No signpost indicates the exact spot, but in northern Botswana near a place named Kazungula, four countries meet at the convergence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. This is the African Quadripoint, where Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia and Botswana all flow into one border. Technically, it’s just water, but this quirky confluence occurs nowhere else in the world.
The Kazungula Bridge Project will eventually join these notable points, but the only way to experience this confluence today is by boarding the Kazungula ferry across the Zambezi River. It’s a border crossing for the bold, requiring time, hustle and patience. Luckily, there is another, much easier way to reap the rewards from the proximity of these four extraordinary countries.
Cruise your way across watery wonderlands, spend two nights in every country and explore the only international quadripoint in existence starting with Namibia. Anyone can tackle this easy tarred road trip route on one tank of fuel in roughly a week.
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Namibia’s serene Zambezi Region
Previously named the Caprivi Strip, the Zambezi region is a narrow 500-kilometre-long finger of land that hovers between Botswana and Zambia. The Caprivi (as it’s still primarily known around there) is home to four different rivers, but the most magnificent has to be the broad Zambezi, which is where this epic journey begins.
Rights to Melanie Van Zyl
Today, tourism has returned to this eastern corner of the country, where the Zambezi flows strong and steady. Katima Mulilo is the Caprivi’s biggest town, scenically set up on the banks of the Zambezi offering a handful of charming accommodation options for tourists. However, regular day-to-day life is still evident on the river, where dugout canoes called mukoro are piloted by local fisherman after tasty river bream. Take their lead and book a fishing trip, this is home to some of Africa’s most exciting angling. Crocodiles and hippo skim the upper reaches of the water, too, but these creatures are a small sampling of the wildlife wonders still to come.
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Self-drive guide to the Zambezi Region
Stay here: To get to Zambezi Mubala Lodge, and for the ultimate aqua stay, you’ve got to board a boat. Spacious cabins face the Zambezi River and porthole-shaped windows, plus watercolour decor, reinforce the feeling that you’re floating on water. For those on a tighter budget, the more rustic, neighbouring tented camp, Zambezi Mubala Camp is equally charming.
Don’t miss: Tiger fishing with a professional guide. A predator fish, “tigers” are thrilling to fish (catch and release) for because they jump out of the water in spectacular displays and can be tough to fight.
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So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to discover and savour amazing moments in the Zambezi Region.
Writer: Melanie Van Zyl creates well researched, beautifully photographed travel pieces for both print and online platforms. She is based in Johannesburg and is a regular contributor to South Africa's oldest travel magazine, Getaway and platforms such as Culture Trip. Her proudest features are about South Africa's best night-sky destinations, how to see the best of Botswana in 10 days, Mauritius' foodie backstreets in Port Louis, camping my way through the Kruger National Park, 4x4ing across the Namib Desert, sailing by dhow across Mozambique's Bazaruto and tripping over elephants on a wild journey through the Zambezi Region in northern Namibia. She is also an Advanced Open Water PADI Diver, Accredited 4x4 Driver and Level 1 Field Guide and use these skills as a photographer and story-teller to share the thrill of adventure. So, please do enjoy the complete blog by clicking here: Explore Four African Countries in One Easy Road Trip.
Share with us in the comment section below what you look forward to experiencing in the Zambezi Region or if you have been before, why is it worth exploring.
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