Measuring a massive 2,422 square miles in area, the Bwabwata National Park is bordered by the Okavango River to the west and Kwando River to the east where water lilies abound.
The Bwabwata National Park park was first proclaimed as the Caprivi Game Reserve in 1966 and upgraded to the Caprivi Game Park in 1968. It was gazetted as the Bwabwata National Park in 2007 and incorporated the former Mahango Game Reserve. The park has had a chequered history as it was declared a military area by the South African Defence Force during Namibia’s war of liberation. It was not until after Independence in 1990 that the park could be properly run as a conservation area.
There are now large concentrations of elephant and buffalo, as well as sable and roan antelope. Predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena can also be found here. The Bwabwata National Park is one of the last refuges of the wild dog in Namibia. Common reedbuck, red lechwe, sitatunga and hippo can be seen along the rivers. Birds that are found in the Bwabwata National Park include Wattled Crane, African Skimmer Western-banded Snake Eagle, Wood Owl, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Narina Trogon, Cape Parrot, and both Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers.
If you would like more information about visiting the Bwabwata National Park, please call Visit Namibia at +264 61 290 6000 or email at info@visitnamibia.com.na