Visit Impalila Island, The Caprivi Strip
About 12 kilometres in length and 6 kilometres in width, Impalila Island lies in the middle of the Zambezi River. It is dotted with small villages and is a good place to see a variety of game and birdlife.
Impalila Island
The Caprivi Strip, Namibia
Impalila Island lies in the middle of the Zambezi River, about 25 minutes from the confluence with the Chobe River.
About 12 kilometres in length and 6 kilometres in width, it is one of the largest islands in the area.
Local culture
The island is inhabited and there are many small fishing and farming villages complete with schools, churches and tiny shops. As many people come to the island from Botswana there is a small immigration office in a hut on the south side of the island.
Climb a baobab tree
The island interior is forested with baobabs, waterfigs, knobthorne, mopane, pod mahogany and star chestnut trees. On the river banks you find jackalberries and the Chobe waterberry tree. In the middle of the island there is a particularly old and large baobab tree which is possible to climb (however, this is extremely dangerous as the 'ladder' consists of nails sticking out of the tree trunk and there are no safety ropes – it is entirely at your own risk). If you make it to the top you can see the point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia meet.
Wildlife of Impalila Island
Surrounding the island, the area is similar to that found in the northern part of the Okavango Delta where deep water channels are lined with papyrus and there are quiet lagoons covered in waterlilies. While elephants and buffalo are sometimes seen near and on the island, they are more commonly seen beside the Chobe River. Hippo and crocodile can be seen in the waters and there is a spectacular birdlife. African skimmers nest on the exposed sandbanks and reed cormorants dry their wings on the papyrus while various kingfishers hover about the water to find food.
Other places within The Caprivi Strip
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- At the eastern end of the Caprivi Strip the Chobe River forms the border between Namibia and Botswana. The area is renowned for its diverse and prolific wildlife; a boat trip on the river is the best way to see it.
- -17.796092692397
- 25.2201461791992
View place- {C61B8558-E9B9-474E-A32B-F63172F00E56}
- Katima Mulilo is the major centre in the Caprivi region and situated on the banks of the Zambezi River. There is a good local arts centre, and it's also ideal for boat trips along this stretch of the river.
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View place- {23F9F485-8581-459D-8105-C5462326C0C8}
- Mudumu and Mamili National Parks contain the same animal species and you are likely to encounter elephant, buffalo, roan antelope, kudu, impala and Burchell's zebra. Both parks are also excellent for birdwatching.
- -18.3206331158665
- 23.5711669921875
View place- {C7B72B67-72B8-43F1-8434-01F14A88D015}
- The edges of Mahangu Game Reserve, serves as a border between Botswana and Namibia. This area, with the Okavango River running through it, is good for game as well as spectacular birdlife.
- -18.2293513383867
- 21.6897583007813
View place- {01053CEE-E5D4-45F7-BF14-31F92ED1ACD7}
- Close to the Popa Falls and the Mahangu Game Reserve, the town of Rundu is located on the banks of the Okavango River. It is situated in Kavango, the home of Namibia's well-known Kavango woodcarvers.
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Impalila Island
View place- {0D784CDB-D649-480F-984D-5330203D4FB6}
- About 12 kilometres in length and 6 kilometres in width, Impalila Island lies in the middle of the Zambezi River. It is dotted with small villages and is a good place to see a variety of game and birdlife.
- -17.7517112054928
- 25.1688623428345
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