Bwabwata National Park
One of Namibia’s newest national parks, Bwabwata National Park encompasses an area of 6,274 square kilometres in northeast Namibia, along the Caprivi Strip, with Angola to the north, Botswana to the south, Okavango River to the west and Kwando River to the east. Bwabwata National Park derives its name from a Bwabwata village located within it. In the local language, the word ‘Bwabwata’ means ‘the sound of bubbling water’. The park was created after merging Buffalo Game Park, Mahango Game Reserve and Caprivi Game Park. Today, it has highly diverse flora and fauna, with the primary attraction being its extraordinary wildlife, animals and birds alike.
Bwabwata National Park is located at the centre of the Kavango-Zambezi Trans-frontier Conservation Area (KaZa TFCA). KaZa TFCA acts as a wildlife corridor for African elephants migrating from Botswana to Zambia and Angola. It comprises over 20 wildlife reserves across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and aims to expand the wildlife protected areas, broaden the historical game migration routes, increase biodiversity and ultimately attract visitors to the area.
The History of Bwabwata National Park
- 1963: The region was first proclaimed as Caprivi Nature Park
- 1966: Three years later, the nature park became Caprivi Game Reserve
- 1968: The park was further upgraded and became Caprivi Game Park
- 1966-1990: During Namibia’s War of Liberation, the South African Defence Force occupied the park. Due to ongoing military operations, conservation officials weren’t allowed within the park to manage it.
- 1989: Mahango Game Reserve, located west of the Caprivi Game Park, was established
- 1990: The South African Defence Force left the park after independence. At that time, the government of Namibia had access to the park’s flora and fauna and then developed a conservation program to protect the park’s wildlife.
- 2007: Mahango Game Reserve, Caprivi Game Park, and an unproclaimed area along the Cuando river were combined to create Bwabwata National Park, encompassing Buffalo Game Park too.
- 2013: A notable incident, LAM Mozambique Airlines Flight 470 crash occurred on 29th November 2013, in Namibian air space. The LAM Mozambique Airlines Flight 470’s wreckage was found in the park the same month.
Wildlife In Bwabwata National Park
Bwabwata has abundant elephant populations as well as giraffe, buffalo, reedbuck, red lechwe, sable antelope, roan antelope, zebra, wildebeest, sitatunga, tsessebe, and hippopotamus.
Bwabwata is home to four of Africa’s big five animals, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. It doesn’t have rhinoceros. Predators commonly seen in the park include hyenas, cheetahs, and crocodiles.
A globally recognised birding destination, Bwabwata has two perfect birding spots, the Kavango River and the Mahango area. It is home to over 352 bird species including white-faced whistling duck, Egyptian goose, common ostrich, helmeted and crested guinea fowls, orange river francolin, greater flamingo, African green pigeon, and grey lourie (commonly called the go-away-bird).
Bwabwata is also home to 13 eagle species: brown snake eagle, black-chested snake eagle, western banded snake eagle, long-crested eagle, lesser spotted eagle, martial eagle, Wahlberg’s eagle, steppe eagle, African fish eagle, African hawk-eagle, tawny eagle, and Ayre’s eagle.
Bwabwata National Park Premier Attractions
- Buffalo Core Area: Buffalo Game Park is located on the eastern side of the Okavango River and occupies a 629 square kilometre area within the Bwabwata National Park. It is an ideal spot for wildlife viewing within Bwabwata. It is also home to the old South African army station ruins. Visitors can spot kudus and impalas near the ruin while the area’s beautiful vistas offer great photography opportunities.
- Mahango Game Reserve: Located on the western end of the Caprivi strip, Mahango Game Reserve, a 224.62 square kilometre wildlife reserve, also lies within the Bwabwata National Park. Mahango is home to numerous species of raptors, including African marsh-harrier, Pel’s fishing owl, and western banded snake-eagle. Its location alongside the river makes it ideal for wetland birds such as ducks, egrets, geese, pratincoles, cranes, and ibises. Visitors can also spot several species of bee-eaters and kingfishers in this region of Bwabwata.
When To visit Bwabwata National Park
Bwabwata is one of the year-round safari destinations in Southern Africa. From wildlife viewing to spotting migratory bird species, there is always something to do in Bwabwata. For wildlife viewing, visitors should plan a trip during the dry season from June to September for prime conditions. The warm temperatures and clear skies are ideal for game drives while the thinning vegetation makes it easier to spot the wildlife that congregates around the dwindling water sources.
Migrant birds are present in Bwabwata from November to April, the wet summer season in Namibia, which makes it an ideal time to visit the park for a bird watching safari. During the dry months, visitors can spot the resident birds.
You May Also Be Interested In...
Mudumu National Park
Mudumu National Park, a part of the Caprivi region in northeast Namibia, is one of Africa's hidden gems. One of Mudumu's primary attractions includes its healthy African elephant population as well as...
Mangetti National Park
Mangetti National Park, covering a 420 square kilometre region in Namibia's northern plateau, between the towns of Rundu and Grootfontein. It was once the traditional hunting ground for the Kwangali monarchy....
Namib-Naukluft National Park
Namib-Naukluft National Park, covering an expanse of 49,768 km2, which includes a large portion of the Namib Desert, is not only the largest national park in Africa but also the largest national park in...
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park, one of Namibia’s most well known national parks, covers an expanse of 22,270 square km, of which 4,800 square km is covered by Etosha Pan, after which it is named. Over the years,...
Namibia Safaris
13-Day Namibia Guided Lodge Safari
- 13 Days
One of the most fascinating countries in Southern Africa, a guided safari is the very best way to get...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:13 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek
3-Day Sossusvlei Experience
- 3 Days
Our three-day, two-night accommodated safari adventure begins in the picturesque coastal town of Swakopmund....
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Swakopmund, end in Windhoek
Namibia Wine Tour
- 12 Days
Namibia offers space, silence and the chance to really get away from it all, and is not usually associated...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:12 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Windhoek
15-Day Namibia, Victoria Falls & Botswana Safari
- 15 Days
This safari starts in Windhoek and takes in the Namibia highlights of the Kalahari and the dunes of Sossusvlei...
-
Country:Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe,
-
Departures:Array
-
Length:15 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Victoria Falls
3 Days Etosha Camping Safari
- 3 Days
This wildlife safari to Namibia's spectacular Etosha National Park is an opportunity for visitors to...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek
Safari to Namibia
- 16 Days
On this self-drive get to know Namibia, with its unforgettable experiences and landscapes; it has the...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:16 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek
4-Day Namib Coast & Sossusvlei Adventure Tour
- 4 Days
Take a fascinating adventure from Windhoek to Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and Swakopmund...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:4 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Windhoek
Extended Classic Namibia Safari
- 11 Days
Visit some of Namibia’s must see natural wonders on this safari; the Namib Desert and Sossusvlei, home...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:11 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Windhoek
3 Days Namibia Sossusvlei Camping Safari
- 3 Days
This is a short camping safari to the famous Sossusvlei Dunes area of Namibia to experience the wide...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek
10-Day safari Tour and Top Attractions Visit in Namibia
- 10 Days
Embark on a captivating journey through Namibia, a land of vast landscapes, rich cultural tapestries,...
-
Country:Namibia,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:10 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Windhoek, end in Windhoek