Compare Southern Africa Northbound: Dunes, Deltas & Falls by G Adventures vs 14-Day Namibia, Botswana and Zambia Birding Safari by Nature Travel Namibia

Day 1 Cape Town

Arrive at any time. Tonight, get to know your group on your first night out together in Cape Town. After a brief welcome meeting and optional dinner out together, head to the clubs on Long Street to explore the vibrant nightlife. Put those dancing shoes on and get to know your fellow travel buddies as the adventure begins!

Get the most out of your time in Cape Town by pre-booking the South African Wine Tour and Tasting extra. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour as this activity has an early start time. Please note, due to the timings of this activity, there is a possibility you may miss the welcome meeting on day 1 of your tour - in this case, your CEO will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.

Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any.
Please also note that no visa can be obtained at the border to Namibia. 
 If you book any optional activities on day 1 please contact your sales agent to see if booking a pre-night is necessary to participate in the activity.

Day 2 Cape Town/Cederberg

Hit the road in style in the Lando and view the stunning Western Cape scenery as the group travels to the G Adventures-supported !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. Here you will learn about the history and culture of the ancient Sans people and be able to directly help this centre preserve that heritage. In the afternoon the group will arrive at your first campsite where you can enjoy free time to sip on some local wine, or simply chill out by the campsite’s swimming pool overlooking the vineyards.

The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre is closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Day 3 Cederberg/Orange River

Travel further north past large plantations of rooibos tea. You will be camping at the scenic Orange River for the night where you can kick back, relax, reflect, and enjoy a late afternoon swim in the river. If you are still in need of some activity choose to book a canoe excursion on the river. Other than that your only job today is to enjoy yourself and have a relaxing time.

Day 4 Orange River/Fish River Canyon

Yes, we know you could stay at the oasis of Orange River for much longer than one night, but this group has things to do and places to see so get a move on and cross another country off those travel lists as the group heads over the border into Namibia. The next stop is Fish River Canyon, the largest canyon in Africa, and arguably the second largest in the world. Hop off the Lando, do some stretches, take in the majestic beauty of the canyon and together watch as the vibrant sunset slips over the canyon’s rim. Then it’s on to camp to enjoy each other's company around the campfire as the stars begin to rise.

Day 5 Fish River Canyon/Namib Desert

While the group has a lot of ground to cover today don’t let that daunt you. You have been so on the go lately you won’t mind the rest of a long drive (besides, by now you probably have loads to talk about with everyone). Pass by the small and desolate towns of Bethanien and Helmeringhausen and continue north along long and bumpy roads, en route to the Namib Desert. Then, embrace the bizarreness of this environment by really taking the time to enjoy it. The group will arrive in the area in the late afternoon, where the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei make you really feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere. Set up camp and get some rest for the fun days ahead!

Day 6 Namib Desert

Delve into the heart of Namibia’s desert landscapes and begin the day at dawn. Absorb the serene beauty of sunrise from atop the iconic Dune 45. As the golden light washes over the desert, you will climb the dune for breathtaking views before the day heats up. Next, venture to the surreal Deadvlei for an optional excursion to this mesmerising clay pan, framed by some of the world's tallest sand dunes; a photographer’s paradise. After soaking in the desert’s raw beauty, retreat to the cooler confines of Sesriem Canyon. Wander through this natural wonder in the afternoon when the shade provides a respite from the sun. Learn about the canyon’s formation and discover hidden pools that sustain wildlife in this arid region.

Conclude your day with a scenic drive, if time allows, stopping at the quaint town of Solitaire, before settling in at the campsite. Here, you may opt for an evening activity: "Namib Desert Walk." This activity is an educational experience about bushmen's survival in the desert, the geology of sand dunes, and local wildlife, and ends with a beautiful desert sunset.

*Please note, while park fees for Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon are included, the shuttle to Deadvlei is an additional cost.

Day 7 Namib Desert/Swakopmund

Bid farewell to your lovely campsite and zoom off further north in the Lando. Get a real feel for the Namib Desert as the group spends hours crossing this empty region over dry mountain passes to get to the adrenaline capital of Swakopmund. Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the mighty Namib Desert, this coastal city has strong German heritage which is reflected in the architecture around town. The group will spend two nights in Swakopmund so fear not, you have time for all of the fun activities you want to try.

Day 8 Swakopmund

The day is yours! Grab some friends or set off alone and conquer this outdoor lovers paradise. From skydiving to sandboarding there’s no shortage of activities to try. Flip a coin to see which will be your fate or even better try them all (we have our eyes feasted on the Skeleton Coast scenic flight).

