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Namibia
is a land of exceptional diversity. The rocky Namibian escarpment
dominates the backbone of the country, while the desolate Skeleton
Coast and adjoining red dune sea of the Namib Desert fringe the
Atlantic Ocean. The north holds Africa's most spectacular ephemeral
wetland, Etosha Pan, part of a national park of the same name. Further
east the deserts give way to moist woodland in the stiletto-shaped
Caprivi Strip. The Caprivi and adjacent Botswana hold the panhandle
portion of the Okavango Delta, a world-famous watery oasis spilling
onto the Kalahari sands. With such a diversity of habitats, a trip to
this country cannot fail to produce a wealth of exciting birds.
Day 1: Windhoek.
After the airport pick-up, we head out to a nearby reserve to look for
our first specialties, Monteiro’s Hornbill and Carp’s Tit.
The Augeigas River acts as a magnet for a variety of multi-colored
desert-dwellers including Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Crimson-breasted
Boubou, Rosy-faced Lovebird, and Violet-eared Waxbill. We overnight in
Windhoek.
Day 2: Windhoek to Spreetshoogte.
Leaving Windhoek we make our way towards the dramatic Namibian
escarpment. Here we will search for Pygmy Falcon, Pale
Chanting-Goshawk, Sociable Weaver, Lark-like Bunting, and Chestnut
Weaver. In the evening we arrive at the spectacular Spreetshoogte Pass
where we spend the night perched above the Namib Desert.
Day 3: Spreetshoogte to Walvis Bay.
Descending the escarpment, we comb the gravel plains of the seemingly
empty and wild Namib Desert. We should see some great birds, including
Ludwig's Bustard, Rueppell’s Korhaan, Burchell’s Courser,
Gray’s Lark, and Tractrac Chat. We take a detour via Homeb, a
fascinating area where the stony gravel plains meet the red dune sea at
the Kuiseb River. This oasis attracts some interesting species
including the Orange River White-eye, Pririt Batis, Common
Scimitar-bill and others. This area also gives us our only chance to
see the Welwitschia, a bizarre plant that is regarded as a living
fossil. We complete the day at Walvis Bay watching Cape Gannets
plunging into the icy Atlantic Ocean.
Day 4: Walvis Bay.
Today we explore the fascinating and famous Walvis Bay lagoon. The
waters are tinged pink with Greater and Lesser Flamingos, large pelican
formations, and tern flocks. The backdrop of the desert dunes makes for
dramatic scenery. Cape, Bank, and Crowned Cormorants sit atop the
largest guano platforms in the world, and the endemic Damara Tern may
drift by.
Day 5: Walvis Bay to Omaruru.
In the early morning we head towards Spitzkoppe, a series of impressive
granite inselbergs rising from the desert plains. Here we shall search
for Herero Chat, Namibia's most elusive endemic. Other birds occurring
here include Augur Buzzard, Pied Barbet, the green and yellow
Bokmakierie, and Pale-winged Starling. Later we drive to the
boulder-strewn landscape of Omaruru, where our lodge is nestled in the
midst of the mountains. One of the highlights of the trip, it is not
only exquisitely beautiful, but the grounds are heaving with Namibian
endemics.
Day 6: Erongo.
As the early morning light strikes the red rocks, we will be perched
atop a boulder waiting for boisterous coveys of Hartlaub’s
Francolins and rock-hopping White-tailed Shrikes to put in an
appearance. While we are waiting, we should be serenaded by the
melodious Damara Rockrunner, a stunning songster that scuttles over
rocky slopes. There is still some debate as to whether this odd bird is
better classified as a rockjumper. Later we will venture down to the
sandy riverbeds in search of cackling Violet Woodhoopoes,
Damara Hornbills, and turquoise-bellied Rueppell’s Parrots.
Imitating the vocalizations of a Pearl-spotted Owlet should bring in a
bunch of passerines including Pied Babbler, Dusky Sunbird,
Black-chested Prinia, and more. With luck one of the Anna trees will
hold the sizable Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.
Days 7-9: Etosha NP.
Today we reach the renowned Etosha NP, where we will spend nights at
two different camps, each with a floodlit waterhole, and one more full
day in the park before we leave at dusk and overnight in Tsumeb. Our
days will be spent exploring the various habitats including the Etosha
Pan and Andoni plains. There is much to see here, including a variety
of bustards, francolins, coursers, eagles, and vultures. After the sun
sets, the wildlife festival gets into full swing at the waterholes,
which are visited by numerous big game including Lion, Black
Rhinoceros, and African Elephant. At dusk, flocks of hundreds of
Double-banded and Namaqua Sandgrouse arrive in an unforgettable
melodious downpour. Even birding around the camps can yield an
excellent variety of woodland birds, including Southern White-crowned
Shrike and Bare-cheeked Babbler.
Day 10: Etosha NP to Kavango. We’ll spend some time looking for Black-faced Babbler before driving on to Kavango.
Day 11: Kavango.
The morning will be spent exploring the Kavango area for herons, ducks,
skimmers, pratincoles, and other waterbirds. A stop will be made in the
broadleaf woodlands near Popa Falls, which support White-breasted
Cuckoo-shrike, Green-capped Eremomela, and Rufous-bellied Tit.
Day 12: Kavango to Okavango Delta.
Following the Kavango River south towards Botswana, we begin to
encounter Okavango birds, including Hartlaub’s Babbler and Swamp
Boubou. In Mahango the river begins its splendid outpouring into the
sands of the Kalahari, and we search the open floodplain for Slaty
Egret, Rufous-bellied Heron, and the regal Wattled Crane.
Day 13: Okavango Delta.
The extensive reedbeds in this sea of papyrus are directly adjacent to
our lodge, and home to a wide variety of herons, egrets, and
kingfishers, as well as Chirping Cisticola and Southern Brown-throated
Weaver. A number of rare or difficult species are regular here, such as
the highly sought-after foxy-brown Pel’s Fishing-Owl.
White-backed Night-Herons are also occasionally seen stalking the
river’s edge.
Day 14: Shakawe to Kavango. We return to Kavango in Namibia.
Day 15: Kavango to Windhoek.
Depending on what birds we still need, our return route can explore
either the woodlands near Rundu or make for the impressive Waterberg
escarpment, where the birding can be as spectacular as the scenery. We
end the day in Windhoek.
Day 16: Departure. Today we leave the sunny city on our international flights.
Tour Info:
CLIMATE: Warm to hot and always
dry.
DIFFICULTY: Easy with no strenuous
walks.
ACCOMMODATION: Good to luxurious
throughout.
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