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SANDSCAPES' BIRDING TOUR - NAMIBIA Synopsis Itinerary
With its vast open spaces, low population, clear air, and numerous national parks and reserves, Namibia is a prime location for bird-watching. The vistas are excellent and photographic opportunities abound. Namibia has about 620 native bird species, so there should be plenty to keep even the most avid bird-watcher busy. This is a self-drive tour, for which a driver and/or guide can be arranged, if necessary. SYNOPSIS OF THE ITINERARY This is a synopsis. Please click on this link for a FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE ITINERARY. DAYS 1 & 2: Windhoek, staying at Olive Grove Guest House or Hotel Heinitzburg - enjoy the cultural, social, and historical aspects of the capital city, as well as bird-watching at Avis Dam and Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. Because of its situation and the fact that it is the site of the country’s major airport, many visitors begin and end their Namibian holiday in Windhoek. DAY 3: Waterberg Plateau Park staying at Waterberg Wilderness Lodge - this is the site of the most northernmost breeding colony of Cape Vultures, and the only one in Namibia; the only breeding site in Namibia for Booted Eagles; also Peregrine Falcons, Rosyfaced Lovebirds, Swifts, Hartlaub's and Coqui Francolins, Monteiro's Hornbills, and Rockrunners. General activities include game viewing, walks and hikes, and climbing to the top of the sandstone Waterberg escarpment to enjoy the magnificent view. DAYS 4 & 5: Etosha National Park, a major destination for a holiday in Namibia, staying at Mushara Lodge or in Namutoni Camp within the park - this eastern part of Etosha National Park is rich in bird life, such as vultures, ostriches, Blue and Crowned Cranes, and Redcrested Korhaans, as well as many others. During the wetter months, there are ducks, flamingos, and storks. There is rich and varied game viewing. DAYS 7 & 8: Etosha National Park (west) and vicinity staying at Ongava Lodge or in Okaukejo Camp within the park - birds include large raptors such as various vultures, Martial and Tawny Eagles, as well as various smaller raptors. Ostriches, Whitequilled Korhaans, and Pale Chanting Goshawks are widespread, as well as lark and courser species. General activities include game drives in Etosha as well as in Ongava's own reserve and guided walks with an armed guide to track white rhino. DAY 9: Twyfelfontein staying at Mowani Mountain Camp - This is dry and apparently barren region of Namibia is surprisingly rich in bird life, including a number of Namibia's endemic species. General activities include viewing rock art and unusual geological phenomena, as well as possibly sighting the desert-dwelling elephants. DAY 10: Erongo Mountains staying at Erongo Wilderness Lodge - From raptors to the tiniest of sunbirds, there is excellent bird-watching, including two breeding pairs of Black (Verreaux) Eagles. General activities include viewing rock paintings; game drives, and walking and hiking.
DAYS 11, 12, & 13: The coast (Walvis Bay) staying at Lagoon Lodge - The lagoon and coast with its fertile waters are some of the best locations in Southern Africa for Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Chestnutbanded Plovers, Black Terns, European Oystercatchers, and Rednecked Phalaropes, as well as numerous other birds. General activities include visiting the premier seaside resort of Swakopmund, a visit to the seal colony at Cape Cross, a desert tour that includes the ancient welwitschia plants, a cruise to view dolphins, seals, and other marine life, and quad-biking, hang-gliding, and sand-boarding on the desert dunes. Walvis Bay area and Swakopmund are major destinations for a holiday in Namibia! DAYS 14, 15 & 16: Namib-Naukluft Park - staying at Zebra River Lodge - In the mountains there are birds that are at the southern limits of many Damaraland species, such as Whitetailed Shrikes, Herero Chats, Ruppell's Korhaans, Rockrunners, and Monteiro's Hornbills, while there are also birds that are at the northern limits of Karoo species such as Karoo Robins and Cinnamonbreasted Warblers. The cliffs have breeding sites of Black Eagles, Jackal Buzzards, Peregrine and Lanner Falcons, and Rock Kestrels, amongst others. General activities include visiting the famous Sossusvlei dunes, and walking, hiking, and bird-watching in the Naukluft Mountains, enjoying the rugged splendour of the scenery and relaxing by clear pools and sparkling streams. DAY 17: The Kalahari staying at Bagatelle Kalahari Ranch - The highlight of this part of the Kalahari Desert is the sociable weaver birds and their huge communal nests. General activities include walks and nature drives in the unique world of the red Kalahari sand dunes. DAY 18: Central Namibia/Kalahari staying at Kiripotib Guest Farm - This is an occasion to relax by the pool, perhaps taking some time out to view the weavery and its products, as well as farming activities in this harsh environment. DAY 19 (OPTIONAL): Windhoek staying at Hotel Heinitzburg or the Olive Grove Guest House.
Optional THREE- OR FOUR-DAY EXTENSION TO THE BIRDING ITINERARY - the South Circuit DAY I: Aus - A comfortable stop-over on your way to either the coast or the Fish River Canyon. [OPTIONAL EXTRA DAY]: Luderitz staying at Klein Aus Vista Lodge (as for the previous day) DAYS II and III: Fish River Canyon staying at Canon Lodge. Extensions to the Tour We can also advise and assist you to visit other desirable destinations in Namibia. Kaokaland, the Caprivi, the Brandberg, the Spitzkoppe, the Kunene riverine belt, Ai-ais, and the southern Namib. Fly-in Safari Extensions to the Birding Tour
Namibia is a big country with great distances between destinations. Why not reduce travel time and give yourself more time to relax and enjoy the sights by flying between some of your destinations? In addition, why not extend your itinerary by including one or more of the following fly-in safaris that will take you to remote and spectacular parts of Namibia, some of which are not accessible by road? |
