Safari: Superior Birding
This safari is fully guided. All participants will be travelling in our 4×4 safari vehicle. Your guide is a qualified safari guide and keen birder. Activities, like boat safaris are conducted by the various lodges. The establishments chosen are of a mixed comfort. Some are rather basic and accommodation will be in tents, however, these have been chosen due to their exceptional birding experiences. Others are of high tourist standard.
Day 1: Depart at around 08:30 from Windhoek via Okahandja to our first destination: The Waterberg Plateau. Our establishment of choice is located at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by huge trees and birdlife. The afternoon we will spend taking a hiking trail in the botanical gardens of the valley. Specials that occur in the habitat are the Meyer’s and Ruppel’s parrots, the Cape vultures, the Verraux’s eagle and the Monteiro’s and Damara Hornbill. Overnight at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 2: We join an early morning Bush Walk. The walking trail will bring us to the top of the Plateau. We’ll have spectacular views of the surrounding. During the afternoon we will join a game drive with focus on birdlife. Overnight at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 3: Breakfast and onward journey to the Eastern side of the Etosha National Park. This game park hosts wildlife in abundance and more than 250 species of birds. Flamingoes arrive and breed in the saltpans during these months and can be encountered in huge flocks. Our establishment of choice is located just outside the Van Lindequist gate to the Park. Overnight at Mokuti Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 4: Early breakfast and off we go to explore the Eastern side of this well-known Park. We will drive up to the Andoni Plains, where the endangered Blue Crane is usually encountered. Overnight at Mokuti Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 5: We drive via Tsumeb, the old mining town, Grootfontein to Rundu, located at the Okavango River. This permanently flowing river marks the border between Namibia and Angola. The location is set on a unique high-point overlooking some extensive floodplains of the Okavango River System. You will have some excellent birding opportunities. The current list has 433 species of which 21 are near-endemic.
Overnight at Shamvura Camp (tented accommodation) dinner, bed and breakfast included.
Day 6: Shamvura is a recognised ringing station. During the day, we will participate in a novice ringing exercise. It involves the procedures of opening and preparing the nets in different habitats within the property. The measuring and recording procedures will be demonstrated and guests will have direct involvement in the handling process. Overnight at Shamvura Camp (tented accommodation) dinner, bed and breakfast included.
Day 7: Our journey takes us to the Eastern Caprivi.We drive through the Bwabwata National Park. During the afternoon we will join a 3 hour boat trip on the Zambezi River. We will see the plentiful birdlife on the Zambezi. Overnight at Zambezi Mubala Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast included.
Day 8: During the early morning hours we will participate in another boat ride on the Zambezi and during late afternoon will walk to the bird colonies at the river banks. Overnight at Zambezi Mubala Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast included.
Day 9: Leaving Katima Mulilo, we take the Southern route through the Nkasa Rupara National Park. Our establilshment of choice is located on the banks of the Kwando River. The Pel’s Fishing Owl is a frequent visitor. During the sunset hours we’ll have a boat ride on the river and will be able to enjoy the lush vegetation and wildlife around. Overnight at Lianshulu Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast included.
Day 10: This morning we’ll enjoy a nature drive inside the National Park with focus on birding, but other wildlife sightings are welcome. Time to relax during the heat of the day and the afternoon will be enjoyed on another boat ride. Overnight at Lianshulu Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 11: On route from Lianshulu Lodge to Mahangu, we pass again through the Bwabwata National Park. We stop at the Popa Falls, which are more rapids than falls. We visit the Mahangu Core Area during the course of the afternoon. Overnight at Divava Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 12: We start the day with a boat ride on the Okavango River. We will try and find the birds, that we did not yet encounter. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Divava Lodge with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 13: This morning we start our route back via Rundu to Grootfontein. We will visit the Ju/’Hoansi Living Museum and arrive during the afternoon. The near endemic black-faced babbler is commonly seen her. This is our last night on tour. We will sit together and try and summarize the bird sightings we had on tour. Overnight at Roy’s Rest Camp with dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day 14: We leave after breakfast on the direct route to Windhoek. Arrival during the afternoon.
Departure: January (Accommodated Safari)
February (Accommodated Safari)
March (Accommodated Safari)
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