The Caprivi, a narrow strip of land in the far northeast of Namibia, is the meeting place of two mighty African rivers, the Chobe and Zambezi; and four countries, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana - the only place in the world where four countries meet. There is no other region in the country that offers such a variety of wildlife and vegetation types, making this area a perfect retreat for birdwatchers, nature lovers and photographers.

Photo courtesy: Islands in Africa

Here, a complex network of rivers and relatively high summer rainfall has created a fertile wilderness of riverine forests, flood plains, swamps and open woodland with an abundance of wildlife. This area is home to no less than six of Namibia’s parks.

There are no fences, so animals can roam about across the borders of the neighbouring countries of Botswana and Zambia. The Chobe National Park in Botswana, bordering the Caprivi to the south, is especially good for game viewing. The game is also being protected in private game reserves namely, Mahango, Mudumu, Lizauli and Mamili.

The Caprivi is Namibia's only area of high rainfall, with summer floodwaters spilling over the riverbanks onto wide floodplains, while the central area stays quite dry. Humidity and insect activity is high from November to February, but the rest of the year is extremely pleasant. Along the rivers, forests of leadwood and teak trees stand tall and sprawling sausage trees dangle their strange 'giant salami-like' fruit. Ghostly grey baobabs contrast with colourful birds of which the pink and purple carmine bee-eater is perhaps the prettiest, the African fish eagle the grandest and the open-billed stork the strangest.

Photo courtesy: Island in Africa

A visit to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is a wonderful option from Caprivi, being the biggest waterfalls in the world. With a width of almost two kilometres, the mighty Zambezi thunders 120 metres down into the gorge below. Victoria Falls has an excellent tourist infrastructure and offers a great number of hotels and lodges in all price ranges, plus a couple of camping grounds. For the drive back you can take the road through the Chobe National Park in Botswana, which requires a 4WD.

In place of the once corrugated dirt road through the Caprivi, which was hardly passable during the rainy season, there is a tarred national road nowadays, making the area more accessible to travellers.

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Game drives: experience game viewing in the Chobe National Park for Africa's big game. At Susuwe game drives are offered in open 4x4 vehicles through the Bwabwata National Park. Night drives offer an even closer insight into the intrigue of the African bush.

Fishing: Susuwe Island Lodge overlooks the winding and intimate Kwando River, which meanders through the game-filled savannah of the Bwabwata National Park. Here, in the narrow channels of the Kwando, the silver tiger fish are hiding within subtle backwaters. Other fish found here are the African pike, threespot tilapia, redbreast tilapia, pink happie, humpbacked largemouth, sharptooth catfish and silver barbell among others.


Boat cruise: the Chobe River is a short distance away and is renown for vast elephant herds, buffalo, lion, hippo, the rare Chobe bushbuck and puku. Elephant cross the Chobe onto Impalila Island often, and along with hippo, sitatunga can be seen from Impalila Island Lodge. Traditionally, the mokoro (dugout canoe) - has been and still is the main means of transportation for the local Lozi people and tourists alike.


Bird watching: birdlife is excellent at these island destinations, with over 450 species occurring here - including some of Africa's rarest species. The area attracts many migrants and the variety of habitats offer specials such as Pels olws, rock pratincole, African skimmers and pygmy geese.

Guided walks: this offers a closer insight into the ecological marvels of this cradle of rivers. The islands offer unrestricted walks, including a visit to a 2000 year-old baobab from whose lofty heights all four countries and the convergence of the mighty rivers can be seen. Afro-botanical walks offer insight into the traditional medicinal uses of plants and trees.

Scenic flights: there are light aircraft and pilots based on Impalila Island who can arrange island charters between Impalila and Susuwe as well as to and from a number of other destinations.


Safari camps and accommodation in the Caprivi Strip.

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