Click on the blob to view the region's attractions: Campsites, Lodges, Places of interest etc
ABOUT THE CAPRIVI & NAMIBIA
Caprivi's position in Southern Africa
(extracts from: 'An environmental profile and atlas of the Caprivi' by John Mendelssohn and Carole Roberts; Caprivi Tourist Map published by Henk Coetsee on behalf of NBL)
Projecting eastwards from Namibia, Caprivi lies in the centre of Southern Africa. It is bordered by the four countries of Angola, Zambia (north), Botswana (south) and Zimbabwe (east). Three perennial rivers cross the Caprivi, making it a wetland paradise in the otherwise arid Namibia. Ideally located, the Caprivi links one closely to the world renowned Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park of Botswana, Zambia’s and Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba and the seventh wonder of the world the 'Smoke that Thunders' (‘Mosi o Tunyu’) of Victoria Falls. Day trips, transfers, camping and fishing safaris can be arranged from Namibia (and especially from Caprivi) to any one of these neighboring countries.
(extracts from: 'An environmental profile and atlas of the Caprivi' by John Mendelssohn and Carole Roberts; Caprivi Tourist Map published by Henk Coetsee on behalf of NBL)
Projecting eastwards from Namibia, Caprivi lies in the centre of Southern Africa. It is bordered by the four countries of Angola, Zambia (north), Botswana (south) and Zimbabwe (east). Three perennial rivers cross the Caprivi, making it a wetland paradise in the otherwise arid Namibia. Ideally located, the Caprivi links one closely to the world renowned Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park of Botswana, Zambia’s and Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba and the seventh wonder of the world the 'Smoke that Thunders' (‘Mosi o Tunyu’) of Victoria Falls. Day trips, transfers, camping and fishing safaris can be arranged from Namibia (and especially from Caprivi) to any one of these neighboring countries.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Namibia's Flag and Coat of Arms
About NAMIBIA
Namibia Land Of The Brave,Freedom Fight We Have Won
Glory To Their Bravery, Who's Blood Waters Our Freedom,
We Give Our Love and Loyalty Together in Unity,
Contrasting Beautiful Namibia,Namibia Our Country.
Beloved Land of Savannah Held by the Banner of Liberty.
Namibia, Our Country, Namibia, Motherland, We Love Thee!
Glory To Their Bravery, Who's Blood Waters Our Freedom,
We Give Our Love and Loyalty Together in Unity,
Contrasting Beautiful Namibia,Namibia Our Country.
Beloved Land of Savannah Held by the Banner of Liberty.
Namibia, Our Country, Namibia, Motherland, We Love Thee!
By Niqui Bosch:
Namibia has 4 main vegetative regions: Desert, Semi Desert, Savannah and Sub-tropical. The Caprivi Region is a mix of Savannah and Sub-tropical, and also contain Riverine Forest, Swampland, Grassland and Mopanie Forest. The Caprivi is divided into 2 parts, the Western Caprivi and the Eastern Caprivi.
The Western Caprivi
forms the Bwabwata National Park ( previously called the Wet-Caprivi National Park). The west Caprivi lies between the Okavango River (western side) and Kwando River (eastern side) with straight borders with Angola (northern side) and Botswana (southern side). The Western Caprivi is part of the planned KaZa Park (KaZa TFCA), which will be the Transfrontier Conservation Area between 5 Countries, (Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe) and will be the largest Transfrontier Park in Africa after completion.
The western Caprivi is part of the Elephant and Buffalo Trek Routes, and has no fences on the borders in order to allow animals to pass freely in their yearly migration.
Main Attractions:
On the Western Side at Divundu lies the Mahangu Game Reserve and thoroughfare to the Okavango Delta about 20 km to the south, with Poppa Falls about 2 km south of Divundu. To read more about this and see photos, please click on the Divundu link in the menu bar. To the western side lies Horseshoe, a natural cut-off in the Kwando River and hosts seasonal abundance in wildlife. The whole Kwando river region is a total birder's paradise. Scarce antelope like Sitatunga can be seen here - they are very shy though. To see more about this are, please click on the Kongola link.
Road & Quick Travel Tips:
The B8 main road (part of the Golden Highway as it is known in Namibia) travels the length of the western Caprivi. Coming from Rundu, you get to the little town of Divundu (fuel available) and travel over the single lane bridge over the Okavango River. Upon entry to the Bwabwata Park, you will pass through a police and Nature Conservation Checkpoint, where you will be asked to produce your drivers license. Entry is free to drive through on the main road. You also might be asked to step out onto the Food-and-Mouth Pad, and your vehicle's tires will be sprayed in order to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. You may get additional roadblocks for this as well, if there is an outbreak noted close by. In these circumstances, you may not transport raw meat without a state veterinarian certificate.
On the Eastern end of the B8 is another park check-point, and 2 km to the east is Kongola.
If you would like to travel to Horseshoe, Nambwa Campsite or any where else off the main road, you need to pay and get your entry letter at SUSUWE Ranger Station, just north at the western side of the Bridge crossing the Kwando River, before Kongola. Traveling in the Park without the necessary documents is heavy finable. Please note that the road to Horseshoe and Nambwa is 4X4 driving.
Eastern Caprivi:
is the totally north-eastern part of Namibia and is totally surrounded by rivers, except for the small piece of straight land border between the Kwando River and the Zambezi River. The eastern Caprivi is more populated, and has 5 main towns other then Katima Mulilo.
