Considering spending a day driving around the Caprivi strip. We'll be getting into the eastern part of Etosha in the afternoon one day after our hunt and spending the night outside the eastern gate. I was thinking that perhaps a day trip just driving east through Caprivi would be interesting.

Anyone done this? Are the roads decent? Are there suitable places to stop for petrol and a snack? Just wanted to see another part of Namibia that I haven't seen before and show it to the wife. Any issues or problems in that area, especially since the road seems to skirt the border of Angola for quite a ways?

John,
5 years ago the road from the Kwando river bridge to Katima Mulilo was being resurfaced and appeared to be a very nice Highway. There was a checkpoint at the river, and a small park there also. Where the intersections with the roads going south to Mudumu and Mamili parks, there were gas/grocery stores. Between there and Katima, there wasn't much. Looks like a long drive to get from Grootfontein to the Kwando River. I would bet that our Namibian PH's drive that way fairly regularly and can give you a better idea.

The tar road heading east is straight, long and pretty dull. As I recall a few Bushman villages (when I was there they were easy to spot from a distance due to the blue tarps given them for roofs on their huts). Watch driving at night, there were a lot of ele crossing back and forth. And every now and again a Lorry runs over a local, pissed and passed out on the road. Not much until you hit the Kwando River, at which point if you head down/south (sand track) there are some nice areas (near Botswana, in particular an area known as Horseshoe Bend I believe). A day may not be enough time though.

Not much either if you keep driving east from the river to Katima. I found Katima a bit dirty, as were the villages on the eastern side of the Kwando that we stopped at (trash, broken glass all around). But it would be a side of "real Arica" that you have never seen. I could drive from one end of Zimbabwe to the other and back again, but would have no desire to cruise the tar road thru Caprivi unless I was heading to the Falls then onward into Zim or down to Bots.

A bit of a haul, but maybe you could spend a night at a lodge, drive to the falls, and then back, but might be too much driving.

Perhaps my memory is a bit harsh, and as Steve says those that frequent the area will have more current and precise info, and possibly a different perspective.

Hmm, well . . . it's either that or spend that additional day in Etosha. As it is we are due to spend two whole days and nights in Etosha, but a third day may not be a bad thing. May even look into taking a flight on a Russian bi-plane (the largest in the world, apparently). THAT would be neat to fly over Etosha.

I guess I'm different than most people, but what anyone who isn't a wildlife photographer and is a hunter can do for more than 2 WHOLE days in Etosha amazes me.....I was tired of it in 6 hours.

The Caprivi is a pretty good haul from Etosha if you only have a single day. The Mahongo Game Park is in the western end however, and we saw tons of wildlife there including sable and buffalo.

The Caprivi is more for hunting than sight seeing, IMHO.

Although we did stay in a great little chalet on the Zambezi, right outside Katima.



Here is the main house.



The Zambezi. Kayaking among the crocs and hippos was available.



The paved roads in the Caprivi are quite good.



There just aren't that many of them. Plenty of shops, etc.



But this is why you go to the Caprivi; this and only this.

I have done the length of the Caprivi three times. The first time was east to west on an Intercape-Mainliner bus. We paused in Katima Malilo and I thought it looked pretty interesting. Very "real Africa" with a mix of dark black Blacks, many Bushman, a few Whites, and quite a few people of mixed blood. We also saw Elephants on the road towards the eastern portion of the caprivi.

My other two trips have been in a large local bus, and in an 18 wheeler. Both trips were fun, but it is a long drive. We spent several days in Katima. It is the type of place that does not look like much at first glance, but there is a lot there, including good craft shops/markets and a couple of nice supermarkets.

If you want to get away from Etosha(three days sounds a bit long), Rundu is an interesting town. My wife and I stayed at a little bed and breakfast. It was very nice with private chalets overlooking the Okavongo river. We only meant to stay a day but we could not tear ourselves away, and stayed four days. We rented the lodge's kayak and spent two unforgetable days exploring the river. We even snuck over to Angola and made some friends. It was amazing....

I would not plan a Caprivi side trip unless you had a week to travel. The park areas are nice and worth seeing.( If you have the choice stay inside the parks) Like Bill said you will drive thou hundreds of miles of "Real " Africa!

If you want to tiger fish, Do your research! Most of the good fishing is durning low warter on the Zambezi. Be warned! There are a lot of horrible fishing guides services selling fishing trips. Most offer a modern day version of the African Queen fish experience! (Broken rods, reels, little to no line and two or three lures to use) One of the boats I fished on two years ago had a broken tiller handle. To fix it they ducked taped a two foot section of sewer pipe!

Driving from Etosha to Rundu is a 5 hour drive and then to Katima is another 7 hours or so. You need a week not one day. Just stay in Etosha.

Book for a more day in Etosha, at Halali resort.
When there prepare a bag with pillows for you and your 50% (aka wife ), water, fruit, hats, cigars and cigarettes (if you smoke)bino, cameras, batteries and anything can help you in beeing comfortable at the waterhole for long time. Then go there choose a comfortable place and wait. It will take only a very little time and the African Animals Show begins. Spend also some time at the waterhole during the night; more over around one o'clock AM, when more or less all the people has gone to sleep.
You will enjoy the choice.

I can give you some feedback in late September as we'll be heading in that direction once we leave Etosha. I think most here are correct however. It looks as if we might be spending some time at Mahangu. Other than that, I don't one can expect much between Etosha and Katima.

You may want to consider arranging to spend you extra day at Waterberg on your way up or back.

Thanks, guys - looks like we'll be staying an extra day at Etosha. If we get bored with it, I'm sure we'll find other "pursuits" to occupy our time - even after 20 years of marriage, I can't say "No" to the wife when she gets "that look" in her eye. Pity me, seriously.