Travel Adviser : Houseboat Safaris along the Caprivi Strip

How to get there
Air Namibia has daily flights to Windhoek International Airport from OR Tambo in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (about R4 000 return, including SA airport tax). From Windhoek Eros Airport, the carrier has a flight every Monday to Mpacha Airport in Katima Mulilo (leaving Windhoek at 07h00 and arriving in Mpacha at 09h40). On Monday and Thursday, Air Namibia flies from Mpacha at 16h00 and arrives in Windhoek (Eros) at 18h40. The flight costs about R4 328 return, including airport tax.

Tel 021-422-3224, e-mail capetown.reservations@airnamibia.aero or 011-978-5055, e-mail johannesburg.reservations@airnamibia.aero, web http://www.airnamibia.com.na.

When to go
Game viewing is at its best in the dry season from May to August. It can be quite chilly in the early mornings and the evenings, but temperatures reach about 26C to 28C in the day. Fishing is possible all year round, but August to December is the best time to catch tigerfi sh. Although it’s right in the middle of the rainy season, the best time for birding is between November and April. In December and January, the migrants are present and many species are hatching.

Who to contact
Getaway‘s trip was organised by Flame of Africa, which can tailor holiday packages to meet your needs. A similar package to the one featured here, based on two adults self-driving in a 4×4, would cost about R8 185 a person sharing (includes accommodation in Camp Kwando’s luxury treehouses, a river cruise and game drive, camping equipment, guide with a 4×4 and game drives in Bwabwata National Park, plus two night’s DB&B at Caprivi River Safaris, two eight-hour trips on Caprivi Houseboat Safaris with a picnic lunch and fuel).

Tel 031-762-2424, e-mail getaway@flameofafrica.com, web http://www.flameofafrica.com.

Tutwa Tours runs a Caprivi-based information centre and organises safaris, be they camping or lodge based. They also offer transfers and day trips to the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia and Chobe National Park in Botswana. Prices vary according to itinerary and duration.

Tel +264-66-252-739, cell +264-81-124-6696, e-mail tutwa@mweb.com.na or sharpe@iafrica.com.na, web http://www.tutwa.com.

Where to stay

$ to $$$$$ Camp Kwando has beautifully situated tented chalets (R550 a person a night sharing DB&B) or luxury tree houses (R890 a person sharing DB&B) overlooking the Kwando River. There’s also a grassy campsite with swimming pool and good ablution block for R70 a person a night (selfcatering). The camp organises a range of activities, from game drives (R210 a person) to boat cruises (from R190 a person) and fishing tours (R800 for the boat, max four people). Web http://www.campkwando.com.

$$$ to $$$$ Caprivi River Safaris offers comfortable reed-and-thatch chalets overlooking the Zambezi. Stay here before you start your voyage with Caprivi Houseboat Safaris, run by the same company. Chalets start from R350 a person a night sharing to R580 DB&B. The rate for children is from R140 to R230 a night DB&B. Caprivi Houseboat Safaris tailors trips according to your needs. As a rough guide, the boat (sleeps five) is R1 800 a day, excluding fuel. Trips can be self-catered or assisted catered, which means the company will provide the food, but you prepare it. Web http://www.caprivihouseboatsafaris.com.

$ Nambwa Camp is a well-run community campsite in the horseshoe bend area of the Bwabwata National Park, reached by 4×4. The ablution block is rustic but spotless and the water is heated by solar panels. Get there via the park entrance (R10 for Namibians, R30 for South Africans and R40 for everyone else, plus R10 a vehicle). Camping is R70 a person a night and R35 for children under 10. Tel +264-81-315-2732 or contact the Namibia Community Based Tourism Assistance Trust (Nacobta) booking office tel +264-61-250-558, e-mail office@nacobta.com.na.

$ Bumhill Camp is another well-run community campsite built on ecological principles and features some luxury treehouse-type decks on which you can pitch your tent. It’s closer to the road than Nambwa and less popular as a result, but is accessible for ordinary vehicles – however, inside Bwabwata National Park, you’ll need a 4×4. Access, costs and contacts are the same as Nambwa.