One of Namibia's best kept secrets, the Caprivi region is more lush than the rest of this arid country and remains relatively free of mass tourism. This region is a good destination to get close to unspoilt nature, offering a remote and less conventional safari experience.
Stretching about 450 km's (280 miles) from the far northeastern corner of Namibia, the Caprivi Strip is a narrow finger of land extending north-eastwards towards Zimbabwe. Caprivi lies between Botswana to the south and Angola and Zambia to the north, tapering out where the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers join. This narrow protrusion of Namibian territory starts in the Okavango Region of Namibia and ends at the southwestern corner of Zambia, where Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.
The region lies on the northern outskirts of the Kalahari swamplands, nestled between the Zambezi River on the northeast and the Kwando–Linyandi–Chobe river system on the south and southwest.
The Caprivi features some excellent national parks, which are less crowded and touristy than the most popular parks in neighbouring Botswana.
Wildlife populations in the region have recovered after years of occupation by the South African army, and it's a prime bird-watching region. In some of the game parks the wild animals move freely across unfenced borders with wildlife areas in Botswana and Zambia. Wildlife found in Caprivi is similar to that inhabiting the Okavango Delta in Botswana, as these marshy regions are similar. Vegetation in this region includes riverine and teak forests, acacia woodlands and open grasslands.
Caprivi is important to elephants as a migratory corridor and provides a significant habitat for critically endangered African Wild Dogs.
Bwabwata National Park (includes Caprivi and Mahango Game Reserves), Mamili National Park, Mudumu National Park.
This tropical stretch of land is the wettest region of Namibia and receives over 600mm (more than 24 inches) of mean annual rainfall.
Humidity levels are high from November to February, bringing an increase in insect activity, both making travel uncomfortable at times. Caprivi experiences periodic floods, especially during the rainy summer season (December to March) when rivers swell, flowing onto the floodplains.
Use the Google map to explore Caprivi.