It was  gazetted as the Bwabwata National Park  in 2007 and incorporated the former Mahango Game Reserve. The park has had a chequered history as it was declared a military area by the South African Defence Force during Namibia’s war of liberation. It was not until after  Independence in 1990 that the park could be properly run as a conservation area.

Natural Features: Low vegetated sand  dunes with old drainage lines (omurambas) in between. The Okavango River in the west and the Kwando River in the east.

Vegetation:  Broad-Leafed Kalahari Woodland  with trees such as Zambezi Teak and false Mopane on the sandy areas, and Camel-Thorn And Leadwood in the Omurambas. Reeds  and papyrus occur on the Floodplains, which are lined with trees such as Jackal-Berry, Mangosteen, Knob Thorn  and Makalani Palm.

Wildlife: Large concentrations of Elephant and Buffalo, also Sable and Roan Antelope occur in the park. Main predators include Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Hyaena. Bwabwata is one of the last  refuges of the wild dogs in Namibia. Common  Reedbuck, Red lechwe, Sitatunga and Hippo occur along the rivers.  Birds include  Wattled Crane,  African Skimmer, Western- banded Snake  Eagle, Wood Owl, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Narina Trogon, Cape Parrot, and both Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers.