Nomtsas Safaris - Intinerary of the "Namibia - World of Birds" Birding Tour

This tour coveres a great variety of Namibian birds, including most of the Namibian endemics

Accommodation: Individuality, a high standard and good price/quality ratio are of major importance when choosing accommodation for you. You will be staying in lodges, guest farms or rest camps where you will be welcomed with legendary Namibian hospitality. Big lodges with busloads of people are out; we do not support mass tourism.

Transport: The long distances are covered in comfortable but sturdy four wheel driven VW and Land cruiser Safari vehicles. In our vehicles you will find big windows and sufficient space for yourself and your equipment.

Meals: international Standard (in all Categories!

Arrival at Windhoek International Airport. We will meet you and advise you on exchanging money, shopping, security etc. we depart to a small National Park close to the capitol as soon as we got ourselves sorted out with the logistics. The afternoon will be filled with a birding walk and some time behind our scopes overlooking the small dam and surrounding wetland. Birds on our wish list: Bradfield's Swift*, South African Shelduck, Southern Porchard, Red-billed Teal, White-backed Mousebird, Monteiro's Hornbill*, Ashy Tit, Black-faced and Violet-eared Waxbill, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Black-throated Canary, Rockrunner*, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Barred Wren-Warbler, Orange River Francolin, Crimson-breasted Shrike etc.

Birding stop at the Spitzkopje: On short walks and drives we experience an area of high bird density and ancient rock paintings not to mention a spectacular landscape. The 1728 m Spitzkopje (sharp head), one of Namibia's most recognisable landmarks, rises mirage-like above the dusty pro-Namib plains of southern Damaraland. The area offers prime habitat for birds like Herero Chat, Barred Wren-Warbler, Augur Buzzard, Booted Eagle, White-tailed Shrike, Dusky Sunbird, Pale-winged Starling, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Carp's Tit, Peregrine Falcon etc. On our way to the coast we cross the gravel plains of the Namib Desert and the metamorphic "Moon landscape" until we reach the Atlantic Ocean at Swakopmund. The Welwitschia, a most interesting plant en route, could be descriAccommodation as the most interesting living fossil around, being the oldest plant and probably a missing evolutionary link - growing in the oldest desert known to mankind. Birds to look out for here are Gray's lark and Tractrac Chat. With palm lined streets, seaside promenades and colonial history, Swakopmund boosts quite a high number of tourists. The museum, crystal gallery, oceanarium, various art galleries, cafes and interesting shops will catch your attention. The next day is action filled starting with a boat trip on the lagoon at Walfish Bay, where a champagne breakfast with oysters is served while watching seals and dolphins playing in the water. We will also do some intensive birding along the saltpans of the Walfish Bay Lagoon. We take a short drive into the dunes of the Kuiseb- RiverAccommodation as well – finding Dune Lark, Namibia’s only 100% true endemic. We look out for Red-necked Phalarope, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Damara Tern, various Waders, various Terns, Crowned Cormorant, African Purple Swamphen, Cape Gannet, Sub Antarctic Skua, White-chinned- and Pintado Petrel, various Gull species, Black-necked Grebe, Great White Pelican etc.

Etendeka – a Birders haven in the Namib Desert. Great parts of Damaraland are covered by sub-vulcanic rock, Basalt. Occasional floods eroded deep gorges into this brittle red rock, forming a great landscape of table-like mountains. Euphorbia and many other succulent plants, along with quite a variety of Acacia and Terminalia provide excellent habitat for endemic birds. We hope for Herero Chat, Hartlaub’s Francolin, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Damara Rockrunner, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Woodhoopoe and many more.

Hobatere, considered one of the last most unspoilt wilderness areas in Namibia, offers game drives with a difference. The endemic Hartman's mountain zebra, a Namibian special, is a guaranteed sighting, along with many other different kinds of antelope. Sometimes even lion and elephant are found in the area. The night drives are mostly very successful, concentrating only on nocturnal species, like polecat, genet, African wild cat, aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine etc. Since the local guides are excellent birding experts, it is a birders' paradise, even at night when the focus is on nightjars. Great to see: Damara Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Hartlaub's Spurfowl, Black-faced Waxbill, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Orange River Francolin, Meves's Starling, Pearl-spotted Owlet, White-tailed Shrike, Pale-winged Starling, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Augur Buzzard

