Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Pel’s Fishing Owl. |
 Ludwig’s Bustard |
 Dune Larks |
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 Lesser Flamingo. |
 Rüppell's Korhaans |
 Hartlaub’s Spurfowl |
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Overview
This birding and wildlife tour of Namibia and Botswana was put together for the Golden Gate Audubon Society and covered most of the popular birding destinations of northern Namibia and then popped across the border into Botswana where we visited the panhandle of the Okavango Delta. Our itinerary took us from the coastal Namib Desert around Walvis Bay, through the Namibian escarpment in the Erongo Mountains, into Etosha National Park (one of Africa’s great wildlife havens), then into the lush Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip) and we finished our adventure in the beautiful and diverse Okavango Swamps.
The birding was fantastic and we were lucky with most of our targets and managed to see 335 bird species on our 13-day tour of the region. We found many of the Namibian bird specials which included an assortment of Namibian-Angola endemics (species only found within these two countries) as well as numerous other charismatic African bird species. Some of the trip highlights included African Pygmy Goose, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, African Penguin, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, White-backed Night Heron, Slaty Egret, Bat Hawk, Kori and Ludwig’s Bustards, Rüppell's Korhaan, Wattled and Blue Cranes, Damara Tern, African Skimmer, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Violet Wood Hoopoe, Damara Red-billed and Monteiro’s Hornbills, Rüppell's Parrot, Carp’s Tit, an assortment of special larks including Dune Lark (Namibia’s only endemic bird species), Rockrunner, Sharp-tailed Starling, Bare-cheeked Babbler and so many others.
Other impressive and charismatic wildlife is usually encountered on our Namibian birding tours, this is always an attraction of tours to southern Africa, and in particular, Namibia. This tour was no exception and we encountered 47 mammal species and 12 reptile species. Some of the animals we saw included Black and White Rhinoceroses, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Lion, Spotted Hyena, Cape and Bat-eared Foxes, Honey Badger, African Wild Cat, Giraffe, Sable, Roan, Southern Lechwe and Heaviside’s Dolphin.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 10th September 2022. Arrival in Walvis Bay and Rooibank birding
The clients, Mitch, Krista and Jackson, were fetched from the tiny Walvis Bay airport in the afternoon. After checking into our lovely accommodation, right on the edge of the Walvis Bay lagoon, we headed out for our first birding of the tour. We headed to Rooibank which is a small community on the edge of the dry Kuiseb River and is considered the spot to see Dune Lark, Namibia’s only endemic bird species. The Dune Larks took very little effort to find and we ended up spending some time with at least two pairs and watched them calling and displaying and feeding in the low red dunes. We had some other good birding in the area too and found Pale Chanting Goshawk, Ring-necked and Namaqua Doves, White-backed Mousebird, Little Swift, Pririt Batis, Bokmakierie, Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark and Black-chested Prinia. We also saw attractive Wedge-snouted Desert Lizards as they moved rapidly between vegetated dunes. The evening was spent enjoying a meal on the edge of the lagoon, with flamingos (and weirdly a Bald Eagle mural) as a backdrop and discussing the trip ahead.
Day 2, 11th September 2022. Walvis Bay boat cruise and Namib Desert birding
We enjoyed some lagoon birding as we watched hundreds of Lesser and Greater Flamingos and worked our way through the shorebird flocks and managed to pick out a few new species such as Grey, Common Ringed, White-fronted and Chestnut-banded Plovers, Eurasian Whimbrel, Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Sanderling and Common Greenshank.
After an enjoyable breakfast, we headed out on a boat cruise around Walvis Bay lagoon where we encountered Cape, Crowned and White-breasted Cormorants, Common, Sandwich and Greater Crested Terns and even a few pelagic species such as Parasitic Jaeger, White-chinned Petrel and African Penguin. We were entertained by massive Great White Pelicans as they landed on our boat and demanded fish, as well as Afro-Australian Fur Seals which also caught a ride and enjoyed their fishy treats. Cetacean-watching was productive this morning too, as we saw the Benguela Current endemic Heaviside’s Dolphin as well as Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Humpback Whale.
