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    Elephants walking through wetlands in the Caprivi Strip

    Luxury Travel in Zambezi Region made for you

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    Bespoke tours to the Zambezi Region, planned for you

    Namibia's wild wetland safari destination

    The Zambezi Region offers a side to Namibia that some may not expect. Fed by the wider Kwando-Linyanti river system, this remote northeast corner of the country was formerly known as the Caprivi Strip and is a vast, sprawling floodplain.

    The waterways of this region are seasonally linked with the larger Okavango Delta to the south. Nearby, Victoria Falls, spanning Zimbabwe and Zambia, cascades into the Zambezi river, another lifesource for Namibia’s Linyanti Region. 

    A luxury Namibia safari will typically feature stops to observe epic red sand dunes and fascinating desert-adapted wildlife. The Zambezi region contrasts the desert landscapes beautifully with lush lagoons and riverine forests. It is one of the best places in Southern Africa for a wetlands safari, as wildlife are drawn to its water throughout the year.

    The region’s protected areas, including Nkasa Rupara National Park, form part of the vast Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), one of the world’s largest conservation landscapes. The wetlands support large elephant populations, mega-herds of buffalos and antelopes like red lechwe and sitatunga. It’s also rich with some 430 species of birdlife, including the rare Pel’s fishing owl and wattled crane.

    Your Zambezi Region safari can include activities rarely associated with the rest of Namibia. Explore reed-lined channels by a traditional wooden mokoro canoe, take a boat trip along the river’s hundreds of channels and lagoons, join a guided walking safari in areas of dry land and head out on a night drive to look for nocturnal wildlife after dark.

    Our travel designers use first-hand knowledge to create seamless journeys through the Caprivi Strip and wider Zambezi Region. They can advise on the best camps, seasonal wildlife movements and specialist interests such as birding, walking safaris and photography, while taking care of flights, transfers and logistics throughout your trip. 

    Contact our team to start planning a tailored journey through Namibia’s most wildlife-rich wetland region.

    From our experts

    Experiences picked by our destination specialists

    Travel on a traditional wooden canoe

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    Glide through reed-lined channels on a mokoro safari in Nkasa Rupara National Park.

    Sail through the wetlands

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    Take a boating safari along the Kwando and Linyanti river systems in search of elephants, hippos and crocodiles.

    Observe semi-aquatic antelopes

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    Spot red lechwe, sitatunga and large buffalo herds across the region’s floodplains.

    Look for animals on foot

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    Join a guided walking safari to track wildlife and learn about the ecology of the KAZA conservation landscape.

    See rare birdlife

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    Search for Pel’s fishing owls, wattled cranes and hundreds of other bird species in one of Namibia’s premier birding destinations.

    A word from one of our experts

    I love how different the Zambezi Region feels from the rest of Namibia. One morning you might be gliding through papyrus-lined channels in a canoe, and that afternoon watching elephants cross a floodplain from a boat on the Linyanti. It feels wonderfully remote, with wildlife encounters centred around the water rather than the dunes and deserts you travel through in other parts of the country.

    Emily Wallington headshot
    Emily Wallington

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Namibia

    There are many incredible places to stay in Namibia. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Etosha National Park

    Andersson's at Ongava
    Anderssons at Ongava offers an unforgettable Namibian safari experience imbued with Afro-Mediterranean elegance. This extraordinary lodge invites you to explore nature with unparalleled comfort and style. From the moment sunlight filters through the mopane bush, awakening the landscape, Anderssons promises a seamless blend of relaxation and adventure. The lodge’s nine suites serve as a harmonious extension of the surrounding environment. Constructed with natural stone and warm wood elements, each suite is a sanctuary of tranquility, featuring climate-controlled interiors and expansive glass frontages that frame the wilderness. Step onto your private viewing deck, where a sweeping 180-degree panorama immerses you in the sights and sounds of Ongava Game Reserve. Wildlife viewing becomes a part of your daily routine as the animals roam freely here, often within view of your suite. Central to the lodge is a bar and relaxation area that seamlessly integrates with the landscape, overlooking a vibrant waterhole. Here, you can gather in convivial surroundings, sipping cocktails while observing wildlife. Nearby, the Ongava Research Centre invites you to delve into the cutting-edge efforts that drive conservation and expands understanding of African ecology. Begin a day here with an early morning game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle. For a different perspective, venture into the underground photographic hide, where you can capture intimate moments of wildlife at eye level. Back at the lodge, the infinity-edge pool is a serene oasis that is perfect for cooling off under the African sun. Relax in the library, taking in the tranquil ambiance and panoramic waterhole views.
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    Why book with Jacada?

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    Safari expertise

    Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive hotels, camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.

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    Unforgettable guides

    We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife, wineries and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.

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    Positive impact

    By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.

    Trip Inspiration

    Get inspired with our Namibia example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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    An Awe-Inspiring Journey to Namibia and South Africa

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    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Zambezi Region tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Places to combine the Zambezi Region with

    Etosha National Park thumbnail

    Etosha National Park

    Known as the 'Place of Mirages', Etosha National Park's incredible landscapes range from vast savannahs to silver salt pans. Keep an eye out for herds of blue wildebeest and desert elephants.

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    Damaraland thumbnail

    Damaraland

    Damaraland is home to the open-air gallery of Twyfelfontein. Here, you will find thousands of ancient engravings made by the indigenous San people – making this UNESCO World Heritage Site a must-see in Namibia.

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    Sossusvlei

    With some of the most surreal landscapes on the planet, Sossusvlei is known for its rust-coloured ridges of sand and mosaics of cracked clay soil. It is located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is one of the oldest and driest ecosystems on the planet. Visit during the months of October to April to see the desert transform with bright desert flowers blanketing the dunes.

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    Swakopmund and Walvis Bay

    These two towns are located between the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast and are the ideal base to explore the natural wonders of the region. Adventure sports are some of the best things to do in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. Skydiving, dune boarding, quad biking and scenic balloon flights are some of the many incredible experiences waiting for you.

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    The NamibRand Reserve

    As one of the largest private reserves in Southern Africa, the NamibRand Reserve aims to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. Its vast vistas make for some incredible sunset views. The NamibRand Reserve also lies in one of the darkest regions on earth, making it one of the best places to go stargazing.

    Read more
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    Windhoek

    Namibia’s vibrant capital city, Windhoek is an interesting gateway to the rest of the country. The city is dotted with fascinating buildings that look like they belong in northern Europe. This is due to a legacy of German colonialism. Take a walking city tour to learn more about its dynamic history and rich culture.

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    Okonjima Nature Reserve thumbnail

    Okonjima Nature Reserve

    Enjoy unrivalled game viewing experiences at Okonjima Nature Reserve. It is arguably one of the best places to spot predators in Namibia. Head out on exhilarating game drives and nature trails to track Big Cats that have been rehabilitated by the AfriCat foundation.

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    When to visit the Zambezi Region

    The Zambezi Region can be visited year-round, but the experience changes dramatically with the seasons. The dry months from May to October bring cooler temperatures, receding floodwaters and excellent wildlife viewing as big game concentrate around permanent water sources. Birdwatchers may prefer the greener summer months, when migratory species arrive and the wetlands are at their most productive.

    Game Drives

    May–October

    Birding

    November–April

    Boating and Mokoro Safaris

    May–September

    The Best Time to Visit Namibia

    The Best Time to Visit Namibia

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    Plan your trip to the Zambezi Region

    Whatever you want from your adventure in the Zambezi Region, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Start Planning

    Don't take our word for it

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    Your trip, your story

    We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

    Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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