Namibia

Day 1: The tour begins at midday in Windhoek. After checking into our hotel, we should have time for local birding at nearby sites, which provide a fine introduction to the birds of Namibia. Acacia Pied Barbet, Swallow-tailed Bee-Eater, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Pririt Batis, Black-chested Prinia, Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler and Southern Masked Weaver are all possible before dinner. Night near Windhoek. 

This was a wonderful trip- we saw almost all of the birds we wanted to see, the hotels were good, and the food was excellent. It’s a great starter trip to Africa- not so many birds that you feel overwhelmed, but enough to get a good idea of the different families of birds present. The scenery in the dunes especially is incredible, but all of the country is beautiful. Who expects to see Flamingos in the desert?! Sean was experienced and always reassuring, and he found all the birds possible to see in each area, plus new ones. He has a great attitude and can get along with everyone. He knew the birds well and was able to tell us about the other animals and reptiles and insects as well, plus some of the geology of the region. I would be delighted to travel with him again. - Sandra J., Mar. 2019

Day 2: We’ll awake to the raucous calls of Red-billed Spurfowl in the surrounding scrub, and before breakfast we’ll visit a site for one of Namibia’s special birds, Rockrunner. This near endemic is, as its name suggests, found among rocky outcrops and is usually first detected by its strange, oriole-like song. Other birds we’ll hope for include Orange River Francolin, Common Scimitarbill, vivid Southern Red Bishops and smart Black-faced Waxbills. During our outdoor breakfast we may be further distracted by Short-toed Rock Thrush, Carp’s Tit, Familiar Chat and Bradfield’s Swift. We’ll then commence our journey south, and we should soon see massive Sociable Weaver nests clinging to roadside poles and trees; some may even have tiny Pygmy Falcons in attendance. Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks will also be using the roadside poles as a convenient lookout perch, while other raptors could include Black-winged Kite or the mighty Martial Eagle. Monteiro’s Hornbill, Rufous-crowned Roller, Southern Anteater-Chat, Common Fiscal (of the local “white-browed” Namib form) and Chat Flycatcher should be some of the more obvious species. Flocks of small passerines could include White-browed Sparrow Weaver and lots of Lark-like Buntings, and roadside stops by old river courses might reveal a noisy group of Violet Wood-Hoopoes or Golden-tailed Woodpecker.

Our destination is a working guest farm at Namibgrens, perched on the edge of the Khomas Highland area, close to the famous Spreetshoogte Pass, a gateway to the vast Namib Desert and the perfect base from which to explore the area. Night at Namibgrens. 

Day 3: We’ll start by birding the grounds of the farm where Groundscraper Thrush, Layard’s Tit Babbler, Karoo Scrub-robin and Crimson-breasted Shrike are all pre-breakfast possibilities. We’ll then drive through the Spreetshoogte Pass, where from the top we can gaze across the immense Namib-Naukluft wilderness stretching away toward the coast. The Pass should give us a variety of birds, from smart Augur Buzzards to the stunning Bokmakierie, to Scarlet-chested and Dusky Sunbirds. It is also one of the traditional sites to see Herero Chat, a bird that is restricted to Namibia and neighboring Angola. This distinctive chat uses the small acacia trees as a lookout but can at times be remarkably difficult to locate.

Moving on we’ll stop to look for other species we may only see in this area, such as the Cinnamon-breasted Warbler. This dry country is very good for larks, so we should detect Stark’s, Sabota and Karoo Long-billed Larks. We’ll also hope for a sighting of the impressive Ludwig’s Bustard. We’ll stop at Solitaire, an isolated outpost with a small bakery famous for its apple pie. The trees surrounding the buildings can be a good place to see Rosy-Faced Lovebirds coming to drink at dripping taps as we defend our pie against Cape and Great Sparrows and Cape Starlings. Although we’re in a remote part of the country, Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s big tourist attractions – it is here where you can see those huge brick-red sand dunes that adorn the guide book pages. If time permits we’ll visit the dunes first in the afternoon when the low light creates dark, curving shadows that contrast with the deep red sand, offering endless photo opportunities. There are also birds to look for, and this will be our first chance for Dune Lark, a sandy-colored bird and Namibia’s only endemic, which can be found running fast over the dunes in search of insects. Elsewhere we may find Common Ostrich, Rüppell’s Korhaan, Greater Kestrel and Mountain Wheatear. Night in Sesriem area. 

