The Caprivi is a wetland and a green oasis of Namibia on the banks of the mighty Okavango. If you’re going to camp here, this is where you want to camp on the western side. Not only are you close to Popa Falls with great views, your campsite is all grass with your own ablutions and you can make use of the lodge facilities. Score.
The lure here is that your campsite is shaded, it’s neat and tidy, private and you have everything you need including electricity and your own private kitchenette which is thatched for extra coverage in rainy season (December through March) and to shelter you from the heat.
Explore the river. Go on game drives. There’s loads to do here and even just relaxing river side is an option. Take out your camp chair. There under a tree. Now for a cold drink. Splendid. If you’re heading to the nearby parks for game viewing, be on the lookout for Chobe bush buck, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and even African wild dog.
If you’re here for the birds. There are plenty of them. So many in fact, you’ll be bewildered by all of them. From wetland birds to seasonal rarities. Wattled cranes, African skimmer, western banded snake-eagle, narina trogon and so many more.
Check in. Set up camp. Explore and relax.
Use of lodge facilities:
Explore the Okavango River. Shametu is just 600 metres from the Popa Falls rapids. The Kavango is the fourth largest river system in southern Africa and it’s at the Popa Falls rapids that it drops four metres before continuing to the Okavango Delta. Visible in low water season.
Take a mokoro (a fibre glass one not a traditional dugout canoe) or boat trip to the Popa Falls. A seasonal activity that can only be booked at certain water levels and therefore can only be booked directly at the lodge.
Sundowners on the river are some of the best you’ll ever experience. Go on a boat cruise. Great for birding and to simply enjoy and relax as you glide gently long the river.
Go on game drives in the Mahango Game Park. It’s only a 15 minute drive from the lodge or go further east to the Bwabwata National Park. There are drives departing daily.
Try your hand at fishing. Another way to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere on the water. Fish from the riverbanks or from a boat. A chance to catch tiger fish, tilapia and catfish or simply enjoy floating down the river. If you don’t catch any fish, you’ll certainly catch a tan.
*You can book all your activities at the Shametu River Lodge reception
