print off a form, fill it in and email it back to them, which is a pretty long-winded process but internet isn’t great in the area. Many will also ask you to fill in credit card details which are chargeable in case of cancellation, and some request cash as payment upon departure.
Amenities in campsites
- Some campsites and lodges have WiFi but only in certain places which is usually at the bar or reception area.
- Most are self-catering and provide you with a braai area and some supply wood, or sell it. There are some campsites we stayed at that had a restaurant facility but choices were basic and you usually had to pre-book your meal in advance as it was prepared fresh.
- Generally most of the campsites had some form of electricity, but this was usually solar–powered and only on between certain times. There were a few we stayed at that didn’t have any electricity, but we managed to get by fine without it. If this is something that’s going to affect you make sure to plan in advance, as to not to stock up with too much meat or items that can spoil.
- Nearly all of the places we stayed at had activities, such as boat trips, or cultural tours which you could arrange at the reception area or in advance when booking online.
- Camps usually have shared bathroom and shower facilities, and hot water isn’t always guaranteed.
Recommended campsites in the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)
Mukolo Camp
Situated near Kongola and the Bwabwata National Park and on the way to Mudumu National Park and the Nkasa Rupar National Park, this camp offers a great location. Some of the campsites are situated right on the river banks and the owners are great hosts. The shared bathroom facilities were clean and hot showers readily available. There is a small bar and restaurant that serves home-cooked breakfast and dinner, but only on request by pre-booking. Wi-Fi and solar electricity is available, as are self catering cabins and boat trips (fees apply).
Ngepi Camp
If you’re looking for somewhere quirky and fun then you won’t get find better than Ngepi Camp. This is a much bigger campsite than others we stayed in though so if you’re after a quieter experience give this camp a miss. There are many campsites areas all along the river bank, as well as huts and tree houses. The camp is in a great location near the Mahango Core Area of Bwabwata National Park and Popa Falls. There are lots of activities on offer, unique, shared shower and toilet facilities, limited solar electricity and a restaurant.
Mavunje Camp at Mashi River Safaris
This camp is also situated near to Kongola and the Bwabwata National Park and each of the three campsites is situated right on the river bank. The campsites are large with a private dining area where you can see the resident hippos from your table. We found the surroundings to be very peaceful, but there isn’t a restaurant or electricity here so you need to be self sufficient.
Mukuku Rest Camp
If you’re in need of a campsite near Rundu on the way to or from the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) we can highly recommend Mukuku Rest Camp which overlooks the Okavango River. There are hot showers, solar electricity, a small bar area, small swimming pool and very attentive owners. Self-catering chalets units are also available.
Lodges
There is everything from basic tented camps all the way up to luxury, furnished tents and lodges available in the Caprivi Strip. These are nearly all situated along the riverbanks, where you can watch wildlife from the sanctuary of your air-conditioned room.
Recommended lodges in the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)
Nambwa Luxury Tented Lodge
Situated in Bwabwata National Park, these tented lodges offer luxury amidst nature. The tented lodges are situated above the ground in the tree tops, connected by an elevated walkway, honouring the elephants right of passage. They have a private viewing deck with views over the floodplains where you’re likely to see herds of elephants and buffalo. Game drives, bush walks and boat cruises are all available to book and a restaurant is also on site. Campsites are also available here. Due to the location a 4×4 is required to access Nambwa.
Shametu River Lodge
These lodges and luxury tents are situated near Popa Falls and the Mahango Core Area on the bank of the Okavango River . Some of the units are situated on the river banks with an outside seating area, while others are set back from the river. There is a pool, bar and restaurant onsite and activities like game drives and boat cruises can also be booked here. There are also campsites available here.
Divava Okavango Resort & Spa
Overlooking the Okavango River, this resort sits near to Popa Falls. Each luxury room has a 4 poster bed, freestanding bath, outdoor shower and large outdoor decking area. There is a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, plus a spa and wellness centre for an additional charge. All the chalets and the spa treatment rooms are situated with great views over the river so you can even spot wildlife from the steam room! Activities like game drives, fishing and boat trips can also be booked here.
Road conditions In the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)
The conditions along the main roads are good, mostly tarmacked with some gravel sections. Apart from that you will require a 4WD vehicle as nearly all of the national parks in the area are made up of off-road tracks. The only park you can drive in without a 4WD is the Mahango Core Area of the Bwabwata National Park, but even then you can only drive a section of the park as the road leading towards the waterhole requires a 4WD vehicle.
