National park · Namibia
Bwabwata National Park
Enter Bwabwata for a day drive on the B8 (entry N$50) and a short walk to Popa Falls; for wildlife, stay 2‑3 days and drive sunrise‑dusk, avoiding night travel.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
6,274 km² (2,422 sq mi)2,422 sq mi (6,274 km²)
approximate
Established
2007
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
- Caprivi ↗The B8 is tarred and good. The C48 to Bagani is gravel but fine for a sedan. Wetland tracks east of Katima Mulilo need a 4x4 and can be impassable in the rains.
- Caprivi ↗Do not swim in any river: crocodiles and hippos. Stay in the car near elephants and keep 10–15 m.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 6,274 km² (2,422 sq mi)2,422 sq mi (6,274 km²)
- Park size is reported as 6,274 km² (≈2,422 sq mi) in official sources; minor variations exist in different publications (check).
- Established
- 2007
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Bwabwata National Park spans the whole Caprivi Strip, combining riverine forest, mopane woodland and savanna, with resident communities and a key wildlife migration corridor for elephants and other species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2007.
Size and age
6,274 km² (2,422 sq mi)2,422 sq mi (6,274 km²) · national park since 2007
Park size is reported as 6,274 km² (≈2,422 sq mi) in official sources; minor variations exist in different publications (check).
Why go
- Large unfenced park with resident communities and abundant wildlife.
- Key migration corridor for elephants and other game.
- Riverine forest, mopane woodland and open savanna landscapes.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, some roads flood.
- FebRain continues, limited visibility.
- MarRain eases, wildlife active.
- AprDrying, good road conditions.
- MayDry, wildlife congregates at water.
- JunDry, excellent game viewing.
- JulDry, peak elephant movement.
- AugDry, high wildlife activity.
- SepDry, good visibility.
- OctEnd of dry season, some rain.
- NovRain starts, roads may get muddy.
- DecRainy, road closures possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant migrationMay–Oct · Large herds move across the park during dry season. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| African buffalo, hippo, antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (wattled crane, African skimmer, etc.)Jul–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Rundu
Drive east on B8 (Trans‑Caprivi Highway) 70 km (43 mi) to the park gate.Drive east on B8 (Trans‑Caprivi Highway) 43 mi (70 km) to the park gate.
≈1 h
Open the page →
From Katima Mulilo
Drive west on B8 120 km (75 mi) to the gate.Drive west on B8 75 mi (120 km) to the gate.
≈1.5 h
Open the page →
From Windhoek
Fly to Rundu (≈1 h) then follow B8.
≈3 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Divundu gate | Main entrance, visitor office, vehicle parking. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Mahango area | Riverine forest, birding trails, community campsites. | Access via B8; guided walks recommended. |
| Popa Falls | Waterfall and short hike, picnic site. | Reachable by road; no special permit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central park locations.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per vehicle) | NAD 50 | vehicle | Check at gate for exact rate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Night driving
- Avoid driving after dark; wildlife crossing risk high.
- Off‑road camping
- Only allowed at community‑run campsites; elsewhere prohibited.
- Fires
- Open fires not permitted; use designated grills.
- Speed limit
- 120 km/h (75 mph) on B8; respect limits to protect wildlife.75 mph (120 km/h) on B8; respect limits to protect wildlife.
Where to stay
Near the park
Divundu Guest House
Basic rooms, restaurant, 5 km (3.1 mi) from gate.Basic rooms, restaurant, 3.1 mi (5 km) from gate.
Near the park
Popa Falls Resort
Lodge with pool, close to waterfall.
In the park
Community campsites (Nǁgoabaca, Nambwa, Bum Hill)
Simple bush camps, support local conservancies.
Safety
Road‑kill accidents high
Heat and dehydration medium
Seasonal floods medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate and Popa Falls reachable by standard 4WD; trails are unpaved and uneven.
Visiting lightly
- Stay at community‑run campsites; fees go to local conservancies.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry out litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bwabwata National Park?
Entry is N$50 per vehicle at the gate; confirm the exact rate on arrival.
What are the best hikes in Bwabwata National Park?
Popa Falls walk (easy, 2 h) and Mahango River birding trails (moderate, half‑day) are popular; longer drives on the B8 give wildlife viewing.
When is the best time to visit Bwabwata National Park?
Dry season May to October offers good roads and high wildlife activity; July‑November is peak for elephant movements and birding.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed at three community‑run campsites; other areas require a lodge stay.
Is night driving allowed?
It is strongly discouraged due to wildlife crossing risk; plan travel for daylight hours.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bwabwata National Park
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