You can pre-book your sky dive on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

Meals are not included while we are in Swakopmund in order to give our travellers the freedom to try out the many restaurants and bars in town.

Day 9 Swakopmund/Spitzkoppe

Bid farewell to lovely Swakopmund and hop on the Lando as you travel through the coastal region of Namibia toward the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe. What is Spitzkoppe you ask? Great question! It’s been dubbed the Matterhorn of Namibia. But basically, if you are the type of person who loves epic climbing, hiking, camping, stargazing, sunrises, and sunsets then Spitzkoppe will have a very special place in your heart. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is yours to explore as you wish. This mountaineering paradise will have you breaking out of your comfort zones in no time. Scramble up rock faces to get that perfect view, take selfies under the natural rock arch, and get some artsy photos as the sun sets. Then after cooking up some grub around the campfire, get ready to see the milky way light up the night sky.

Explore on your own by foot, and be sure to check out the night sky—it's great for star-gazing!

Our basic bush camp will have long-drop toilets and no running water.

Day 10 Spitzkoppe/Etosha National Park

Wake up and feel like you crash landed on Mars. Gaze in wonder at this wild landscape and let peace wash over you (trust us you’re going to need it) before the group travels to Etosha National Park for some prime wildlife viewing. As the group enters the park you will enjoy a short safari drive in the Lando on the way to your camp. As you drive look out over the beautiful landscape as far as the eye can see. After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time this evening allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.

Look out over beautiful desert landscapes as far as the eye can see. There are Himba, Herero, and Damara people along the way selling local arts, and we’ll be sure to make a few stops to find out more about their offerings.
 After sunset, watch animals at the watering holes near the camping area, which is safe, being well lit with flood lights. Free time at night allows for the option of a night safari in an open vehicle.

Day 11 Etosha National Park

It’s time to adventure in 3… 2… 1! Today, your group will embark on a full-day wildlife safari drive in Etosha NP. It’s crazy the amount of animal species that occupy this smaller protected area (more than 100 different mammals call Etosha home). Try not let your attention wander as you move further and further into the wild lands of Etosha. Play some eye-spy with your travel buddies and go crazy with those cameras because we can’t wait to see what you experience! The coolest thing about this national park is that, because of its size and the large amount of animals within, it’s almost as if the wildlife comes directly to you; especially during the dry season (May through October) when the animals all gather around the waterholes creating some of the densest wildlife viewing opportunities in the world.

Day 12 Etosha National Park/Waterberg Plateau

“Lions and elephants, and springboks… oh my!” By now you will most likely have seen some wildlife and that’s a good thing because it’s time to move on from Etosha further south to the Waterberg Plateau. Once the Lando pulls to a stop you’ll be itching to stretch those legs so hit the trails in this gorgeous national park searching for secret plunge pools and wildlife such as buffalo and giraffe along the way. Or if you are looking to relax, chill out at camp, write in your travel journal, or take a dip in the pool of the group campsite.

Day 13 Waterberg Plateau/Windhoek

Leave the Waterberg Plateau National Park behind and head south through the Namibian countryside to Windhoek. Along the way you will stop at the G Adventures-supported Penduka Village Restaurant & Shop, just outside of Windhoek where you will enjoy a delicious included lunch.

Please note that this is a combination tour. Some of group members may be departing the tour in Windhoek and some new group members may be joining. Enjoy an optional group dinner with both old and new travellers.

Day 14 Windhoek/Ghanzi

Get ready to check another country off your list as the group crosses the border from Namibia into Botswana. Travel east into the heart of the Kalahari to Ghanzi. Catch a glimpse of how the local San people adapted to this difficult landscape on an optional bushman walk.

Day 15 Ghanzi/Maun

Kiss the sands of the Kalahari goodbye and jump in the Lando towards Maun; arriving around lunchtime. Then you have two options for your afternoon. You can take advantage of some leisure time around camp, catch up on some journaling, take some photos, and simply relax in this beautiful setting. In the evening set up camp, unwind with your friends and as the night settles around you search for shooting stars above from the comfort of your sleeping bag.

After arrival in Maun, pick up supplies to prepare for the one night/two day excursion into the Okavango Delta. We recommend each person brings a 5 litre bottle of water to take into the Delta; this should be sufficient for both drinking water and cleaning purposes.

