| Day 1: Arrival into Windhoek, then to Sesriam Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, we will transfer to Sesriem on the border between the spectacular dunes and Namib mountains to the south-west. We will begin our journey across the Central Highlands of Namibia, where roadside birding is particularly rewarding and we will watch out for Verreauxs’ Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Black-winged Kite, the beautiful Purple Roller, diminutive Long-billed Crombec, Ant-eating and Karoo Chats, Marico and Chat Flycatchers, Cape Crow, Pale- winged Starling, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Great and Cape Sparrows and Lark-like Bunting. The scenery is dotted with huge, golden Social Weaver nests and we may be fortunate in locating the Pygmy Falcons that utilize these nests as a convenient home. The terrain becomes increasingly drier and we will make some stops in the desert to scan for Common Ostrich (these wild, desert birds represent one of the few genetically pure populations of this species in southern Africa), the endemic Rüppell’s Korhaan, Namaqua Sandgrouse and numerous lark species. We will be making our way further south through the small settlement of Solitaire and then to Sesriem, where we set up our first camp in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. There are few better places to watch the night sky then in the Namib Desert! This is also the time when much of the desert awakens, with a myriad of smaller creatures leaving their daytime hide-outs to forage in the cool of the night. Day 2: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund We make a very early start this morning to explore the wonderfully scenic Sossusvlei area, situated in the oldest desert in the world! The dunes here are a favourite subject for photographers and artists alike, and we will take time to enjoy these marvels of Nature. Wildlife here is sparse, but it includes the regal Gemsbok and Springbok, which are best seen during the early morning. With luck we may find Burchell’s Courser or Dune Lark – two of Namibia’s most sought-after birds that are usually easier to find here than elsewhere in their ranges. As we drive north and then west towards the coast, the landscape becomes gradually more barren. Here we look out for the almost white, desert race of Tractrac Chat, Ludwig’s Bustard and, among the Sabota, Spike-heeled, Stark’s and Karoo Long-billed Larks, we hope to find our main target bird on these plains: the endemic and highly localised Gray’s Lark. This diminutive and inconspicuous bird forages in small groups over the most inhospitable terrain, a seemingly incredulous habitat for any life form! After we hit the coast at Walvis Bay, we then head north along the coast to the historic town of Swakopmund, a quaint little seaside village with a decidedly German atmosphere. Day 3: Swakopmund and Surrounding Areas We have a number of options today. The famous Welwitschia Plains are where we will seek out one of the world’s most bizarre plants: the strange Welwitschia, a coniferous tree that despite its immense age (some are reputed to be over a thousand years old!), grows to just a few feet tall and has just two leaves. They survive in the bone dry gravel plains of the Namib and we will also look for the two species of colourful beetles that only survive around these plants. We will also visit the pans at the edge of town. These are home to other wetland inhabitants such as Black-necked Grebe, Cape and Red-billed Teals and Cape Shoveler. In the afternoon we will take a drive up the west coast and visit the Mile 4 Saltworks. This area is a birding haven, comprising many similar species to what we would have encountered in Walvis Bay, although here we have a much better chance to locate African Oystercatcher, Bank and Crowned Cormorants and Lesser Flamingo. The surrounding gravel plains are also home to Gray’s Lark and Tractrac Chat and will provide us with further opportunities to locate these uncommon birds should our previous attempts have failed. Walvis Bay hosts tens of thousands of Flamingos that often form a pink line on the edge of the estuary along with many other waterbird species. Great White Pelican is prominent throughout the area, while others include the localised Chestnut-banded Plover, Hartlaub’s Gull and Damara Tern, the latter being a breeding endemic to southern Africa. The striking African Oystercatcher may also be seen along the rocky shores, and waders to be expected on the lagoon’s extensive mudflats include White-fronted and Grey Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone, Marsh Sandpiper, Red Knot, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit and Pied Avocet. Some of the possible rarities for southern Africa at this time of year include Eurasian Oystercatcher and Red-necked Phalarope. Day 4: Swakopmund to Spitzkoppe Today we leave for the Spitzkoppe, a series of impressive granite inselbergs rising out of the desert plains. This is one of the premier sites in the country for Herero Chat, Namibia’s most elusive endemic, and we will require both luck and patience to find this localised bird. Whilst searching the base of this incredible geological formation, we may also find Augur Buzzard, the attractive Rosy- faced Lovebird, the near-endemic Bradfield’s Swift, Acacia Pied Barbet, Sabota and Karoo Long-billed Larks, Layard’s Warbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Bokmakierie (a near-endemic bushshrike), White-browed Sparrow- Weaver, White-throated Canary and Cinnamon-breasted and Cape Buntings. White-tailed Shrike, arguably Namibia’ s most striking endemic, should also entertain us here. The agile Klipspringer and Rock Hyrax may likewise be seen, whilst brilliantly coloured Namibia Rock Agamas are common. Other reptiles we may encounter are the impressive Boulton’s Namib Day Gecko, Bibron’s Gecko, Bradfield’s Dwarf Gecko and Namaqua Sand Lizard. The surrounding gravel plains occasionally produce Ludwig’s Bustard, while Namaqua Sandgrouse, Stark’s Lark and Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark are more regular. We will set up camp and spend the night among the spectacular boulders around the base of the Spitzkoppe – a beautiful setting for a night in the middle of absolutely nowhere! Day 5: Spitzkoppe to Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park