Itinerary

Day 1- Arrival in Walvis Bay

International flights arrive 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 we search for Namibia’s only true endemic in a picturesque setting. After finding this species, if time permits, we will explore the huge Walvis Bay Lagoon. This lagoon is one of Africa’s most important shorebird stopovers (it is a RAMSAR site), where large numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, and some extremely localized species such as the diminutive Damara Tern and Chestnut-banded Plover occur. Overnight Lagoon Lodge, Walvis Bay.

Day 2 - Walvis Bay to Swakopmund

We have the option of joining a dolphin, seal, whale and seabird boat trip on the Walvis Bay Lagoon (additional cost), or we continue birding from 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, jaegers, gulls, terns and other seabirds are often observed from the boat. We then 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 (Eared) Grebe, and very large numbers of other waterbirds and waders. Overnight Beach Lodge, Swakopmund.

Day 3 - Spitzkoppe to Erongo

This morning we leave the coast and head inland. If we missed Gray’s Lark yesterday, we 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 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 call our attention as we search for the Herero Chat. We will also see more common and widespread species such as Familiar Chat and the attractive Mountain Wheatear. After birding here, we will travel to the fine Erongo Wilderness Lodge, where we will spend two nights. Overnight Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Day 4 - Erongo Mountains

The charismatic and striking White-tailed Shrike is common at the Erongo Wilderness Lodge. Early morning birding usually generates the equally beautiful Rockrunner (Damara Rockjumper) and Hartlaub’s Francolin. This francolin is really weird-looking and is a genuine skulker. 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. Other spectacular birds of the Erongo Mountains include Violet-eared and Black-cheeked Waxbill, Melba Finch (Green-winged Pytilia) and a plethora of others. Overnight Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Day 5 - Travel towards the Brandberg

After final early morning birding around the beautiful lodge grounds, we embark on a birding drive northwards, where we hope to find Ruppell’s Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Benguela Long-billed Lark, Ruppell’s Parrot, Violet Wood-hoopoe, Carp’s Black Tit, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Ludwig’s Bustard and other sought-after specials. Some of these inhabit the desolate gravel plains, whilst others occur in the dry riverbeds lined with huge camelthorn trees. We will see Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg, while looking for some of these localized endemics. We may also find Giant Eagle Owl, Pearl-spotted Owl, a host of raptors and all sorts of other desirable species. Overnight White Lady B&B, Uis.

Day 6 - Hobatere

We head northwards further along the Namibian Escarpment to the fine game reserve of Hobatere. Here, Violet Wood-hoopoe, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Ruppell’s Parrot, Giant Eagle Owl and many other sought after birds lurk, along with big mammals such as lion and elephant. Overnight Hobatere Game Reserve.

Day 7 - Etosha National Park

Today we leave the Namib Escarpment and enter one of Africa’s great game parks, Etosha, where we expect to find a plethora of Kalahari birds as well as many big mammals. Lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, Gemsbok (Oryx) and other large (as well as small) mammals are quite possible, and we should find many spectacular birds. Kori Bustard, Northern Black Korhaan, Blue Crane (a South African endemic except for an isolated population in Etosha), Pygmy Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, a fine diversity of other raptors, many owl species, Pink-billed Lark, Chestnut Weaver, Damara Hornbill, Crimson-breasted Shrike (the name says it all!), Sociable Weaver and many other birds inhabit the grassland, savanna, woodland and wetlands of Etosha. We will sample the different habitats of Etosha while driving slowly from west to east. Each of the three rest camps has a floodlit waterhole, offering spectacular wildlife viewing at night. Double-banded Sandgrouse (which drink at night), nightjars and Giant Eagle Owl are quite easy to observe at these waterholes. Overnight Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Etosha National Park.

Day 8 - Etosha National Park

Continued Etosha birding and wildlife viewing. Overnight Halali Rest Camp, Etosha National Park.

Day 9 - Etosha National Park

A further day of birding and wildlife viewing. Overnight Namutoni Rest Camp, Etosha National Park.

Day 10 - Etosha NP to Rundu

After final birding in Etosha, we depart for Rundu, the gateway to one of Africa’s greatest wildlife havens - the Caprivi Strip and 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. Overnight Sarasungu Lodge, Rundu.

Day 11 - Rundu to Popa Falls

Today we continue eastwards into the heart of the Caprivi Strip, finding exciting tropical bird species along the way. We will overnight at Popa Falls, which often hosts Rock Pratincole, Swamp Boubou, Harlaub’s Babbler and a plethora of other species in lush surroundings so different from the Namib! Overnight Popa Falls.

Day 12 - Mahango Game Reserve

We start early and spend most of the day birding the phenomenal Mahango Game Reserve. This tiny reserve hosts over 400 bird species, plus lots of big game including some mammals not easily found in Etosha, such as African Buffalo, Sable Antelope and Roan Antelope - both antelope are very rare globally, but relatively easy to find in Mahango. There is a rich variety of habitats in this reserve, from expansive floodplains to Papyrus swamps to huge baobabs with associated birds, to dry thornveld and so on. In the late afternoon, 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. Overnight Xaro Lodge, Shakawe, Botswana.

Day 13 - Shakawe, Okavango Delta

Continued birding in the swamps, both on foot and by boat. Overnight Xaro, Shakawe, Botswana.

Day 14 - Caprivi National Park

Today, we re-enter Namibia and continue eastwards along the Caprivi Strip, birding the fine Caprivi National Park and looking for difficult species such as crakes, rails, Dwarf Bittern, Luapula Cisticola and more around the Kongola River. Overnight Mazambala Island Lodge.

Day 15 - Zambezi River

We travel to one of Africa’s largest rivers, the mighty Zambezi, hopefully seeing Ground Hornbill, Racket-tailed Roller, Arnott’s Chat and others en route. 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. Schalow’s Turaco is always a highlight. Shelley’s Sunbird occurs around the lodge. Night drives might generate Bronze-winged and Three-banded Coursers, together with various other night birds. Overnight Island View Lodge near Katima Mulilo.

Day 16 - Zambia and Victoria Falls

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. We could find Racket-tailed Roller, 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. A walk across the bridge over the deep gorge below the falls into Zimbabwe, might yield Taita Falcon, one of Africa’s rarest and most difficult-to-locate breeding birds along with Peregrine Falcon and other species. Overnight The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone, Zambia.

Day 17 - Victoria Falls

A full day of birding the magnificent woodlands around Victoria Falls. Overnight The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone, Zambia.

Day 18 - Departure

Final birding around Victoria Falls before international flight departs from Livingstone.