Divundu
The gateway to Popa Falls, Mahango and Bwabwata National Park, at the western edge of the Zambezi Region.
Divundu is a small settlement on the Kavango River that serves as the gateway to Popa Falls, the Mahango Core Area and Bwabwata National Park, at the western end of the Zambezi Region’s Caprivi Strip. For most travellers it is a practical stop and access point rather than a destination in itself.
Divundu at a glance
Geographic setting and history
Divundu sits on the Kavango River at the point where the tarred B8 highway crosses into what was historically known as the Caprivi Strip, now part of the Zambezi Region. The surrounding area includes riverine forest, floodplains and the beginning of the wildlife-rich Bwabwata National Park, which stretches east along the Kavango and Kwando rivers. The Kavango River has long supported settled communities practising fishing, flood-recession agriculture and cattle-keeping. Divundu’s role as a crossing point grew during the twentieth century, and the wider Caprivi Strip’s unusual, narrow shape reflects colonial-era boundary agreements between Germany and Britain rather than any local logic.
Present-day character and why visit
Today Divundu is a modest settlement with basic services, functioning mainly as a supply stop and access point for the surrounding parks and river lodges rather than a destination with its own attractions. Travellers come to the Divundu area primarily for Popa Falls’ river rapids, wildlife viewing in the Mahango Core Area and Bwabwata National Park, and river-based activities such as boat trips and birdwatching along the Kavango.
Main sights and experiences
Popa Falls are, more accurately, a series of rapids rather than a dramatic waterfall, a pleasant scenic stop where the Kavango River tumbles over a wide rocky ledge. Elephant and other wildlife are present in the Mahango Core Area and Bwabwata National Park, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Photo: Hp.Baumeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Accommodation, food, fuel and supplies
Several lodges and campsites are located along the Kavango River near Divundu, many offering river frontage and boat-based activities as part of the stay. Divundu has basic fuel and supply options; more comprehensive shopping is available in Rundu for those travelling from the west.
Where to stay around Divundu
Divundu is the base for Popa Falls, Mahango and the western Bwabwata gate, and almost all of its accommodation sits on the Okavango riverbank within a few kilometres of the bridge. These three span the range.
Places to stay near Divundu
Divundu Guest House
Divundu Guest House sits directly on the Kavango River at the B8 highway bridge crossing, with simple…
Price Guide: N$1,050
View Property DetailsShametu River Lodge
Shametu River Lodge sits on the banks of the Okavango River at Divundu in the Kavango East region of north-eastern…
Price Guide: N$3,900–N$4,200
View Property DetailsDivava Okavango
Divava Okavango is a riverside lodge and spa near Popa Falls in the Mahango region of Bwabwata National Park, with…
Price Guide: N$7,452
View Property Details
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How to get there and best time to visit
Divundu is reached via the tarred B8 highway, roughly two hours east of Rundu, and continues east towards Kongola and the wider Zambezi Region. A private vehicle is needed to reach Popa Falls, the Mahango Core Area and lodges along the river; some park roads benefit from higher clearance, particularly in the wet season. The dry season from roughly May to October generally offers easier wildlife viewing as animals concentrate near the river, while the river itself carries more water after the rains. One to two nights allow time for a Mahango Core Area game drive and a stop at Popa Falls.
Divundu is also the turn-off for Botswana. The C48 runs about 32 km south from the B8 through Bagani to the Mohembo border post on the Okavango, and from there it is a short run to Shakawe and the Okavango Panhandle. Mohembo is a small crossing that opens roughly 06:00 to 18:00, so it is a daytime-only option; the busier Trans-Kalahari crossing at Buitepos is the alternative if you are heading for central Botswana instead. Confirm current hours before you commit to the route.
Divundu is the gateway to the Mahango core area of Bwabwata National Park, whose river loops are among the best birding and elephant viewing in northern Namibia.
Nearby destinations
Kavango. The wider region Divundu belongs to.
Rundu. The region’s main town, around two hours west.
Kongola. The next settlement east, in the Zambezi Region.
Frequently asked questions
Is Popa Falls a large waterfall?
No, Popa Falls are river rapids rather than a dramatic waterfall; they are a pleasant scenic stop rather than a major cascade.
Can I see elephants near Divundu?
Elephant and other wildlife are present in the Mahango Core Area and Bwabwata National Park, though sightings are never guaranteed.
How far is Divundu from Rundu?
Roughly two hours by tarred road along the B8.
Last reviewed: 27 July 2026.
Planning a stop at Divundu?
See the wider Kavango region, build a self-drive route towards the Zambezi Region, or check the practical planning guides before you go.
Kavango hub Self-Drive Namibia guide Itineraries Travel PlanningWhere to stay near Divundu: Divundu itself has very limited lodging, so most visitors base themselves across the wider Kavango region along the river. Browse accommodation in the Kavango region for lodges and guesthouses convenient for this area.