Where to Stay in Caprivi Strip
The Caprivi Strip (officially renamed the Zambezi Region in 2013) is a different Namibia entirely, a thin, water-rich panhandle of rivers and floodplains bordering Botswana, Zambia and Angola, better suited to birding and river-based wildlife than the desert circuit further south. The strip itself is a leftover of colonial map-making: Germany acquired it in the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty specifically to give German South-West Africa a corridor to the Zambezi River, and the old name (after German chancellor Leo von Caprivi) persists in everyday use even though the official name has changed.
Recommended stay
2 nights
Drive from Windhoek
~12 hours (most fly to Katima Mulilo)
Why stay here
- Genuinely different landscape from the rest of Namibia: rivers, not desert
- Strong birding and river-based wildlife viewing
- A natural bridge into Botswana's Okavango Delta or Chobe
Worth knowing
- Far from the rest of the country: most people fly rather than drive
- Malaria precautions are relevant here, unlike most of the rest of Namibia
- Limited lodge choice compared to the desert regions
Best avoided if: You're only doing the classic dunes-and-desert circuit
How many days in Caprivi Strip?
Pick the length that matches your trip: each one is a real trade-off, not a list of boxes to tick.
The standard length for an extension stop
Two nights covers a river cruise for hippo and birdlife and one game drive in Bwabwata National Park, enough to feel the region's different rhythm before continuing on into Botswana or Zambia, or flying back to the desert circuit.
Best lodges in Caprivi Strip
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Map of stays near Caprivi Strip
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Often paired with Caprivi Strip
Frequently asked questions
Is the Caprivi Strip worth adding to a Namibia trip?
Best treated as an extension, not a standalone stop. It works well for travellers continuing into Botswana or Zambia, rather than a stop on a standard two-week Namibia loop.
Is malaria a real risk in the Caprivi Strip specifically?
Yes, unlike most of the rest of Namibia, the Zambezi Region carries a year-round malaria risk because of its rivers and wetlands, so antimalarial precautions are worth taking seriously here even if you've skipped them for the rest of a desert-focused itinerary. Our safety and health guide has current guidance before you travel, since recommendations can change.
Can I combine the Caprivi Strip with Botswana's Okavango Delta or Chobe?
Yes, that's the main reason most travellers add it. The Zambezi Region borders Botswana directly, and Bwabwata National Park and the Kwando-Linyanti river system here connect naturally to Chobe National Park or the Okavango Delta on the other side of the border, making it a practical extension rather than a separate trip.
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