After our fun boat cruise, we picked up some lunch to eat on the road and took a quick look around the pretty town of Swakopmund (adding Orange River White-eye and Southern Masked Weaver) before we headed out into the Namib Desert. The Namib-endemic Gray’s Lark proved incredibly quick and easy and gave us wonderful looks. We then headed out further into the desert to photograph the unique and bizarre Welwitschia mirabilis plant which can live to be 2,000 years old. While enjoying these strange plants an inquisitive Tractrac Chat (of the ghostly white Namib form) flitted by and seemed just as interested in us, as we were in it.
To finish off the day, Mitch and Dom took a drive out to the salt works just south of Walvis Bay where we managed to find our target bird, Damara Tern, and added a couple of Arctic Terns. We then called it a day and headed back for another enjoyable dinner.
Day 3, 12th September 2022. Walvis Bay to Erongo Mountains, Spitzkoppe birding en route
This morning we had a very early start as we wanted to be close to Spitzkoppe soon after sunrise. We made good progress on the open roads and soon arrived on the dirt road to Spitzkoppe which proved incredibly productive as we added many of our target species. Shortly after turning off to Spitzkoppe we had a couple of Karoo Chats, soon followed by Karoo Long-billed Lark (here at the northern extent of its range), Stark’s, Sabota (the western form, sometimes split as ‘Bradfield’s’) and Spike-heeled Larks, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Black-chested Prinia, Chestnut-vented Warbler, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Yellow Canary, our first of many Lark-like Bunting and best of all Ludwig’s Bustard and a group of four Rüppell's Korhaan. The birding along the entrance road was really great!
Once we arrived at Spitzkoppe we started working the areas around the base of the massive for our target species, Herero Chat. The chat proved hard work and we weren’t far off from giving up when Jackson pointed out the distant song of our target. We quickly hurried off in its direction and managed good looks at this often-tricky near-endemic. While enjoying our late breakfast and searching for the chat we encountered many other good birds including the likes of Carp’s Tit, Great Sparrow, Pale-winged Starling, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Green-winged Pytilia, Layard’s Warbler, Pririt Batis and Acacia Pied Barbet.
After ‘cleaning up’ on all our targets around Spitzkoppe we hit the long, dusty road to the Erongo Mountains. This was punctuated with the odd stop for a new bird or animal such as Purple Roller, Round-eared Elephant-Shrew and closer to the Erongo Mountains, our first White-tailed Shrike.
It had been a long day so we decided to take some time off during the early-afternoon heat before we took a walk through the bushveld at the base of a granite koppie. On this walk we found another big target, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, as well as Monteiro’s Hornbill, Gabar Goshawk, Grey Go-away-bird, Carp’s Tit, Cape Penduline Tit, Barred Wren-Warbler, Marico Sunbird and more White-tailed Shrikes. As we sat down for dinner that evening, we added another two new birds; Double-banded Sandgrouse as they came to drink from the small waterhole and Freckled Nightjar as they flew noisily around the lodge. Today had been a really fun and productive day of birding!
Day 4, 13th September 2022. Erongo Mountains and Uis birding
We started the morning with a drive through the conservancy where we saw a nice assortment of birds such as Red-billed Spurfowl, Red-crested Korhaan, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Purple Roller, Southern Red-billed and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Peregrine Falcon, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Kalahari Scrub Robin and Cape Bunting. Back at our beautiful lodge, we enjoyed a fantastic breakfast spread (certainly one of the best breakfasts around). Then Mitch and Dom decided to take the long drive out towards Uis, to look for a certain range restricted lark species. Krista and Jackson decided to hang around the lodge instead and even managed good looks at a Verreaux’s Eagles on their walk.
Mitch and Dom hit the long dusty road in the late morning, and despite a long drive, managed to find a single Benguela Long-billed Lark. We enjoyed good looks at our first Double-banded Courser on the drive back.
Later in the afternoon, we all met up again and took a drive to look for Rüppell's Parrot, this did not prove tricky as a few birds came into feed. On the drive to and from the parrot stakeout, we added Crowned Lapwing, Common Scimitarbill and a brief flock of Southern Pied Babblers. Later that evening after dinner, we went for a night drive which was once again very productive and we added the likes of Kirk’s (Damara) Dikdik, Bat-eared and Cape Foxes and heard Southern White-faced Owl which would not show for us.
