botswana, namibia,caprivi, kunene birding tour road trip...katima mulilo is a town situated in the...
TRANSCRIPT
Botswana, Namibia, Caprivi, Kunene
Birding Tour Road Trip
1
18 Day
Nata, Katima Mulilo, Popa Falls, Rundu, Tsumeb,
Kunene River Lodge, Kamanjab, Swakopmund,
Walvisbay, Gobabis, Kang.
www.escapetothewild.co.za
2
ITINERARY CAPRIVI, PANHANDLE, KUNENE
Days Destination Summary
Day 1 Johannesburg to Nata We will meet in Centurion and take a route to Nata
Overnight Hotel at Elephant Sands
Day 2 Nata to Katima Mulilo Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 3 Katima Mulilo Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 4 Katima Mulilo Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 5 Katima Mulilo
to Popa Falls
Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 6 Popa Falls Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 7 Popa Falls
To Rundu
Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 8 Rundu Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 9 Rundu
To Etosha
Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 10 Etosha
To
Kunene River Lodge
Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 11 Kunene River Lodge Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 12 Kunene River Lodge Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 13 Kunene River Lodge
To Kamanjab
Early morning departure to Kamanjab. Birding the route
Overnight Hotel
Day 14 Kamanjab to
Walvisbay
Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 15 Walvisbay Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 16 Walvisbay to Gobabis Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 17 Gobabis to Kang Birding the route Overnight Hotel
Day 18 Kang to Johannesburg Drive back to Pretoria where the tour concludes.
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Day 1: Johannesburg to Nata
3Overnight at the Elephant Sands Hotel
Botswana
Botswana is topographically flat, with up to 70 per cent of its territory being the Kalahari Desert.
It is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north,
and Zimbabwe to the northeast.
Drive to Nata in Botswana
Collection Hotel and drive to Nata. The first stretch is a long drive to get to Botswana where we
then begin birding seriously. Trip (+-825 km) Johannesburg to Nata about 8 – 9 hours
Route - Johannesburg, Pretoria, Hammanskraal, Bela-Bela, Modimolle, Vaalwater, Lephalale, Ons
Hoop, Ga-Seika, Gedroogte, Groblersbrug, Lerala, Maunatlala, Mogapinyana, Topisi, Serule, Tonata,
Shashe Mooke, Tati Siding, Francistown, Mathangwane, Makaleng, Mosetse, Dukwi, Nata.
Nata
The route south to Nata is often referred to as the ‘game drive
route', as there is always the chance of seeing wildlife of some sort
along the way. North of Pandamatenga, Elephants are common,
and Buffalo, Sable Antelope and Giraffe can be seen.
Nata is on the main Nata-Francistown road. This is on the main
tourist routes to the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and
Caprivi Strip in Namibia.
Boulder Chat
Maans Booysen
Images Nata Botswana
Elephant Sands
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Day 2: Nata to Katima Mulilo via Kusane
4Overnight at the Protea Zambezi River Lodge
Bradfield’s Hornbill Burchell’s Sandgrouse Dusky Lark Southern Ground Hornbill
Red-necked Falcon African Golden Oriole Racket-tailed Roller Brown Firefinch
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Katima Mulilo is a town
situated in the Caprivi
strip and is the capital of
the Zambezi Region,
Namibia's far north-eastern
extension into central
Southern Africa. The nearest
Namibian town to Katima
Mulilo is Rundu, about 500 km
away.
The Nata Bird Sanctuary is the only protected reserve in Botswana. The bird list for the sanctuary is
reported to number 165 bird species.
The sanctuary is of international importance due to its population of 250 000 Lesser and Greater
Flamingos , which visit the sanctuary every year during the winter to breed, after the rainy season
when the water sources are full.
During the summer after the first rains, the Nata Sanctuary can be a surprisingly rewarding stop for
keen birders. This community project is on the northern edge of the pans, and gets Great White
Pelicans from time to time along with 200 other species that have been recorded here.
Nata Bird Sanctuary
Protea Zambezi River Lodge
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Day 3 & 4 : Katima Mulilo
5Overnight at the Protea Zambezi River Lodge
White-backed Night Heron Schalow’s Turaco White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coppery-tailed Coucal
Katima Mulilo - Zambezi River
The wide, slow-flowing Zambezi River is edged with tall, lush trees, tropical birds and monkeys, with
lolling hippos and crocs reminding everyone who's in charge of the waters. Elephants are frequent
visitors on the river banks for a drink and a bath, and birders only have to take a short walk along
the river's banks to tick-off a wide variety of bird species.
