CAPRIVI: OKAVANGO RIVER
Mobola Lodge
About 30 km north-east of Divundu. Self-catering bungalow (sleeps 2 – 6) from R500 p.p. sharing if you book for two nights or more. One night: R550 p.p. sharing. Camping: R100 p.p. sharing (free for children younger than 4). Mobola has a cool bar on an island in the Okavango. (Don’t worry about the hippos, they’ve built a suspension bridge to the bar.) A boat cruise costs R170 p.p. and an angling outing R300 per hour, maximum three people. There’s no card machine – pay upfront or bring cash in a sock. GPS: S17.99130 E21.33048 Contact: 00 264 81 230 3281 (Maya/Alexander); mobolalodge.com 85 Popa Falls The campsite has 10 stands with power. Camping R130 per stand plus R150 p.p. Double room from R1 030 p.p. sharing (B&B). Rates to increase in July 2017. Be on the lookout for hippos – especially at night. River cruise from R275 p.p. GPS: S18.12178 E21.58316
Contact: 021 422 3761; ct.bookings@nwr.com.na 86 Shametu River Lodge This place is just downstream from Popa Falls. Stay in a standard or luxury chalet, or a luxury safari tent. Rates from R850 per adult sharing (DB&B); R435 per child aged 3 – 12, free for toddlers. GPS: S18.11690 E21.58827
Contact: 00 264 81 129 6133 (Mariëtta); shameturiverlodge.com 87 Nunda River Lodge The lodge is 8,5 km south of Divundu. The campsite has nine stands with power. Camping R125 p.p. En suite safari tents from R1 398 p.p. sharing (B&B) or R1 856 p.p. sharing (DB&B). Bungalows from R1 598 p.p. sharing (B&B) or R3 054 p.p. sharing (DB&B). Dinner R247 p.p. Go on a boat cruise and watch game in the nearby Mahango and Bwabwata national parks. GPS: S18.10547 E21.59431
Contact: 00 264 81 310 1730; 00 264 66 259 093 (Eugenie); nundaonline.com 88 Ngepi Camp On the western bank of the Okavango River, 16 km south of Divundu. You’ll find many great campsites and lodges here, but Ngepi remains our favourite. Almost all of the stands are on the riverbank. Ngepi is known for its crocodileproof swimming pool in the river, and for its creative bathrooms. You can arrange a mokoro cruise (R200 p.p.) or a sunset cruise (R200 p.p.), or just stay in camp and look for birds. Camping R150 p.p. (with power). Bush cabin R830 p.p. sharing (B&B); tree house R950 p.p. sharing (B&B). GPS: S18.11686 E21.67027 Contact: 00 264 66 259 903 (Robert); ngepicamp.com 89 Ndhovu Safari Lodge One big campsite (max 10 people) with power, 19 km south of Divundu. Camping R160 p.p. Campers are welcome to have breakfast (R95 p.p.) and dinner (R230 p.p.) at the lodge. Luxury safari tents from R1 360 p.p. sharing (DB&B). Discounts for children. They offer houseboat safaris on the Okavango River – enquire. Go on a sunset cruise (R260 p.p.) and view game in Mahango (4x2). GPS: S18.13596 E21.67877 Contact: 00 264 61 224 712 (Yolandi); ndhovu.com 90 Mahangu Safari Lodge Situated 19 km south of Divundu. The campsite has seven stands, all with power. Camping R140 p.p. Special rates for SADC residents: rooms R785 p.p. sharing (with dinner and breakfast). There is a restaurant and a swimming pool. Fishing outings and game drives are available. GPS: S18.13841 E21.68066
Contact: 00 264 66 259 037 ( Walter); mahangulodge@iway. na; www.mahangu.com.na