Mahango Game Reserve
Mahango Game Reserve
4.5
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4.5
237 reviews
Excellent
113
Very good
96
Average
26
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Rc1
Folsom, CA456 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
Since we were staying at this end we decided to go for a self drive through this reserve. We got a map at the reception and she told us which part of the trails to avoid. There are only trails. We went on the one to the waterhole. All we saw were impalas, a couple zebras, an ostrich, and one warthog on the way. At the waterhole the impalas ran away as soon as we arrived. There were no other animals there. The drive on our 4x4 was somewhat challenging due to the amount of sand on multiple parts of the trail. We drove 10 km through that and hardly saw any animals. We went on the second trail, towards the river, and had to turn around as the path was full of rocks and we didn’t want to risk a puncture for the slight chance of seeing a few animals. We had already spent a few days in Etosha NP and had seen lot more animals there. The trails here are not suitable for 2 WD. The park really needs to invest in making the paths not so formidable.
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRS
Cradock, South Africa152 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This is a lovely small park. We enjoyed a slow pace through the park to mainly spot new birds. But due to the slow pace we got to see so many animals. We saw elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles,herds of antelope and sable, giraffes, monitors, mongoose, really good bird sightings, etc.
Take a slow pace here. You'll be done within 4 hours.
Take a slow pace here. You'll be done within 4 hours.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liesbeth k
Dordrecht, The Netherlands303 contributions
Sept 2022
It's an old and not very good taken care of park. Parts are not accessible anymore. The part on the river and swamp side is full of lovely birds and has still beautiful views.
It is not expensive and a nice park to visit.
When you visit Bwabwata National Park you can visit Mahango Core Area with the same entrance card
It is not expensive and a nice park to visit.
When you visit Bwabwata National Park you can visit Mahango Core Area with the same entrance card
Written 15 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katgreen
Madison, WI322 contributions
June 2014 • Couples
Mahango Game Reserve is a perfect day trip if you are staying at one of the area lodges (we were at RiverDance near Divundu). While not prolific with game like Etosha, we did see quite a few animals we hadn't seen before -- a herd of roan antelope at the watering hole, monkeys, crocodile (in the distance!) and lots of interesting birds. And, of course, we had our photos taken at the giant Baobab tree.
We drove the 4X4 track - not worth the time or effort (but no place to turn back once you have started....). Lots of sand, branches that continually scraped the side of the truck (thank goodness for super cover insurance) and not a lot of game (kudu and impala). We arrived at the water hole to find a herd of roan antelope - that was a nice surprise. But, you can drive to the waterhole directly without having to take the 4X4 track.
The other road near the river is easily passable with all cars and chances are you will see lots of interesting wildlife.
Enjoy the solitude and wildness of this park.
We drove the 4X4 track - not worth the time or effort (but no place to turn back once you have started....). Lots of sand, branches that continually scraped the side of the truck (thank goodness for super cover insurance) and not a lot of game (kudu and impala). We arrived at the water hole to find a herd of roan antelope - that was a nice surprise. But, you can drive to the waterhole directly without having to take the 4X4 track.
The other road near the river is easily passable with all cars and chances are you will see lots of interesting wildlife.
Enjoy the solitude and wildness of this park.
Written 21 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hotelcasci
Johannesburg, South Africa101 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
Mahango Game Park and the West-Caprivi Game Park were combined to the Bwabwata National Park in the north east of Namibia on the Botswana border.
The new reserve stretches between the rivers Okavango and Kwando and is 5000 square kilometres in size. It is home to an estimated 8000 elephants, 1000 buffalos, many antelope species, hyenas, lions and leopards. Crocodiles and numerous water birds.
There are three distinct habitats that can be identified, the river, which offers a blend of trees, reeds and grasses along its banks and on the wetlands.
During the dry winter months, April-November, your chances of seeing game is higher as the animals come to the waterholes/river.
During the wet summer months, November-March, birdlife is prolific.
This area is remote. Apart from the main road running through the park, linking Namibia to Botswana, there are only two other “tracks”.
The track to the east follows the river, it is approximately 15kms and is suitable for conventional vehicles. The track to the west is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. This trail is approximately 31kms and follows the course of the two fossil rivers in the park , the Mahango and Thinderevu. The drive through this unspoilt bush is spectacular but it is important to know that these roads can be very sandy in the dry season and very slippery in the wet.
Mobile phones do not work in many areas due to lack of reception. Don't forget, sunblock, hat, camera, binoculars, bird/mammal books, drinking water and snacks for the car, toilet paper/tissues.
The new reserve stretches between the rivers Okavango and Kwando and is 5000 square kilometres in size. It is home to an estimated 8000 elephants, 1000 buffalos, many antelope species, hyenas, lions and leopards. Crocodiles and numerous water birds.
