The birding in Namibia/Botswana/Zambia is phenomenal at this time of the year (cuckoos and other late migrants will have arrived), but please note that the weather is hot.
This is a marvelous 19-day birding adventure in which we sample three different southern African countries with spectacular scenery and diverse habitats and bird life. We start our 19-day birding safari in the coastal Namib Desert with its impressive dune fields, inhabited by desirable localized endemics, and lagoons filled with flamingos, pelicans, shorebirds and some really localized species such as Damara Tern and Chestnut-banded Plover. We then ascend the spectacular Namib Escarpment, which is inhabited by a whole suite of exciting birds occurring Only in Namibia and southern Angola.
Eventually, we leave the endemic-rich desert and drive northwards to the splendid Hobatere woodlands where the stunning Bare-cheeked Babbler, Hartlaub’s Francolin, Violet Wood-hoopoe and other specials of the dry riverbeds and rocky outcrops lurk. An exciting foray to the wild and remote Kunene River on the Angolan border should yield the super-localized Cinderella Waxbill and several other hot specials.
Eventually, we enter the grassland, savannah and woodland of one of Africa’s greatest game parks, Etosha National Park! Here, we can find spectacular Kalahari birds such as Crimson-breasted Shrike, Kori Bustard, Pygmy Falcon and a host of others, while seeing Africa’s big and small mammals. After Etosha, we head into an incredibly bird-diverse tropical corner of Africa, the Caprivi Strip and adjacent panhandle of the Okavango Delta (which falls just within the borders of Botswana).
The magnificent wetlands and woodlands in these parts support Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Carmine Bee-eater and literally hundreds of other species, quite a number of them spectacular. During this particular tour, we are adding a couple of extra days in the Caprivi area to look for some of the less common crakes and other birds that sometimes only arrive by December. Finally, we bird around the Victoria Falls of Zambia for yet another rich assemblage of birds, including Racket-tailed Roller, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Schalow’s Turaco and perhaps even chances of some rare species such as Taita Falcon.
During this 19-day adventure, we plan to find the bulk of the Namibia/southern Angola and Kalahari endemics, as well as most of the extremely rich diversity of species inhabiting the tropical Caprivi/Okavango/Victoria Falls region (which has a greater overall species diversity but fewer endemics). Many big mammals and some amazing scenery will be encountered incidentally to our focus on birding. We sample a diverse transect of sub-Saharan Africa.
Your Itinerary:
Please note that the itinerary below may change slightly according to the latest birding news, availability of accommodation, and other factors.
Day 1, Dec.2, 2007: International flight arrives in Walvis Bay. After collecting luggage and fetching rental vehicle, we will head straight for our Dune Lark site near the intriguing Namib village of Rooibank. Here it is usually easy to find Namibia’s only true endemic in a picturesque setting. After finding this species, if time permits, we may begin exploring the huge Walvis Bay Lagoon. This lagoon happens to be one of Africa’s most important shorebird stopovers (it is a Ramsar site), where we will see incredible numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, and some extremely localized species such as the diminutive Damara Tern and Chestnut-banded Plover. O/N Lagoon Lodge, Walvis Bay.
Day 2, Dec.3: We can join an optional dolphin, seal, whale and seabird boat trip on the Walvis Bay Lagoon (about R500 per person), or we can continue birding from the shore. Southern Right Whales often come close inshore (seasonal) and the highly localized Heaviside’s Dolphin is frequently seen, along with the more common Bottlenose Dolphin. Storm petrels, petrels, shearwaters, skuas, gulls, terns and other seabirds are often observed from the boat.
This day we will also explore sites closer to Swakopmund, where our main target bird is another localized Namib endemic, the incredibly pale Gray’s Lark. While looking for this species, we should also find the almost pure white desert subspecies of Tractrac Chat, large rafts of Black-necked Grebe, and very large numbers of other waterbirds and waders. O/N Lagoon Lodge, Walvis Bay
Day 3, Dec.4: This morning we will leave the coast and head inland. If we were really unlucky and missed Gray’s Lark the previous day, we will visit other sites for this nomadic species. We may also encounter the rare and declining Burchell’s Courser and many other sandy desert species during our drive before reaching the magnificent Spitzkoppe. The Spitzkoppe, or “Matterhorn of Namibia”, is an impressive desert mountain that rises steeply out of the plains. On the road to this imposing batholith, we usually find Stark’s Lark and other strategic species.
The main target around the base of the huge boulders is arguably the most difficult of the Namibian/Angolan endemics, Herero Chat, a truly bizarre species that tends to hunt in small groups from low perches onto the ground. Rosy-faced Lovebird, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Bradfield’s Swift, Augur Buzzard, Dusky Sunbird, Karoo Long-billed Lark and many other tantalizing endemics will distract us (in a good way) from our main task of finding the most difficult species, Herero Chat.
