Caprivi and Kavango Region, Namibia

Caprivi and Kavango Region : Traveller's Overview Category : Parks & Reserves

Come and discover the wealth of wildlife in the Caprivi and Kavango regions of Namibia whilst on a rather exclusive African getaway vacation. Both of these regions are blessed with an abundance of water from the mighty Zambezi to the Okavango and because of this the area is alive with birds, rarely spotted animals as well as an abundance of other wild game.

Experience the lushness and luxury of bush camps in the region for yourself. The Caprivi Strip shares its borders with four other countries, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe and is crisscrossed with four perennial rivers – the Chobe, Kwando, Linyati and the majestic Zambezi. Just to the west is the Kavango region, home to forests of Namibian teak and Kiaat trees as well as three significant wildlife sanctuaries.

The waterfront areas are lush with sub-tropical vegetation and vast wetlands opening up a treasure trove of activities for you, the discerning traveller. Come and explore the rivers by ‘makoro’, try your luck at catching Tiger fish and spot four of the Big 5 – only the rhino does not frequent the region. Choose to stay in luxury-tented camps or upmarket safari lodges and experience the African bush in a way you will never forget.

The Caprivi and Kavango Regions are best known for:

Game viewing
Namibia, despite its arid landscapes, is renowned for offering top game viewing opportunities. Expect to see elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes plus many of the smaller predators and an abundance of antelope species. Interact with a wide variety of wildlife in their natural habitats in the Caprivi and Kavango regions.

Fishing
The Caprivi and Kavango regions of Namibia are favoured destinations for fishermen because of the wealth of species found in the rivers, more than 150 species of fish recorded so far. Try your luck at fly-fishing from a ‘ makoro’ or motorboat and while away the day catching the acrobatic Tiger fish, Silver barbell, catfish, bream or African pike. Our luxury lodges will supply fishing rods, bait and tackle.

Birdwatching
Southern Africa is home to more than 900 known bird species and the Caprivi and Kavango regions can boast more than 400 of these! Spot some rarely sighted species such as the Racket-tailed Roller and Schalow’s Turaco amidst a plethora of other birds from Fish eagles to hornbills. View them from the peace of your private veranda, on luxury game drives or from hides set around the waterholes.

Off the beaten track:

Spot the rare Roan Antelope
Visit Mahango Wildlife Reserve, the only wilderness area in Namibia where you have a chance to spot the rare roan antelope. On the list of threatened species, these beautiful creatures stand about a metre and a half at their shoulders and weigh around 250kg. When two males are fighting for dominance of the herd, they engage in fierce ritual brandishing of horns while on their knees.

Watch the rivers in the Caprivi Strip flow backward
Occurring very rarely and obviously only in the rainy season, you will have the chance to see the mighty rivers of this region flow backwards! If the flood level of the Zambezi rises to more than seven metres the floodwaters push back the water in the Chobe and Linyanti rivers causing them to flow in reverse from west to east.

Experience the local culture
Visit the show village of Lizuali, just south of Kongola, to get a feel for traditional life in the Caprivi region of Namibia. This busy little hamlet offers guided tours of replica traditional homesteads where you can learn how to make, amongst other things, Mahango porridge! A play illustrating the way the village’s legal system works is put on at the end with a mock ‘trial’ of a thief.