Bwabwata National Park: Namibia’s best kept safari secret

First off, Bwabwata isn’t your typical national park.

Here, people and wildlife share the landscape in a unique conservation area that feels more like a National Geographic special in the making.

The park, stretching across a whopping 6 100 square kilometers in Namibia’s lush Zambezi region, is home to predators including lions, leopards, cheetahs and hyenas. Bwabwata is one of the last  refuges of wild dogs in Namibia.

Common reedbuck, red lechwe, sitatunga, and hippo roam along the rivers. Birds include wattled cranes, African skimmers, western-banded snake eagles, wood owls, Pel’s fishing owls, Narina trogons, Cape parrots, and both red-billed and yellow-billed oxpeckers.

It also boasts a thriving buffalo population arguably the best place in Namibia to spot them. But it’s also home to around 5 000 people, mainly the Khwe, Mbukushu, Mashi, Subiya and Bavenda communities, who live, farm, and co-exist with nature.

This synergy was born out of necessity after Namibian independence when conservation efforts had to balance a large human population with a dwindling wildlife count. The solution? A multi-use park where some areas are set aside for human habitation and others strictly for wildlife.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism co-manages the park alongside local conservancies in what has become one of Namibia’s biggest conservation success stories.

Across the country, more than 80 conservancies operate through Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management programme, employing local game guards and wildlife monitors to safeguard animal populations.

This means your tourism dollars directly support conservation efforts and community livelihoods, a win-win for everyone involved.

The park stretches from the Okavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east, encompassing vast floodplains, woodlands, and seasonal pans (omurambas). In a country known for its arid landscapes, Bwabwata is a celebration of trees, wildlife, and water.

Fittingly, the park’s name, Bwabwata, comes from a local village and refers to the sound of bubbling water, a tribute to this river-blessed terrain.

Bwabwata is a water-lover’s dream.

Unlike Namibia’s arid landscapes, this park boasts lush floodplains and winding rivers, making boat safaris a fantastic way to see hippos and crocodiles up close (but not too close, unless you fancy a thrilling swim).

The water world is adorned with floating water lilies, while African fish eagles, reed frogs, and grunting hippos provide the soundtrack. It’s also part of the larger Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, meaning you’re in a wildlife corridor that connects five countries, talk about an all-access pass to nature!

For an untamed wilderness experience, you’ll need a place to rest after your adventures.

Fortunately, there are fantastic accommodation options to suit different tastes and budgets.

Gondwana Collection Namibia offers campsites, a lodge and villa that perfectly blend comfort with nature immersion, such as the Namushasha River Lodge which sits right on the banks of Kwando River or the Namushasha River Villa anchored in a channel of Kwando River as well, for the more luxury seeking traveller.

While at the lodge, explore the green-lawned campsite by following the marked walking trail to the traditional heritage centre. Take an early morning or late afternoon river cruise to explore the channels and discover the diverse bird life.

Alternatively, visit Bwabwata National Park by boat and then transfer to a game vehicle for an excursion into the African bush. A crimson Zambezi sunset is very unforgettable.

Whether you’re a light drinker or not, it’s important to have something cold and refreshing to celebrate the day.

Plus, Namushasha being located 24km south of Kongola on the C49 (D3501), is an ideal stopover for those travelling to Victoria Falls.

Here’s the thing, if you want easy game spotting and paved roads, stick to Etosha. But if you’re craving an adventure with a side of conservation, culture, and an untamed wilderness vibe, Bwabwata is calling your name.

Just don’t forget your mosquito repellent and a sense of humour, you might need both! 

I’d like to assume you have your binoculars strung around your neck already so I won’t remind you to pack them – see you on the bubbling water!

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