Overview–namibia

Zambezi Region Caprivi Strip

The Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) is a narrow strip of land in northeastern Namibia bordering Botswana. There are three off-the-beaten-track national parks here: Bwabwata, Nkasa Rupara, and Mudumu. Animals cross freely from Botswana and wildlife is uncommon in the rest of Namibia, including buffalo, hippos, and crocodiles. This is mainly a 4x4 self-drive destination for the adventurous traveler.

Best Time to Visit

The Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) can be visited throughout the year, but the best time for wildlife viewing is in the dry winter months from June to September. At this time water is scarce and animals gather around the few remaining water sources. The vegetation is also thinner during these months, which makes it easier to spot wildlife.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Best time for wildlife viewing
Warm weather, but not oppressively hot (except for October)
The area never gets busy
It is very dry and dusty and the sky can be hazy

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

The scenery is more attractive with many flowers and the skies are clear
Wildlife looks healthy and there are baby animals around
Excellent time for birding with migrants present
It never rains for long and the rain is a relief after a long dry period
It tends to be oppressively hot
Wildlife viewing is less productive

Scenery

The Zambezi Region is flat and lacks prominent physical features. Several wide, tropical rivers, such as the Kwando and the Zambezi, form the main landmarks. Thirty percent of the eastern Zambezi Region can be flooded during rains, making it resemble the more famous neighboring Okavango Delta. The vegetation is lush and tropical with many magnificent tree species.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

May

Nov

Dec

Oct

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: June to September (Animals easier to spot)

High Season

From: July to November (The area never gets crowded)

Size

From: 11,000km² / 4,247mi² (approx.)

Wildlife & Animals

Although sometimes harder to spot than in the drier parks of Namibia, there is a great deal of wildlife in the Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip). Animals are attracted to the lush vegetation and permanent water. Buffalo and elephants are plentiful and there are lots of predators. There are no rhinos, but other animals to look out for include giraffes, zebra, and wildebeest.

Wildlife Highlights

The Zambezi Region has some magnificent permanent marshes and is flooded for part of the year. This creates a perfect habitat for water-loving animals, which are scarce in the rest of the country. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant in the rivers and antelope such as waterbuck, red lechwe, and the rare semi-aquatic sitatunga thrive in the marshes. There is plenty of food for resident lions and wild dogs often roam this area as well.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Zambezi Region is best visited in the cooler dry months from May to October. Animals disperse during the Wet season from November to April, the vegetation also tends to be very thick during this time, and the roads can become impassable.

General Wheather

The Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) has a hot climate. Rain usually falls in the form of heavy thunderstorms. There is a Wet season, which coincides with the summer months of November to April. During the dry winter months, from May to October, there is virtually no rain at all and it gets very cold in the morning.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

These are the coolest months and there is almost no rain at all. It gets drier as the winter progresses.

May, June, July & August – It is usually sunny and totally dry. These are the coolest months and the average afternoon temperature is 27°C/81°F. It is cold in the early morning at around 10°C/50°F. Warm clothing for early morning game drives is necessary.
September & October – Temperatures are increasing. October is the hottest month with afternoon temperatures of 35°C/95°F and much higher peaks. Early mornings are less cold at around 19°C/66°F. The rains usually start toward the end of October or in early November.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

The Wet season falls in the hot summer months but rainfall isn’t very high. Afternoon thunderstorms can be expected on some days. It is mostly sunny and hot. Early mornings are mild.

November & December – The rains usually start in late October or early November. It is still mostly dry, but you can expect the occasional thundershower to bring relief from the long, dry winter. Afternoon temperatures are around 34°C/93°F.
January, February & March – January and February are the wettest months. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, but it is mostly sunny during the day. It usually cools down after rain and average daytime temperatures are around 35°C/95°F.
April – Rain decreases rapidly in April and there are less and less days with precipitation. Temperatures start to drop slowly.

Prons

Excellent wilderness experience
A good variety of animals not common in Namibia
Little visited off-the-beaten-track destination

Cons

Regular flooding and bad roads
Mainly for serious 4x4 enthusiasts only; facilities are limited

How To Get There

The Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) is located 900km/560mi from Windhoek by car. The area is a panhandle in northeastern Namibia and is roughly 400km/250mi from east to west and 32km to 96km (20mi to 60mi) from south to north. The easternmost point is where the borders of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia intersect.

For most travelers, the Zambezi Region is an access route for traveling from Namibia to Chobe National Park in Botswana or Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe, and vice versa. The distance from Victoria Falls is about 400km/250mi (driving time 4½ hours*) and from Chobe it’s 380km/240mi (driving time 5½ hours*).

The main point of entry into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), located 40km/25mi east of Windhoek. Visitors will usually start their trip by 4x4 in Windhoek. Alternatively, there are fly-in trips that take you between different parks by charter flight.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) and what tickets would cost.