Namibia Travel Guide
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Popa Falls
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Namibia Travel Guide

Popa Falls



2WD. Entrance fees: N$10 per person plus N$10 per vehicle.
Popa Falls is a simple government restcamp next to some rapids in the Okavango River, which are pretty rather than spectacular. They mark where the river drops 2.5m over a rocky section, caused by a geological fault. After passing over this, the Okavango begins gradually to spread out across the Kalahari's sands until eventually, in Botswana, it forms its remarkable inland delta.

Getting there


The falls and the restcamp are right on the Okavango's western bank, south of the Divundu Bridge, near Bagani. Simply take the road signposted to Botswana which leaves the main B8 just west of the Caprivi Game Park, and the restcamp is on the left after about 3.5km. It is immediately beside the road. The only petrol in the area is found near here, on the left just after the turn-off from the B8 to Popa.

What to see and do


The camp's area by the riverside is thickly vegetated with tall riverine trees and lush green shrubs, which encourage waterbirds and a variety of small reptiles. Footbridges have been built between some of the islands, and it's worth spending a morning island hopping among the rushing channels, or walking upstream a little where there's a good view of the river before it plunges over the rapids. In a few hours you can see all of this tiny reserve, and have a good chance of spotting a leguvaan (water monitor), a snake or two, and many different frogs. The various birds include cormorants with a captivating technique of underwater fishing.

Note that Popa's gates usually open at sunrise and close at sunset, so don't get here after dark or you'll have to sleep somewhere else.


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