Zambezi Region: Introduction
The Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) is a little-visited narrow strip of land in northeastern Namibia that borders Botswana’s Okavango Delta. There are three off-the-beaten-track national parks here: Bwabwata, Nkasa Rupara (formerly Mamili) and Mudumu. Animals cross freely from Botswana, including wildlife that is not common in the rest of Namibia, such as buffalo, hippo and crocodile. Not many tours visit the Zambezi Region: it is mainly a 4x4 self-drive destination for adventurous travelers.
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. Nearly a third of the eastern Zambezi Region can be flooded during rains. The vegetation is lush and tropical with many magnificent tree species.
Locate the Zambezi Region
How to get there & Best time to visit
How to get there
The Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) is around 900km/560mi from the capital, Windhoek, by car. The area is a panhandle in northeastern Namibia, stretching roughly 400km/250mi from east to west and between 32km/20mi and 96km/60mi from south to north. The easternmost point is where the borders of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia meet.
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 to the Zambezi’s eastern end is about 400km/250mi (driving time 4½ hours*). From Chobe it’s 380km/240mi (driving time 5½ hours*).
The main point of entry into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), 40km/25mi east of Windhoek. Visitors will usually start their trip by 4x4 vehicle in Windhoek. Alternatively, there are fly-in-safaris that take you between different parks by charter flight. Some travelers also fly into the safari gateway towns of Kasane or Maun in Botswana, and cross into Namibia from there.
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.
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 rainfall (although the rains sometimes begin in late October). It gets very cold in the morning, especially from May to July.