Caprivi Strip
Explore the Untamed Beauty and Unique Wonders of the Caprivi Strip
Nestled in the northeastern corner of Namibia, the Caprivi Strip is a rare gem waiting to be explored. This narrow stretch of land, bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, offers a geographical uniqueness unlike anywhere else in Southern Africa. Here, four mighty rivers—Zambezi, Okavango, Kwando, and Chobe—weave their way through a verdant landscape teeming with life. With its lush terrain, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, the Caprivi Strip is a haven for travelers yearning to immerse themselves in nature's grandeur. Whether you're cruising along shimmering waterways, marveling at spectacular sunsets, or listening to the calls of hippos in the distance, every moment spent here feels like something out of a dream.
Beyond its breathtaking beauty, the Caprivi Strip offers countless adventures for the curious traveler. Wildlife enthusiasts will be thrilled by its numerous game reserves, such as Bwabwata and Mudumu National Parks, where sightings of elephants, leopards, and buffaloes are not uncommon. For those with a passion for birdwatching, the region's wetlands host an incredible array of feathered residents, from African fish eagles to rare species like the wattled crane. The Caprivi Strip also serves as a cultural crossroads, where villages brimming with tradition warmly welcome guests to learn about their heritage. With so much to see and experience, the Caprivi Strip beckons you to uncover its untamed spirit and create unforgettable memories.
The Caprivi borders Botswana, Angola, Zambia and, contrary to popular belief, not Zimbabwe (close, but no).
Caprivi Strip Facts
- Size: Length +- 450km, width, between 30km and 105km
- When to visit: May-Oct (cool, dry season - preferred for game viewing)
- Climate: Pleasant with avg. daily temp. at 26°C
- Rainfall: above 500mm per annum varying
- Altitude: 1000m above sea level
- Location: Top northeast corner
- Accommodation: Zambezi Region Lodges
Information On Caprivi Strip
Although the wildlife in the Caprivi has not yet recovered from years of poaching and the destructive bush war of the 1970s and 80s, it is a superb conservation area that may in the future rival Etosha and the Okavango and Selinda national Parks.
Named after Leo Graf von Caprivi, the strip was ceded to colonial Germany by the British. The Caprivi is in a tropical climate zone and receives a high amount of rainfall in the summer months.
Open throughout the year; the Caprivi region is dominated by broad-leafed deciduous woodlands comprising wild Seringa, Copal Wood and Zambezi teak. It is the wettest region in Namibia, with its high rainfall fed by a number of major rivers like the Okavango, Kwando and Zambesi.
The small town of Katima Mulilo at the eastern tip of Caprivi offers some attractive lodges, an airport, a hospital, some petrol stations, grocery stores and a street market with crafts, traditional baskets woven from grass, wood carvings, jewellery and clothes.
Malaria is an endemic, year-round problem and prophylaxis are recommended for all visitors.
Animals seen here include: buffalo, elephant, zebra, antelopes, hippo, crocodiles, lion, giraffe, puku, sitatunga, red lechwe, spotted necked otters, waterbuck, Roan antelope, Oribi, wild dog.
As many as 339 bird species have been recorded in west Caprivi.
Where is Caprivi Strip located?
Located in the far northeast corner of Namibia, in a nutshell, drive north from Windhoek and turn right at Rundu, 100 kilometres later, one arrives in the Caprivi.
To give one more of an overhead view of where the Caprivi/Zambezi Region is located, have a look at this link; Google Maps - Caprivi Strip
Best Time to Visit Caprivi Strip?
In our humble opinion, the dry winter months are the best months to travel through the region; the days are mild to warm, as are the nights. The summer months are the rainy/wet months. Although this period is excellent for birding, accessing certain areas of the national parks is prohibited by rising waters, with a very good chance of one getting stranded.
Main Attractions Of National Park
- View 4 of the 'Big 5'
- Remarkable birdlife
- Fishing and boat trips
- Access into Botswana from Namibia (and visa-versa)
- Popa Falls
- Bwabwata National Park
- Mudumu National Park
- Nkasa Rupara National Park
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