Website:
www.reachafrica.co.za
Email:
[email protected]
Reach Africa
Birding and Getaways
Tel: 011 475 7436
Cell: 082 577 2102
Fax: 086 617 3996
P.O Box 409
Allens Nek
1737
Roodepoort, South Africa
Reach Africa Birding
Image © Per Holmen
NAMIBIA
10 DAY TRIP:
21 to 30 March 2015
More than 630 bird species have been recorded in Namibia and many of
these are superbly adapted to desert conditions.
Fourteen species are, within southern Africa, exclusive to Namibia and
are classified as national endemics. The areas that we will be visiting
hold all but two of these birds ie Dune Lark and Gray’s Lark.
OUR DESTINATIONS
The Kunene River, one of only five perennial rivers in arid Namibia, and
considered a precious resource by those who live near it. The river has
for centuries supported the semi–nomadic Himba people, who are one of
Africa’s most successful remaining pastoralist peoples. It flows from the
Angolan highlands south to the border with Namibia. It then flows west
along the border until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
The Kunene River area is one of the only sites for the localised and
evocatively named Cinderella Waxbill and two other sought after
specials, namely Rufous-tailed Palm-Thrush and Grey Kestrel. .
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This area, on the border of Angola, offers some excellent birding.
Birding is done from the road that runs along the river and in the adjacent
rocky hills.
In May 2012, a small population of ANGOLA CAVE CHATS was found
on the southern slopes of the Zebra Mountains. Prior to this discovery,
the bird was not known to occur in Namibia and was considered to be an
Angolan endemic where it is extremely localised in four isolated areas.
Subsequently, a further bird was found at a much more accessible site.
In November 2008, while waiting at a waterhole for Cinderella Waxbills,
we were stunned by the arrival of a pair of ANGOLA SWEE WAXBILLS.
We understand that there have been unconfirmed recent reports of this
bird during Cave Chat expeditions
The formation of the Brandberg massive unveils its treasures and
secrets to the knowing eye of the geologist. Nobody can evade its
sublime beauty. The Brandberg is a large granite inselberg that rises out
of the Namib coastal plain in Damaraland. It is most famous for the rock
painting known as the “White Lady”, painted on an overhang in Maack’s
Shelter in the Tsisab gorge, a wild and beautiful ravine amongst a vast
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jumble of rocks. A visit to perhaps the world's most famous rock painting
is highly recommended. The footpath to the site offers spectacular views
into the open plains of the Damaraland.
The stone-age rock paintings of the San Bushmen give evidence of the
presence of the famous desert elephants in the area many thousands of
years ago. Especially during the drier periods of the year, groups of
desert elephant roam in the valley of the Ugab River. Here, there is no
worry for water and bush and trees to feed on. We hope to experience
these majestic giants on a guided drive-a close encounter you will never
forget.
We spend two nights among large, shady trees in comfortable chalets at
a charming lodge situated at the foot of Namibia’s highest mountain
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We visit Spitskoppe, an extraordinary granite mass which dominates
the desert plain near the town of Usakos. This 1728m high inselberg,
sometimes referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia, is known for its rock
art and semi-precious stones, besides its abundant birdlife.
North of Karibib and Usakos, lies the volcanic Erongo mountain range,
the western peaks of which rise to 2,320m above sea level. This roughly
circular massif, dominates the flat plains west of Omaruru and gives the
Erongo region its name. The Erongo Mountains are flanked by the
Namib Desert to the west and a mixed, woodland savannah to the east.
Apart from the fantastic scenery and flora and fauna, rock paintings are
also a lure for visitors to the area.Our home for two nights in the Erongo
Mountains is the magnificent Erongo Wilderness Lodge. In a secluded
valley, where the desert, mountain, and bushveld ecosystems combine
one finds ten luxury tented chalets in a dramatic setting of granite
boulders and breathtaking views. Raised wooden walkways and natural
stone steps connect the chalets to the main area and the open-plan
lounge and restaurant overlooks a floodlit waterhole. Our main target bird
in the Erongo Mountains is the localised Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, which is
best seen in the rocky jumbles at the base of the huge granite domes
that dominate the area.
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BIRDING ATTRACTIONS
Kunene
Angola Cave Chat, Grey Kestrel, Cinderella Waxbill, Chestnut Weaver,
Rufous-tailed Palm-Thrush, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Monteiro's Hornbill,
White-tailed Shrike, Ruppell’s Parrot, Violet Wood-Hoopoe, Madagascar
Bee-eater, White-browed Coucal, Golden Weaver, Rosy-faced Lovebird,
Freckled Nightjar, Red-necked Spurfowl(cunensis race) Hartlaub’s
Spurfowl, Orange River Francolin, Yellow-billed Oxpecker
Brandberg and Spitzkoppe
Booted Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Verreaux’s Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Herero
Chat, Benguela Long-billed Lark, Stark’s Lark, Ludwig’s Bustard,
Bradfield’s Swift, Ruppell’s Korhaan, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Short-toed
Rock-Thrush, Burchell’s Courser, Double-banded Courser, Tractrac
Chat, Layard’s Titbabbler and White-throated Canary.
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Erongo Mountains
Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, White-tailed Shrike, Rockrunner, Violet WoodHoopoe, Carp’s Tit, Ruppell’s Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird.
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Windhoek -Tsumeb)
Fly at “sparrows” from Johannesburg to Windhoek
Collect vehicle at Windhoek airport and head for Tsumeb
Bird en route and arrive mid-afternoon at lodge near Tsumeb
Overnight at Tsumeb
Day 2 (Tsumeb to Ruacana)
Early morning birding around lodge
Visit Lake Otjikoto and artesian springs en route to Ruacana
Overnight at lodge in Ruacana
Day 3 (Ruacana-Kunene)
Early morning birding around Ruacana
Depart after breakfast for Kunene River area
Bird en route to Kunene
Overnight at Kunene River Lodge
Days 4 and 5 (Kunene)
Days spent birding in Kunene River area
Overnight at Kunene River Lodge
Day 6 (Kunene-Brandberg)
Depart Kunene River Lodge bright and early
Travel via Opuwo and Khorixas to Brandberg area
Overnight at lodge near Brandberg
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Day 7 (Brandberg area)
Guided morning “Elephant Drive”
Rest of day spent birding/relaxing around camp.
Overnight at Brandberg White Lady Lodge.
Day 8 (Brandberg-Spitskoppe-Erongo Mountains)
Early morning birding around lodge.
Depart after breakfast for Erongo Mountains via Spitskoppe.
Arrive Omaruru late afternoon and overnight at Erongo Wilderness
Lodge
Day 9 (Erongo Mountains)
Early morning guided walk at Erongo Wilderness Lodge
Rest of day spent birding and relaxing at lodge.
Overnight at Erongo Wilderness Lodge
Day 10 (Erongo-Windhoek airport)
Early morning birding around lodge
Depart after breakfast and head for Windhoek
Arrive at airport around midday for return flight home