Day 16 Maun/Okavango Delta

Today is going to be busy, but fun! Wake to the sounds and smells of the bush around you and then dive right into some nature with an overnight excursion into the Okavango Delta. Travel in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) and do some birdwatching on the way to our basic bush camp for the evening. Arrive around lunchtime, set up camp, and get used to your surroundings. Then head out for some adventure on a wildlife walk. The cool thing about being on foot is that you will get to learn about tracking the animals and gain insight into their movement patterns and behaviour more than if you were just in a vehicle. As night falls on the group gather around the campfire, sing with the locals, and simply unwind with a sundowner as you count the stars (cheers!)

Please note that there is no shower and only a dig-out bush toilet, as our camp is very basic and in the wild – but it is all worth it due to the incredible landscape and wildlife!

Day 17 Okavango Delta/Gweta

Wake up to the image of the sun rising and watch as the light turns the landscape varying shades of pinks, oranges, and reds. You can’t help but feel completely isolated from the rest of the world being out in the middle of nowhere... our advice? Savour that moment! After rubbing the sleep from your eyes grab those cameras and take one more safari walk before riding in a mokoro back to Maun where you will pack up the Lando and hit the road to the ancient baobab trees of Gweta. The group will arrive to the campsite mid- to- late afternoon. Have a walk around, take pictures of the baobabs, swim in the pool and enjoy a proper shower after the night in the bush.

Day 18 Gweta/Kasane

Rise early to the sounds of nature and travel north with your group to Kasane. Opt to embark on a river cruise through Chobe NP before . “I bless the rains down in Africaaaaa” ahh we can just hear it now... (and it has never sounded so good!) because surely someone is bound to play this song as you drive through the verdant lands between Gweta and Kasane. Turns out Toto knew what they were talking about because the rains in Africa are no joke. Rain brings life to the pans awakening the dormant fish and aquatic shrimps from the mud. The surrounding grasslands also teem with life and are home to many antelope, which attract a wide variety of predators. Keep your eyes focused as the world passes you by and then reward yourself with a group toast as you camp under the stars.

Journey to the area of Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in Southern Africa. The best way to appreciate the area’s thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles and hippos, is with an optional sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. You can pre-book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise on the checkout page, or through your Global Connection Officer or travel agent.

If you have pre-booked the Chobe River Sunset Cruise, you will be cruising this evening.

Day 19 Kasane/Victoria Falls

Opt for an early safari drive in Chobe then buckle those seat belts and cross the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe; home of epic Victoria falls. All that driving is bound to make you hungry and we have a treat for you today! The group will be having a traditional lunch at the G Adventurers-supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. With full bellies and even more full hearts get ready to feel the mist in the air as you enter the town of Victoria Falls.

Opt to prebook the Chobe National Park Safari Drive and head out early into the park before crossing the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe at the Kazungula border post. Continue on to the town Victoria Falls, a great base to see falls, and take part in some exciting activities.

Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa. Note that this trip combines with other tours, and some tours will be finishing in Victoria Falls, while others will be continuing on. Many of our groups opt to book their final evening together aboard a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River with wildlife-viewing, great scenery and an open bar.

Day 20 Victoria Falls

Morning fellow adventurers! Get close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world on this free day in Victoria Falls. Feel the strength of the water splashing your skin on the observation deck, take in the sound of tons of water thundering over the edge of the falls in the distance and make your day as relaxing or hair-raising as you like. For the adventurous we recommend going whitewater rafting, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the falls. Either way the choice is yours!

Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with the Victoria Falls in view.

Want to do more with your tour? Pre-book any two of the following activities: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride, or the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.

Day 21 Victoria Falls

Alas all good things must come to an end... or do they? If you aren't ready to go home just yet talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know more of Zimbabwe or beyond!

Day 1: Livingstone and the Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camp Nkwazi; Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Main Destination: Victoria Falls (Zambia)

After meeting you at Livingstone International Airport we will make our way to our lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi River where we will spend the next two nights. After settling in we will start our birding with a birding walk around the lodge where we will look for Collared Palm-thrush, Red-faced Cisticola, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike, African Yellow White-eye, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Eastern Bearded Scrub-robin, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Arrow-marked Babbler, White-browed Coucal, African Emerald, Jacobin, Red-chested, Levailant’s, Klaas’s and Diderick Cuckoo. We will enjoy a sun-downer drink and welcome dinner listening to the wildlife that live along the Zambezi.

