Nkasa Rupara National Park

National Park Seasonal wetland park rich in wildlife and birds

Nkasa Rupara in Namibia’s Zambezi Region is a seasonally flooded wetland of oxbow lakes and channels. Visitors come for canoe safaris, birdwatching and close encounters with hippos and elephants.

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Nkasa Rupara National Park
Nkasa Rupara National Park, Zambezi Region, Namibia
-18.4000, 23.6500
Park access seasonal; consult Namibia Wildlife Resorts or local operators
Park entry fees apply; camping and concession rates vary - expect NAD ~50-200 for guided game drives (variable)

How to Get to Nkasa Rupara National Park #

Nkasa Rupara lies in Namibia’s Zambezi Region. Most visitors fly into Katima Mulilo (KAT) and travel by 4x4 or arrange a transfer with a lodge operator; expect 3-6 hours of overland travel depending on route and road conditions. There are also boat routes from nearby river communities during the wet season.

Tips for Visiting Nkasa Rupara National Park #

  • Arrange river-based game drives with a licensed operator well in advance; the floodplain landscape is best explored by motorboat at dawn or dusk.
  • Bring a guide experienced in tracking - the park's wildlife is seasonal and concentrated in channels during the dry season.
  • Pack waterproof bags and expect mosquitoes during flood months; vehicle and boat transfers are often basic and unheated.

Best Time to Visit Nkasa Rupara National Park #

Wildlife concentration and accessibility vary dramatically by season. Dry months (May-October) are best for land-based game viewing; the wet season turns the park into a true river wilderness best seen by boat.

Dry season (best for game viewing)
May-October · 15-28°C (59-82°F)
Water recedes, wildlife concentrates on remaining channels and pools - optimal for sightings of hippo, elephant and predators.
Wet season (flooded plains)
November-April · 20-35°C (68-95°F)
Large floods transform the park into a watery wilderness; boat travel dominates and some roads become impassable.

Weather & Climate near Nkasa Rupara National Park #

Climate

Nkasa Rupara National Park's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in October) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 35°C. Moderate rainfall (521 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 53 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAugustMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
43°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 31°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 31°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 31°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 31°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

20 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.6h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
11° 29°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.1h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 27°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
27°
38%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

July

July is the coolest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
27°
34%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
10° 30°
27%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
15° 33°
23%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

October

October is the warmest month with highs of 35°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
19° 35°
26%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

November

November is the warmest month with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
20° 34°
41%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
19° 32°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

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