Bwabwata National Park

Introducing Bwabwata National Park

Bwabwata National Park includes five main zones: the 20, 500-hectare West Caprivi Triangle around Kongola (also known as the Kwando Core Area), the Mahango Game Reserve, Popa Falls, the Buffalo Core Area near Divundu and the now-defunct West Caprivi Game Reserve. Bwabwata aims to rehabilitate wildlife populations that were virtually destroyed by poaching.

Prior to the 2002 Angolan cease-fire, this area saw almost no visitors. Now that peace has returned, however, tourism is slowly starting to pick up again. If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, this is a great area to explore while it’s still relatively undiscovered.

The 25, 400-hectare Mahango Game Reserve (admission per person/vehicle US$3.50/3.50) occupies a broad flood plain that’s best known for its dry-season concentrations of thirsty ele­phants. This is the only national park unit in Namibia where visitors are permitted to walk at will; winter is the best time for observing the area’s ample wildlife. The nearest NWR camp is Popa Falls, 15km north of Mahango.

Near Bagani, the Okavango River tumbles down a broad series of cascades known as Popa Falls (admission per person/vehicle US$2.50/2.50). They’re nothing to get steamed up about, but low water does expose a 4m drop. A kiosk sells the basics: tinned food, beer, candles and mosquito coils.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009