African Finfoot Yellow-throated Leaflove Pel’s Fishing Owl Western Banded Snake Eagle
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Katima Mulilo
Zambezi River Boat Jetty
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Day 5 & 6 : Katima Mulilo to Popa Falls
6
Hartlaub’s Babbler African Hobby Dickenson’s Kestrel Greater Swamp Warbler
Overnight at Hotel
Popa Falls
Near the little town of Divundu, some 200 kilometres east of Rundu, lies one of the highlights of
the western Caprivi, the Popa Falls. They are actually rapids rather than waterfalls. Here the
Okavango River breaks through a 4 metre high dark quartzite rock reef in its riverbed, which
stretches over more than a kilometre in width. The rapids are particularly impressive in the dry
season at lower water levels. The Popa Falls are surrounded by enchantingly beautiful riparian
habitats.
Popa Falls Okavango River
Chirping Cisticola Long-toed Lapwing White-crowned Lapwing Rock Pratincole
African Skimmer Rufous Bellied Heron Lesser Jacana Shelley’s Sunbird
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
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Day 7 & 8 : Popa Falls / Rundu
7
Senegal Coucal Yellow-billed Oxpecker Meyer’s Parrot Wood Pipit
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Overnight at the Kaisosi River Lodge
Rundu is the capital of the Kavango-East Region, northern Namibia, on the border with Angola on
the banks of the Kavango River about 1 000 metres (3 300 feet) above sea level.
Rundu, a sultry tropical outpost on the bluffs above the Okavango River is a major centre of activity
for Namibia’s growing Angolan community. Although the town has little of specific interest for
tourists, it is a fine place to break up the journey between the Caprivi Strip and Etosha.
Rundu
Souza’s Shrike Sharp-tailed Starling Rufous-bellied Tit Rosy-throated Longclaw
Greater Painted-snipe Lesser Moorhen Baillon’s Crake Lesser Jacana
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Day 9 : Rundu to Etosha
8
Bateleur Kori Bustard Black-faced Babbler Grey-headed Parrot
Overnight at the Sachsenheim Guest Farm
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK is the gateway to northern Namibia and Ovamboland. It is Namibia’s
prime wildlife location and home to a large variety of mammals and birds. Etosha means the ‘ great
white area ‘ which refers to the large dried pan in the middle of the Etosha National Park.
Etosha is any photographer’s dream, located in the a seasonally moist environment, albeit
surrounded by magnificent dunes and golden grass plains and mopane vegetation which accounts
for impressive biodiversity. Here, you’ll find four of the Big Five mammals (Buffalo is the only one
not found in the park).
Visitors can look forward to seeing Zebra, the rare Black-faced Impala, Oryx, Cheetah, Giraffe, Eland
and Hyena. In terms of birdlife, it’s truly amazing to see how many birds thrive here. During the
rainy season, one million Flamingo’s use Etosha as a breeding ground. Falcons, Harriers and the
Egyptian Vulture are some wonderful birds to introduce yourself to.
Etosha
Grey Kestrel Burchell’s Courser Pink-billed Lark Carp’s Tit
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
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Day 10, 11 & 12 : Kunene River Lodge
9Overnight at Hotel
Bare-cheeked Babbler White-tailed Shrike Ruppell’s Parrot Pririt Batis
Violet Wood Hoopoe Cinderella Waxbill Rufous-tailed Palm-thrush Angola Cave-chat
Kunene River Lodge is a Birder's dream! With the discovery of the first two Cinderella Waxbill nests
in the wild, we usually achieve high success rates with sighting this elusive species .
There are many other species of great interest to be found in the area including the rare Grey Kestrel
which is resident nearby. Or what better way to start the day than to steer silently along the river at
dawn with a knowledgeable guide pointing out - who knows what?
Kunene River Lodge
Luapula Cisticola Grey Kestrel White-browed Coucal Chestnut Weaver
Swamp Boubou Rosy-faced Lovebird Red-necked Spurfowl
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Himba Lady www.escapetothewild.co.za
Day 13 : Kunene River Lodge to Kamanjab
10
Overnight at the Alpec Lodge
Monteiro’s Hornbill Ruppell’s Korhaan Rockrunner Hartlaub’s Spurfowl
Herero Chat White-throated Canary Damara Hornbill Double-banded Courser
Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Early morning departure for Kamanjab +- 340 km through the Brandberg Mountain Range.
Brandberg Mountain is located in former Damaraland, now Erongo, in the north-western Namib
Desert, near the coast and covers an area of approximately 650 km². With its highest point,
the Königstein (German for 'King's Stone'), standing at 2 573 m (8 442 ft) above sea level and
located on the flat Namib gravel plains, on a clear day 'The Brandberg' can be seen from a great
distance. There are various routes to the summit, the easiest (also steepest) being up
the Ga'aseb river valley, but other routes include the Hungurob and Tsisab river valleys. The
nearest settlement is Uis, roughly 30 km from the mountain.
