botswana, namibia,caprivi, kunene birding tour road trip...katima mulilo is a town situated in the...

Botswana, Namibia, Caprivi, Kunene

Birding Tour Road Trip

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18 Day

Nata, Katima Mulilo, Popa Falls, Rundu, Tsumeb,

Kunene River Lodge, Kamanjab, Swakopmund,

Walvisbay, Gobabis, Kang.

www.escapetothewild.co.za

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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


Day 8 Rundu Birding the route Overnight Hotel

Day 9 Rundu

To Etosha


Day 10 Etosha

To

Kunene River Lodge


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


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.


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


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


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


Katima Mulilo

Zambezi River Boat Jetty


Day 5 & 6 : Katima Mulilo to Popa Falls

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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



Day 7 & 8 : Popa Falls / Rundu

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Senegal Coucal Yellow-billed Oxpecker Meyer’s Parrot Wood Pipit


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


Day 9 : Rundu to Etosha

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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



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


Himba Lady www.escapetothewild.co.za

Day 13 : Kunene River Lodge to Kamanjab

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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


Day 14 : Kumanjab to Walvis Bay

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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


Bank Cormorant Orange River White-eye Great White Pelican Cheastnut-banded Plover


Day 15 : Walvisbay - Swakopmund

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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


Day 16 : Walvis Bay to Gobabis

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Overnight at Hotel

Karoo Chat Sabota Lark Double-banded Sandgrouse

Fawn-coloured Lark Orange River Francolin Pearl-spotted Owlet


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


Day 17 : Gobabis to Kang

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Overnight at the Kalahari Rest Lodge

Greater Kestrel Crimson-breasted Shrike Chat Flycatcher

Red-necked Falcon Acacia Pied Barbet Southern Pied Babbler


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


Day 18 : Kang to Johannesburg

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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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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.


botswana, namibia,caprivi, kunene birding tour road trip...katima mulilo is a town situated in the...

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