Day 5, 14th September 2022. Erongo to Etosha National Park
With most of the area’s targets now seen, we concentrated on Rockrunner around our lodge. This did take some work, but eventually showed well for us. We enjoyed listening to its pretty song as it called from patches of vegetation in amongst the boulders. Whilst out looking for Rockrunner, we also added an attractive-looking Brubru.
Breakfast was scrumptious (as to be expected here) and then we packed our bags and started making our way northwards to the famous Etosha National Park. Along the drive we added Verreaux’s Eagle (on a nest), Tawny Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Damara Red-billed Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, Southern White-crowned Shrike and Cardinal Woodpecker but otherwise the drive was uneventful.
Soon enough, we arrived in Etosha National Park and settled into our accommodation at Okaukuejo Camp. This is the most popular of Etosha’s camps, mostly because of the floodlit waterhole which is a magnet for wildlife in the area. In the late afternoon, we took a drive north of camp, along the edge of the dry lake, and saw the huge Kori Bustard, Northern Black Korhaan, Double-banded Courser, Eastern Clapper and Red-capped Larks and Ant-eating Chat.
We spent some time at the floodlit waterhole after dinner that evening where we saw our first Black Rhinoceros, as well as many African Elephants, as they came to drink and bathe in the waterhole. Always a great way to end the day!
Day 6, 15th September 2022. Okaukuejo area - birding and wildlife
We had our breakfast before sunrise and then made our way out and spent the morning driving the various roads in the area, exploring the open pan-edge areas as well as the Moponi bushveld. In the open areas we saw Common Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Northern Black Korhaan, Gabar Goshawk, Red-necked Falcon, Greater Kestrel, Chat Flycatcher, Desert Cisticola and Rufous-eared Warbler. The Mopani bushveld areas are generally a little sterile, however we did see Red-crested Korhaan, African Grey Hornbill, Violet-eared Waxbill and Great Sparrow.
The morning’s drive produced an assortment of good mammals too, such as South African Ground Squirrel, Black-backed Jackal, Plains Zebra, Giraffe, Gemsbok, Common (Blue) Wildebeest, Impala and Springbok.
In the afternoon, we went south of Okaukuejo and although it was a little quiet, we did still see Pink-billed Lark, Scaly-feathered Weaver, Burchell’s Starling and two new mammals, Banded Mongoose and the pugnacious Honey Badger. To finish off the day, we arrived back at camp a bit earlier, bought some drinks and sat by the waterhole for the rest of the afternoon. We enjoyed an assortment of animals as they came and went, which included a couple of herds of African Elephants which were a treat to watch and listen to. The perfect way to end the day in the African bush!
Day 7, 16th September 2022. Okaukuejo Camp to Namutoni Camp
We were moving to the east of the park today and had the whole day to make the drive and see what we could find en route. The morning was a little on the slow side, however we did see Bateleur, a couple of pairs of Secretarybird (just as we finished saying how we would like to see them) and Black Crake, African Spoonbill and Cape and Red-billed Teals at a roadside waterhole.
We stopped at Halali Camp for lunch and a walkaround, which was productive and here we added our two targets, Bare-cheeked Babbler and Violet Wood Hoopoe, which were both very obliging. The camp’s waterhole, where we enjoyed our lunch, added a single Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, a tricky bird on this route, as well as the trip’s only Red-billed Buffalo Weavers.
Shortly before arriving at Namutoni Camp in the early afternoon, we saw a single singing Rufous-naped Lark, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark and Groundscraper Thrush (at a well-planned-out diversion) and our only White Rhinoceros of the trip! Once settled into our accommodation, we took a late afternoon drive which added our first Spotted Hyena of the trip and a catch-up bird for Krista and Jackson, in the form of Common Ringed Plover.
Day 8, 17th September 2022. Eastern Etosha birding and wildlife
Today was our last full day in the park and we decided today would have to be the day for us to find some big cats. We headed north of Namutoni to the Andoni Plains where we would try for a few grassland species. The drive en route was productive as we saw a couple of pairs of Burchell’s Sandgrouse and we spent some time watching the carcass of an elephant as White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures, Spotted Hyena and Black-backed Jackal all enjoyed the feast.
