Place to stay · Kongola
Namushasha River Lodge
Gondwana lodge of 24 rooms on the Kwando River, 24 km south of Kongola, with boat cruises, fishing and game drives into Bwabwata National Park.
Namushasha River Lodge sits on the bank of the Kwando River, 24 km south of Kongola on the C49 (D3501), in the Zambezi Region (the old Caprivi Strip). It belongs to the Gondwana Collection. It works as a stopover on the long road east to Katima Mulilo and Victoria Falls, and it gives easy reach into the eastern side of Bwabwata National Park across the water.
What to expect
There are 24 rooms: 20 twins, one triple and three family rooms, the family ones with two bedrooms sharing a bathroom. The rooms sit close to the river bank and have air-conditioning, mosquito nets and en-suite showers. The main building has a restaurant under a high thatched roof, a bar, a curio shop and a cold-water pool.
The game drive is the one to book. It starts with a short boat crossing and carries on in an open vehicle through Bwabwata, about three hours, leaving around 8am or 3pm. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, red lechwe, sable and roan all live in the park. There are also boat cruises on the Kwando (a short one of about an hour and a half, leaving around 8am or before sunset, and a three-hour afternoon trip) and guided catch-and-release fishing for tigerfish, nembwe, tilapia and catfish, and you can get a fishing licence at the lodge.
Practical details
- Gondwana reservations +264 61 427 200, alternate +264 83 370 7355.
- Check-in from 2pm, check-out by 10am.
- The lodge runs transfers from Mpacha Airport at Katima Mulilo, 120 km away.
Good to know
From September to December the river channels can get so low that boat trips are cut short or cancelled, so ask at check-in before you plan a day around them. This whole region is a malaria area. Bring prophylaxis and repellent, and use the nets.
Last updated 7 October 2026. Sources: Namushasha River Lodge, Gondwana Collection, Bwabwata National Park, Wikipedia, The Namibian Wetlands Route.