Mudumu National Park
Overview
Namibia Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the 'Botswana & Namibia' guide.
Mudumu is a great travel destination for adventurous safari-goers in the Zambezi Region. The park has suffered from heavy poaching but is recovering slowly. Wildlife densities are still low, but a good variety of resident and migrating animals make a visit worthwhile. Expect to see good herds of elephant and buffalo as well as a variety of antelope. Self-drive visitors need to be well-prepared.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
There are good numbers of buffalo and elephant in the park. Of the big cats, lion is most often encountered, but still rare. Several species have been re-introduced, including giraffe, eland and the majestic sable antelope. The wet environment is also a stronghold for the water-adapted antelopes, sitatunga and red lechwe.
Scenery
The park has a mix of wetland and woodland. Papyrus swamps are a specialized habitat for many species and the floodplain is where you’ll see the big herds. Sausage trees, leadwood, figs and teak are just some of the trees decorating the landscape.
Weather & Climate
Summer in Mudumu runs from November to April, while winter extends from May through October. Wet weather rarely restricts activities here, even in the higher-rainfall months of summer, although the heat of September and October can have an impact. The warm, dry days of winter are best for exploration.
Best Time To Visit
The drier months of June through September see animals congregate at permanent waterholes, making the most of the reliable water supply. You’ll pay high-season prices to see them, but without the hassle of the big crowds you might encounter at other parks. In the wetter months, the remaining animals tend to disappear into the thick vegetation.
