Mahango Game Reserve

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 floodplains, and its long sightlines make it ideal for spotting animals. The rest of the park is made up of scrublands and woodlands, interspersed with waterholes.

Activities

Both guided and self-guided game drives 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 sundowner) 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.

• Weather & Climate – Bwabwata NP

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.

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Namibia
• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Want To Visit Mahango GR?

Mahango Safaris

• Mahango Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Mahango