Visitors to the Eastern Caprivi Strip can now use a new base to explore Mamili National Park and Mudumu National Park. Situated only 400m from the entrance to Mamili NP is Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge, which opened in August 2011. It is located on the northern unfenced park border in the Wuparo Conservancy. Other notable destinations when planning a northern Namibian route are: Kongola 75km, Katima Mulilo 130km, Kasane 250km, Rundu 480km and Victoria Falls 320km.

Mamili National Park is wild! Perhaps that is why it is seldom visited. This adventurous watery wonderland of wildlife rich islands, river channels and wetlands, mirrors Botswana's Okavango Delta. Mamili holds the distinction of being the largest wetland area with conservation status in Namibia. In turn it protects flora and fauna living within a complex channel of reed beds, lakes and islands, that form the Linyanti swamps. The focal point of the 320km² national park are Nkasa and Lupala, two large islands in the Kwando/Linyati River systems, from which the tented lodge takes it's name.

The spacious and comfortable main lounge and dining area are built on an elevated wooden deck, providing breathtaking views across the papyrus floodplains and reedbed permeated channels. One of the lodge's main drawcards is that a large population of the park's wildlife roam freely around the unfenced lodge surroundings, through the floodplain, savannah and woodland habitat.

Other facilities include a swimming pool, laundry service, guest lounge and secure parking. Electricity and hot water are supplied throughout the camp by solar power. Transfers can also be arranged to the lodge.

Accommodation is in 10 tented units, all elevated on stilts. En-suite bathrooms, fans, mosquito nets, tea/coffee station and an in-room safe are standard. Each tent deck affords fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. They are in a combination of:

• 8 x Luxury tents.
• 1 x Honeymoon suite.
• 1 x Family tent.

A number of exciting and adventurous activities by vehicle, on foot or by boat can be arranged. All excursions are conducted by experienced and knowledgeable guides, in custom-made safari vehicles and appropriate boating equipment. Large herds of elephants and buffalo, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, impala, red lechwe, reedbuck and the elusive sitatunga can be observed. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded in the area including wattled cranes, rosy-throated longclaw, slaty egret, Meves' starling and the greater swamp warbler.

Children are welcome at Nkasa Lupala Tented Camp, although it is not recommended for smaller children due to the presence of wild animals in unfenced surroundings.

Accommodation in Namibia

Mokoro Trips

Wobbling around a croc infested river on a chunk of wood may not be everybody's cup of tea, but mokoro trips are the most exciting mode of transport to cruise the waterways. Your polar knows when and where to search, in the nooks and crannies of the Linyati Marshes.

Sundowner Boat Cruises

Have a few drinks with fellow travellers as the sun sets. This is the ideal way to end any day at Nkasa Lupala Tented Camp.

Guided walks

Another little-used way to game view, which can get you very close to wildlife without disturbing the behavioural patterns and routines of the animals.

Directions:

Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge is on the Mamili NP boundaries, 1km East from the Shisintze ranger station and park entrance and 11km South from Sangwali village. The lodge is in around 75km from Kongola (B8 road) and 130 from Katima Mulilo.

From Kongola and Katima Mulilo, follow the C49 road up to the junction to the Sangwali village (direction Mamili NP). The C49 road is a perfect and maintained gravel road from Kongola and mainly tarred from Katima Mulilo.

From Sangwali take the road to the Mamili NP. (4x4 is advised or call the lodge for pick-up, there is a safe parking for normal vehicles in Sangwali) Two new steel bridges where build in 2010 on the road to the Park. However the first bridge is still in wood but in perfect conditions.

Once arrived to the Shisintze ranger station on the road that is the Park boundary cutline, drive East for 1km and you are arrived to the Lodge.