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Field Guides Tour Report
Namibia & Botswana 2016
Feb 23, 2016 to Mar 13, 2016
Terry Stevenson

For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.


The red dunes at Sossusvlei, among the highest in the world, were evocatively captured here by participant Cliff Hensel.

Our 2016 Namibia and Botswana tour followed our well-tried route from Windhoek to the giant sand dunes at Sossusvlei, west to the Atlantic coast, north to Etosha and the banks of the Okavango River, and finally crossing into Botswana to the huge, sprawling Okavango Delta itself.

Beginning in Windhoek, we went to the local waterworks (sewage farm) and saw a variety of ducks, including our first South African Shelducks and the only Southern Pochards of the tour. We also enjoyed Long-tailed Cormorant, African Darter, Black Crake, African Swamphen and African Jacana at the pool areas, African Reed-Warblers and Southern Red Bishops in the reed beds, and Pearl-spotted Owlet, White-backed Mousebird, and Burnt-neck Eremomela in the acacia woodland. We then finished our first day at the local swift roost, where there were at least 100 of the near-endemic Bradfield's Swifts amongst the more widespread Alpine, African Palm-, and Little swifts.

The following day found us heading southwest for a two night stay in the Solitaire area of the Namib Naukluft Desert. But first, we stopped just outside Windhoek, where a small area of acacia bush country gave us great looks at an enormous variety of birds, including Barred Wren-Warbler, Black-chested Prinia, Rufous-vented Warbler, Mariqua Flycatcher, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Dusky Sunbird, Violet-eared Waxbill, Green-winged Pytilia, and Shaft-tailed Whydah. Continuing on, we spent two nights at the Namib Desert Lodge, giving us access to some real desert birding, including some time at the magnificent red sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Some of the highlights included our first Common Ostrich, Lappet-faced Vulture, Ludwig's, Rueppell's and White-quilled bustards, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Pririt Batis, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, the very localized and endemic Dune Lark, Tractrac Chat, Pale-winged Starling, Yellow Canary and flocks of Social Weavers with their huge 'haystack' nests. We also saw our first big African mammals, with Gemsbok and Springbok both being common.

We then began our drive to Walvis Bay (at the coast), seeing Karoo Long-billed, Gray's and Stark's larks along the way -- three species which are localized and sometimes difficult to find -- plus great close looks at Mountain Zebra, right next to the road! As usual, the lagoon at Walvis Bay was fabulous, with huge numbers of both Greater and Lesser flamingos, shorebirds, gulls, and terns. Most notable were African Oystercatcher, Chestnut-banded Plover, 400+ Bar-tailed Godwits (many in breeding plumage), and Damara Tern.

Next, we spent three nights (one in the south and two in the north) at the Erongo Mountains. Dassie Rat (sole member of the family Petromuridae) was the most interesting new mammal here, while birds included such localized species as Hartlaub's Francolin, Monteiro's and Damara Red-billed hornbills, Rueppell's Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird, White-tailed Shrike, Carp's Tit, Rockrunner, and Herero Chat, which is virtually endemic to Namibia, and only member of the genus 'Namibornis'.

Continuing north to Etosha National Park, we stayed in three different lodges, which gave us opportunity to cover more ground and see the wildlife of this huge area. Mammals were high on our 'want list', and we were all soon enjoying Lions (a mating pair and then another female), African Elephants (from tiny to huge), Burchell's Zebra, Common Giraffe, Greater Kudu (with some magnificent males), Gemsbok, 'Red' Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, and Springbok. Birds were also many and varied, with African Openbill and Greater Painted-Snipe at the waterholes, and Abdim's Stork, Kori Bustard, Blue Crane, Double-banded Courser and Double-banded Sandgrouse in the grasslands -- where we also saw no fewer than seven species of falcon, including migrating Amur and Red-footed falcons, and Lesser Kestrel. In the wooded areas, African Scops-Owl, Violet Woodhoopoe, Southern Red-billed Hornbill, Black-faced Babbler, Groundscraper Thrush, and a colony of Wattled Starlings (in their very best breeding plumage) were among the prizes. Birds of prey -- including White-backed Vulture, Bateleur, Black-breasted Snake-Eagle, and Tawny Eagle -- frequently crossed the skies, and we even saw a high-flying Secretary-bird.

