NAMIBIA – A COUNTRY OF CONTRASTS
North East And Caprivi
The “rainforest” of Namibia. The furthest corner of Namibia is known as the Caprivi,
or sometimes as the Caprivi Zippfel. Long ago under German colonisation, this part of Namibia was cur out on a map,
and the main reason was to link it to the then Tanganyika or Tanzania as it is known now, which was also a German
colony at the time. It did however not materialise.
Today this lush vegetated area is home to the Mafwe, Mayeyi and the Masubia
tribes, or commonly known as Caprivians. Katima Mulilo, or place of the big fire, can be called the capital of the
Caprivi. Lying on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, this is by far the most vegetated town in
Namibia.
The Caprivi have several game reserves as well, and game is plentiful, yet
sometimes difficult to spot in the lush growth of bush and trees. Hippo, crocodile, lechwe and waterbuck are game
that is only found in this area. Elephants still migrate through the Caprivi from Botswana and Angola, and are
often seen.
Mudumu and Mamili National Parks are the two south most parks of the Caprivi.
Lying on the Linyanti River with Botswana on the other shore, these parks protect wildlife of the riverine systems
in Namibia. Accommodation inside the parks is mainly camping, but lodges have popped up like mushrooms in the
Caprivi, so there is no shortage of fixed accommodation in the area.
The newest park in Namibia, the Bwabwata National Park lends protection to the
strip that attaches the Caprivi to Namibia. This is truly a people’s park, as the local people of the area, mainly
the Barakwena people. Two very well known and often visited spots in this park are Susuwe and Horsehoe. Both lies
on the shores of the Kwando River, and have simply stunning views of the riverine forests lining the Kwando River.
To sit on the shores of the Kwando and listen to the deep bass sound of hippo, or hear the call of a Fish Eagle,
truly makes you realise you are now in Africa.
The meaning of Bwabwata is “water bubbling under” and is thus very applicable to this
area with its rivers abundant.
It is malaria area, but can be prevented. The birdlife and game viewing
opportunities makes it worthwhile to visit the Caprivi.
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