Namibia'sZambezi Region

Useful Information

History

The Zambezi Region was obtained by Namibia (at the time known as German South-West Africa) in 1890 and named after German Chancellor Leo von Caprivi, who negotiated the exchange of land with the British. It gave the Germans access to the Zambezi River, which they thought would provide a water passage to the Indian Ocean and a shortcut to Tanganyika — a German colony at the time. Before they knew about Victoria Falls, they abruptly stopped this venture. The acquisition of the Caprivi Strip was part of the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, where Germany gave Zanzibar to the British and obtained the Caprivi Strip and the Heligoland Island in the North Sea.

Even though the German plan to gain access to the Indian Ocean did not work out, Namibia gained an area with exceptional natural wealth and even mineral resources. Due to the immense diversity of the fauna and flora in this area, there are currently three marvelous national parks; Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park and Nkasa Rupara National Park. Bwabwata National Park was proclaimed in 2007 when the Caprivi Game Park, Mahango Game Reserve and the unproclaimed area along the Kwando River were united. Mudumu National Park was created in 1990 along with its sister park Mamili National Park, that was changed to Nkasa Rupara National Park in 2012 by the Namibian government.

Wildlife

The region is one of the few places where one can still enjoy an authentic wilderness experience. There are hardly any fences. Indigenous animals still follow their historic migratory routes. With unmatched biodiversity due to all the different biomes, the number of species is remarkable. Elephant still wade through rivers alongside hippo and crocodile. Rare antelope such as sitatunga, red lechwe, roan and sable occur here, and it also serves as a sanctuary for rare and endangered species like the African wild dog. Other predators include lion, brown hyena, spotted hyena, leopard, caracal and cheetah.

Buffalo, giraffe, zebra, reedbuck, oribi, tsessebe, duiker, impala and puku also occur in the area. Similarly, the Zambezi Region is a paradise for any birdwatcher, with more than 450 bird species. The western reaches of the Bwabwata Park have been proclaimed an internationally important bird area, supporting globally threatened bird species. It is also an avian diversity hotspot. Alluring birds in the area include the barred owlet, Bennett's woodpecker, white-backed night heron, African skimmer, African pygmy-goose and southern ground hornbill, to name a few. The area is a popular fishing destination, where anglers target highly predatory tiger fish.

Vegetation & Terrain

The Kalahari Desert covers over 900,000 km², including the most significant part of Botswana and South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola. The Zambezi Region lies at the bottom of the Kalahari Basin, halfway between the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Although classified as part of the semidesert, the area is the wettest region of Namibia, and floods occur regularly in the floodplains. The area includes biomes such as marshes, riverine forests, mopane woodland, deciduous woodland, dense savanna and dunes. Generally, flat terrain and lush vegetation characterize the area as opposed to the western tree-and-shrub savannas of the more arid desert regions.

The Bwabwata National Park's vegetation is best described as deciduous woodlands. The Mudumu National Park contains savanna and mopane forest, and the Nkasa Rupara National Park is known for its wetlands and marshes. The subtropical features and the presence of the Chobe, Okavango, Zambezi and Kwando rivers allow a multitude of tree species, such as mopane, acacia, Zambezi teak, copalwood and leadwood, to prosper along the riverbanks and the plains.

Activities

The Zambezi Region allows for various methods of pristine game viewing, such as game drives through the parks, bush walks accompanied by experienced rangers, and game viewing by boat. You can also view animals from the comfort of the various lodges along the riverbanks. Water-based activities such as sunset cruises and canoeing are great ways to view the area and unwind. Houseboats on the rivers and fishing in the area are popular pastimes. Trips on traditional mokoro boats (made from the trunks of indigenous trees) accompanied by knowledgeable guides make for unique experiences.

Birding is exceptional. Hiking activities are also available in some of the areas. It is, however, best to avoid wandering off by yourself, especially in riverine areas. Hippo is common and highly aggressive and territorial. Namibia is one of the top destinations for stargazing, as the night sky is generally cloudless, so be sure to lie down and experience the marvels of our solar system.