Namibia Travel Guide
Namibia Travel Guide
>
Kavango & Caprivi Strip
>
Kavango region
>
Excursions into Bots
>
Shakawe
>
Where to stay
>
>
Shakawe Lodge
>

Namibia Travel Guide

Shakawe Lodge



(10 bungalows) contact via Travel Wild in Maun; tel: +267 6860822/3; fax: +267 6860493; email: t.wild@info.bw
Shakawe Lodge (GPS: SKAKAL) has been known as the Shakawe Fishing Camp for decades. You'll find the turning to it on the main road about 5.5km north of the Somachima Veterinary Fence (GPS: VET-SA), and 12km south of the radio-mast in Shakawe Village.

The lodge stands on the bank of the Okavango River, a little less than 3km east of the main road. It was started as long ago as 1959; subsequently its present owners, Barry and Elaine Price, now very well-known local characters, took over the fishing camp in 1975. Now this offers ten large, thatched, brick bungalows. Each has a fan and mains power throughout, and an en-suite bathroom. All are carpeted, though very basic. There's a circular thatched boma, used as a bar/dining room, adjacent to a small lily-covered lagoon that's behind the splash pool.

Under shady trees on the river bank, a few metres south of the main lodge, is the campsite. This is a lovely, grassy site with simple ablutions and a few metal drums that act as braai stands for cooking.

Most visitors here come to fish, though birdwatching – through the riverside forest or from boats – is also popular. When Namibia's Caprivi is safe, the Mahango Game Reserve is within reach of a day-trip, though most visitors would opt to stay there as a separate destination.

Beside the bank at the lodge, look for the Okavango's only armoured boat. This is a relic of the Angolan war from the late 1970s. Apparently it was used by 32 Battalion of the South African forces, who were stationed in the Caprivi Strip, near the site where Ngepi Campsite is now. However, it broke loose and drifted south, and has been gentle rusting in Botswana ever since! Barry has some stories to tell you about this if you ask him.


^ Top of page