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Spurwinged
Goose - Impalila Isaland Lodge
Caprivi provides links to attractions in Botswana,
Zambia, and Zimbabwe
Retreat for birdwatchers, nature lovers, birdwatchers,
photographers . There is no other region in
the country that offers such a variety of wildlife
and vegetation types. In respect of flora, fauna
and terrain, this part of Namibia is similar
to Botswana – destinations costing a fraction
of the price and volume of people. 450 species
of birds
The volume of elephants to be seen on the Linyanti
River at the southern point of the Mudumu nP
rivals anything seen in Chobe Game is easily
spotted and includes elephant, hippo, lion,
buffalo and the rare Sitatunga. The fauna and
flora of the area is protected in thee distinct
national parks within the region – The
Bwabwata, Mudumu and Mamili National Parks.
Sub-tropical climate.
Okavango river is unique in that it is the
only perennial river in the world that flows
eastwards without reaching the ocean.
Here, a complex network of rivers and relatively
high summer rainfall of up to 700mm pa(1000mm
in exceptional years) have created a fertile
wilderness of riverine forests, flood plains,
swamps and open woodland with an abundance of
wildlife. Fascination of thee wetlands system
and its associated flora dn fauna. This area
is home to no less than 6 of Namibias parks
The Kwando river is a narrow, highly cahnnelised
river, which rarely floods, with a narrow floodplain.
The riparian habitats are similar to those along
the Okavango River.
Large Kalahari sand dunes come down directly
onto the floodplains and are covered by large
tall mature stands of broad leafed woodlands
– dominated by teak. The junction of the
dune and the floodplain is dominated by typically
dense riparian woodland vegetation and it is
in these areas that birding is best.
Riverine wildernesses rich in biodiversity,
harbouring an abundance of animals and birds
andoffering a great variety of tourist activities.
Because Parks are not fenced game numbers vary
considerably and game viewing requires considerable
patience.
Curious shape of the Caprivi – a finger-line
projection which takes Namibias borders into
the centre of Southern Africa was the result
of negotiations between Germany and other colonial
governments at the end of the nineteenth century.
It was agreed at the Berlin conference that
the narrow strip of land extending for 450 km
from east to west and ranging in width between
32km and 101km would be added to German South
West Africa, as Namibia was called then. This
allowed the German colony to gain access to
the Zambezi river. The name of the chief negotiator
at this conference, Count von Caprivi, was given
to the region.
The Bwabwata NP incorporates the Mahango GR,
Kwando Triangle, West Caprivi GP, East Caprivi
Caprivi is divided into 3 distinct areas by
the Kwando and Okavango rivers
Caprivi is the gateway to Victoria Falls in
Zambabwe and the Chobe NP in Botswana
BIRDING
With more than 450 species recorded in this
small area and a reasonably good infrastructure,
the northeastern Namibia contains some of southen
Africas top birding spots. For birders in search
of the Okavanago specials such as Slaty Egret
and Coppery-tailed Coucal it has the distinct
advantage of costing a fraction of the amount
one would spend on a journey in neighbouring
Botswana.
Best time to visit the area is without doubt
the austral summer, particularly the wet season
from November to April when most of the migrants
are present and resident species are in breeding
plumage.
Around SIL and Nambwa – excellent birding
Narina Trogon, Racket-tailed Roller which should
be searched for the the tall teak woodlands.
Coppery Sunbird is another summer visitor tto
the area and can be most easily seen feeding
on the large purple flowers of the teak trees
on the dunes. Retz’s Red-billed Helmet
Shrike, Emerald Cuckoo, Bradfields hornbill,
Crested Barbet, Black-headed Orioles and several
species of woodpecker – particularly Bearded,
should be seen in these woodlands, the backwaters,
channels and grasslands of the floodplains hold
a wide suite of wetland birds, including herons,
storks, ibis, wildfowl and crakes. Early morning
is the best time to search for Black and Coppery-tailed
Coucal as they tend to sit out sunning themselves.
Impalila Island and surrounding areas has to
be one of Namibias prime grasslands, temporary
wetlands, seasonal floodplains, densely wooded
islands and open water habitats. Close to 400
species have been recorded in the area and all
Okavango specials can be seen here. Other rarities
include Olive woodpecker, Schalow’s Turaco,
EmeraldCuckoo, River Warbler and Half-collared
Kingfishers can all be seen here.
GAME LODGES IN THE CAPRIVI
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