Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bwabwata includes five main zones: the Divundu area, the West Caprivi Triangle, the
Mahango Game Reserve, Popa Falls and the now-defunct West Caprivi Game Reserve.
The Mahango Game Reserve presently has the largest concentrations of wildlife, and is
therefore the focus of most safaris in the area.
Divundu, with two (nominally) 24-hour petrol stations and a relatively well-stocked su-
permarket, is merely a product of the road junction. The real population centres are the
neighbouring villages of Mukwe, Andara and Bagani. Divundu is marked as Bagani on
some maps and road signs, though technically they're separate places about 2km apart.
The West Caprivi Triangle, the wedge bounded by Angola to the north, Botswana to the
south and the Kwando River to the east, was formerly the richest wildlife area in the
Caprivi. Poaching, bush clearing, burning and human settlement have greatly reduced
wildlife, though you can still access the area via the road along the western bank of the
Kwando River near Kongola.
Finally, the Golden Hwy between Rundu and Katima Mulilo traverses the former West
Caprivi Game Reserve. Although this was once a haven for large herds of elephants, it
served as a pantry for local hunters and poachers for decades, and is now largely devoid of
wildlife.
Sights
WILDLIFE RESERVE
Mahango Game Reserve
(per person/vehicle N$40/10; sunrise-sunset)
This small but diverse 25,000-hectare
park occupies a broad flood plain north of the Botswana border and west of the Okavango
River. It attracts large concentrations of thirsty elephants and herd animals, particularly in
the dry season.
With a 2WD vehicle, you can either zip through on the Mahango transit route or follow
the Scenic Loop Drive past Kwetche picnic site, east of the main road. With a 4WD you
can also explore the 20km Circular Drive Loop, which follows the
omiramba
and offers
the best wildlife viewing. It's particularly nice to stop beside the river in the afternoon and
watch the elephants swimming and drinking among hippos and crocodiles.
Popa Falls
(per person/vehicle N$40/10; sunrise-sunset)
Near Bagani, the Okavango River
plunges down a broad series of cascades known as Popa Falls. The falls are nothing to get
steamed up about, especially if Victoria Falls lies in your sights. In fact, the falls are actu-
ally little more than large rapids, though periods of low water do expose a drop of 4m.
WATERFALL