The Andoni Plains held many elegant Blue Cranes, while a nearby waterhole added South African Shelduck and Three-banded and Kittlitz’s Plovers. We headed north of the plains to search for Burchell’s Courser, however the area had too much grass and not enough open areas and there were none of these desert nomads around. On our drive back south to Namutoni, we saw a high-flying White-headed Vulture and then decided to pop into one last waterhole before lunch where we at last found a pride of Lions as they lazed around under the trees.
After lunch, we took a drive around the dry Fischer’s Pan which was very quiet and did not produce much of interest besides Black-faced Waxbill, Rattling Cisticola and Red-breasted Swallow. We arrived back in the late afternoon and took it easy for a while before an early dinner, as we had a night drive planned for that evening. The night drive was good fun and we watched and listened to Lions roaring, saw many Spotted Hyenas (‘horrible animals’ according to our night drive ranger), watched an African Wild Cat as it hunted, a single Common (Small-spotted) Genet and saw a few Rufous-cheeked Nightjars as they hunted low over a waterhole.
Day 9, 18th September 2022. East to the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)
After an early breakfast we left camp and slowly made our way out of the park. We stopped at the gate to look at some curios and managed to add Red-headed Weaver and Black-backed Puffback, before we hit the open road and headed northeast. We had a lot of ground to cover today and so we did not stop for too much, although we did add Greater Striped and Lesser Striped Swallows and Black-winged Kite along the drive. Just outside of Divundu we found Rock Pratincoles along the river and saw Greater Blue-eared and Wattled Starlings, Red-faced Mousebird and Long-tailed Paradise Whydah.
We eventually arrived at our beautiful and lush lodge, alongside the Kavango River, in the late afternoon and mostly took it easy for the remainder of the afternoon, although a quick walk around the lodge grounds was very enjoyable and relaxing. On our walk and while looking out over the river, we had our first looks at Yellow-billed and Marabou Storks, African Openbill, Glossy Ibis, African Darter, Water Thick-knee, African Skimmer, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Meyer’s Parrot, Magpie Shrike, Dark-capped Bulbul, Mosque and Wire-tailed Swallow, Southern Yellow White-eye, Kurrichane Thrush, White-browed Robin-Chat, Swamp Boubou, Hartlaub’s and Arrow-marked Babblers and Brown Firefinch. Our significant drive eastwards today meant we were now in range for many new species, here at the western limit of their distribution – always very exciting!
Day 10, 19th September 2022. Birding Mahangu Game Reserve and surrounds
We had many birds to target today and so made an especially early start and headed about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of our lodge to explore the woodlands with several targets in mind. Our drive started brilliantly when we found a perched Bat Hawk which showed well for us in the pre-dawn light. We searched high and low for Rufous-bellied Tit, Souza’s Shrike and Sharp-tailed Starling but unfortunately none showed up. We did, however, find many other birds this morning including the likes of African Cuckoo-Hawk, Black-chested and Brown Snake Eagles, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Striped Kingfisher, Bradfield’s Hornbill, White-crested Helmetshrike, Southern Black Tit, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Tinkling Cisticola, Meve’s Starling, Red-billed Oxpecker, Pale Flycatcher, Amethyst Sunbird, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow and Shaft-tailed Whydah. We got back to camp, enjoyed a late lunch and then took it easy during the heat of the afternoon. While relaxing for the afternoon we had a few good birds show up for us including Shikra, Black-collared Barbet, Black-headed Oriole, Collared Pratincole and Holub’s Golden Weaver.
In the late afternoon, we headed out to Mahangu Game Reserve where we birded the woodlands and floodplain. As we were packing the car to head out, three Sharp-tailed Starlings flew overhead and showed briefly on the opposite side of the river, a great bird to claw back after dipping on our morning’s attempt! The floodplain in Mahangu Game Reserve was, as usual, full of birds and other animals and we spent a lot of time working through the multitudes of waterbirds. Highlights from the afternoon included White-faced Whistling Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Saddle-billed Stork, Squacco, Goliath and Black Herons, Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets, African Fish Eagle, Wattled Crane, Long-toed Lapwing, African Jacana, Grey-rumped Swallow and Plain-backed Pipit. In the surrounding woodlands we encountered Crested Francolin, Swainson’s Spurfowl, Little and White-fronted Bee-eaters and Scarlet-chested Sunbird. We had some great mammals this afternoon too including Roan, Sable, Southern Lechwe, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Common Duiker, Giraffe, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, African Elephant and Vervet Monkey. We also spotted some rather huge Nile Crocodiles out on the floodplain.
