28-Jan-2006 -- This most easterly confluence in Namibia would appear unique, lying within throwing distance of four other countries. The Caprivi is a great spot for wildlife, with the little visited national parks of Mudumu and Mamili in Namibia, cushioned by Chobe on the Botswana side and other nearby parks in neighboring Zambia and Zimbabwe. As a result, the Caprivi Strip is a well-used access corridor for animals migrating between these countries.

While camping in Mudumu NP, it was less than an hour’s drive to the nearest access point to the Confluence. Passing the currently washed-out and inaccessible Mamili NP, a good dirt road took me to within 2.68 km of the Confluence. Following the recent rains the bush is wild and overgrown, making off-piste walking a challenging accompaniment to the excitement of a potential wildlife encounter.

My recent purchase of a panga (machete) proved invaluable, not only offering the pretence of security to fend off any unwanted attention, but more importantly in hacking a path through the vegetation. While making slow progress towards the Confluence, my respect went out to the early explorers and what challenges and obstacles they had faced; what they would have given for the luxury of a GPS!

It took an hour and a half to reach the Confluence, which in keeping with the majority of the walk was in the middle of an Acacia bush. To try and show something of the area, the photos were taken with the camera held up over my head to try and see over the scrub.

The bird life was fantastic on the walk with the only sign of anything troublesome being fresh elephant spoor and a couple of unidentified and quickly fleeting snakes.

The C49 loop road off the B1 between Kongola and Katima Mulilo leads to the D3501 which takes you to within 2.68 of the Confluence.