Covering the narrowest and longest strip of Caprivi, Bwabwata includes the former Caprivi park and the Mahango reserve. After being occupied by the south African army until independence in 1990, this region began to be managed as a protected area despite the presence of its 5000 inhabitants.

That is why the management of this park integrates the needs of the local population and has led to the creation of various areas including the conservation area to the west along the Okavango river (Mahango and Buffalo core) a central multi-use area and a conservation area to the east ( Kwando core).

Bwabwata’s landscapes range from vast floodplains, banks of lush vegetation to drier woodland with large baobabs. Bwabwata is an obligatory passage to reach Angola and it is home to a very high concentration of elephants but also buffaloes and antelopes, attracting a relatively large population of predators: lions, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs. Along the rivers hippos and antelopes proliferate as well as the sitatungas, reedbucks or groups of Lechwe are easily encountered.

Bwabwata is also a hotspot for ornithology and will delight all the bird lovers with the presence of the skimmers, parrots, narina trogons and the rare pel’s fishing owl.

Buffalo Core

Buffalo Core Area is the part of Bwabwata with the highest density of mammals. Large herds of elephants, sable antelopes, and roan antelopes gather along the riverbanks, while buffalo and kudu are also particularly well represented, supporting a significant lion population.

Mahango Core

On the other side of the river, Mahango is a small reserve that is very popular with birdwatchers.

On the eastern side of Bwabwata, the Susuwe Triangle is the region with the richest fauna and birdlife. This area is impressive for its diversity of wildlife and its magnificent views of a typical wetland environment. Horseshoes is a must-see. This horseshoe-shaped lagoon attracts countless elephants who come to drink and bathe every afternoon, offering a spectacle worthy of the banks of the Chobe!

The Mudumu Reserve is located north of Rupara Park and has a similar environment to its neighbour. Its main attraction remains the banks of the Kwando River, where elephants abound as they migrate in spectacular numbers between Botswana, Zambia, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Its landscape of floodplains and forest also attracts buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes and all kinds of antelope, including the rare sitatunga. Its canals are home to hippopotamuses, crocodiles and otters.

Nkasa Rupara is the Namibian reserve closest to Botswana, bordered by the Linyanti River to the east and the Kwando River to the west. It stands out as Namibia’s largest protected wetland. Its landscapes are mainly made up of channels and wooded islands, the largest and most iconic of which are Nkasa and Lupala. During the dry season, these islands are accessible by road but are once again surrounded by water during the rainy season.

Located between the Zambezi and Chobe rivers, the easternmost part of Caprivi consists of wetlands, alternating between floodplains, islands and canals. This environment, similar to that found in the Okavango Delta, is no longer really inhabited by large mammals. However, the birdlife is spectacular, and you can observe scissor-bills nesting on the sandy islands of the Zambezi, kingfishers of all species, and spectacular colonies of carmine bee-eaters.

The Chobe River Front is characterised by lush vegetation that attracts large gatherings of animals during the dry season. The herds of elephants and buffalo are spectacular, and the region is home to a beautiful population of lions and leopards, allowing visitors to observe four of the Big Five, Africa’s most sought-after animals.

From the land, immersion in the animal kingdom is remarkable, and it is not uncommon to find yourself surrounded by elephants, observing a hunting scene or catching a glimpse of a leopard on the branch of an acacia tree. At River Front, encounters and sunsets will always be unforgettable, and this stop is one of the most eagerly awaited on this self-drive 4×4 trip!

Nxai Pan National Park is home to the famous Baines Baobabs, a small natural gem dominating the flat landscape of plains and pans that characterises this park. Discovered in the 19th century, they were immortalised by explorer Thomas Baines in one of his paintings, such was the remarkable beauty of the place. Its magical atmosphere is revealed in full at sunrise, when the sun’s rays bathe the tree trunks in red, contrasting perfectly with the pristine white of the Kudiakam pan.

While the baobab region is not very popular with animals, the Nxai and Kgama-Kgama pans are home to a permanent fauna consisting of lions, giraffes and cheetahs, as well as species adapted to more arid environments such as springbok, bat-eared foxes and jackals. It is also a crossing point for migratory animals, which flock to seasonal waterholes as soon as the first rains arrive. At this time of year, it is possible to see thousands of zebras and wildebeests, as well as large herds of springboks and oryx.

During the dry season, the wildlife in Nxai is more sporadic than in other parks in Botswana, but there is a good chance of seeing cheetahs all year round, and the central artificial waterhole continues to attract many animals.

The Boteti River runs along the western edge of Makgadikgadi National Park. It is fed by the Okavango floods and is a crucial source of water for animals living or migrating in this desert area, which replaced a huge prehistoric lake. As in Savuti, it remained dry for many years, leaving only a few permanent pools here and there. With water returning since 2009, wildlife is once again thriving in this magnificent setting, offering visitors the chance to observe the traditional fauna of the African savannah: elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and a myriad of birds.

Venturing a little deeper into the park, you will discover an environment in stark contrast to the green banks of the river. The Ntwetwe pan is one of the largest in the region and resembles a veritable desert during the dry season. Its cracked expanse is strikingly white and attracts specific wildlife adapted to these arid conditions, such as ostriches, oryx, meerkats, and even the very elusive brown hyena.

The Khwai River flows through a mosaic of savannahs and marshes teeming with wildlife. Lions hunt buffalo here, sometimes in spectacular confrontations. Leopards rest on tree branches. Hyenas show up in the early morning. Elephants gather around waterholes in the afternoon. And hippos keep watch over your nights, laughing cheerfully. A true microcosm of wildlife awaits you in this magnificent corridor, ideally located between Moremi and Chobe.

The private concessions in the Delta can only be reached by plane from Maun, which will give you the opportunity to observe the meandering Delta and perhaps catch a glimpse of some large herds. Once there, a luxury experience awaits you: the comfort of the lodges, perfectly integrated into the natural surroundings, and the beauty of the location are unrivalled, with a team always on hand to ensure you have a truly unforgettable stay.

Spending a few days in the Okavango lodges remains a privilege that comes at a high price, but the delta is a magical place, completely unspoilt, with breathtaking natural beauty, far from mass tourism and close to incredibly free wildlife. It will probably be the highlight of your trip!

How could we not complete this water route on the banks of the legendary Zambezi River with a visit to the spectacular Victoria Falls!

Forming the largest curtain of water in the world, the falls are located on a section of the river that is 1.7 km wide, where the water plunges nearly 100 m.