We ended another great day with a night drive where we saw Square-tailed Nightjar and the tiny African Scops Owl, always a delight to see.
Day 11, 20th September 2022. Mahangu to Okavango Panhandle
We did a breakfast boat cruise this morning which was surprisingly very chilly with a cold wind blowing throughout the cruise. Nevertheless, we encountered some nice birds such as Giant Kingfisher, Water Thick-knee, Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, African Wattled Lapwing and Striated Heron. Once back on land, we packed our bags and headed the short distance south to the Botswana border. Before crossing into Botswana, we once again birded Mahangu Game Reserve which had more of the same as yesterday afternoon but also added Bunt-necked Eremomela, Tawny-flanked Prinia, African Hoopoe, Green Wood Hoopoe, Crested Barbet and Golden-breasted Bunting.
The border crossing was quick and easy and after parking our vehicle, we were soon on our way to our lodge by boat. The boat crossing was quiet with the odd African Skimmer and heron seen and then we arrived in the mid-afternoon at our beautiful and serene lodge. We spent some time relaxing during the afternoon and then enjoyed a short walk around camp which added new birds in the form of Bennett’s and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Lesser Honeyguide, Mourning Collared Dove, African Green Pigeon and Grey Tit-Flycatcher. We enjoyed a wonderful meal under the trees on the banks of the Kavango River and discussed the following day’s exciting boat cruises.
Day 12, 21st September 2022. Okavango Panhandle birding
Today was our last full day of the tour and so we left early for a walk around camp with our local guide, Ray, with Pel’s Fishing Owl being our primary target for the morning. Walking through the beautiful tall woodlands was a real treat and the birding was top-notch. We added many new birds such as Retz’s Helmetshrike, African Barred Owlet, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, Hamerkop, South African Cliff Swallow, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Ashy Flycatcher and Southern Brown-throated Weaver. Ray had checked several of the regular Pel’s Fishing Owl roosts and eventually came back and told us that he had found a bird. We quietly followed Ray and then had amazing scope views of two Pel’s Fishing Owls, one of which was sat out in the open for us. We then headed back to the lodge and enjoyed a lovely breakfast, which tasted even better knowing we had our main quarry ‘in the bag’!
After breakfast, we headed out on a boat cruise and made our way through the various channels of the Kavango River and some special bird sightings. Boat cruises around the Okavango swamps are always fun and the birds usually allow a close approach in the boat, which makes for some great photographic opportunities. Some of our better sightings on the boat cruise included African Skimmer, Whiskered Tern, Little Bittern, White-backed Night Heron, African Marsh Harrier, Chirping Cisticola, Greater Swamp Warbler, Banded and Brown-throated Martins and many Pied and Malachite Kingfishers.
After lunch and some downtime, we headed back onto the boat and this time headed south of our lodge towards a floodplain. En route to the floodplain we witnessed the spectacle of the barbel run. When large numbers of barbel (a type of cat fish) move through the area and flush all sorts of smaller fish which are then preyed upon by herons and egrets. We watched a group of around 1000 heron and egrets as they slowly followed the barbels and it was quite something to watch. Within this group we saw Goliath, Grey, Squacco, Striated and Black Herons and Little, Great and Intermediate Egrets. Closer to the floodplain, we saw a couple of pairs of African Pygmy Geese as well as a few African Skimmers. At the floodplain, we soon found Slaty Egret (our main quarry) as well as Knob-billed Duck and African Swamphen. We then made our way back to camp and enjoyed a spectacular sunset for our last evening of the tour.
Day 13, 22nd September 2022. Departure from Maun
We had a lot of ground to cover this morning to ensure we could catch early afternoon flights out of Maun. We took breakfast with us to eat on the road and then hit the long (potholed) road to Maun. We arrived in Maun around lunchtime and bade our goodbyes after what had been a thoroughly enjoyable and successful trip. Thanks to Mitch, Krista and Jackson for the many good laughs and great memories!
Bird List - Following IOC (12.1)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International: CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.
