Luxury Travel in Zambezi Region made for you
Boating Safaris
Explore wetlands by boat or traditional mokoro canoe
Elephant Migrations
Glimpse elephants move between river systems
Exceptional Birding
Look for a vast array of some 430 recorded bird species
Buffalo Spotting
See some of Nambia's only buffalo herds on a game drive
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.
Highlights
Glide through reed-lined channels on a mokoro safari in Nkasa Rupara National Park
Take a boating safari along the Kwando and Linyanti river systems in search of elephants, hippos and crocodiles
Spot red lechwe, sitatunga and large buffalo herds across the region’s floodplains
Join a guided walking safari to track wildlife and learn about the ecology of the KAZA conservation landscape
Search for Pel’s fishing owls, wattled cranes and hundreds of other bird species in one of Namibia’s premier birding destinations
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
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:
Why book with Jacada?
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.
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.
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
Places to combine the Zambezi Region with
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
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.
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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
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.
Discover moreMeet your Africa team
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
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.
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.