We will also see more common and widespread species such as Familiar Chat and the attractive Mountain Wheatear. After birding the Spitzkoppe, we will depart for the nearby Erongo Wilderness Lodge, where we will spend the night.
Day 4, Dec.5: Very early morning birding here at the magnificent Erongo Wilderness Lodge usually yields the beautiful Rockrunner (Damara Rockjumper) with its liquid call and Hartlaub’s Francolin. This francolin is really weird-looking (like many of the Namibian specials!), and it is a genuine skulker (again, very different from other francolins).
The only time it is usually an easy bird to find is at dawn when it calls loudly from atop boulders. While looking for this francolin, we also hope to find the rock-loving Freckled Nightjar (but we may have already seen this, along with owls, the previous night).The charismatic and striking White-tailed Shrike is common here at this lodge.
Other spectacular birds we might find before heading northwards include Violet-eared and Black-cheeked Waxbill, Melba Finch (Green-winged Pytilia) and a plethora of others. After brunch (and a host of exciting birds!), we will head to Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, where yet more of the Namib’s endemics lurk. O/N White Lady B&B, Uis.
Day 5, Dec.6: Around the base of Namibia’s highest mountain, we will look for the likes of Ruppell’s Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Benguela Long-billed Lark, Ruppell’s Parrot, Violet Woodhoopoe, Carp’s Black Tit, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Ludwig’s Bustard and other extremely sought-after specials. Some of these inhabit the desolate gravel plains; others frequent the dry riverbeds lined with huge camelthorn trees.
We will then continue on our exciting journey northwards, possibly encountering Giant Eagle Owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, a host of raptors and all sorts of other desirable but less strategic species. In the afternoon, we will arrive at Hobatere Game Reserve on the western boundary of Etosha National Park. O/N Hobatere Game Reserve
Day 6, Dec.7: Hobatere is a wild place where big game such as lion and elephant lurk. In addition to the megafauna, this is also an excellent place for finding small mammals such as the beautiful, localized Black Mongoose. Hobatere is a superb site for locating Bare-cheeked Babbler, Violet Woodhoopoe, Giant Eagle Owl, Ruppell’s Parrot, White-tailed Shrike, Orange River Francolin (never easy though), Hartlaub’s Francolin (if missed at Erongo), Bronze-winged Courser and a long list of other amazing species. We hope to find all these and a lot more during morning birding drives and walks, before heading due north to the Angolan border for several extremely localized specials. O/N Ruacana
Day 7, Dec.8: Ruacana is an excitingly remote Namibian town with some incredible birds. Madagascar Bee-eater is common. Rufous-tailed Palm-thrush is relatively easy. Cinderella Waxbill is difficult, and usually requires a lot of effort, but it is one of the most strategic birds we hope to find during this birding safari, since it is so very localized. Grey Kestrel, Sooty Falcon and African Hobby Falcon are all possible in late summer. We’ll have the entire day and the next morning to find the sought-after birds here along the Angolan border. O/N Ruacana
Day 8, Dec.9: After final early morning Ruacana birding, we drive to the north-eastern part of Etosha National Park. Here at Etosha, one of Africa’s great game parks, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, gemsbok (oryx) and other large (as well as small) mammals occur , but most importantly for us an exciting variety of good birds (many of them greater Kalahari specials) are found. We should locate many spectacular species such as Kori Bustard, Crimson-breasted Shrike ( Namibia’s stunning national bird), the tiny Pygmy Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, a plethora of other raptors, vultures and owls, Double-banded Courser, Southern Pied Babbler and Loads more.
Pink-billed Lark and many other larks are duller specials we hope to find. We should encounter Common Ostrich, and Etosha is home to an isolated Namibian population of Blue Crane, otherwise a South African endemic. In the evening, we can enjoy the phenomenal floodlit waterhole at the rest camp – this attracts Double-banded Sandgrouse (which drink at night), and we may also see Giant Eagle Owl and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar here. All kinds of big mammals may be seen. O/N Namutoni Rest Camp, Etosha National Park.
Day 9, Dec.10: a full day of Etosha birding. O/N Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Etosha National Park.
Day 10, Dec.11: After final birding in Etosha, we will depart for Roy’s Camp, probably the easiest place to find the difficult Black-faced Babbler. We will find an exciting array of other woodland birds as a by-product of our focus on finding this strategic species here. We will encounter fascinating and beautiful palm savannah in the area. O/N Roy’s Camp near Grootfontein.