Common Name Scientific Name
Ostriches (Struthionidae)
Common Ostrich Struthio camelus
Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
South African Shelduck Tadorna cana
African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus
Cape Shoveler Spatula smithii
Cape Teal Anas capensis
Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha
Guineafowl (Numididae)
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae)
Crested Francolin Ortygornis sephaena
Hartlaub's Spurfowl Pternistis hartlaubi
Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus
Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena
Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma
Fiery-necked Nightjar (H) Caprimulgus pectoralis
Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii
Swifts (Apodidae)
African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Little Swift Apus affinis
Turacos (Musophagidae)
Grey Go-away-bird Crinifer concolor
Bustards (Otididae)
Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori
Ludwig's Bustard - EN Neotis ludwigii
Rüppell's Korhaan Eupodotis rueppelii
Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista
Northern Black Korhaan Afrotis afraoides
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus
Sandgrouse (Pteroclidae)
Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua
Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus
Burchell's Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Dove Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
African Green Pigeon Treron calvus
Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae)
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis
Black Crake Zapornia flavirostra
Cranes (Gruidae)
Wattled Crane - VU Grus carunculata
Blue Crane - VU Grus paradisea
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae)
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae)
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis
Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)
African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Plovers (Charadriidae)
Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris
Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus
Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus
Painted-snipes (Rostratulidae)
Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Jacanas (Jacanidae)
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Ruff Calidris pugnax
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Sanderling Calidris alba
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae)
Double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)
African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris
Hartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Damara Tern - VU Sternula balaenarum
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
Skuas (Stercorariidae)
Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus
Penguins (Spheniscidae)
African Penguin - EN Spheniscus demersus
Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels (Procellariidae)
White-chinned Petrel - VU Procellaria aequinoctialis
Storks (Ciconiidae)
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer
Gannets, Boobies (Sulidae)
Cape Gannet - EN Morus capensis
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)
Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus
Crowned Cormorant Microcarbo coronatus
Cape Cormorant - EN Phalacrocorax capensis
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)
African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
African Spoonbill Platalea alba
Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca
Slaty Egret - VU Egretta vinaceigula
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Hamerkop (Scopidae)
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
Secretarybird (Sagittariidae)
Secretarybird - EN Sagittarius serpentarius
Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae)
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides
White-backed Vulture - CR Gyps africanus
White-headed Vulture - CR Trigonoceps occipitalis
Lappet-faced Vulture - EN Torgos tracheliotos
Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus
Bateleur - EN Terathopius ecaudatus
Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus
Martial Eagle - EN Polemaetus bellicosus
Tawny Eagle - VU Aquila rapax
Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii
Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar
Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates
Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus
Shikra Accipiter badius
African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Barn Owls (Tytonidae)
Western Barn Owl Tyto alba
Owls (Strigidae)
Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum
African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense
African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis
Southern White-faced Owl (H) Ptilopsis granti
Pel's Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli
Mousebirds (Coliidae)
White-backed Mousebird Colius colius
Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
Hoopoes (Upupidae)
African Hoopoe Upupa africana
Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae)
Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
Violet Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis
Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Hornbills (Bucerotidae)
Damara Red-billed Hornbill Tockus damarensis
Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris
Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas
Bradfield's Hornbill Lophoceros bradfieldi
African Grey Hornbill Lophoceros nasutus
Rollers (Coraciidae)
Purple Roller Coracias naevius
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters (Meropidae)
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides
Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides
African Barbets (Lybiidae)
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas
Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus
Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii
Honeyguides (Indicatoridae)
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii
Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)
Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus
Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides
Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae)
Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri
Rüppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii
Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)
Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis
Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae)
Chinspot Batis Batis molitor
Pririt Batis Batis pririt
White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus
Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae)
Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus
Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus
Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis
Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla
Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor
Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus
Brubru Nilaus afer
Vangas & Allies (Vangidae)
White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus
Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens
Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris
Figbirds, Orioles, Turnagra (Oriolidae)
Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Drongos (Dicruridae)
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
Crows, Jays (Corvidae)
Cape Crow Corvus capensis
Pied Crow Corvus albus
Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)
Southern Black Tit Melaniparus niger
