Major city · Namibia
Katima Mulilo
Spend 1–2 days in Katima Mulilo: see the Zambezi riverfront, visit local markets and stay in budget guesthouses.
Katima Mulilo is a small river town in Namibia's Zambezi (Caprivi) region. Its main attractions are the riverfront, local markets and nearby wildlife tours. One to two days cover the key sights and allow a night in town.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NAD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, malaria risk)
- Airport
- Katima Mulilo (KMP)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Katima Mulilo081 924 ▾
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)081 924
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Katima Mulilo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Namibian dollar (NAD, N$), pegged 1:1 to the South African rand; rand is accepted in Namibia…Namibia-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTC has the widest coverage; TN Mobile is the alternative.Namibia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Windhoek and main towns (Windhoek recycles water to drinking standard).Namibia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Namibia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Namibia-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists, but avoid photographing military sites and stay aware of malaria risk in the rainy season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean at fuel stations, lodges and park camps; few facilities between towns.Namibia-wide
- Emergency numbers081 924 ambulance and rescue (private, e-med rescue 24) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall-town shops close Saturday afternoon and Sunday; fuel stations in towns are open daily.Namibia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKMP Katima Mulilo Airport (Flights from Windhoek a few times a week; no taxis at the airport as of 2022 — arrange transport in advance or walk.).
- Getting aroundLocal taxis charge N$13 for short trips, N$26 for tourists.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Green Basket CafeN$30–50
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Local taxi (tourist rate)N$26
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket to WindhoekR600
- Budget bedLodge chalet or campsite, a night, per personNAD 290
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NAD 350 · Mid NAD 550 · High NAD 900
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMP Katima Mulilo Airport (Flights from Windhoek a few times a week; no taxis at the airport as of 2022 — arrange transport in advance or walk.)
Map of Katima Mulilo
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest May (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Katima Mulilo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local taxis charge N$13 for short trips, N$26 for tourists. B8 highway runs through town; bus to Windhoek departs daily at 15:00.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zambezi River boat tour
goDoor to door: 30–45 min total
Book at Zambezi Mubala Lodge; boat departs from lodge dock.
Birding (3 h) N$750, fishing N$365 per hour.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Caprivi Travelers Backpackers Hostel
Dorms, single/double rooms, free Wi‑Fi; N$240 per night.
Katima Mulilo Town Council Guesthouse
Basic single/double rooms; N$240 per night.
Zambezi Mubala Lodge and Camp
Chalets and campsites; camping N$290 per person per night (discounts for locals).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- N$350–550 excl. bed
- Mid
- N$550–900 excl. bed
- High
- N$900+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Backpacker hostel dorm1 × 1 night × NAD 240 | NAD 240 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NAD 350 | NAD 350 |
| Taxi within town (tourist rate)1 × NAD 26 · check | NAD 26 |
| Bus Windhoek round‑trip1 × NAD 600 · R600, check conversion | NAD 600 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × NAD 2,500 · check | NAD 2,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NAD 372 |
| Trip total≈ NAD 4,088 per person per day, bed included | NAD 4,088 |
2026 estimate; flights and long-distance transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Green Basket Cafe | N$30–50 |
| Zambezi Bream plate | N$150 |
| Local taxi (tourist rate) | N$26 |
| Bus ticket to Windhoek | R600 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Military equipment and infrastructure photography is illegal; can lead to confiscation.
- Limited street lighting and sanitation; carry water and mosquito protection.
Emergency numbers
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)
- 081 924
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Katima MuliloKatima Mulilo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Kwa ha ano, ni kupaTo this address, please
Emergency
- Ambulance and rescue (private, E-Med Rescue 24)081 924
Embassy
No embassies in Katima Mulilo; the US embassy and most others are in Windhoek (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Local taxi in town: N$13 for locals, N$26 for tourists (check)
- Bus Katima Mulilo → Windhoek (Oasis, daily 15:00): R600, via Rundu (check)
- Zambezi Mubala boat tours: Birding 3 h N$750 pp; fishing N$365 per hour; sunset cruise 1.5 h N$440 (check)
Say or show
- Mubita — Hello (moo-bee-tah)
- Tangi — Thank you (tahn-gee)
- Ni zimali? — How much is it? (nee zee-mah-lee)
- Kwi toilet? — Where is the toilet? (kwee toy-let)
- Ni kona ku patala ka kadi? — Can I pay by card? (nee koh-nah koo pah-tah-lah kah kah-dee)
- Nithuse — Help (nee-too-seh)
Phrases are in siLozi, the main local language; English is widely understood. Numbers and fares: check before you travel.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Katima Mulilo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, malaria risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a day for a guided wildlife boat tour on the Zambezi.
- Combine with a visit to the nearby town of Luhonono for cultural sites.
Sources
Ask about Katima Mulilo
Loading…
Was this useful?