Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls

Our Namibia, Botswana & Victoria Falls birding tour begins on the central east coast of Namibia, in Walvis Bay, where one can expect to be treated to an array of migratory shorebird species from Eurasia alongside (sometimes) thousands of both Lesser and Greater Flamingo, Great White Pelicans and the extremely popular Cape Fur Seal colony. Time spent slightly inland from the coast and amidst the dunes provides one with the opportunity of connecting with Namibia’s only true avian endemic, the seemingly dull-plumaged, dune-dwelling Dune Lark. However, the lark is not the only inhabitant of this protected area; both Peringuey’s Adder and Namaqua Chameleon will be high on our list of local reptilian targets.

As the expedition begins to make its way inland, we find ourselves staying near the small town of Erongo before moving further north to the base Namibia’s highest peak, Brandberg. It is here where one will be afforded their first real opportunity at getting familiar with some of Namibia’s more unique ‘desert’ species, not least of which includes the obscure-looking Hartlaub’s Spurfowl; a near-endemic to both Namibia and Angola. Competing for the spot of top local highlight will inevitably be the peculiar looking White-tailed Shrike, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Ruppell’s Parrot and Herero Chat to name but a few star celebrities.

Situated in the Ugab river valley in a region known as Damaraland, the picturesque White Lady Lodge proves ever popular for its oasis-like resemblance, dwelling in the shadow of the towering Brandberg Mountain and playing host to the likes of Benguela Long-billed Lark, Ruppell’s Korhaan, Damara Red-billed Hornbill and ‘desert’ African Elephants who occasionally make their way through camp.

What must surely be one of the continent’s most famed national parks, Etosha is home to an array of wildlife (both big and small) and is one of the top highlights for those visiting the country. Besides the obvious mammal attractions of Lion, Leopard, Elephant and the infamous Black Rhino, avian highlights see both Burchell’s and Double-banded Coursers, Blue Crane, Kori Bustard, Pygmy Falcon, Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Bare-cheeked Babbler and Southern White-faced Owl all ranking high.

We journey from Etosha northwards to the border of Namibia and Angola, visually marked by the area’s main water supply; the Kunene River. It is on the banks of the Kunene where we find ourselves based at the exquisite Kunene River Lodge which is nothing short of a riverine oasis amidst an otherwise arid landscape. The ‘Kunene 4’ is what we’ll be after here: Grey Kestrel, Cinderella Waxbill, Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush and Angolan Cave Chat. A sunset boat cruise will also afford us the opportunity of watching dozens of Rosy-faced Lovebirds coming into roost in the Lala Palms which line the river, whilst the secretive Bat Hawk may also make an appearance.

Yet another drastic change of scenery on the expedition as we move from the riverine oasis that is Kunene River Lodge and through to the Caprivi strip – a narrow strip of Namibian land wedged between Botswana’s northern and Zambia’s southern borders respectively. The woodlands around and east of Runda are where we’ll target Black-faced Babbler, Racket-tailed Roller, Souza’s Shrike, Rufous-bellied Tit and Sharp-tailed Starling, Tinkling Cisticola and Green-capped Eremomela.

Transit and birding in Botswana – we’ll bird our way down from the western part of the Caprivi stirp into down into neighbouring Botswana and the panhandle of the Okavango Delta. The road south will provide chances of connecting with Rock Pratincole, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Wattled Crane, Long-toed Lapwing and Bradfield’s Hornbill, whilst boat cruises through the panhandle of the Okavango Delta will allow us to search for Lesser Jacana, Greater Swamp Warbler, Chirping and Luapula Cisticola, Swamp Boubou, Slaty Egret, White-backed Night Heron and of course the highly sought-after Pel’s Fishing Owl.

Making our way back into the Caprivi Strip we’ll now head due East towards the town of Katima Mulilo. The gardens of most lodges in the area are home to some truly magnificent bird life. Hartlaub’s Babbler, Copper Sunbird, Schalow’s Turaco and Brown Firefinch are largely all garden residents whilst the gardens of a nearby lodge are home to a small population of Yellow-throated Leafloves; one of the sub-region’s most recent discoveries (2015). We’ll also be treated to yet another boat cruise, allowing us the opportunity to connect with the likes of Rufous-bellied Heron, Allen’s Gallinule and African Pygmy Goose.

Mosi-oa-Tunya – the name given to these magnificent falls by locals and which translates to “the smoke that thunders”. The spray from the falls has created the perfect conditions for a type of small-scale rainforest habitat This of course brings with it great birding and more superb opportunities to see Schalow’s Turaco. Time spent away from the falls will be spent looking for Racket-tailed Roller, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow and Southern Ground Hornbill amongst others and enjoying birding around the camp-grounds of the David Livingstone Safari Lodge.

All good things must sadly come to an end – your international flight will depart from Livingstone, Zambia. Your expedition leader will bid his/her farewell to you at the airport.

Please note that the above itinerary cannot be guaranteed and serves as only a rough guide which can accommodate last minute changes (usually slightly) due to varying factors including availability of accommodation, updated information on the state of accommodation, road closures/conditions, recent productivity of birding sites, and the discretion of the guides alongside other factors.