Mahango Core Area — Bwabwata (Floodplain Elephant & Buffalo)

The 245 km² Mahango Core Area in the western section of Bwabwata is a floodplain wilderness adjacent to the Okavango River — one of the most wildlife-productive habitats in Namibia. Massive elephant herds converge at the river in the dry season (May–October); large buffalo herds are a constant. Hippo pods are resident in the river channels; crocodile numbers are high. The floodplain edges attract roan antelope, tsessebe and red lechwe — all uncommon species. Self-drive permitted on the internal loop road. Boat trips on the Okavango within the core area give exceptional close-up hippo and birdlife encounters.