- Address: East Caprivi - Namibia
- Phone: + 264 81 1477798
- Website: www.nkasalupalalodge.com
- Type: National Park
- Foundation date: 1990
- Total area: 320 square meters. km
National Park Nkasa Rupara is located in the north-eastern part of Namibia , in the Caprivi district. Its territory consists of two conditional islands - Nkasa and Rupara (Lupala), washed by the rivers Kwango and Linyanti. They are conditional because outside the rainy season they can be reached by land transport .
general information
Nkasa Rupara is a wetland area of 320 square meters. km. The status of the national park was given to him in 1990. Originally it was called Mamili (Mamili National Park), but in 2012 it was renamed the Namibian government in Nkasa Rupara.
The nature reserve, along with Namibia's conservation areas like Mangetti , Bwabwata, Mudumu and Haudum, is part of the NamParks project, designed to more effectively manage and protect the vast areas of the reserves.
Flora and fauna
The main territory of the reserve is covered with reeds, but in some parts of the park there are shrubs and trees, among which there are the following species: acacia nigrescens, acacia sieberiana, Albicia, Terminalia sericea and others.
The fauna of the park is very diverse, here you can meet such representatives of large mammals as:
- buffaloes - their livestock in this national park is the most numerous in Namibia and is about 1000 individuals;
- hippos - here they live about 600;
- crocodiles - their number reaches up to 500;
- other animals: leopards, lions, cheetahs, antelopes, etc .;
- birds - there are about 450 species of birds in the reserve, among them there are cuckoos, cranes, bustards, starlings.
Fun in the national park
The most important and most popular activity in these places, of course, is a safari . Guests of the Nkasa Rupara National Park can enjoy the following types of safaris:
- car - it will not be superfluous to mention that when choosing this type of safari, it should be remembered that it is better to travel at least on 2 cars with high traffic, because If your vehicle is broken or stuck, outside help can be waited a very long time;
- walking - this safari is only accompanied by a special person who is well acquainted with the terrain (ranger). Travel requires good physical preparation;
- night - perfect for fans of all the unusual. Within the framework of this safari you can meet animals and birds that lead a nocturnal life;
- water and combined safaris, which includes a car and water trip in the daytime.
Where to stay?
Despite the huge territory of the park, there are very few accommodation options:
- Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge - a complex of tents, each of which has a bathroom. In the middle of the complex there are a bar, a dining room, a lounge, a storage room and an office. In the lodge there is electricity produced by solar panels, and hot water;
- campsites located on the island of Lupala.
Features of visit
Planning a safari in the national park Nkasa Rupara, you should consider some points:
- there is a need for food, water and fuel, as there are no shops and gas stations in the park;
- The best period for visiting the reserve is from November to March (drought season). But if you want, you can visit the park at any time of the year from 06:30 to 18:00.
How to get there?
From the capital of Namibia, Windhoek to the Nkasa Rupara National Park (Mamili) can be reached in the following ways:
- by plane - to the nearest airport , located in the city of Katima Mulilo . Flights are performed three times a week;
- car - from the airport Katima Mulilo or the nearest city of Kongola along the C49 route to a small settlement of Sangwali.