Drinks not included

Day 2: Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camp Nkwazi; Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Main Destination: Zambezi River (Zambia)

We will enjoy a cup of coffee scanning the river hoping to see the resident African Finfoot pair before making our way to Victoria Falls where we will spend the morning enjoying one of the natural wonders of the world and birding in the Riverine Woodland around the falls. Some of the birds we hope to see include Schalow’s Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill, White-browed Robin-chat, Red-winged Starling, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Rock Martin and a variety of water birds. If time allows we might visit the local water treatment works where species like African Rail, African Purple Swamphen, Orange-breasted Waxbill and several raptors might be seen. We will also enjoy a late afternoon boat cruise on the Zambezi River where we hope to see African Skimmer, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Finfoot, Western Banded Snake-eagle, Half-collared, Malachite, Pied and Giant Kingfishers.

Drinks not included

Day 3: Eastern Caprivi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Caprivi Mutoya; Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Main Destination: Caprivi Strip (Namibia)

Best Time to Visit: June to September (Animals easier to spot)

High Season: July to November (The area never gets crowded)

Best Weather: May to August (Less hot during the day)

We will start with a pre breakfast birding walk in the Miombo Woodland close to the lodge where we might see Miombo Rock-thrush, Racket-tailed Roller, Miombo Pied Barbet, Retz and White-crested Helmet-shrikes, Striped Kingfisher, Kurrichane Thrush, Lizzard Buzzard and a variety of woodland birds before returning for breakfast. From here we will make our way to the Namibian border where we will cross close to Katima Mulilo with several birding stops along the way. Depending on the time of the year we could arrange to drive to the Muchile Important Bird Area to look for the localised Black-cheeked Lovebird. Other birds found in the Mopane Woodland are Arnott’s Chat, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Meve’s Starling and Southern Ground Hornbill. Our lunch stop in Katima might produce Northern Grey-headed Sparrow and Bronze Mannikin and we will finish off the day at the spectacular Southern Carmine Bee-eater colony close to our lodge.

Day 4: The Zambezi Floodplains and the Okavango River

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Xaro Lodge; Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Main Destination: Okavango River (Botswana)

After a cup of coffee enjoying the Wire-tailed, Lesser Striped, Grey-rumped Swallows, Brown-throated and Banded Martins flying over the river we will depart for a pre breakfast birding between the various lily-covered pans and Zambezi Floodplain. Our key specials here include Lesser Jacana, African Pygmy Geese, White-backed Duck, Slaty Egret, Rosy-throated Longclaw, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Saddle-billed Stork, Black Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, White-crowned Lapwing and even Black Coucal if we are very lucky. After breakfast we will drive across the Caprivi Strip to our lodge with a beautiful setting on the Okavango River. Before crossing we will first stop at a well-known stake-out for Rock Pratincole. If time allows we will enjoy the variety of the resident birds that include Hartlaub’s Babbler, Southern Brown-throated Weaver, Green Woodhoopoe, Golden-tailed Woodpecker and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird while African Wood and African Barred Owlet are often seen here as well.

Drinks not included

 Day 5: The Okavango

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mahangu Safari Lodge; Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Main Destination: Mahango Game Reserve (Bwabwata NP, Namibia)

Best Time to Visit: June to September (Animals are easier to see)

High Season: October to March (The park never gets crowded)

Best Weather: May to August (Less hot during the day)

We will start off with a morning walk in the Riverine Forest where we will try to find Narina Trogon, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Grey-headed Buh-shrike, Bradfield’s Hornbill, Swamp Boubou, Brubru, Black-backed Puffback, Bennett’s, Golden-tailed, Cardinal and Bearded Woodpecker. After breakfast we will depart for a boat cruise on the Okavango River which will be one of the highlights of the trip. We will explore the productive Mahangu National Park which offers an incredible number of species for a small park. We hope to see Wattled Crane, Long-toed Lapwing, Slaty Egret, Collared Pratincole, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet-eared Waxbill, Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Crested Francolin, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Greater and Lesser Honeyguide, Long-billed Crombec, Grey-tit Flycatcher, Broad-billed Roller, African Cuckoo-hawk, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle and smaller raptors like Lizzard Buzzard, Little Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk and Shikra.