Carp's Tit Melaniparus carpi
Penduline Tits (Remizidae)
Cape Penduline Tit Anthoscopus minutus
Larks (Alaudidae)
Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata
Gray's Lark Ammomanopsis grayi
Karoo Long-billed Lark Certhilauda subcoronata
Benguela Long-billed Lark Certhilauda benguelensis
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis
Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis
Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota
Dune Lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys
Eastern Clapper Lark Mirafra fasciolata
Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana
Stark's Lark Spizocorys starki
Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris
Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)
Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris
African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans
Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)
Banded Martin Neophedina cincta
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa
Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata
South African Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae)
Rockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius
Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens
Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae)
Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens
Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris
African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus
Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae)
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus
Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens
Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans
Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata
Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis
Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)
Layard's Warbler Curruca layardi
Chestnut-vented Warbler Curruca subcoerulea
White-eyes (Zosteropidae)
Orange River White-eye Zosterops pallidus
Southern Yellow White-eye Zosterops anderssoni
Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae)
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys
Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor
Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii
Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae)
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens
Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Meves's Starling Lamprotornis mevesii
Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis
Sharp-tailed Starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup
Oxpeckers (Buphagidae)
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Groundscraper Thrush Turdus litsitsirupa
Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana
Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)
Kalahari Scrub Robin Cercotrichas paena
White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
Pale Flycatcher Melaenornis pallidus
Chat Flycatcher Melaenornis infuscatus
Marico Flycatcher Melaenornis mariquensis
Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
Short-toed Rock Thrush Monticola brevipes
Karoo Chat Emarginata schlegelii
Tractrac Chat Emarginata tractrac
Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora
Mountain Wheatear Myrmecocichla monticola
Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris
Herero Chat Namibornis herero
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus
White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala
Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)
Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow Gymnoris superciliaris
Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus
Great Sparrow Passer motitensis
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae)
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali
Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius
Scaly-feathered Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons
Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops
Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus
Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae)
Black-faced Waxbill Brunhilda erythronotos
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala
Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula
Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae)
Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea
Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae)
Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis
Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica
Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris
White-throated Canary Crithagra albogularis
Buntings (Emberizidae)
Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis
Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Total seen 333
Total heard only 2
Total recorded 335
Mammal List
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List: CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.
Common name Scientific name
Dogs, Wolves, Foxes (Canidae)
Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas
Cape Fox Vulpes chama
Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis
Mustelids (Mustelidae)
Honey Badger Mellivora capensis
Cats (Felidae)
Lion - VU Panthera leo
African Wild Cat Felis lybica
Mongooses (Herpestidae)
Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo
Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
Kaokoland Slender Mongoose Herpestes flavescens
Hyaenas, Aardwolf (Hyaenidae)
Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
Genets, Binturong, Civets (Viverridae)
Common Genet Genetta genetta
Bovids (Bovidae)
Impala Aepyceros melampus
(Red) Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus
Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis
Common Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus
Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus
Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Gemsbok Oryx gazella
Southern Lechwe - NT Kobus leche leche
Kirk’s (Damara) Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
African Buffalo - NT Syncerus caffer
Common Eland Tragelaphus oryx
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Giraffes, Okapis (Giraffidae)
Giraffe - VU Giraffa camelopardalis
Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae)
Hippopotamus - VU Hippopotamus amphibius
Hogs, Pigs (Suidae)
Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
Hyraxes (Procaviidae)
Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
Rabbits, Hares (Leporidae)
Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
Elephant Shrews (Macroscelididae)
Round-eared Elephant-shrew Macroscelides flavicaudatus
Horses, Asses, Zebras (Equidae)
Plains Zebra - NT Equus quagga
Rhinoceroses (Rhinocerotidae)
White Rhinoceros - NT Ceratotherium simum
Black Rhinoceros - CR Diceros bicornis
Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)
Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
Elephants (Elephantidae)
African Elephant - EN Loxodonta africana
Fruit Bats and Flying Foxes (Pterododidae)
Gambian Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus gambianus
Dassie Rat (Petromuridae)
Dassie Rat Petromus typicus
Squirrels, Chipmunks, Marmots, Prairie Dogs (Sciuridae)
Congo Rope (Tree) Squirrel Funisciurus congicus
South African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris
Rorquals (Balaenopteridae)
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Oceanic Dolphins (Delphinidae)
Heaviside’s Dolphin - NT Cephalorhynchus heavisidii
Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Eared Seals (Otariidae)
Afro-Australian Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus
Total seen 47