Heading still further north, we then spent a night near Rundu on the banks of the Okavango River. Here, an afternoon's walk added African Pygmy-Goose, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Fish-Eagle, Black Cuckoo, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Woodland Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Gabon Boubou, Hartlaub's Babbler, and Yellow-crowned Bishop to our list.

Our final birding spot in Namibia was the delightful Mahango Reserve, right next to the Botswana border. Goliath Heron (the world's largest) was the most impressive of the waterbirds we saw, but we also enjoyed Martial Eagle, Red-faced Mousebird, Green Woodhoopoe, Bradfield's Hornbill, more gorgeous Southern Carmine Bee-eaters, Broad-billed Roller, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Southern Pied-Babbler, Burchell's and Meves's starlings, and Red-billed Oxpecker. We also enjoyed 11 species of mammals, with new species including Black-faced Vervet Monkey, Bushbuck, Lechwe, and 'Southern' Reedbuck.

After an easy crossing into Botswana, we spent two nights at Xaro Lodge. This small camp is only accessible by boat, and is undoubtedly the best place to look for Pel's Fishing-Owl -- which for many birders is the highlight of a visit to the Okavango. We were not disappointed, with good views our first afternoon, and then a second bird (right in the open!) during a boat trip the following day. Other memorable sightings included Hamerkop, Little Bittern, Slaty Egret, the shy White-backed Night-Heron, African Marsh-Harrier, Allen's Gallinule, Lesser Jacana, African Wood-Owl, White-fronted Bee-eater, Crested Barbet, Retz's Helmetshrike, Chirping Cisticola, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver.

We finished our tour with charter flights into and out of Baines' Camp in the southern 'Stanley's concession area' of the delta. Here, we took morning and afternoon drives through the beautiful landscape -- a mix of lagoons, sandy and grassy vleis, wooded areas, palm trees and baobabs. Our open-sided 4x4 vehicle was ideal for watching wildlife as we slowly made our way, seeing Red-billed and Swainson's francolins, Saddle-billed Stork, Pink-backed Pelican, more than a dozen species of raptors, Wattled Crane, Long-toed Lapwing, Black Coucal, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Striped Kingfisher, Bennett's Woodpecker, Dickinson's Kestrel, Meyer's Parrot, Magpie Shrike, Southern Black-Tit, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Jameson's Firefinch, and Purple Indigobird. Mammal species were also varied, with our only Hippo, Spotted Hyaena and Leopard of the tour, plus more Lion, African Elephant, Burchell's Zebra, Warthog, Common Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Blue Wildebeest and Impala.

And finally, one evening as we drove back to camp after our 'traditional sundowner', both Verreaux's Eagle-Owl and Square-tailed Nightjar made an appearance -- just a fabulous way to end a day's birding in the Okavango Delta!

-- Terry

KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant


Red-billed Francolin was the most common francolin of the tour. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

BIRDS
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus) – About 20 in the Sossusvlei and Namib Naukluft desert area, 30 at Etosha, 2 at Mahango, and 15 in the Okavango Delta.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – We saw a total of about 80 between Hakusembe, Mahango, and in the Okavango Delta.
COMB DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos) – A female near Baines' Camp.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – About 60 at Guisis, 35 at Etosha, 40+ at Mahango, and 15 in the Okavango Delta.
SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK (Tadorna cana) – One at Windhoek Sewage Works, about 100 at Guisis, and 30 at Etosha.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – About 30 at Mahango, and then a couple of singles in the Okavango.
AFRICAN PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus auritus) – Twenty at Hakusembe (including some very close males at the lodge), and 40 in the Xaro area.
CAPE SHOVELER (Anas smithii) – Sixty at Guisis, and 5 at Etosha.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Two at Windhoek Sewage Works, about 40 at Guisis, 100+ at Etosha, and 2 at Hakusembe.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Four at Etosha.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – One at Windhoek Sewage Works, 6 at Guisis, and at least 100 at Walvis Bay.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Four at Windhoek Sewage Works.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – Four males and 6 females at Guisis.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Widespread in a variety of open country and bushland.