Day 4: There may be time to return to the dunes at dawn, searching for more new birds, including Secretarybird and Karoo Chat, as well as stately Gemsbok, the most common ungulate in this area. Retracing our steps via Solitaire, we’ll embark on a drive across the Namib-Naukluft, a huge national park the size of Switzerland that takes us through the oldest desert in the world. This is a drive to sit back while taking in the slowly unfolding landscape, which takes us through more dramatic passes and past dark inselbergs before leveling out as we near the coast. 

Birds are not numerous en route, but we’ll look for two in particular. The striking pale Namib form of Tractrac Chat lives out in this harsh land and can appear as an almost pure white bird sitting on low vegetation. It shares this environment with small flocks of Gray’s Lark, which scurry over the sand in search of seeds. We’ll also search some open gravel fields for Burchell’s Courser.

We should reach the coast and the seaside town of Walvis Bay in the afternoon, and after checking in to our hotel we’ll take our first look at the lagoon. One thing is certain – there will be lots of birds – tens of thousands of them in fact, but how close they are will depend on the tide. Immediately obvious are the pink Lesser Flamingos stretching to the horizon, with smaller numbers of Greater Flamingos among them and very large flocks of Cape Cormorants constantly streaming up and down the lagoon. Less numerous will be the noisy African Black Oystercatchers, while Great White Pelicans can often be found right up on the boulevard that borders the lagoon. Night at Walvis Bay. 

Day 5: The extensive salt pans at Walvis Bay are a great place for birds. Driving along the convenient roadways that separate the pans, it is hard to escape both species of flamingos, but they will be mingling with hordes of Cape Teal, Pied Avocets and a mix of wintering waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-bellied Plover, Red-necked Phalarope, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. Around the edges of the pans there will be White-fronted Plovers dashing back and forth, and we’ll look through these to pick out Chestnut-banded Plover, a dapper African wader typically found on salt pans. Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gulls are always present, along with large Swift and Caspian Terns and the local specialty, Damara Tern, a tiny tern often seen diving for fish in the salt pans and out on the main lagoon. Driving around to the seaward side, we may see Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers harrying the local terns, and there should also be Sooty and possibly Cory’s Shearwaters cruising past, albeit at some distance.

If we have not seen Dune Lark, we’ll have another chance near Walvis Bay, and there are also some great places to see Gray’s Lark as the strip of desert that runs inland behind the coast is much to their liking. We may also travel up the coast to Swakopmund to search for Bank Cormorant and explore places around Walvis Bay for Red-Faced Mousebird, Orange River White-eye and African Reed Warbler. Of course, being on the coast it would be a crime not to take dinner at least one night at a fine local seafood restaurant. Night in Walvis Bay. 

Day 6: We’ll leave the coast and head inland, hoping to make a detour to see an ancient and structurally unique plant, the Welwitschia, found only in the costal desert plains of Namibia and Angola. If we still haven’t seen Herero Chat, we’ll make another detour to visit Spitzkoppe, a gigantic inselberg where the species resides. Other birds in this area include Pale-winged Starlings and Rosy-faced Lovebird, while Verreaux’s Eagles can be seen overhead. 

Our day’s final destination is the Erongo Mountains. Our lodge is located amid superb habitat – a wonderful mix of scrub and mature trees woven in and around the smooth red rocks. There are some special birds here, and in particular we hope to see the rare Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, whose strident calls echo around the rocky habitat at dawn. We’ll also search for the smart White-tailed Shrike, a striking black-and-white bird that is restricted to Namibia and parts of Angola. As darkness falls the yelping calls of Freckled Nightjar start to fill the air, and we stand a good chance of seeing them as they flit around the lodge lights. Night in Erongo Mountains. 

Day 7: We’ll have a pre-breakfast walk around the lodge grounds. As well as actually seeing Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, there should be Red-billed Spurfowl, Green-winged Pytilia, White-browed Scrub Robin, Rockrunner, and Black-faced Waxbill among others. 

Moving on we’ll spend one night a short distance outside of Etosha National Park. Our lodge is surrounded by good habitats, including large areas of open grassland, and most important its out-of-park location allows us to do a night drive. Although we can’t predict what we’ll see, the main attraction is likely to be the mammals, with both Aardvark and Aardwolf possible, along with Bat-eared Fox, the strange Spring Hare, Yellow Mongoose and Small-spotted Genet. There should also be a few birds; Southern White-faced Scops and Barn Owls and perhaps a nightjar or two are possible. Night at Hobatare Lodge.

