Less than 50km west of the gateway town of Rundu, Taranga Safari Lodge is a convenient, relatively luxurious option for visitors driving into the Caprivi Strip. Many guesthouses in this region are welcoming and simple, but there are just four tented cottages at Taranga, offering significantly extra space and style. Each has a private deck overlooking the Okavango River, comfortable beds, laminate flooring, en-suite bathrooms with a bathtub and fans for keeping cool. The main lodge is elevated on wooden stilts, with a lounge, dining area and viewing decks overlooking a swimming pool.

Surrounded by trees and with the river a constant presence, there is a tranquil, intimate atmosphere to a stay at Taranga. Water is very much the focus for excursions, with no classic big game areas where you would enjoy a game drive, but there is still a pleasing variety of activity options. These include morning and sundowner river cruises, guided walks, village visits, fishing, stargazing, and at certain times of the year, mokoro trips.