Wild Africa At Its Best
The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) is the meeting place of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations and convergence of five international borders namely; Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Angola. As such, it offers a great diversity of attractions and incredible attributes. Find out more about what to expect when you visit this treasure trove of wild places located in the Okavango and Zambezi river basins.
Gorgeous Landscapes as Far as the Eye can See
Pristine, seemingly endless savannahs dominate the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, providing the ideal habitat for Africa’s most well-known creatures. These glorious grasslands rustle ever onward toward lush forests and dense woodlands, rustling with creatures of the land and air.
The magnificent, world-renowned Victoria Falls offers a wealth of activities, breath-taking scenes, and exceptional experiences along the mighty Zambezi River, lifeblood of the Kariba and Cahora Basa Dam. Other notable water features include Ngonye Falls and Chavuma Falls in Zambia.
The Zambezi powers through Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique toward the Indian Ocean from its source in Zambia’s Miombo Woodlands wetland. Along the way, this vital artery provides sustenance, transport, and enjoyment to man and beast, brushing against the Lower Zambezi National Park and Mana Pools National Park.
Another highlight of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is the Okavango Delta, which winds hither and thither across Botswana with nowhere to go. This internationally recognized wildlife destination is one of the most undisturbed wildlife areas in Africa, offering visitors exceptionally unspoiled wildlife experiences.
At Namibia’s north-eastern tip, the Caprivi is a wonderland of dense riverine forests bustling with animals and birds. This lush vista is in stark contrast to the arid Kalahari grasslands of Khaudum National Park and dry woodlands of Mangetti National Park as well as the salt pans of Nxai and Makgadikgadi.
Incredible Natural Diversity
With no fewer than 36 protected regions and dozens of national parks within its bounds, the area provides a snapshot of Africa’s most renowned species as well as lesser-known ones.
Over 3 000 species of plants exist in this vast conservation area, with 100 of them occurring nowhere else. These include types of sedge, grass, lilies, trees, shrubs, herbs, and succulents.
There is a massive diversity of birds scattered across the conservation area’s varied habitats. Of the 600 recorded avian species, 524 choose to breed within this Transfrontier area.
Overall, ornithologists have identified 12 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the KAZA TFCA. These include Lake Ngami, Batoka Gorge, Kafue and Hwange National parks and the Okavango swamps.
Some birds of interest include Livingstone’s flycatcher, African broadbill, yellow spotted nicator, and the Taita falcon.
Larger creatures include all the Big Five and several Red Data list species of vital global importance. The area is home to most of Africa’s elephants and the last viable numbers of wild dogs on Earth. Other endangered species include wattled crane, cheetah, and wild Nile crocodiles.
Safari-goers can look forward to spotting almost every mammal present on the continent including lion, lechwe, roan and sable antelope, wildebeest, waterbuck, puku, buffalo, and hippopotamus.
The primary purpose of the KAZA TFCA is to open up the historical migration routes of elephants to help restore the natural fluctuations of population control.
Reptiles and amphibians abound in these varied landscapes, with 58 types of amphibians and 128 different reptiles found in the arid grasslands, wetlands, riverside habitats, and broad-leaved woodlands.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some of the 300 species of colourful butterflies living in this part of the world.
Exciting Activities
Victoria Falls is well-known for its superb adrenalin offerings including bungee jumping, abseiling, power boating, aircraft flips, and white water rafting. You can also enjoy a dip in Devil’s Pool, hiking the Batoka Gorge, and river cruises in this area.
Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari, while the Okavango offers kayaking amongst the watery habitats of its inhabitants. You’ll find no shortage of nature walks, historic sites, and guided safari drives in the KAZA TFCA either.
Fishing for a tiger fish in the Zambezi River is a highlight for anglers from around the world, but you can also look forward to catching African pike, barbel, bream, upper Zambezi yellow fish, and tilapia.
Steps Toward Comprehensive Conservation
The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area represents one of Africa’s largest cooperative efforts to preserve the natural environment.
This area is also home to vast numbers of people, and the Peace Park aims to unite them in an effort to preserve the natural spaces within its reaches along the lines of Namibia’s concession model.
By involving the local population in conservation and helping them benefit from it the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is a huge step toward decreasing human-wildlife conflict and poaching.
When tourists visit this area, they contribute to the success of this initiative and help conserve the wildlife of the KAZA TCA and ensure the prosperity of those involved in it at grassroots level.
Start Your Journey to the KAZA TCA in Namibia
As one of Africa’s premier tourist points, Namibia is the perfect place to head off into the wilderness of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, enjoying many of the country’s top attractions along the way.
Remember, the best place to start any Namibian adventure is at Arebbusch Travel Lodge. Book your stay in Windhoek now and start planning the ultimate African adventure.
Please Note: The details shared herein were correct at the time of publishing. However, with time some of this information may change. We recommend confirming information with suppliers prior to making final travel arrangements. If you do happen to find an issue with any information we’ve shared here, please feel free to contact us so that we can make the relevant changes.
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