Days 8-11: Mighty Etosha National Park dominates northern Namibia and remains one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. At its center lies the massive baked salt pan that gives the park its name, which translates to “The Great White Place.” Some 70 miles long, this shimmering expanse is dry most of the time, only receiving a thin cover of water after significant rain. However, it’s surrounded by a rich mosaic of savannah, mopane woodland and open grassland, all of which are alive with birds and animals. Dotted throughout is a series of waterholes that provide essential rehydration for wildlife and superb viewing opportunities for visitors. 

Etosha is huge, covering some 8,800 square miles, so to see all that it has to offer, we’ll divide our stay between the western and eastern sections. We’ll begin in the west, and today’s drive takes us across Damaraland to the western end of the park. We’ll arrive at our lodge in time for an afternoon game drive and our first chance to see some of the area’s mammals. Their numbers depend very much on the rains, but Giraffe should be immediately obvious, towering above the trees, and we have a very good chance of seeing our first African Elephants. There will be lots of antelope, ranging from the huge Kudu to the elegant black-fronted form of Impala, and with so much prey around Lion or Spotted Hyena can also be expected. Our lodge has a large, floodlit waterhole, and as dusk falls we can expect a variety of mammals and birds to appear. Sitting quietly within feet of the water we may be treated to a Black Rhinoceros or two coming to drink, and there could also be some nocturnal birds present such as Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl or a Rufous-eared Nightjar.

Our drives on the plains should provide us with a wonderful variety of encounters. On the areas of open grassland we’ll be looking for Kori Bustard, Helmeted Guineafowl, Temminck’s and Double-banded Coursers, Red-capped, Spike-heeled and Pink-billed Larks, Capped Wheatear, Desert Cisticola, Rufous-eared Warbler, and African Pipit. Overhead the open skies are the domain of the park’s many raptors, which include Lappet-faced and African White-backed Vultures, Tawny Eagle and Bateleur. 

These plains are also home to large herds of Springbok, Blue Wildebeest, Warthog and Burchell’s Zebra, all of which will join other species at one of the many waterholes. Watching over an active waterhole is exciting, and we could once again be lucky enough to see a Black Rhino, this time in daylight. Black-backed Jackals seem to be everywhere, and it is not unusual to find groups of Spotted Hyenas coming to the waterholes as well. Birds also need to drink. At some of the more open waterholes, and if the rains have been sparse, the morning air is filled with the distinctive calls of Namaqua Sandgrouse, flights of which are constantly coming and going. These birds are always very wary when drinking, as indeed they should be with the attendant Lanner Falcons always on the lookout for a meal. Occasionally the abundant Namaqua Sandgrouse are joined by the much rarer Burchell’s Sandgrouse, their reddish color and lack of tail streamers helping us separate them. Many Cape Turtle and Laughing Doves will join the throng, as will the common Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark and perhaps a few Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Larks. Waders are also attracted to the pools, and most will have resident Kittlitz’s Plovers in attendance. It’s also not unusual to see a Hamerkop stalking the water’s edge.

Etosha is crisscrossed by numerous tracks that get us close to many of its birds. Lilac-breasted Rollers often permit a close approach, and both Red-crested and Northern Black Korhaans can be found on the roadside, while the bushes hold African Grey and Southern Red-billed Hornbills, Long-billed Crombec, African Barred Wren-warbler, Burnt-necked Eremomela and Southern White-crowned Shrike, among many others.

In the eastern part of Etosha there will be more waterholes to take in, and we’ll also stop at a lodge to search the grounds for the distinctive Bare-cheeked Babbler, another bird found only in Namibia and Angola. This lodge is also usually home to the Barn Owl and tiny African Scops Owl, both of which we hope to see at their daytime roosts.

From our eastern base we’ll happily encounter many of the birds and mammals that have entertained us over the past few days, but there will be new things to look for as well: Swainson’s Francolin, Red-necked Falcon, Shikra, Gabar Goshawk, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Meyer’s Parrot, Rufous-naped Lark, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver and Scaly-feathered Finch, to mention a few. Nights in Etosha National Park.

