The Captivating Caprivi

Do many of your clients think they’ve already seen it all in Africa? How about the Caprivi Strip/Zambezi Region? Geography students and “Jeopardy” buffs recognize the name as that super-narrow extension of Namibia that shoots off towards the Okavango Delta, Botswana on one side, Angola on the other, and a tiny sliver of Zambia and Zimbabwe at the far eastern end.

But the Caprivi is far more than just a geographical oddity. It’s also one of the emerging destinations in Africa for wildlife and pristine wilderness. With the 1980’s border war now a distant memory, animals have returned to the strip in large numbers, repopulating parks like Mahango, Mudumu and Mamali that for years were impossible for travelers to visit because of military activities.

CNN recently ran a story on elephant herds returning to Bwabwata National Park. “Thanks to Namibia’s community-driven conservation efforts, the elephants, never too fazed by arbitrary national borders, are now returning to Bwabwata in droves,” writes Christopher Clark. “And they’re not the only ones . . . The plains are covered with dense herds of different antelope species and zebra.”

Formerly called Caprivi Game Park, the vast reserve is still developing its tourism infrastructure, but there are great places to stay (like Nambwa Tented Lodge) and amazing ways to view the wildlife. African Profile Safaris can arrange a private bespoke aerial safari to Bwabwata and nearby areas like Etosha National Park, the Okavango Delta or Victoria Falls. If you prefer, APS can also set you up with a self-drive car — although be forewarned that the western edge of the national park is around 570 miles (920 km) from Windhoek.

African Profile Safaris can assist you in all things Namibia.  Contact them or Emerging Destinations, their North American representatives.