White-throated Canary Ludwig’s Bustard Mountain Wheatear Pale-winged Starling
Brandberg Mountains
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Day 14 : Kumanjab to Walvis Bay
11
Overnight at Hotel
Tractrac Chat Namaqua Sandgrouse Stark’s Lark Grey’s Lark
Early morning departure to Walvis Bay.
Walvis Bay meaning "Whale Bay", is a city in Namibia and the name of the bay on which it lies.
The town covers a total area of 29 square kilometres (11 sq mi.
The bay is a safe haven for sea vessels because of its natural deepwater harbour, protected by the
Pelican Point sand spit, being the only natural harbour of any size along the country's coast.
Being rich in plankton and marine life, these waters also drew large numbers of southern right
whales, attracting whalers and fishing vessels. Walvis Bay is a Ramsar site and regarded as one of
the most important coastal wetlands in Southern Africa.
Curlew Sandpiper White-fronted Plover Pectoral & Ringed Sandpiper African Black Oystercatcher
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Bank Cormorant Orange River White-eye Great White Pelican Cheastnut-banded Plover
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Day 15 : Walvisbay - Swakopmund
12
Overnight at Hotel
Dune Lark Damara Tern Southern Pochard Hottentot Teal
Swakopmund (German for "Mouth of the Swakop") is a city on the coast of western Namibia,
352 km (219 mi) west of the Namibian capital Windhoek via the B2 main road. It is the capital of
the Erongo administrative district. The town has 44 725 inhabitants and covers 196 square
kilometres (76 sq mi). The city is situated in the Namib Desert and is the fourth largest population
centre in Namibia.
Swakopmund is a beach resort and an example of German colonial architecture. It was founded in
1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, and a small part of its population is still
German-speaking today.
Kelp Gull Dusky Sunbird Grey-backed Cisticola Red Knot
Bird Photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
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Day 16 : Walvis Bay to Gobabis
13
Overnight at Hotel
Karoo Chat Sabota Lark Double-banded Sandgrouse
Fawn-coloured Lark Orange River Francolin Pearl-spotted Owlet
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Gobabis is a city in eastern Namibia. It is the regional capital of the Omaheke Region, and the district
capital of the Gobabis electoral constituency. Gobabis is situated 200 km (120 mi) down the
B6 motorway from Windhoek to Botswana. The town is 113 km (70 mi) from the Buitepos border
post with Botswana, and serves as an important link to South Africa on the tarred Trans-Kalahari
Highway.
Gobabis
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Day 17 : Gobabis to Kang
14
Overnight at the Kalahari Rest Lodge
Greater Kestrel Crimson-breasted Shrike Chat Flycatcher
Red-necked Falcon Acacia Pied Barbet Southern Pied Babbler
Bird photos courtesy of Maans Booysen
Kang is a village in the Kgalagadi District of Botswana. It is situated in the Kalahari Desert and
lies on the Trans-Kalahari Highway between Ghanzi in the north and Sekoma in the south.
Kalahari Rest Lodge
“Look into nature, and then you will understand it better”.
Albert Einstein
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Day 18 : Kang to Johannesburg
15
Departure
We conclude this tour having spent 18 enjoyable days viewing Birds and increasing our life lists.
We thank our local community Tour Leader for sharing his knowledge with us.
“Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears,
as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird”.
Sir David Attenborough
Kalahari Guest Lodge
We sincerely hope we have enriched your trip with a
unique
Escape to the Wild….
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16
Important Info
This price includes
Accommodation
All meals
2 litres water per day
All Guiding fees
Tolls
Fuel
Park Entrance fees
Transportation will be in a Air-conditioned vehicle
Tour price quoted is per person sharing
Single supplement can be arranged at an additional cost (+- 25% additional)
This price excludes
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
All / any Airfares
Visas
Internet, laundry, phone calls, room service etc.
Personal travel / medical insurance (we highly recommend you take Travel insurance in case of any
emergency).
Gratuities (tips)
Important Information
Due to unforeseen circumstances we may be forced to alter our itinerary at short or no notice
however we will try our best to stick to the original tour programme.
Please note that currency conversion is calculated in real-time, therefore could be subject to slight
change.
Tours exclude all/any airfares.
We are able to consider date changes.
Terms & conditions apply.
Travel Tips
Please keep all your valuables safe, secure and insured.
Ensure you have packed a torch and extra batteries
Mosquito repellent and Sunscreen protection
Ensure you travel with all your medication including a Prescription’s from your Doctor.
Binoculars, Camera’s etc.
Comfortable walking / hiking shoes that cover your entire foot.
It can be cooler in the early mornings and evenings therefore ensure you have a warm jacket, scarf,
etc.
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