Day 12: We’ll take our reluctant leave of Etosha and begin the return journey to Windhoek, but before we reach there we have one final place to visit, the renowned Waterberg Plateau. This dramatic and very prominent feature rises some 700 feet out of the eastern plains. Our lodge is located at the end of a long valley and is surrounded on three sides by towering sandstone cliffs. There is a natural spring that supports a tropical environment around the lodge and creates a wonderfully relaxing place to end our tour. Night at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge.

Day 13: We have all day to explore this area. The dense woodland on the approach to the lodge is where we may find parties of the striking Southern Pied Babbler or White-crested Helmet Shrike. The rocky cliffs are the perfect habitat for Bradfield’s Hornbill, and we’ll be listening for their distinctive whistling call, while there will be another chance to locate Hartlaub’s Spurfowl and Rockrunner. This is probably our best location for Rüppell’s Parrot, as this attractive bird, a near endemic, can often be found feeding on the seedpods of tall acacia trees around the lodge. Other species we may come across today include African Hawk and Wahlberg’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Little Sparrowhawk, Lesser Honeyguide and White-bellied Sunbird. As night falls, we may find the diminutive Lesser Bushbaby bouncing around the trees, and a feeding station is regularly visited by a Cape Porcupine. Night at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge.

Day 14: After breakfast we will begin our journey back to Windhoek, where the tour ends after lunch.

2024 Narrative

IN BRIEF: Overall the entire trip was a great success. The group managed to get views of all the Namibian specials and other targets species. The variability in rainfall added an interesting element to birding, leading to observations of several arid species, many of which were observed farther east than their normal expected range.  Nonetheless there was an absence of some of the more common species and regretfully we missed sightings of a few typical guaranteed species in a normal rainfall season.

IN DETAIL: After collecting the final participants at the International Airport, we proceeded to River Crossing Lodge where we joined the rest of the group. Following lunch, we embarked on a walk in the surrounding area of the lodge. This excursion proved fruitful, with several sightings of Rockrunner, which initially required some effort to locate but ultimately provided excellent views for everyone. Among the other noteworthy species observed were the elusive White-tailed Shrike, Acacia Pied Barbet, Greater-striped Swallow, Cardinal Woodpecker, Violet-eared Waxbill, Jacobin, Great-spotted & Diederik Cuckoos, Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Short-toed Rock Thrush and Southern-masked Weaver

On Day 2, as dawn broke, we ventured towards Avis Dam for an early morning stroll. The dam had filled from the rainfall of the previous season and was teeming with waterfowl, boasting a remarkable congregation of at least 150 Maccoa Ducks, alongside Red-knobbed Coots, South African Shelducks, Egyptian Geese, Cape Shovelers, Red-billed Teals, Greater Flamingos, Common Moorhens, as well as Kittlitz’s and Three-banded Plovers. Additionally, the area around the dam was bustling with activity from common species such as the Black-faced Waxbill, White-browed Sparrow Weaver, Black-throated Canary, Black Cuckoo, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Common Reed Warbler, White-rumped Swift, African Palm Swift, Bradfield’s Swift and Rock Martin. Additionally, worth mentioning was a brief sighting of a single Garden Warbler, a rather uncommon summer visitor to Southern Africa. Furthermore, the unexpected appearance of a lone Pied Kingfisher added to the delight of the day.

On Day 3, following breakfast and a brief stop in town, we embarked on our journey southbound along the C26, a gravel road that meanders through stunning countryside. Along the roadside bird watching endeavours yielded several raptors, beginning with a single Verreaux’s Eagle as well as Pale-chanting Goshawk, Yellow-billed and Black-winged Kites, Common Buzzard, Brown Snake-eagle, White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures. Our lunch break provided sightings of Burchell’s Starling, Red-billed Spurfowl and Southern Pied Babbler. As we transitioned into a more Karroid habitat, our observations continued, revealing species such as Chat Flycatcher, Rufous-eared Warbler, White-backed Mousebird, Great Sparrow, Kalahari Scrub-robin, Long-billed Crombec, Desert Cisticola, Black-chested Prinia, Pale-winged Starling, Dusky Sunbird Chestnut-vented Warbler, Sociable Weaver, Scaly-feathered Finch and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. Upon reaching Namib Grens, our sightings expanded to include the Pearl-spotted Owlet, Karoo Scrub-robin, Groundscraper Thrush and Golden-tailed Woodpecker.