Day 11, Dec.12: After early morning birding around the lodge, we depart for Rundu, the gateway to one of Africa’s greatest wildlife havens - the Caprivi Strip/Okavango Delta. The well-developed woodland around Rundu hosts such important species as Rufous-bellied Tit, Red-headed Weaver, Green-capped Eremomela, Common Scimitarbill, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Black Cuckoo-shrike, African Golden Oriole, Tinkling Cisticola, and Many others.
We may even be fortunate enough to find Sousa’s Shrike or Sharp-tailed Starling. Birding the rich wetlands in the area may generate the diminutive Dwarf Bittern, Rufous-bellied Heron, Pygmy Goose, African Jacana, Lesser Jacana, Swamp Boubou and a whole host of other desirable species. O/N Shamvura Lodge east of Rundu.
Day 12, Dec.13: We will spend a full day birding the Rundu and Western Caprivi area for all the tantalizing specials. Our next lodge is very close to the famed Mahango Game Reserve. This tiny reserve has a spectacular concentration of birds (over 400 species recorded from an extremely small area), and also hosts rare mammals such as the beautiful Roan and Sable Antelopes.
We will spend a large part of the day birding this reserve. We can also visit sites such as Popa Falls, where Rock Pratincole (if the water levels aren’t too high) and other sought-after birds can be found. O/N Mahango Lodge
Day 13, Dec.14: After final Mahango area birding, we will head due south into Botswana, where we will spend the next two days birding the panhandle of the magnificent Okavango Delta. Birds such as Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Lizard Buzzard, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Brown Firefinch, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Chirping Cisticola, Luapula Cisticola, Greater Swamp Warbler, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Southern Brown-throated Weaver, Golden Weaver, Greater Painted Snipe and many others are relatively easy to find in these magnificent swamps. O/N Xaro Lodge, Shakawe, Botswana.
Day 14, Dec.15: Continued birding in the swamps, both on foot and by boat. O/N Xaro Lodge, Shakawe, Botswana.
Day 15, Dec.16: We will re-enter Namibia and continue eastwards along the Caprivi Strip, birding the woodlands of the Caprivi National Park. These woodlands are often surprisingly quiet, so patience is needed to find the many superb avian specials lurking around. We will eventually reach the Kongola River area, where we plan to spend a fair amount of time looking for crakes and other difficult birds. O/N Kongola River lodge.
Day 16, Dec.17: Today we will bird the exciting Eastern Caprivi with its marshes and woodlands, and we will eventually reach one of Africa’s largest rivers, the mighty Zambezi. The Zambezi is inhabited by a plethora of exciting birds, including African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, African Finfoot and many others. Woodland birding in the area is equally stunning. We could find Shelley’s Sunbird, incredibly rare south of the Zambezi, at our overnight lodge. O/N Island View Lodge near Katima Mulilo.
Day 17, Dec.18: Today we enter our third country, Zambia, to bird around the incredible Victoria Falls. Not only is “the smoke that thunders” one of the most spectacular waterfalls on earth, but the birdlife is stunning and exceptionally diverse. The 3-hour drive from the Namibian border to Victoria Falls traverses fine woodland north of the Zambezi. Around the falls, we could find Racket-tailed Roller (along with more widespread roller species), Southern Ground Hornbill (and other hornbill species), African Hobby Falcon, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Schalow’s Turaco, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Grey-headed Parrot, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Copper Sunbird, Stierling’s Wren-warbler, Dusky Lark and many others.
An optional walk across the bridge over the deep gorge below the falls into Zimbabwemight yield Taita Falcon (although arguably the most reliable site for this species is currently in South Africa). This is one of Africa’s rarest and most difficult-to-locate breeding birds. It is likely that a walk across the gorge will yield the more common Peregrine Falcon, Verreaux’s Eagle and other species. O/N The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone, Zambia.
Day 18, Dec.19: We will spend the entire day birding around Victoria Falls and other sites near Livingstone. O/N The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone, Zambia.
Day 19, Dec.20: Final birding around Victoria Falls before international flight departs from Livingstone.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price of the 19-day tour is R39,681 per person sharing, assuming 4 paying participants. We can probably give discounts if there are a couple more participants.
Price Includes:
*transport while in southern Africa
*cross border fees
*national park entrance fees
*guiding fees
*local guides
*accommodation and meals.
Price Excludes:
*the international flight to Walvis Bay and back from Livingstone
*medical and travel insurance
*drinks, tips, gifts and other items of a personal nature.
We are able to arrange good deals on local flights from Johannesburg or Windhoek to Walvis Bay and from Livingstone back to Johannesburg/Windhoek if you need us to.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Namibia
Birdwatching
National Parks
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