Ndhovu Safari Lodge

Namibia's Wildlife & Conservation

Family Classic + 2 more + 3 more

Namibia’s big skies, rare wildlife & real conservation in action.

12 days

from £5,835 pp

Wildlife & Nature Off-the-beaten-track + 3 more + 3 more

Namibia & Botswana Express: Caprivi & The Panhandle

Namibia, Botswana

Explore the spectacular scenery of Namibia and iconic wildlife of Botswana on this self-drive and safari adventure.

12 days

from £8,010 pp

Namibia Safari Special

Family Classic + 3 more + 3 more

A wildlife-focused self-drive safari adventure through Namibia’s north.

13 days

from £5,785 pp

Flying Namibia's Skeleton Coast

Wildlife & Nature Luxury + 3 more + 3 more

An unforgettable sky high adventure through one of the world’s most remote landscapes.

9 days

from £12,100 pp

Namibia Walking Odyssey

Off-the-beaten-track Adventure + 1 more + 2 more

Hike dunes, deserts and mountains across Namibia’s wildest corners.

14 days

from £5,570 pp

Namibia Fly-In Safari

Safari Wildlife & Nature + 2 more + 3 more

Scenic flights and safaris across Namibia’s iconic landscapes.

11 days

from £7,125 pp

Quirky excursions

View all excursions in Namibia

Boat Cruises

A boat cruise on the rivers, tributaries and channels of the Caprivi Strip is a highly enjoyable activity, with a more tranquil feel then game drives. Late afternoon cruises can be particularly relaxing, as you watch the sun set beautifully over the waters with a drink in hand before slowly making your way back to camp for dinner. Wildlife encounters will generally involve hippo, and you will almost certainly see crocodiles basking in the sun. From certain lodges such as Nkasa Lupala, you’re also likely to find water based antelope running through the shallower waters, and elephant and buffalo arriving to drink. The varied birdlife sightings from the water are extremely impressive, and it is not unheard of to see predators on the riverbank from a boat, although these are generally scared off by the engine noise. The exact body of water you will explore depends entirely on the location: in the western Caprivi at lodges such as Ndhovu and Nkwazi you can get onto the mighty Okavango; Mazambala is right next to the Kwando River; Nkasa Lupala allows guests to explore the channels of the Linyanti-Kwando Delta; while in the far east at areas such as Impalila Island, serene sundowner cruises on the Zambezi and game viewing boat trips on the Chobe Riverfront are possible.

Game Drives

With so many water based Caprivi activities, game drives don't always dominate the activity list in the same way that they do in traditional safari hotspots. However, the Mamili and Mudumu National Parks really are excellent, bordering the fabled Botswana game haven of the Linyanti Wetlands and attracting most of the same species. In the Caprivi Strip, elephant, hippo and a diverse range of antelope will inevitably be spotted, while the birdlife is simply exceptional. There are also some decent predator populations, with lion, leopard, hyena and even sometimes wild dog among the potential sightings in certain areas. It's usually an early start for breakfast before setting off on a drive as the sun slowly rises: a cool but utterly enchanting time to be on the road, as the bush slowly wakes up and wildlife emerges to face the day. There are frequent stops to view animals, learn about the flora and fauna from your guide, take photographs and enjoy refreshments. Unfortunately, off-road driving and night drives are not permitted within the national parks, but the Caprivi is still relatively undiscovered so you shouldn't see too many other vehicles or people. Ndhovu, and Nkasa Lupala are among the camps offering game drives in the richest wildlife areas.

Village Visits & Island Walks

As Namibia's most densely populated region, there is plenty of cultural interest and daily life to be observed by simply driving the length of the Caprivi Strip. This obviously applies to certain areas more than others (e.g around Rundu and Popa Falls), as some of the lodges around Mamili and Mudumu for instance feel genuinely remote in a similar way to Botswana's Delta and Linyanti areas. In the western Caprivi, Ndhovu Lodge operates a fascinating visit to Kamutjonga Village to meet the local Kavango people, while at Nkwazi there are community tours and slightly kitsch tribal dance shows to enjoy. Cultural activities at the eco-friendly Impalila Island Lodge combine visits to diminutive villages with guided botanical walks to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the island. Here, ancient baobab trees preside grandly over views of four different countries at the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. For self-drivers, just stopping to buy fruit, chat to children and watch local artisans and fisherman go about their business all constitutes a memorable Caprivi highlight.

Caprivi Fishing

The Caprivi is generally acknowledged as Namibia's finest destination for fishing, with lodges like Impalila Island offering top class fishing activities for all levels of experience and expertise. Fly-fishing and lure-fishing are both on offer, with specialised fishing boats and equipment provided for both disciplines, although more advanced fly-fishermen might want to bring their own gear. The prize catch to pull out from these waters is the fabled tigerfish, which can be taken from the Okavango, Chobe or Zambezi Rivers and their tributaries. At Impalila, tigerfish can be caught all year round, with the best period generally from June to November, after the annual floods have started to recede. Other specimens you can pull out of the water include olive bream, tilapia and catfish. A catch and release policy is almost always enforced, but there is still a distinct thrill to reeling in a large, impressive specimen such as a tigerfish, and when the excitement dies down you can enjoy the ambience of being out on a boat with a cold sundowner in hand.