Kongola: is the first town when you enter the Eastern Caprivi. Kongola was just a turnoff point with a local village untill 1994, when
Ben Vermaak started the Petrol Station and Shop with Bottlestore with Engen. So that's how a town starts....
Linyanti: is lying on the gravel road going from Kongola, through Mudumu and Mamili National parks, and then north east to
the B8 tar road to Katima. Linyanti is home to the King of the Mafwe Tribe (and subtribes) King George Simasiku.
Bukalo: is the largest town in the Eastern side of the Eastern Caprivi, and lies on the B8 tar road on the way to Ngoma.
Bukalo is home to the King of the Musubia Tribe (and subtribes) King Kisco Liswani III.
Shuckmannsburg: was the former capital of the Caprivi and lies north of Bukalo. Shuckmannsburg is now basically just ruins and
was flooded and damaged badly by the 2009 floods.
Ngoma: is the most Eastern town on the mainland of the Caprivi and Namibia, and the Customs & Border Post when leaving Namibia
to go to the Chobe/ Kasane (Botswana) and towns thereafter. Foreign vehicles leaving Namibia, please get your
Car's Permit at the Cross-border office IN KATIMA at the Total Service Station, otherwise you will have to turn back.
Namibia has 4 main vegetative regions: Desert, Semi Desert, Savannah and Sub-tropical. The Caprivi Region is a mix of Savannah and Sub-tropical, and also contain Riverine Forest, Swampland, Grassland and Mopanie Forest. The Caprivi is divided into 2 parts, the Western Caprivi and the Eastern Caprivi.
The Western Caprivi
forms the Bwabwata National Park ( previously called the Wet-Caprivi National Park). The west Caprivi lies between the Okavango River (western side) and Kwando River (eastern side) with straight borders with Angola (northern side) and Botswana (southern side). The Western Caprivi is part of the planned KaZa Park (KaZa TFCA), which will be the Transfrontier Conservation Area between 5 Countries, (Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe) and will be the largest Transfrontier Park in Africa after completion.
The western Caprivi is part of the Elephant and Buffalo Trek Routes, and has no fences on the borders in order to allow animals to pass freely in their yearly migration.
Main Attractions:
On the Western Side at Divundu lies the Mahangu Game Reserve and thoroughfare to the Okavango Delta about 20 km to the south, with Poppa Falls about 2 km south of Divundu. To read more about this and see photos, please click on the Divundu link in the menu bar. To the western side lies Horseshoe, a natural cut-off in the Kwando River and hosts seasonal abundance in wildlife. The whole Kwando river region is a total birder's paradise. Scarce antelope like Sitatunga can be seen here - they are very shy though. To see more about this are, please click on the Kongola link.
Road & Quick Travel Tips:
The B8 main road (part of the Golden Highway as it is known in Namibia) travels the length of the western Caprivi. Coming from Rundu, you get to the little town of Divundu (fuel available) and travel over the single lane bridge over the Okavango River. Upon entry to the Bwabwata Park, you will pass through a police and Nature Conservation Checkpoint, where you will be asked to produce your drivers license. Entry is free to drive through on the main road. You also might be asked to step out onto the Food-and-Mouth Pad, and your vehicle's tires will be sprayed in order to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. You may get additional roadblocks for this as well, if there is an outbreak noted close by. In these circumstances, you may not transport raw meat without a state veterinarian certificate.
On the Eastern end of the B8 is another park check-point, and 2 km to the east is Kongola.
If you would like to travel to Horseshoe, Nambwa Campsite or any where else off the main road, you need to pay and get your entry letter at SUSUWE Ranger Station, just north at the western side of the Bridge crossing the Kwando River, before Kongola. Traveling in the Park without the necessary documents is heavy finable. Please note that the road to Horseshoe and Nambwa is 4X4 driving.
Eastern Caprivi:
is the totally north-eastern part of Namibia and is totally surrounded by rivers, except for the small piece of straight land border between the Kwando River and the Zambezi River. The eastern Caprivi is more populated, and has 5 main towns other then Katima Mulilo.
Kongola: is the first town when you enter the Eastern Caprivi. Kongola was just a turnoff point with a local village untill 1994, when
Ben Vermaak started the Petrol Station and Shop with Bottlestore with Engen. So that's how a town starts....
Linyanti: is lying on the gravel road going from Kongola, through Mudumu and Mamili National parks, and then north east to
the B8 tar road to Katima. Linyanti is home to the King of the Mafwe Tribe (and subtribes) King George Simasiku.
Bukalo: is the largest town in the Eastern side of the Eastern Caprivi, and lies on the B8 tar road on the way to Ngoma.
Bukalo is home to the King of the Musubia Tribe (and subtribes) King Kisco Liswani III.
Shuckmannsburg: was the former capital of the Caprivi and lies north of Bukalo. Shuckmannsburg is now basically just ruins and
was flooded and damaged badly by the 2009 floods.
Ngoma: is the most Eastern town on the mainland of the Caprivi and Namibia, and the Customs & Border Post when leaving Namibia
to go to the Chobe/ Kasane (Botswana) and towns thereafter. Foreign vehicles leaving Namibia, please get your
Car's Permit at the Cross-border office IN KATIMA at the Total Service Station, otherwise you will have to turn back.
Eastern Caprivi
Western Caprivi
The Caprivi: East and West
