Our partner's team in Namibia is made up of experienced guides; Dr. Chris Lotz, Nick Lotz, Eduardo Ormaeche, Errol de Beer and Nadia Gunter. Chris Lotz has operated his own company since July 2002.

Having birded Namibia with Chris I can personally vouch for his local knowledge and ID skills - Fatbirder

Overview: This is a truly marvellous 2-week birding adventure during which we sample four different countries and spectacular, diverse scenery. We start in the coastal Namib Desert with its impressive dune fields (inhabited by desirable, localized endemics) and lagoons filled with flamingos, pelicans, shorebirds and some really localized species such as Damara Tern and Chestnut-banded Plover.

We then ascend the spectacular Namib Escarpment, which is inhabited by a whole suite of birds occurring ONLY in Namibia and southern Angola. Eventually, we leave the endemic-rich desert and enter the grassland, savannah and woodland of one of Africa’s greatest game parks, Etosha National Park. Here, we can find spectacular Kalahari birds such as Crimson-breasted Shrike, Kori Bustard, Pygmy Falcon and a host of others, while seeing Africa’s big (and small!) mammals as an unavoidable by-product of the birding. After Etosha, we head into an incredibly bird-diverse tropical corner of Africa, the Caprivi Strip and adjacent panhandle of the Okavango Delta (which falls just within the borders of Botswana). The magnificent wetlands and woodlands in these parts support Pel’s Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, Carmine Bee-eater and literally hundreds of other species, a rather large proportion of them spectacular. Finally, we bird around the Victoria Falls of Zambia (with a brief optional foray into adjacent Zimbabwe) for yet again a rich assemblage of birds, including rare species such as Taita Falcon.

We recommend an 18-day version of this trip or even better still a 3-week (21 day) version. We can of course modify this and any of our other itineraries to suit the varying needs of twitchers/hardcore birders, first-time visitors to Africa, birders who have been to Africa a lot already but now need the Namibian endemics, etc.

Day 1: Pick up at 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 it is usually easy to find Namibia’s only true endemic at a picturesque setting. After finding this species, time permitting (depending on flight arrival time) we can begin exploring the huge Walvis Bay Lagoon. This lagoon happens to be one of Africa’s most important shorebird stopovers (a Ramsar site), and we will also see incredible numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, and some extremely localized species such as the diminutive Damara Tern and Chestnut-banded Plover.

Overnight Accommodation: Lagoon Lodge, Walvis Bay

Day 2: Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

We can join an optional dolphin, seal, whale and seabird boat trip on Walvis Bay Lagoon, or we can continue birding from the shore. Southern Right Whales often come close inshore (seasonal) and the highly localized Heaviside’s Dolphin are frequently seen, along with the more common Bottlenose Dolphin. Storm petrels, petrels, shearwaters, skuas, gulls, terns and other seabirds are often observed from the boat. Today we will also 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 Grebe, and very large numbers of other waterbirds and waders.

Overnight Accommodation: Lagoon Lodge, Walvis Bay

Days 3: Namib Desert

This morning we will leave the coast and head inland. If we were really unlucky and missed Gray’s Lark the previous day, we will visit other sites for this nomadic species as we drive inland. 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, where we will bird for a while and have a picnic lunch. The Spitzkoppe, or “Matterhorn of Namibia” is an impressive desert mountain that rises straight out of the plain. On the approach 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 distract us (in a good way) from our main task of finding the most difficult species, Herero Chat. We will also (as always) see more common and more widespread species such as Familiar Chat and the attractive Mountain Wheatear. After a picnic lunch at the Spizkoppe, we will head northwards towards our overnight destination in the stunning Erongo Mountains. We may have time for some late afternoon birding for species mentioned under Day 4.

Overnight Accommodation: Erongo Wilderness Lodge The lodge has 10 tented chalets, built on stilts, set against towering granite formations. The bathrooms, which have showers rather than baths, are equipped with electric geysers and septic tanks. Of the 10 tents, 8 have 2 x three-quarter beds, and 2 have double beds, all made from sleeper wood.

Days 4: Namib Escarpment

The charismatic, bizarre and very striking White-tailed Shrike is common at the Erongo Wilderness Lodge. Early morning birding usually yields the equally bizarre and beautiful Rockrunner (Damara Rockjumper) and Hartlaub’s Francolin. This francolin is really weird looking (like many of the Namibian specials!), and it is a genuine skulker (again, very different from other francolins). The only time it is usually an easy bird to find is at dawn when it calls loudly from atop boulders. While looking for the francolin, we also hope to find the rock-loving Freckled Nightjar (but we may have already seen this, along with owls, the previous night). Other spectacular birds of theErongo Mountains include Violet-eared and Black-cheeked Waxbill, Melba Finch (Green-winged Pytilia) and a plethora of others. After morning birding around the beautiful lodge grounds, we will embark on an incredible birding drive northwards where we hope to find the likes of Ruppell’s Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Benguela Long-billed Lark, Ruppell’s Parrot, Violet Woodhoopoe, Carp’s Black Tit, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Ludwig’s Bustard and other extremely sought-after specials. Some of these inhabit the desolate gravel plains; 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 but less strategic species.  