Just a few of the thousands of Lesser Flamingoes we saw at Walvis Bay. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
HARTLAUB'S FRANCOLIN (Pternistis hartlaubi) – Very difficult this year, but on our last morning in the Erongo Mountains up to 5 were seen and several others heard. A regional endemic.
RED-BILLED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis adspersus) – The most common and widespread francolin; in all we saw about 230.
SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN (Pternistis swainsonii) – Ten at Etosha, 1 at Mahango, and 6 in the Okavango Delta.
ORANGE RIVER FRANCOLIN (Scleroptila gutturalis) – Heard calling from a rocky hill near Windhoek.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Small numbers at Windhoek, Guisis, and Etosha.
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis) – Twelve at Guisis, and about 100 at Walvis Bay.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Many thousands at Walvis Bay.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor) – Thousands at Walvis Bay.
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Ardenna grisea) – One flew north near the guano platform at Walvis Bay.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Seven at a waterhole in Etosha NP, 2 at Hakusembe, and 4 at Etosha.
ABDIM'S STORK (Ciconia abdimii) – At least 400 were seen in the Etosha grasslands.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Three in the Okavango Delta.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – One at the Halali waterhole, and 7 near Baines' Camp.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
CAPE GANNET (Morus capensis) – Two singles at sea to the north of Swakopmund.


The African Openbill's unusual beak shape may help it to deal with its slippery preferred prey -- snails. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – Thirty at Windhoek, 20 at Guisis, and 20 near Walvis Bay.
CAPE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax capensis) – At least 2000 were on the guano platform north of Walvis Bay, and many others in the Swakopmund area.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Widespread on a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 200.
CROWNED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax coronatus) – Six at the guano platform at Walvis Bay.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Three at the Windhoek Sewage Works, 3 at Mahango, and about 25 along the river at Xaro.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – About 15 at Walvis Bay.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Three in the Okavango Delta.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Three at Xaro, and another 3 in the Baines' Camp area.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
LITTLE BITTERN (Ixobrychus minutus) – Five singles from the boat at Xaro were an unusually high number.
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Widespread in small numbers on a variety of scattered wetlands; in total we saw about 18.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath) – One at Mahango, 2 at Xaro, and 1 in the Okavango Delta.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – One at Mahango.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – One at Hakusembe, and 3 at Mahango.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – One at Windhoek Sewage Works, and 6 at Walvis Bay.


We found a half-dozen Hamerkops during the tour, at a couple of different locations. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

SLATY EGRET (Egretta vinaceigula) – Just 1 this year as we traveled by boat in the shallow waters near Xaro.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Fairly common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – One in flight at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 5 at Xaro.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris) – Two in flight at Hakusembe, 2 near Xaro, and 1 in the Okavango Delta.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – One at the Windhoek Sewage Works, 6 at Hakusembe, and 4 at Xaro.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Six (all adults) at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 1 at Xaro.
WHITE-BACKED NIGHT-HERON (Gorsachius leuconotus) – Great close looks at an adult from the boat at Xaro.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Three at Mahango, and 2 in the Okavango Delta.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Six over our hotel in Johannesburg, and then 2 singles at Mahango and near Baines' Camp.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Four near our hotel in Johannesburg.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Two at Etosha.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Two south-west of Windhoek, 1 near Sossusvlei, and 1 near Xaro.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Two single adults at Etosha, and 1 near Baines' Camp.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos) – Four in the Sossusvlei area, 2 at Etosha, and 1 near Baines' Camp.


