Epupa's flora and fauna are representative of the ecosystem found in the palm-forest which lines the river for most of its length.

Hippos have been exterminated from this section of the river, though crocodiles are still common (bathing is only safe immediately beside the Falls) and small mammals are common in the palm-forest. There are no large wild mammals commonly seen around here
Ornithologists will find a fascinating variety of birds, including the inevitable fish eagles, various bee-eaters, kingfishers ranging from the giant to the tiny malachite kingfisher, louries, bulbuls and hornbills, as well as rollers (purple, lilac breasted and European), golden and lesser masked weavers, scarlet-breasted sunbirds, and perhaps the odd, lost, great white eagret. The rufus-faced palm thrush also occurs, though is very rare: this riverine palm-forest is typical of its highly restricted habitat.

Easier to see is a breeding colony of rosy-faced lovebirds, living amongst the trees in a nearby valley, and the fearless pair of paradise flycatchers that were nesting at eye-level just above my tent.