There are three distinct habitats that can be identified, the river, which offers a blend of trees, reeds and grasses along its banks and on the wetlands.
During the dry winter months, April-November, your chances of seeing game is higher as the animals come to the waterholes/river.
During the wet summer months, November-March, birdlife is prolific.
This area is remote. Apart from the main road running through the park, linking Namibia to Botswana, there are only two other “tracks”.
The track to the east follows the river, it is approximately 15kms and is suitable for conventional vehicles. The track to the west is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. This trail is approximately 31kms and follows the course of the two fossil rivers in the park , the Mahango and Thinderevu. The drive through this unspoilt bush is spectacular but it is important to know that these roads can be very sandy in the dry season and very slippery in the wet.
Mobile phones do not work in many areas due to lack of reception. Don't forget, sunblock, hat, camera, binoculars, bird/mammal books, drinking water and snacks for the car, toilet paper/tissues.
Written 12 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mariette du Toit
Namibia35 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
This is a relative small park compared to the other parks in Namibia. At first I thought we would be limited in our sightings as we do not have a 4x4. But the circular route that we drove took us along the river where we saw both hippo and crocs. The birding, like at Ngepi, is super. We were even blessed to see buffalo along with quite a few other surprises.
Definitely worth the time!
Definitely worth the time!
Written 8 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ben g
Pretoria, South Africa206 contributions
July 2015 • Business
As I travel a lot to all the national arks in Southern Africa I can say that this park is probably the best. A big variety of habitats. I have seen very good sightings of Sable and Roan antelope. Lions and elephants as well as all the other species available.
Written 14 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hileydangerous
Tenerife, Spain47 contributions
Oct 2017
The experience was diminished by two very aggressive women running the gate. How do people like this end up in a position where they’re dealing with tourists bringing money into parks, and the country?
As we’d driven through many identical barriers in the Caprivi, Tracks4Africa (GPS) pointed us to a point further on, and the Park HQ signage was poor, we accidentally drove past the barrier/park-hq, and returned later to pay. The appalling attitude of these two rude women, to this minor error, was simply inexcusable, and it ruined our trip to this park.
As we’d driven through many identical barriers in the Caprivi, Tracks4Africa (GPS) pointed us to a point further on, and the Park HQ signage was poor, we accidentally drove past the barrier/park-hq, and returned later to pay. The appalling attitude of these two rude women, to this minor error, was simply inexcusable, and it ruined our trip to this park.
Written 27 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yo-NL90
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands99 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
We really liked this game reserve! We saw elephants, giraffes, many kinds of antelopes, warthoggs, buffalows, etc. We stayed for almost the whole day.
The only minus was the lady at the reception. She was extremely rude and when I wanted to read the terms and conditions I had to sign for, she would not allow us to and screamd 'just sign NOW!', so that was very weird. The person before me did not understand what the was saying about the trail, and the was very disrespecful and treating him like a child. I don't think she knows what service is.
The only minus was the lady at the reception. She was extremely rude and when I wanted to read the terms and conditions I had to sign for, she would not allow us to and screamd 'just sign NOW!', so that was very weird. The person before me did not understand what the was saying about the trail, and the was very disrespecful and treating him like a child. I don't think she knows what service is.
Written 2 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonya P
Denver, CO25 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We did a self-drive into Mahango core and saw our first hippos of the trip here. We also saw our first crocs, buffalo, sable antelopes, dung beetles and vervet monkeys while here.
There were also many ostriches, kudus, springboks, oryxes, warthogs, zebras and elephants. There were many birds here as well-- storks, egrets, flycatchers, kory bustards, helmeted guineafowl and many more that we didn't know the names of.
We drove to the waterhole and saw an elephant near there. Otherwise, there were not many animals near there.
This reserve is small, but we liked what we saw. We suspect that there were not as many animals as there might have been earlier in the year since we were there at the end of dry season/mid-November.
We enjoyed our time in Mahango and would go there again and also recommend it as a good day trip option.
There were also many ostriches, kudus, springboks, oryxes, warthogs, zebras and elephants. There were many birds here as well-- storks, egrets, flycatchers, kory bustards, helmeted guineafowl and many more that we didn't know the names of.
We drove to the waterhole and saw an elephant near there. Otherwise, there were not many animals near there.
This reserve is small, but we liked what we saw. We suspect that there were not as many animals as there might have been earlier in the year since we were there at the end of dry season/mid-November.
We enjoyed our time in Mahango and would go there again and also recommend it as a good day trip option.
Written 17 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Generally, the gates will open at sunrise, which is about 7 AM during August, but Gate employees may let you in earlier if they are present.
Written 24 June 2023
What is th entry fee per adult in one vehicle to do self-guided game drive?
Written 16 June 2018
Hi,
We were just there again in beginning november 2018 and we pays NS 90,00 pr. day for a car with two people.
Written 23 November 2018
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