We saw about a dozen Bateleurs during the tour (mostly in flight), including this soggy youngster. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – By far the most common vulture, with about 50 south-west of Windhoek, 4 at Etosha, 6 at Mahango, and 10 in the Okavango Delta.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Wonderful to watch these beautiful eagles crossing the African skies; we saw about a dozen between Etosha and the Okavango.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Singles at Etosha, near Xaro, and in the Okavango Delta.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – One during a drive from Baines' Camp.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – Good looks at an immature bird on the ground at Mahango.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Two singles in the Baines' Camp area.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Two singles during drives from Baines' Camp.
BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus) – One along the road from Windhoek to Guisis.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Small numbers on the way to Solitaire, at Etosha, and at Mahango.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – We saw a pair in flight by our lodge in the Erongo Mountains.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster) – Two in the Okavango Delta.
PALE CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax canorus) – At least 20 in the area from Guisis to Sossusvlei and on through the Namib Naukluft NP, and then 4 in the Etosha area.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – One near Solitaire, and 2 at Etosha.
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus) – Four singles over the reed beds at Xaro, and 2 in the Okavango Delta.
LITTLE SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter minullus) – One near Baines' Camp.


The African Fish-Eagle is one of the continent's iconic birds. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

BLACK GOSHAWK (Accipiter melanoleucus) – We saw an immature in flight at Hakusembe.
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus) – Fairly common and widespread with a total of about 50.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Small numbers at Hakusembe, Xaro, and in the Okavango Delta.
COMMON BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus) – Four in the Etosha area.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – One near Outjo, and then 6 in Etosha NP.
LUDWIG'S BUSTARD (Neotis ludwigii) – Two in flight in the Namib Naukluft NP (west of Solitaire).
RUEPPELL'S BUSTARD (Eupodotis rueppelii) – Eight between Sossusvlei and the Tropic of Capricorn.
RED-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis ruficrista) – We saw a female on the road just outside Etosha NP.
WHITE-QUILLED BUSTARD (Eupodotis afraoides) – We saw 2 of these attractive small bustards in the Sossusvlei area, and then 6 at Etosha.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AFRICAN CRAKE (Crecopsis egregia) – We flushed 1 as we drove through a long grassy area in the Okavango Delta.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Three at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 3 in the Okavango Delta.
ALLEN'S GALLINULE (Porphyrio alleni) – Great looks at up to 8 during our boat trips from Xaro.
AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio madagascariensis) – Two at the Windhoek Sewage Works.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – About 20 at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 10 at Etosha.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – Three hundred at the Windhoek Sewage Works, 200 at Guisis, and 10 at Etosha.
Gruidae (Cranes)
BLUE CRANE (Anthropoides paradiseus) – We saw 2 pairs at Etosha (with one bird sitting on a nest).
WATTLED CRANE (Bugeranus carunculatus) – Two near Baines' Camp.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – About a dozen at Guisis, 40 at Walvis Bay, and a few singles elsewhere.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – At least 150 were at Walvis Bay.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus moquini) – First seen very distantly, but then seen well as a close fly-by north of Swakopmund.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – About a dozen in the Walvis Bay to Swakopmund area.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – One in flight in the Okavango Delta.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus) – Common and widespread throughout the tour, with a total of about 450.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – About 20 at Etosha, and 6 at Hakusembe.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Two at Etosha, and 2 at Hakusembe.
CASPIAN PLOVER (Charadrius asiaticus) – One at Etosha.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius) – Eight at Etosha.


We saw a handful of White-quilled Bustards -- some in the Sossusvlei area, others at Etosha. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – About 20 at Walvis Bay.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Twenty at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 3 at Etosha.
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus) – At least 30 were in the Walvis Bay to Swakopmund area.
CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius pallidus) – Great looks at this rather localized small plover at Walvis Bay; in all we saw about 40.
Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – We saw a single male in a marshy waterhole at Etosha.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
LESSER JACANA (Microparra capensis) – Can be difficult, but we all had great looks at 2 during our final morning boat trip at Xaro.
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Common in areas with water-lilies; in all we saw about 75.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Two singles at Etosha.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – About a dozen at Walvis Bay, and 60 at Etosha.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Widespread in marshy wetlands with a total of about 35.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Two at Walvis Bay, and 1 north of Swakopmund.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – At least 400 (with many in breeding plumage) were in a single flock at Walvis Bay.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – About 100 in the Walvis Bay to Swakopmund area.


The walkway at Baines Camp is pretty darn swanky -- no mud here! Photo by participant Martha Vandervoort.

