Caprivi
Namibia's Caprivi Strip is a long
narrow extension of land, running about 450 km from the north-east
corner of the main body of the country to the flood-plains and islands
of the Zambezi River. Named after Chancellor Bismark's successor,
Leo Graf von Caprivi, the strip was ceded to colonial Germany by the
British. At the time Germany and Portugal wanted both to stop the
northward advance of British colonialism and then join their own East
African colonies (Tanzania and Mozambique) to their western colonies
(now Namibia and Angola).
Cecil Rhodes was quicker off the mark
and was able to bamboozle tribal leaders in what is now Botswana,
Zambia and Malawi into agreements with his British South Africa
Company, thereby halting the German and Portuguese plan. The Germans,
however, came to an understanding with the British government and
were ceded the Caprivi Strip in order to give them riparian access
to the Zambezi. Why the British did this is anyone's guess, but
the oddities of a colonial past have certainly opened opportunities
for birders.
With more than 450 species recorded
in this small area and a reasonably good infrastructure, the Caprivi
Strip is one of southern Africa's top birding spots. For birders
in pursuit of Okavango specials, such as Slaty Egret and Coppery-tailed
Coucal it has the distinct advantage of costing a fraction of the
amount one would spend on a journey in neighbouring Botswana.
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