Overview–namibia

Nkasa Rupara National Park

Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly Mamili NP), located in the Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip), is an adventurous, undeveloped destination. The birding is great and it’s a stronghold for water-loving antelope. Wildlife densities are rather low, but there is a good variety of resident and migrating species. The park’s swampy environment makes it inaccessible during the Wet season.

Best Time to Visit

Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly Mamili NP) is a wetland reserve and the roads become virtually impassable in the wet summer months, from November to April. The best months for wildlife viewing are in the dry winter months from July to September.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

It is the best time for wildlife viewing as the roads are passable and vegetation is thinner
The weather is warm, but not stiflingly hot (with the exception of October)
Even during peak tourist season, the park isn’t busy
Birding is better in the Wet season

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

Birding is optimal with the arrival of migrants
The skies are clear and the scenery is beautiful
There are baby animals around
It seldom rains all day and when it does, it comes as a relief after the long dry winter
The roads get bad to impassable
It tends to be oppressively hot
Heavy vegetation makes animals difficult to spot

Scenery

The park is primarily a swamp between the Kwando and Linyanti rivers. There are several overgrown channels crisscrossing the marshland. When flooded, it becomes Namibia's version of Botswana's Okavango Delta – an inaccessible paradise of islands and reed-lined waterways.

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Rates

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

Best Time to Go

From: July to September (The roads are less wet)

High Season

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

Size

From: 320km² / 124mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly Mamili NP) in the Zambezi Region can be quite inaccessible, but there is a good variety of wildlife present. Elephants and buffalo can be found wallowing in the marshes. Lion, wild dog and spotted hyena are the main predators, although sightings are rare. Hippo and Nile crocodile are abundant in the reed-lined channels.

Wildlife Highlights

Rare sightings of spotted-necked otters have been recorded in the Mashi River. Water-loving antelope that can be found wading through marshy areas are the red lechwe and the rare semi-aquatic stitatunga. The park is also a stronghold for the country’s last population of puku antelope.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Dry season (May to October) is the best time for wildlife viewing. The roads become extremely rough to traverse, if not completely impassable, during the Wet season, from November to April. In years of good rains, 80% of the park can become flooded.

General Wheather

Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly Mamili NP) has a hot climate. The winter months from May to October are predominantly dry, with bitterly cold morning temperatures. The summer months of November to April represent the Wet season. Rainfall isn't very high and usually comes in the form of afternoon showers. It is mostly sunny and hot.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

These are the coolest months and represent the wintertime. It gets drier as the winter wears on.

May, June, July & August – These dry months have an average afternoon temperature of 27°C/81°F, which is pleasant thanks to the low humidity. Mornings are cold at around 11°C/52°F. Warm clothes are a necessity for early morning game drives in open vehicles.
September & October – Warm weather increases with the end of winter. The highest temperatures are during October, when averages of 34°C/93°F can spike much higher. Mornings warm up to around 20°C/68°F, and the end of October usually brings rainfall.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

The Wet season occurs during the summer, but on average total rainfall is low. Afternoon thunderstorms can be expected, although they rarely occur daily. It is mostly hot. Cooler temperatures of around 17°C/63°F are typical of early mornings.

November & December – The month of November marks the coming of the rains and afternoon thunderstorms become common. Afternoon temperatures of 33°C/91°F are typical.
January, February & March – The months of January and February experience the highest amount of rainfall. Although the sun stays out most of the day, afternoon thunderstorms are typical. Daytime temperatures average 35°C/95°F.
April – Rainfall drastically decreases in April. As summer ends, temperatures cool down.

Prons

Excellent bush vibe
Buffalo, which is uncommon in Namibia, present
Little visited and adventurous destination
Fantastic bird-watching destination

Cons

Accommodation options limited
No facilities inside the park
Tracks are often in bad condition, making driving difficult
Vehicles must travel in pairs at all times
The park becomes inaccessible when it floods

How To Get There

Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly Mamili National Park) is 1,200km/745mi from Windhoek in the Zambezi Region. Its most often embarked upon as a self-drive safari, and visitors are advised to drive in convoy with at least two robust 4x4’s, as the park is very remote. Roads are often very bad to inaccessible during the Wet season.

Most trips (either self-drive or organized tours) begin in Windhoek by way of Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), located 40km/25mi to the east of the city. Some visitors elect a fly-in experience using charter flights between parks and lodges.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

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