The Caprivi Strip
(North Eastern Namibia)
The Caprivi Strip is a long panhandle enclosed by permanent water and
stretching eastwards from the Kavango River on the western side to and
along the Zambezi River on the eastern side, ending at the border junction
of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
This lush savannah area is bounded by the Kwando, Linyanti
and Chobe River system on the southern border with Botswana and
with the Zambezi River forming part of its northern boundary with
Zambia.
Almost 70% of the bird species found in Namibia have been recorded
in the Caprivi.
The Caprivi is home to 4 of Namibia's Conservation Game Parks:
Mahango Game
Reserve: Borders on the perennial Kavango River
(Okavango River as it is know once the river crosses the border to
Botswana) and is characterized by riverine forest, broad flood plains,
magnificent baobabs and large herds of elephant and red lechwe. Mahango is
one of Namibia’s most diverse and interesting conservation areas.
Caprivi Game
Park: Similar in habitats to Mahango, this reserve
covers most of the "strip" from the Kavango to Kwando Rivers and is
transversed by the infamous "Golden Highway".
Mudumu National
Park: Flanking the Kwando River and benefiting much
by the wetlands of the Kwando-Mashi-Linyanti-Chobe river system Mudumu is
an excellent birding area and is also well known for its fishing.
Water-loving mammals including the Cape clawless otter are abundant.
Mamili National
Park: Situated in the eastern Caprivi the 320-km²
Mamili National Park, has the distinction of being the largest wetland
area with conservation status in Namibia. It is particularly well known
for its birdlife. This is a good area for lechwe, sitatunga, puku and
spotted-necked otters.
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