3 Nights Hobatere Lodge
Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast
2 Gamedrives
1 Nightdrive
1 Birdingwalk

Early start to the Etosha National Park. Being a fully registered safari operator, we are able to enter the park at its most western side and enjoy the 200km of publicly restricted game viewing. This is a great advantage for us, since we will be able to enjoy the abundant wildlife of Etoscha without any disturbance by other vehicles. Towards Okaukuejo. Etosha is well known for its large numbers and interesting variety of game. Here we spend our night in the National Park itself. The waterhole near the camp can be spectacular at night. Big herds of elephant, often rhino and sometimes lion, can often be seen here - it's all a matter of luck and patience. The Namutoni area offers a big variety of habitats, from Terminalia-forests, wide grasslands on pan edges and dense Acacia savannahs. Another Namibian special, the black-faced impala can be found in Etosha. Etosha is good for: African Scops-Owlet, Pink-billed, Spike-heeled, Bradfield's and Red-capped Lark, Grey Hornbill, Gabar Goshawk, Pale Chanting Goshawk, White-backed and Lappet-faced Vulture, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Blue Crane, African Pygmy Falcon, Greater Kestrel, Sociable Weaver, Secretarybird, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Carp's Tit, Peregrine Falcon, Wahlberg's Eagle, African Cuckoo, Southern Pied Babbler, Red-crested Korhaan, Barred Wren-Warbler, Red-billed Hornbill, Blue Waxbill and many more

1 Night Etoscha National Park (Okaukuejo or Halali) – Double room with en suite Bathroom
1 Night Onguma Bushcamp
Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast

A long drive north-east takes us through a variety of Acacia savannah and dry forests. As soon as we cross the vetenary line (a fence separating commercial from communal land) we enter real Africa once more. Cattle, chicken, children and an old goat have right of way, smoke fills the air and pots are being sold next to the road. The mighty Okavango meanders through this flat land, creating a riverside atmosphere full of life. As soon as we arrive we take an extended birding walk and take a dive into natural history for a bit. The next day will be spent in various dry Manketti forests on the lookout for green-capped Eremomela, racket-tailed Roller, dark-chanting Goshawk and many more. There is a little park, so small some don't even bother to go there, but is one of the best game viewing spots. There is no abundance of game, but the variety makes up for it. Sable and Roan Antelope, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Sitatunga, Tsessebe….. Often Leopard and Lion are seen here, as well as Giraffe, Elephants etc. Since the Lodge lies directly next to the river, it is an excellent Hippo and bird watching opportunity, let alone the beautiful surroundings. We will also take a short birding walk in the Popa game reserve – paradise. Pel's Fishing Owl and Slaty Egret is going to be difficult, African Pygmy Goose, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Lesser Moorhen, African Jacana, Swamp Boubou, Sharp-tailed Starling, Hartlaub's Babbler, Luapula Cisticola, Rattling Cisticola, Wood Pipit, Brown Firefinch, Wattled Crane, Rock Pratincole, White-backed Night-Heron, White-browed Coucal, African Skimmer, Western Banded Snake-Eagle are often spotted, but obviously not guaranteed.

1 Night Kaisosi Lodge
2 Nights Mahangu Lodge
Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast
Walk in Popa Park Gamedrive
Walk in Mahango Game Park
Drive to Botswana (Pel's Fishing Owl)

We set out early, since we have quite a bit of driving and birding to do en route to the Waterberg National Park. Along the steep cliffs of the Waterberg we find various niches for birds; rocky gravel, some wetland vegetation, overgrown slopes, high trees and dense shrub. The walk along the slope allows for great birding and endemic Damara Rockrunner and Rüppell’s Parrot are frequently seen breeding here. Other nice birds are Bradfield's Hornbill, Green Woodhoopoe, Meyer's Parrot, Bradfield’s Hornbill, Southern Black Tit, Grey-backed Camaroptera, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Red-billed Spurfowl, Marico Flycatcher and many more.

After an early Breakfast we depart fort he capitol. Depending on flight- departures, we try and get as much road side birding in as possible. Transfer to Windhoek International Airport. Departure.

Please Note: Since departure dates and times vary, we remain flexible and would accommodate you for another night, or add a few relaxing days on your own account.

Please note:
Due to logistical booking problems that might occur, we reserve the right to change the itinerary with short notice.

Inclusive:
• Transfer and Transport as stated in itinerary
• Accommodation as stated in itinerary
• Meals as stated in itinerary
• Entrance fees as stated in itinerary
• Fully trained and certified English, German and Afrikaans speaking guide.

Exclusive:
• Personal expenses
• Drinks and Tips
• International and National Flights
• Visas

2008 - Price per Person (15% VAT included) with occupancy of:

2 Persons: N$ 35.521, 00
3 Persons: N$ 27.744, 00
4 Persons: N$ 23.859, 00
5 Persons: N$ 21.530, 00
6 Persons: N$ 19.975, 00
7 Persons: N$ 18.870, 00
8 Persons: N$ 18.037, 00

Single supplement: + N$ 2269, 00

Please take Note: the first pre-payment is only due 45 days before departure. Payments can all be deposited into a secure account in Germany.
Please find a forex calculator here

World of Birds	Endemic Birding Trip
Itinerary	Itinerary

The "Namibia - World of Birds" Birding Tour