Description
Take a step off the beaten path and discover a unique destination on the very edge of Namibia, a land of rivers and floodplains inhabited by animals seldom seen elsewhere in the country, from flocks of colourful waterbirds to reedbucks, buffalo and crocodiles.
Overview
The Caprivi Strip is a narrow extension of land protruding from the northwest of Namibia, bordering Angola and Zambia to the north and Botswana to the south. Unfairly overlooked by most travellers in favour of the more famous safari destinations within the country, like the Kalahari Desert, Skeleton Coast and Etosha National Park, the riches of the Caprivi Strip are unique within Namibia and comprise a fascinating destination for the safari aficionados wishing to step outside of the ordinary. Geographically and ecologically distinct from much of Namibia, the 450km strip is characterised by rich floodplains and flowing rivers that attract water-loving species like hippo, crocodile and waterbuck. On this NWS RAW safari you’ll be discovering all that the Caprivi Strip has to offer, spending time in a number of reserves and national parks situated throughout the area.
It is a 7 day NWS-RAW-Tailor made safari.The latest addition to our NWS Select service, NWS RAW safaris take you outside of the norm, revealing a different side to oft-visited countries. These pioneering expeditions are designed for the seasoned traveller who yearns for new experiences, who favours discovery over tourist traps, and who is willing to go the extra mile in order to truly explore and understand their next destination. NWS RAW is for the intrepid, the boundary-pushers, and those for whom travel is more than just a holiday.
A tailor-made safari is one designed according to your specific requirements, including budget, dates, personal interests, the number of people travelling, and more. This itinerary is just an example and can be refined and altered to make it perfect for you.
What makes this trip extraordinary
- Eschew tradition and discover a little-known corner of Africa.
- Sight water-loving species like hippo, buffalo and sable antelope, otherwise rare sights in Namibia.
- Cast your line in the mighty Zambezi River for the fearsomely toothed tigerfish.
- Travel through Namibia’s own version of the Okavango Delta, a land of rich floodplains, rolling rivers, lush vegetation and groups of elephants, zebra, kudu and more.
- Watch for cheetahs, leopards, lions, hyenas and African wild dogs stalking their prey.
- Spot more than 400 species of bird that either make their home here or visit the area during the course of their migration.
Itinerary
Arrive Kasane – Kongola
If arriving by air into the Botswanan border town of Kasane, you may be able to spot Africa’s “Four Corners”, a place where four nations meet at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. You’ll then be transferred across to Namibia where you will make your way to the first overnight accommodation on your itinerary, Nkasa Lupala Lodge. Composed of just 10 luxury tents, the lodge is entirely self-sufficient and located right next to Nkasa Rupara National Park, along an unfenced border with the Wuparo Conservancy. Thanks to the lack of fences, you may be able to see local wildlife roaming through the savannah, woodland and floodplains that surround the lodge, while sitting safely in the lounge or dining area perched atop an elevated wooden deck.
Kongola
Today is yours to spend as you choose here in the Kongola region of the Caprivi Strip. Make sure to explore Nkasa Rupara National Park, a 350km area of unfenced marshland home to large numbers of antelope species like puku, sitatunga and red lechwe, as well as hyenas, hippos and over 400 species of bird. You’ll be able to embark on game drives in search of lions, leopards, elephants, zebra and wildebeest, or take a boat safari and sight crocodiles on the hunt for animals along the riverbank. Walking safaris and night drives are also available, as are visits to the local villages located within the Wuparo Conservancy
Kongola – Divundu
The next stop on your Caprivi Strip safari will be RiverDance Lodge, located to the west on the banks of the Okavango River. With the Okavango in front and the luxurious lodge behind, this is a fantastic place to relax and recline while listening to the sounds of the river and the bugs, birds and reptiles that live here. Just a 40km drive away from the lodge is the Mahango Game Reserve, a protected area separated from the largely undeveloped Bwabwata National Park by the Okavango River. The rich wetlands here provide habitat for two-thirds of Namibia’s bird species – more than any other park in Namibia – making this a prime spot for birdwatchers. As well as herons, egrets and kingfishers, keep an eye out for less-frequent visitors like the slaty egret, lesser jacana and the bright turquoise feathers of the racket-tailed roller.
Divundu
Make sure to spend time at the Okavango River during your time in Mahango. Within you’ll be able to spot wallowing hippos and crocodiles on the hunt, as well as species like buffalo and sable antelope coming to the water’s edge to drink. The river itself contains over 70 species of fish, and you’ll be able to cast your line from the shore or take to the water in fishing boats to catch some of the Okavango’s residents (perhaps even the fearsome tigerfish). There are just two game viewing roads within Mahango’s 25,000 hectares, from which you’ll be able to spot predators like lions, leopards and cheetahs, while reedbucks, bushbucks and sitatunga graze among the woodlands and acacia thickets. Cross over into Popa Falls Reserve to view the picturesque cascades from the reserve takes it name, and keep an eye out for reptiles and amphibians, including the Nile monitor.
Divundu – Katima Mulilo
Your final lodge is found in the far east of the Caprivi Strip, overlooking the Zambezi River. Newly refurbished in 2017, this characterful lodge is a haven for birdwatchers, as the banks of the Zambezi are studded with burrows created by huge colonies of carmine bee-eaters. Not far from your lodge is the Salambala Conservancy; characteristic of the Caprivi Strip, this region is biologically diverse, encompassing woodlands in the northern section of the conservancy and floodplains and grasslands in the south. This habitat supports large African mammals like the elephant, zebra, impala, kudu and buffalo. As well as the wide variety of bird species – another characteristic of the Caprivi Strip – other species like warthog, steenbok, duiker and tsessebe can be found, as well as the lions and leopards that prey upon them.
Katima Mulilo
During your second day here, take a trip to the Kasika Conservancy, situated at the terminus of the Caprivi Strip between the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. The rich floodplain here sustains large mammals like elephant and buffalo, while hippos and crocodiles wallow in the rivers and antelope graze along the shore. Trips along the waterways in traditional mokoro canoes are a great way to see the area, while fishing can yield a host of species, from large tigerfish and catfish to the ubiquitous tilapia. As the sun sets, retire to your riverside lodge for dinner and drinks before the symphony of the Zambezi lulls you to sleep.
Katima Mulilo – Kasane
Your time in the Caprivi Strip is now at an end. After saying farewell to your hosts, you’ll be transferred southeast to cross the border once again into Botswana. Once you’ve reached Kasane on the other side, you can then catch your return flight home from the city’s airport.
Accommodation
- Nkasa Lupala Lodge
- RiverDance Lodge
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation, and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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