Overnight Accommodation: White Lady B&B, Uis near Namibia's highest mountain, Mt Brandberg

Days 5: Etosha National Park

Today we leave the Namib Desert and Namib Escarpment and enter one of Africa’s great game parks, where we expect to find a plethora of Kalahari birds as well as many big mammals as a by-product of the marked focus on birding. Firstly, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, Gemsbok (Oryx) and other very large (as well as small) mammals are quite possible. Secondly, but actually more importantly, we should also find many spectacular birds. Kori Bustard, Northern Black Korhaan, Blue Crane, Pygmy Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, an excellent 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 as always many other birds inhabit the grassland, savannah, 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 we will be staying at has a floodlit waterhole, which offers spectacular wildlife viewing at night. Double-banded Sandgrouse (which drink at night), nightjars and Giant Eagle Owl are quite easy to observe at these floodlit waterholes. During our Etosha National Park stay, we can do 1-3 optional night drives, which will increase our chances of encountering nocturnal predators such as leopard, as well as owls, nightjars, thicknees, coursers and other nocturnal birds.

Overnight Accommodation: Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Etosha National Park. Accommodation in standard bungalow, 4 single beds in 2 rooms. Kitchen, fridge, kettle, hot plate, crockery and hot pot, shower, air conditioner, bedding and towels.  Rest Camp. Economy Flat (in Fort). 4 single beds in 2 rooms. Toilet, shower, bedding and towels, air conditioner, kettle, fridge.

Day 6: Etosha National Park

As previous day we will explore other areas of the National Park

Overnight Accommodation: Halali Rest Camp, Etosha National Park. Standard bungalow. 4 single beds in 2 rooms. Kitchen, fridge, hotplate, bedding and towels, air conditioner.

Day 7: Etosha National Park

As previous day we will explore other areas of the National Park

Overnight Accommodation: Mokuti Lodge

Day 8:  Caprivi Strip - Okavando Delta

After early morning birding around the lodge, 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. With luck, we may even 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 desirables.

Overnight Accommodation: Sarasungu Lodge, Rundu. Comfortable bungalows with hot water, electricity and good mosquito protection.

Day 9: Popa Falls Rest Camp

This is a great place for Rock Pratincole and a host of other specials, but perhaps most importantly it gives excellent access to the fabulous Mahango Game Reserve. This tiny reserve hosts African Lion, African Buffalo, Sable and Roan Antelope and an unbelievable 400 bird species!

Day 10:  Caprivi Strip - Botswana

After early morning birding at the Mahango Game Reserve and other sites we 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 Accommodation: Drotsky’s Cabins, Shakawe, Botswana

Day 11:  Caprivi Strip

...continued birding in the swamps, both on foot and by boat.

Overnight Accommodation: Drotsky’s Cabins, Shakawe, Botswana

Day 12:  Caprivi National Park

We will re-enter Namibia and continue eastwards along the Caprivi Strip, birding the finewoodlands of the Caprivi National Park en route to one of Africa’s largest rivers, the mighty Zambezi. The Zambezi is inhabited by a plethora of exciting birds, including African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, African Finfoot and tons of others. Woodland birding in the area is equally stunning, with Ground Hornbill, Schalow's Turaco, Shelley's Sunbird and a whole host of others.

Overnight Accommodation: Kalizo Lodge near Katima Mulilo. Self-catering units, comprising of two and three bedrooms with bathroom and kitchenette with basic cutlery, crockery, two-plate stove, fridge, towels and linen.

Day 13:  Victoria Falls, Zambia

Today we enter our third country, Zambia, to bird around the incredible Victoria Falls. Not only is this, 'the smoke that thunders', one of the most spectacular waterfalls on earth, but the birdlife is very stunning and exceptionally diverse. We could find the likes of Racket-tailed Roller (along with more widespread roller species), 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, 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 Accommodation: The Zambezi Waterfront, Livingstone, Zambia. Chalets each consist of 3 separate rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities.

Day 14:  Departure

International flight leaves Livingstone, Zambia, around lunchtime.

Further Recommendations

We fit a lot into this 2-week birding safari, and we can very easily extend it to three weeks, especially for those birders wanting a relaxed pace. But, given our standard two weeks, we do find the bulk of the Namibia/southern Angola and Kalahari endemics, as well as most of the extremely rich diversity of species inhabiting the tropical Caprivi/Okavango/Victoria Falls region (which has a greater overall species diversity but fewer endemics). Two weeks also allows time for loads of big mammals, plus unbelievable scenery, encountered as a by-product of our marked focus on birding.  

For those birders wanting to save time or money, we suggest spending just one week (or so) seeking either the: 

1) endemics of the Namib coast, the Namib Escarpment, and Etosha (with many other birds and big mammals thrown in), or

2) richly diverse bird life (but with fewer endemics) of the Caprivi, Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls region

(i.e. doing either half of our standard two week trip).

For birders not on a tight budget, we recommend extra time (not just two days) in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This is one of the world’s greatest wildlife havens. But, all the Okavango’s birds can be seen in the Caprivi and a 2-day foray into Botswana (i.e. during our 2-week trip described above), at a much lower cost (Botswana is disproportionably expensive compared to other southern African nations).