Mahango Game Reserve is like a concentrated version of Bwabwata National Park (to which Mahango belongs). It has much the same wildlife, similar scenery and even fewer visitors, which creates a quiet and exclusive safari experience. Seeing wildlife can be unpredictable, but it’s a compact reserve, and you can explore further into Bwabwata if nothing is happening in Mahango.
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Best Time To Go
- May to September (Dry conditions; best for wildlife)
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High Season
- July to October (Rarely crowded)
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Size
- 245km² / 95mi²
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Altitude
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900-1,100m /2,953-3,609ft
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Pros & Cons
- Compact reserve with good trails
- Generally good for elephant sightings
- Never crowded
- Few accommodations to choose from
- Wildlife sightings can be unpredictable
Wildlife
Elephants are the main attraction in Mahango, but you may also encounter zebra, giraffe, impala, hippo and crocodile. African wild dogs and all three big cats are present, but they are difficult to see. Mahango is one of the few places in Namibia where you can spot buffalo. And with more than 300 bird species recorded, Mahango remarkably has almost two-thirds of Namibia’s bird species.
Scenery
Mahango looks a little like Botswana’s Okavango Delta, though with lower wildlife densities. More than half of the reserve consists of open grasslands, often in the form of swamps and , and its long sightlines make it ideal for spotting animals. The rest of the park is made up of scrublands and woodlands, interspersed with .
Activities
Both guided and self-guided are allowed inside Mahango, and driving around looking for birds and other wildlife is the main activity here. Boat excursions (usually to go fishing or for a ) might also be possible and can be arranged through your accommodations.
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Mahango is similar to that of Bwabwata National Park. For more information, see the ‘Weather & Climate – Bwabwata NP’ link below.
Best Time To Visit
Mahango is best visited during the months from May to September, which fall during the Dry season (May to October). At this time of year, animals stay close to water and vegetation is thinner, making wildlife easier to spot. During the Wet season (November to April), some 4WD trails can become impassable. However, these are the best months for birding, with lots of migrant species present.
Getting There
Mahango Game Reserve is around 900km/560mi northeast of the capital, Windhoek, and accessible off the Trans-Caprivi Highway (B8). Mahango is actually closer to northern Botswana than it is to much of Namibia. Some travelers fly into the Botswanan towns of Maun or Kasane and combine a visit here with the Okavango Delta and/or Chobe National Park. However, few organized tours visit Mahango.
Health & Safety
Please read our malaria and vaccinations page for Namibia, and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below for more information.