RED KNOT (Calidris canutus) – One on the beach in front of our hotel at Walvis Bay.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) – Twelve at Walvis Bay, and 1 at Mahango.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Many hundreds at Walvis Bay.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – About 150 at Walvis Bay.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Twenty at Walvis Bay, and 2 at Etosha.
Turnicidae (Buttonquail)
SMALL BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix sylvaticus) – We flushed 2 singles during our drives in the Baines' Camp area.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – Four along the road south of Outjo.
DOUBLE-BANDED COURSER (Smutsornis africanus) – We saw a total of 7 in Etosha NP.
COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola) – About 20 along the shores of a pool at Etosha.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – Four in flight as we drove to Johannesburg Airport.
HARTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii) – At least 500 were in the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund areas.
KELP GULL (VETULA) (Larus dominicanus vetula) – About 100 in the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund areas; this form is sometimes split as Cape Gull.
DAMARA TERN (Sternula balaenarum) – About 10 in front of our hotel at Walvis Bay.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – Eight at Walvis Bay.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Two in breeding plumage at Hakusembe, and 1 at Mahango.


We watched about 20 Collared Pratincoles along the edge of a pond at Etosha. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – About 100 at Walvis Bay.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – One at Walvis Bay, and about 20 north of Swakopmund.
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – Ten at Walvis Bay.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
NAMAQUA SANDGROUSE (Pterocles namaqua) – About 100 were seen along the road in the Solitaire area of the Namib Naukluft NP, and 3 at Etosha.
DOUBLE-BANDED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles bicinctus) – Five at the roadside in Etosha NP, and 10 in the Baines' Camp area.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Seen in a variety of towns and villages from Windhoek to Swakopmund.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – One in Windhoek, about 30 at Namib Desert Lodge, and a couple of singles at Uris and Hakusembe.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Very common from Hakusembe to the Okavango Delta; in all we saw about 140.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Small numbers in acacia bush country from Etosha to the Okavango Delta.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Singles and pairs at Sossusvlei, Etosha, Mahango and Xaro.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Many at Xaro (although only 1 was seen well), and then about 30 in the Baines' Camp area.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GRAY GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides concolor) – Common and widespread (mainly in acacia country) throughout the tour.


A Pel's Fishing-Owl right out in the open on our boat trip was a definite highlight. Wow! Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
PIED CUCKOO (Clamator jacobinus) – Singles at Uris and Mahango.
LEVAILLANT'S CUCKOO (Clamator levaillantii) – Two singles in the Okavango Delta.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – We saw at least 4 between Mahango and the Okavango Delta.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – One at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 2 at Xaro.
BLACK COUCAL (Centropus grillii) – Amazingly we saw at least 7 in the Okavango Delta - often a rather shy coucal!
COPPERY-TAILED COUCAL (Centropus cupreicaudus) – Common from Hakusembe to the Okavango Delta; in all we saw about 45.
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis) – Some of the group saw 1 near Baines' Camp.
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (Tyto alba) – One by the reception office at Halali Rest Camp, Etosha.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – One on a day roost at Halali Rest Camp in Etosha NP.
SPOTTED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo africanus) – Nice day time views of 1 at Sossusvlei.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – One along a track as we returned to Baines' Camp one evening.
PEL'S FISHING-OWL (Scotopelia peli) – One at Xaro, and then a second bird right in the open during our boat trip upstream of the lodge - just wonderful!
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Small numbers were widespread in acacia country from Windhoek to Uris, and then near Baines' Camp; with a total of at least 12.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – Thanks to our local guide we had great close looks at a pair at Xaro.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
FRECKLED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus tristigma) – Two at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.
SQUARE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus fossii) – One in the Okavango Delta near Baines' Camp.
Apodidae (Swifts)
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba) – About 20 at Windhoek.
COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus) – One of the group saw 1 at Etosha.
BRADFIELD'S SWIFT (Apus bradfieldi) – At least 100 were around their roost site in Windhoek.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – First seen in Johannesburg, and then at Windhoek, and at Etosha.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Six along the road south-west of Windhoek.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Fairly common in all areas with palm trees; in all we saw about 120.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
WHITE-BACKED MOUSEBIRD (Colius colius) – About 20 at Windhoek, and a dozen in the Sossusvlei area.
RED-FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus) – About 20 in the Erongo Mts., 10 at Uris , and about 50 between Mahango and the Okavango Delta.