Drinks not included

Day 6: The Caprivi Broadleaf Woodland

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hakusembe River Lodge; Mid-range lodge located in or near Victoria Falls

Main Destination: Okavango River (Botswana)

We will start with a pre breakfast birding walk around the lodge where we should see Black Cuckoo, African Mourning and Red-eyed Doves, African Green-pigeon, Meve’s Starling, Brown Firefinch, Woodland kingfisher, Thick-billed Weaver, Violet-backed Starling, Swamp Boubou, Meyer’s Parrot, Hartlaub’s Babbler, White-browed Robin-chat and African Yellow White-eye. From here we will spend the morning birding the woodland between Divundu and Rundu which offers us the chance to see some of the Miombo or Broadleaf specialists normally found further north in Zambia. These include Racket-tailed Roller, Rufous-bellied Tit, Souza’s Shrike, Sharp-tailed Starling, Green-backed Honeybird and African Hobby. Tinkling Cisticola, Neddicky, Coqui Francolin and Dark Chanting Goshawk. We will spend a final night on the Okavango River and to try to catch up with any of the birds that we might have missed as we prepare for the second half of the trip in central and western Namibia.

Drinks not included

 Day 7: Eastern Etosha National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mokuti Etosha Lodge; Mid-range lodge located just outside Etosha NP

Main Destination: Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Best Time to Visit: July to September (Animals come to water)

High Season: July to November (The park gets crowded)

Best Weather: May to August (Less hot during the day)

After breakfast we will leave the more tropical woodlands of the Caprivi behind and make our way south to Etosha National Park where we will spend the next 3 nights. The first night will be in the eastern section where we hope to find Blue Crane, Black-faced Babbler, Swainson’s Spurfowl, Blue Waxbill, Chestnut Weaver, White-browed Robin-chat, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove, Cape Glossy Starling, Double-banded Courser and Chat Flycatcher along the way. If the Etosha pan is full of water it is transformed into a water bird spectacle with huge numbers of Pelican, Lesser and Greater Flamingos, Caspian Plover, Red-billed and Cape Teals, Chestnut-banded Plover, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilts and Black-necked and Great Crested Grebes. From a mammal point of view this area is perfect for finding the endemic Damara Dik-dik.

Drinks not included

 Day 8: Central Etosha National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Halali Resort; Mid-range resort located inside Etosha NP

Main Destination: Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Today will be dedicated exploring the vast Etosha National Park. As we make our way towards Halali camp which will be our Resort for tonight we will look for Monotonous and Rufous-naped Larks and we will keep an eye out for Etosha’ s raptors which include Martial Eagle and Tawny Eagles, Black-chested and Brown Snake-eagles, Lanner, Peregrine and Red-necked Falcons, Bateleur, Pale-chanting and Gabar Goshawks. Halali Resort is known for sightings of Violet Woodhoopoe, Carp’s Black Tit, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Pied Babbler, White-crested Helmet-shrike, African Scops Owl and Southern White-faced Owlet. Etosha is also well known for vultures and we might see Lappet-faced, White-backed, White-headed and Hooded Vultures. Around sunset and after dinner we will visit the waterhole next to the camp. From a birding point of view Double-banded Sandgrouse visit just after sunset and Spotted Eagle-owl, Pearl-spotted Owlet and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar are often seen around the waterhole.

Drinks not included

Day 9: The Okaukuejo area of Etosha National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Okaukuejo Camp; Mid-range chalet located inside Etosha NP

Main Destination: Etosha National Park (Namibia)

After breakfast we will make our way further west as we continue to explore this great park. The area around Okaukuejo should produce Dusky and Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Acacia Pied Barbet, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Southern White-crowned Shrike, Marico Flycatcher, Chat Flycatcher, Rattling Cisticola, Double-banded and Namaqua Sandgrouse, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Northern Black and Red-crested Korhaan and Great Sparrow to name a few. We will scan on top of all the huge Sociable Weaver nests for Pygmy Falcon. At the waterhole tonight we will look for Verreaux’s Eagle-owl. We will also use the afternoon and perhaps the following morning to bird the Okondeka plains north of the camp where we will look for Spike-heeled, Pink-billed, Eastern Clapper, Red-capped and Sabota Larks as well as Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark, Capped Wheatear, Double-banded Courser, Desert Cisticola and Rufous-eared Warbler.

Drinks not included

Day 10: Western Etosha and Damaraland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Toko Lodge; Mid-range lodge bordering Etosha NP without fences

Main Destination: Damaraland (Kunene Region, Namibia)

Best Time to Visit: May to September (Animals are easier to see)

High Season: July to November (Some places can get quite busy)

Best Weather: May to August (Less hot during the day)

After an early morning birding and game drive around Okaukuejo we will make our way to the far western section of the park visiting several waterholes along the way hoping to see Burchell’s Sandgrouse drinking at one of them. Once we leave the park we have an hour long drive to our lodge near Kamanjab. The lodge and surrounding area is home to several of Namibia’s near endemic birds and other specials that include Bare-cheeked Babbler, Carp’s Black Tit, Rockrunner, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, Ruppell’s Parrot, African Scops Owl, Southern Pied Babbler and White-tailed Shrike. Monteiro’s and Damara Hornbills are both common around the lodge. The lodge is known for their excellent night drives which often produces Aardvark, Aardwolf, Porcupine, Bat-eared Fox, Black-backed Jackal, African Wild Cat, Spotted Eagle-owl and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar. Please let us know if you are interested in doing this in advance.