On Day 4, a pre-dawn stroll at Namib Grens unveiled the striking Bokmakierie, a Bushshrike species adorned with vibrant yellow plumage. We also enjoyed splendid sightings of a pair of Layard’s Warbler, Mountain Wheatear, Cape Bunting, Grey-backed Cisticola, White-tailed Shrike, Rock Kestrel, Nicholson’s Pipit (Long-billed) and Verreaux’s Eagle.

Following breakfast we bid farewell to Namib Grens and journeyed to the precipice of the escarpment where the Spreetshoogte Pass descends into the desert. From its summit we marvelled at unparalleled vistas of the Namib Desert below. A brief exploration at the base rewarded us with excellent views of our sought-after species, the Herero Chat. Among other notable sightings were a pair of Klipspringers (a diminutive, rock-dwelling antelope) and White-throated Canary, Southern Fiscal, Short-toed Rock Thrush and Larklike Bunting.

As we ventured further into the Namib, we encountered a variety of arid-adapted species, including Stark’s Lark, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Sabota Lark, Greater Kestrel and Pygmy Falcon. Our journey led us to the remarkable Dead Valley Lodge in time for lunch amidst breathtaking views of the expansive Namib plains and the iconic red dunes. This setting provided ideal habitat for Namibia’s sole true endemic, the Dune Lark.

Despite the strong south-westerly wind, we ventured to Sossusvlei, admiring the landscapes and encountering some of the area’s large mammals. The play of light and shadows on the dunes captivated us, prompting a flurry of camera activity to capture the quintessential dune photography. Our observations also included sightings of the Spotted Eagle Own and Rüppell’s Korhaan. En route back to the lodge, we were treated to extraordinary views of a solitary Brown Hyena, a rare and elusive nocturnal species.

The following day before sunrise, we embarked on a journey to seek out the elusive Dune Lark, and our efforts paid off as we not only located a cooperative pair but were also joined by another pair! Following a brief lesson on dune formation in the Namib, we proceeded to breakfast and were delighted to encounter the same Brown Hyena from the previous evening.

As we journeyed towards the port town of Walvis Bay, we traversed through the Namib Naukluft Park, characterised by its undulating hills and transitioned into the stark, desolate landscape of the hyper-arid Namib. Along the way, we searched for several key species and successfully spotted Gray’s Lark, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Karoo Chat and Tractrac Chat. We also encountered numerous Common Ostriches.

Upon reaching the coast, a brief stop at the sewage ponds revealed a spectacle of birdlife, including impressive numbers of Lesser and Greater Flamingos, alongside many waders and other common waterfowl. A rare sighting of a single Eurasian Curlew added excitement as they are infrequently seen along the Namibian coastline. Blue-billed, Red-billed and Cape Teals were abundant. Among the multitude of bird species, we observed a breeding pair of Little Grebes among a large congregation of Black-necked Grebes. Additionally, sightings of African Swamphens, Black-winged Stilts, Pied Avocets and various common palearctic waders delighted us before we checked into our accommodation overlooking the Walvis Lagoon.

Today, we had a full day to explore the coastal region. The wetlands surrounding Walvis Bay, designated as a RAMSAR site, serve as a crucial habitat for an impressive array of palearctic migrants and resident waders and waterbirds. Annually over 250 000 palearctic migrants pass through this area. While the usual bird inhabitants were present in substantial number, sightings of unusual species were relatively limited. Noteworthy observations included a pair of Terek Sandpipers, modest numbers of Chestnut-banded Plovers and remarkably high numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits.

Unfortunately the conditions were not conducive to pelagic bird sightings and we only managed distant views of Sooty Shearwaters. However we enjoyed sightings of several tern species, including the diminutive and endangered Damara Tern which appeared in notable numbers this season. A pleasant surprise was the discovery of a single Little Tern feeding among the Damara Terns, a species not typically found along the Namibian coast.

During our exploration around Swakopmund, we were delighted to spot Orange-river White-eyes and we enjoyed improved views of both Gray’s Lark and Tractrac Chat. Additionally we added sightings of African Oystercatchers, Crowned, Cape and White-breasted Cormorants to our birding list.

As we departed from the coast our journey led us through the Kahn River Valley, where we were fortunate to encounter some elusive species, including the prized Karoo Eremomela, as well as excellent sightings of the Karoo Long-billed Lark. Among the notable mammalian sightings was a group of Meerkats (Suricats).