How do you pick one bee-eater photo for the triplist, when they're all so colorful?! The Southern Carmine Bee-eater gets the nod, based primarily on that outlandishly pink plumage. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – Singles at Okaukuejo and Mahango.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – One at Mahango, 3 at Xaro, and 6 near Baines' Camp.
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (VIOLET) (Phoeniculus damarensis damarensis) – Five at Halali Rest Camp, Etosha.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Some of the group saw 1 at Sossusvlei, and then we all saw a second bird at Mahango.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – Nice looks at 3 near Stanley's Airstrip.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
BRADFIELD'S HORNBILL (Lophoceros bradfieldi) – We saw this rather localized hornbill at Mahango.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus) – Widespread in a variety of open woodland; with a total of about 30.
SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas) – One at Okaukuejo, Etosha, and 6 in the Uris area.
MONTEIRO'S HORNBILL (Tockus monteiri) – Six in the Erongo Mts. area, yet another near endemic that we saw well!
SOUTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris) – Eight in the Hakusembe area, and about a dozen in the Okavango Delta.
DAMARA RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus damarensis) – Nice looks at 4 in a dry river bed near Usakos.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – We saw a total of 8 between Xaro and the Okavango Delta.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – One at Xaro.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Small numbers at Hakusembe and Mahango, and then at least 50 between Xaro and the Okavango Delta.


The Lilac-breasted Roller is another bit of eye candy -- and a species that even nonbirders tend to notice. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – About 10 in the Okavango Delta.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Very common around Xaro (100+) and then a few others at scattered wetlands elsewhere.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – Common along the Okavango River in the Xaro area.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Fairly common from Hakusembe to the Okavango Delta.
SWALLOW-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops hirundineus) – Small numbers at Windhoek, Sossusvlei, near Solitaire, the Erongo Mts. and at Etosha.
BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus) – We saw a total of about 80 between Hakusembe and Xaro.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – Mostly seen in flight; we saw a total about 180 between Outjo and the Okavango Delta.
SOUTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicoides) – Great looks at these gorgeous birds from Hakusembe to Mahango and on to Xaro; in all we saw about 50.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Small numbers at Etosha, Mahango, and near Baines' Camp.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – Nice looks at 1 south of Omaruru, and 2 at Etosha.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – One at Mahango, and 3 near Baines' Camp.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
CRESTED BARBET (Trachyphonus vaillantii) – Two at Xaro, and then 4 in the Okavango Delta.
YELLOW-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) – Two, during one of our walks at Xaro.
PIED BARBET (Tricholaema leucomelas) – Small numbers in acacia country; in all we saw about 20.


We saw small numbers of snazzy Pied Barbets in acacia country. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

BLACK-COLLARED BARBET (Lybius torquatus) – Two at Xaro, and 2 at Baines' Camp.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
BENNETT'S WOODPECKER (Campethera bennettii) – Nice looks at a female near Baines' Camp.
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni) – Two seen (and several heard) at Xaro.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – One at Etosha (for some of the group), and then 2 at Uris for everyone.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
LESSER KESTREL (Falco naumanni) – Seven females and a male were perched in a tree to the west of Halali, Etosha.
ROCK KESTREL (Falco rupicolus) – Recently split from Eurasian Kestrel, we saw 1 south-west of Windhoek, 3 in the Solitaire area, and 2 in the Erongo Mts.
GREATER KESTREL (Falco rupicoloides) – One near Solitaire, 2 at Etosha,
DICKINSON'S KESTREL (Falco dickinsoni) – Six in the Baines' Camp area.
RED-NECKED FALCON (Falco chicquera) – One at Etosha.
RED-FOOTED FALCON (Falco vespertinus) – Nice views of a single adult male with Amur Falcons in Etosha NP.
AMUR FALCON (Falco amurensis) – A total of about 20 were feeding over the Etosha grasslands.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One at Etosha.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis roseicollis) – Common from Windhoek to Solitaire, and in the Erongo Mts. where they were most numerous and spectacular at the Erongo Wilderness Lodge.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – About 10 in the Baines' Camp area.


