Where to stay in Bwabwata National Park
4 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Bwabwata National Park guide
Overview
Bwabwata National Park stretches across the Caprivi Strip in Namibia’s Zambezi Region, between the Kavango River in the west and the Kwando River in the east. It was proclaimed in 2007, joining the former Caprivi Game Park and the Mahango area.
Bwabwata is unusual because people live in the park, and it’s managed with the communities to support both wildlife and livelihoods. The main tourism areas are Mahango and Buffalo along the Kavango River and the Kwando core area along the Kwando River, with dry woodland between them.
The park is part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, so its wildlife moves across borders to Botswana, Angola and Zambia. It combines well with Khaudum, the Okavango Panhandle and Chobe on a self-drive trip.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Big game
Large herds of elephant move through in the dry season, and buffalo, hippo and crocodile live along the rivers. Lion, leopard and African wild dog are present but less often seen.
Antelope
Bwabwata is known for its wetland and woodland antelope: sable, roan, red lechwe, sitatunga, reedbuck and tsessebe.
Birds
More than 400 bird species have been recorded, including African skimmer, Pel’s fishing owl and the slaty egret.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: July to October, in the dry season, when wildlife crowds the rivers.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May – Jun | Early dry season | Pleasant days and cool nights. The bush is still thick. |
| Jul – Oct | Dry season | The best game viewing, with herds on the rivers. October is very hot. |
| Nov – Apr | Rainy season | Green and excellent for birds. Some tracks become hard to drive. |
Bwabwata is in a malaria area. Take prophylaxis and cover up at dusk.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea Kutako International (WDH), Windhoek | All international arrivals | About 9 to 10 hours by road, or connect to a domestic flight. |
| Katima Mulilo (MPA) | Domestic flights | The nearest airport for the Kwando area. |
| Victoria Falls International (VFA) | Most visitors | About 4 to 5 hours by road via Kasane and Katima Mulilo. |
By road
The tarred B8 (Trans-Caprivi Highway) runs through the park between Rundu and Katima Mulilo. Mahango and Buffalo are reached from Divundu, and the Kwando core area from Kongola. Off the highway, a 4×4 is needed.
Entrance & Fees
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism charges a daily park entry fee per person and per vehicle in the core areas. The rates below apply from 1 April 2026.
| Visitor | Adult (16+) | Child (9–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign national | N$200 | N$150 |
| SADC national | N$130 | N$80 |
| Namibian citizen | N$40 | Free |
| Vehicle (up to 10 seats) | N$60 per day | – |
Children aged 8 and under enter free.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Namibian Government Gazette of 1 April 2026.