Continuing towards our lodge nestled in the Erongo Mountains, we made a stop in the upper Kahn River area where our birding endeavours were rewarded with sightings of the Damara Hornbill, African Scops Owlet, Common Scimitarbill, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Rufous-crowned Roller, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Spotted Flycatcher, Pririt Batis, Southern White-crowned Shrike, Brubru, Black-backed Puffback and Brown-crowned Tchagra. Upon reaching our lodge we were welcomed by the presence of Rüppell’s Parrot.

The Erongo Mountains, characterised by the eroded remains of a volcanic complex, boast towering granite boulders forming impressive structures reaching heights of up to 2320 meters above sea level. This unique landscape provides a habitat for a diverse array of species.  That evening we had the opportunity to observe a pair of Freckled Nightjars feeding under the spotlights, adding to the enchantment of our experiences.

Our pre-breakfast quest for Hartlaub’s Spurfowl proved to be highly successful with a pair calling out early and granting us unobstructed views. Additionally we enjoyed improved sightings of the Rockrunner, Monteiro’s Hornbill and added the African Paradise Flycatcher to our observations. Departing from the Erongo Mountains, we journeyed back into the Namib where we were rewarded with a close encounter with a very cooperative Benguela Long-billed Lark.

As we passed by the Brandberg, Namibia’s tallest mountain our efforts to locate the Violet Woodhoopoe along the Ugab River were fruitful. Arriving at Hobatere in the late afternoon, we were treated to sightings of several flocks of breeding Chestnut Weavers. The night drive after dinner provided memorable encounters with Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Spotted Thicknee and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar, while highlights among the mammalian sightings included African Elephants, African Wildcats and Small Spotted Genets.

Etosha, meaning “Great White Place” in Hai//om San language, derives its name from the expansive white saline pan that covers approximately one-third of the 22,270 square kilometre park. Home to a diverse array of fauna and flora, we had the opportunity to stay in two camps, each offering a unique habitat and a rich variety of bird and mammal species.

Despite the impact of rain on animal numbers, we were treated to exceptional mammal sightings throughout our stay. Some members of the group who stayed up later at the floodlit waterholes were rewarded with views of the endangered Black Rhinoceros. During daylight hours, we had a notable sighting of a Black Rhino along with several encounters with Lions and Cheetah. Despite the challenges posed by the rainy season, we managed to observe a herd of elephants and a few bulls. Additionally we encountered smaller, more elusive species such as the Cape Fox, Yellow Mongoose and Banded Mongoose. Overall, the park provided abundant sightings of all the common large mammals throughout our four-day exploration.

Our birdwatching experience was good too although the presence of several migrant species seemed to be unpredictable, likely influenced by the erratic and insufficient rainfall across the entire sub-region. Nonetheless, we encountered abundant populations of all the expected Lark species, including the Pink-billed, Clapper and numerous migrant Monotonous Larks as well as Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark.

Our sightings of raptors were particularly rewarding, with notable species such as the Red-necked, Red-footed and Lanner Falcons, Pallid Harrier, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Bateleur and Tawny Eagle. We were treated to delightful views of several groups of the isolated population of Blue Cranes along the sighting of Burchell’s Sandgrouse and large numbers of nesting Chestnut Weavers.

At Fischer’s Pan, the presence of water attracted various waterfowl, including significant numbers of Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Our observations also included the pleasant surprise of Greater Painted Snipes, Yellow-billed Storks, Saddle-billed Storks and Intermediate Egrets.

Today marked our departure from Etosha as we headed towards our final two-night stay at Waterberg. The Waterberg a vast sandstone plateau is renowned for its diverse array of birds and mammal species.

Having already had excellent sightings of all the endemic and near-endemics, we approached our birding adventures in the area with a relaxed demeanour. Nonetheless, the region still yielded several new species for our trip. Bradfield’s Hornbills made a captivating appearance right in front of our rooms, offering delightful viewing opportunities. We were also fortunate to hear and spot the uncommon red-chested Cuckoo, a species not typically found in this area.

Additionally, we caught the distinct call of a Senegal Coucal, although it remained elusive, adding to the allure of our birding experience around the Waterberg

As we made our way back to Windhoek, we were treated to the sight of a Yellow-billed Stork in a roadside pool, accompanied by a couple of African Spoonbills. After a quick lunch at River Crossing Lodge, we set off towards the international airport to drop off the remaining participants who were not staying overnight.

                                                                                                                                                                                -          Sean Braine

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