The easiest parks to drive in for lesser experienced 4WD drivers are the Mudumu National Park and the Mahango Core Area of the Bwabwata National Park. What we mean by that, is there are less challenging sections of road and not too much in the way of sand-based driving.
The more challenging driving sections are in the Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly known as Mamili National Park) and the Kwando Core area of the Bwabwata National Park.
The Nkasa Rupara National Park feels the most wild and isolated, it was the most challenging to drive around.
The Kwando Core Area is basically just sand based driving as soon as you enter the park, with mostly well established tracks but also some sections of deeper sand.
Driving Tips
Nearly all of the areas national parks require a 4wd vehicle and some prior off-roading experience, we also recommend bringing a map as when we used navigation apps some of the roads, or tracks weren’t even marked.
- Check you have spare tyres, a tyre pump, jack and shovel before attempting to drive the trails.
- Deflate your tyres down to the correct pressure before driving on sand, this is usually around 12 to 15 psi.
- It may be best to visit some of the parks early morning as the cool sand will be easier to drive on.
- Stay in established tracks, but also avoid any deep ruts.
- Water and mud in the parks (seasonal) create some of the most treacherous driving conditions in Namibia, and driving through large bodies of water should even be avoided by experienced 4×4 drivers.
- Only drive through water and mud with suitable tyres equipped, and with enough ground clearance.
- If you have to drive through any water and mud, first find a long stick and wade through water on foot to test water depth and soil structure, to locate any obstructions or deep holes. Engage low-range for maximum torque, drive at even speeds and avoid heavy acceleration and gear change until you are through.
- Always reflate your tyres back to the correct pressure before driving on firmer ground, even a couple of miles on tarmac could peel a tyre off the rim.
Supplies In The Zambezi Region Area (Caprivi Strip)
Katima Muloko — This is the largest town in the area but it’s still around a 100 km’s from the national park area of Kongola, and the main tourist areas. The town has a number of large stores and supermarkets including a Pick ‘n’ Pay and Spar, so if you are coming into the area from that direction or around the Victoria Falls it’s the best pace to stock up. Katima Muloko acts as a main gateway into the region due to the proximity of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana.
Rundu — If you are driving up from the other side, through Namibia then Rundu is the best place to stock up on fresh meat and essentials. There are a number of fuel stations in Rundu, as well as large supermarkets including a Spar, Pick’n’ Pay and Ok Foods.
Kongola — The supplies in the Kongola area are limited, there is a Shell garage for fuel just before the C49 turnoff towards the national parks, there are also a number of camps and lodges along this stretch of road. Next to the Shell garage there is also the Kaza-Kongola trading post, which sells basic supplies such as snacks, drinks, bread and alcohol, there is also an ATM inside. You won’t find any meat for your braai here but there is a counter where you can buy cooked chickens and hot snacks such as chips. There is also a crafts shop on the other side of the road as well as a chicken hut, style take-away which also serves fresh, hot coffee and snacks.
Divundu — For supplies for the at the Mahango Core Area and Buffalo Core Area, Divundu is where you will find shops. There is a large store, the Hombe Supermarket where you can stock up, there are freezers containing some meat and sandwich ham but supplies can be limited. The shop also sells sweets, snacks, crisps and bread as well as some tinned food and alcohol. There is also a fueling station as well as a car/tyre repair centre.
What To Pack
We spent 30 days road-tripping around Namibia, with nearly a week in the Kavango & Zambezi Regions (formally Caprivi Strip). We’ve put together this list of items we found useful during our journey, and they will definitely make your trip more comfortable.
- DEET Spray – To keep the mosquitoes and other nasty’s away.
- Headlamps and torches – The campsites and lodges generally aren’t very well lit, especially along the walkways and around the campsite areas.
- Pack an extra couple of layers – A light rain jacket and a pack-able down jacket are good choices, as weather can be unpredictable and temperatures can get a lot cooler during the evenings.
- A waterproof bag – These bags are very handy and will protect your stuff from the dust as well as the rain.
- Solar charger – These are good for keeping your phones topped up during the day
- Car charger – For when you are driving during the daytime, you can keep laptops, cameras, phones and other items charging.
- Power-banks – We also found these useful for keeping our phones topped up around the camps.
- Hats, sunglasses, sun cream, moisturiser and lip balm – The combination of sun and the dusty, dry conditions along the roads and in some campsites are a bad combination for your skin.
Looking for information on Etosha National Park? Check out our ultimate guide here.