After an early morning walk and breakfast, we will head northwards to the world-famous Etosha National Park. We will begin our explorations at the main camp of Okaukuejo. The word “Etosha” means “Great White Place” in the local Herero language and nowhere else is the “great whiteness” of the enormous pan more evident than around Okaukuejo. Etosha is one of Africa’s premier big game destinations, and medium and large mammals teem around the huge pan. Waterholes are dotted around the park and these will often be the focus of our attention as it is here that streams of many thousands of mammals come daily to drink. Day 6: Okaukuejo area, Etosha National Park On occasion, up to a dozen species of game can be seen as they mill around the saline water. Commonly encountered species are Gemsbok, Greater Kudu, Springbok, Giraffe, Elephant, Warthog, Kongoni (Hartebeest), Blue Wildebeest, Burchell’s Zebra and Black-faced Impala. These waterholes don’t only attract the attention of thirsty grazers (and photographers!), but also predators. Black-backed Jackal, African Wild Cat, prides of lazing Lion, Spotted Hyena and even Cheetah and Leopard are included in the possible suit of carnivores. Birds are abundant in and around Okaukuejo camp and include Grey Go-away-bird, African Hoopoe, Southern Yellow-billed and Southern Red-billed Hornbills, Cardinal Woodpecker, Wattled and the ubiquitous Cape Starlings, Brubru, Marico, White-bellied and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Green-winged Pytilia and Pygmy Falcon. We will spend the afternoon searching the open grasslands and sparse Acacia savanna for birds such as the huge Martial and Tawny Eagles, the elegant Red- necked Falcon, Greater Kestrel, the magnificent Kori Bustard (the world’s heaviest flying bird), Spotted Thick- knee, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Red-capped and Pink-billed Larks, Capped Wheatear and flocks of angry- looking Scaly-feathered Weavers. In the evening, hundreds of Double-banded and Namaqua Sandgrouse come to drink at the waterhole, and occasionally Barn and Marsh Owls hunt in the vicinity. Mammals are also frequent here after dark and we have a good chance of seeing Black Rhinoceros, African Elephant, Lion and Black-backed Jackal. Day 7: Okaukuejo to Namutoni camp, Etosha National Park After some early morning birding, we will leave Okaukuejo and drive eastwards to the rest camp at Namutoni. En route we will search an area that holds an isolated population of the endearing Rufous-eared Warbler. As we travel eastwards towards Namutoni, the scenery becomes ever greener and the vegetation taller. Around Halali camp, which we will pass on the way, we travel through Mopane woodland that occasionally harbours Violet Woodhoopoe and Bare-cheeked Babbler, while sometimes there are roosting Southern White-faced and African Scops Owls in the camp. We will also be searching for a number of species that we may not yet have encountered, including Red-crested Korhaan, Crowned Lapwing, Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Red- faced Mousebird, African Grey Hornbill, Groundscraper Thrush, White-browed Scrub Robin, Burnt-neck Eremomela, Chinspot Batis, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Chestnut Weaver, flocks of Red-billed Quelea (sometimes numbering many thousands) and Blue Waxbill. Vultures are often numerous in this area and may include Lappet- faced, White-headed and wheeling flocks of White- backed. Day 8: Namutoni to the Waterberg Today we will spend our last morning in Etosha for a final bit of birding of the eastern section of this immense ecosystem. The shallow Fischer’s Pan, an eastern extension of the main Etosha Pan, is a notable natural feature of this area and lies to the north of Namutoni camp. Water levels vary tremendously and the pan is most often completely dry, but if water ispresent we may find flamingos, huge Saddle-billed and Yellow-billed Storks, Red-billed Teal, South African Shelduck and large numbers of migratory waders. Further to the north of Namutoni lie extensive grassy plains, home to large herds of Gemsbok, Springbok and Blue Wildebeest. The unique Secretarybird and elegant Blue Crane are possible here, and we may also find both Eastern Clapper Lark and the diminutive Desert Cisticola. Mammals are plentiful in the dense woodland south of camp and include Spotted Hyena, African Elephant, Giraffe, Black-faced Impala and two antelope species largely restricted to this part of the park: the huge and majestic Eland and the diminutive Damara Dik-dik. Here too we will search for the most elusive of the five babbler species occurring in Namibia, the Black-faced Babbler. Around lunch, we will then head south to the fabulous Waterberg region. Day 9: Waterberg Area Today we will explore the Waterberg Plateau Park. This is scenically beautiful and is situated below the Waterberg Plateau, a large inselberg that rises above the surrounding area. The Acacia savanna and woodland here abounds with birds and is one of the best sights in the country to see enigmatic endemics such as Ruppell’s Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird and the delightful Rockrunner. Hartlaub’s Francolin occurs on the boulder- strewn slopes above the camp and an early start will offer a reasonable chance at seeing this difficult endemic. The high cliffs of the plateau will be searched for Cape Vulture and Bradfield’s Swift, which are usually in evidence. Bradfield’s Hornbill and Red-billed Francolin are common around the accommodation area and make for good entertainment and excellent photo opportunities. Other exciting endemics that we hope to find during our limited stay here include Monteiro’s Hornbill, Violet Woodhoopoe and Carp’s Tit, while many of the more widespread dry land birds will be found in this avian wonderland. Day 10: Waterberg to Windhoek and Departures for Home An early morning start will allow us to have a shot at finding any of the specialties that we may be missing around the Waterberg before heading back to Windhoek where the tour will conclude. |
| Detailed Itinerary |
| 10 Days Birding and Enjoying Wildlife in Namibia |
| For More Information or to Register for this Trip, call Charles at 888-203-7464 or directly at 720-320-1974 or by email at info@PIBird.com. |
Nambia Birding Essentials
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