Drinks not included

 Day 11: Damaraland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Brandberg White Lady Lodge; Mid-range lodge bordering Etosha NP without fences

Main Destination: Damaraland (Kunene Region, Namibia)

We will be up early to catch up with any of the target birds that we might have missed and after breakfast we will make our way to the arid plains around the Brandberg Mountain, Namibia’s highest mountain, where we will spend the night and search for specific target birds. We will scan the plains north of the mountain for Ruppell’s Korhaan, Burchell’s Courser, Bokmakierie and Benguela Long-billed Lark. The hills will hopefully produce Herero Chat, arguably the toughest of the endemics to find and Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Cape Penduline-tit and Grey-backed Cisticola can also be found here. Our lodge is situated close to the Ugab River where we hope to see Violet Woodhoopoe and Bare-cheeked Babbler. Ruppell’s Parrot and Augur Buzzard can be found here as well. We might also be lucky to encounter the famous desert adapted Elephants of north-western Namibia which move up and down the Ugab River during our stay.

Day 12: The Erongo Mountains

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination: Erongo Mountains (Namibia)

Accommodation: Erongo Wilderness Lodge; Mid-range lodge located in or near Etosha NP

We will spend the morning birding around the Brandberg and travel to the Erongo Mountains where we will spend the night. The Erongo Mountains and surrounds are a real endemic hotspot and we will focus on finding any of the endemics that we might have missed. Besides these two specials we can look for Ruppell’s Parrot, Carp’s Black Tit, White-tailed Shrike, Monteiro’s and Damara Hornbill, Violet Woodhoopoe, Pale-winged Staring, Red-billed Spurfowl, Augur Buzzard, Cinnamon-breasted, Golden-breasted, Cape and Lark-like Buntings. Rosy-faced Lovebirds are present in massive numbers and we will also wrap up on the general scrub savannah birds like White-throated, Yellow and Black-throated Canaries, Green-winged Pytilia, Short-toed Rock-thrush, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked and Blue Waxbills, Barred Wren-warbler, Rattling Cisticola, Pririt Batis, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Red-eyed Bulbul, White-backed Mousebird, Cape Glossy Starling and Mountain Wheatear.

Drinks not included

 Day 13: Walvis Bay and the coast

Meals: Breakfast  and Lunch

Accommodation: Lagoon Lodge; Mid-range lodge located in or near Etosha NP

Main Destination: Walvis Bay (Namibia)

After our morning birding and breakfast we will make our way to Walvis Bay and the coast stopping to look for Gray’s Lark along the way. After settling into our Bed and Breakfast for the evening we will spend the afternoon at the Walvis Bay lagoon which has been declared a Ramsar site of global importance for thousands of waders that are found here. One of our main targets today will be the Damara Tern. Other birds we hope to find include Ruff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Phalarope, Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Swift, Common, Sandwich and Caspian Terns, Eurasian and African Black Oystercatchers, Common Ringed, Chestnut-banded, Grey and Three-banded Plovers and Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Cape Cormorants are usually spotted in huge flocks and we will also look for Crowned and White-breasted Cormorants and if we are lucky Bank Cormorant.

Drinks not included

 Day 14: Dune Lark and departure

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Main Destination: Walvis Bay (Namibia)

On our final morning we will focus on finding Dune Lark, Namibia’s only true endemic and a great bird to end the trip with. We will spend time in the scenic Kuiseb Riverbed searching for this special at the base of some of the impressive dunes that forms a beautiful backdrop. Other interesting birds we might see here include Bokmakierie, White-backed Mousebird, Cape Sparrow, Jackal Buzzard, Pale Chanting Goshawk and the desert form of the Trac-trac Chat. As most flights from Walvis Bay International Airport depart around lunchtime we should have time to bird the lagoon area for any waders or shorebirds that we might have missed. This will be the official end of our birding safari.

Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

A transfer back to the airport (or hotel) can be arranged for an extra cost.