An intimate pair of Dickinson's Kestrels interact at Baines Camp. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

RUEPPELL'S PARROT (Poicephalus rueppellii) – Uncommon and sometimes difficult to find, but we were lucky this tour seeing them near Usakos, and at two sites in the Erongo Mts.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
WHITE-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanioturdus torquatus) – Singles were seen in both the northern and southern areas of the Erongo Mts.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Two at Uris, and 2 near Baines' Camp.
PRIRIT BATIS (Batis pririt) – First seen at Namib Desert Lodge, and then in the Erongo Mts. and at Etosha.
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Great looks at 2 during a walk at Xaro.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Singles near Solitaire and Uris.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – Small numbers in acacia country from Usakos to the Okavango Delta.
BLACK-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra senegalus) – One near Baines' Camp.
GABON BOUBOU (Laniarius bicolor) – Small numbers from Hakusembe to Xaro; in total we saw about 12.
CRIMSON-BREASTED GONOLEK (Laniarius atrococcineus) – One at Namib Desert Lodge, 1 near Usakos, 4 at Etosha, and 4 at Mahango.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – Nice looks at this colorful bushshrike at Mahango.


The Spike-heeled Lark will often retreat to a mammal burrow if threatened -- or to get out of the sun. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – One of the group saw a female at Etosha.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio) – Small numbers were seen throughout the tour.
LESSER GRAY SHRIKE (Lanius minor) – Fairly common and widespread.
SOUTHERN FISCAL (SOUTHERN) (Lanius collaris subcoronatus) – We saw this distinctive form (sometimes split and known as Latakoo Fiscal) at Sossusvlei, and near Solitaire.
MAGPIE SHRIKE (Corvinella melanoleuca) – About 6 in the Baines' Camp area.
WHITE-CROWNED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus anguitimens) – Three near Usakos, and about a dozen at Etosha.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus) – Three at Namutoni, Etosha.
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – We saw a single male at Uris.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Small numbers at a variety of sites throughout the tour; in all we saw about 10.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – One at Sossusvlei, and about 40 at Etosha.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Small numbers were widespread in Namibia.
Alaudidae (Larks)
MONOTONOUS LARK (Mirafra passerina) – Many heard and several seen singing at Etosha NP.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – Singles at Etosha and near Baines' Camp.
SABOTA LARK (BRADFIELD'S) (Calendulauda sabota naevia) – Fairly common in acacia bush country, with at least 100 at Etosha.
DUNE LARK (Calendulauda erythrochlamys) – We saw an adult and an immature in the dunes at Sossusvlei; the only species absolutely endemic to Namibia.
GRAY'S LARK (Ammomanopsis grayi) – This regional endemic can be difficult to find in the open gravel deserts, but we were lucky and had great looks at about 6 in the Namib Naukluft NP.
SPIKE-HEELED LARK (Chersomanes albofasciata) – Four at Etosha NP.
KAROO LONG-BILLED LARK (Certhilauda subcoronata) – One in the Namib Naukluft NP.
GRAY-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix verticalis) – About 20 at Sossusvlei.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – Six at Etosha.
STARK'S LARK (Spizocorys starki) – About 20 near Solitaire.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – About half a dozen along the river near Xaro.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Fairly common and widespread around buildings and cliffs.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Very common and widespread with several hundred seen most days.


Our comfortable tent accommodations at Xaro Camp, photographed by participant Martha Vandervoort.

WHITE-THROATED SWALLOW (Hirundo albigularis) – One at Windhoek Sewage Works.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Pairs at Hakusembe and Xaro.
GREATER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis cucullata) – One at Windhoek, and 2 at Kalkveld.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Two at Xaro.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – One from the boat as we headed for Xaro Lodge.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – One at Mahango.
COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum) – About 40 at Uris.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
SOUTHERN BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus niger) – Two at Mahango.
CARP'S TIT (Melaniparus carpi) – Another regional endemic; we saw these at a couple of places in the Erongo Mts. and at Uris.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris) – One at Xaro.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Common from Mahango and then south in to the Okavango Delta.
BLACK-FRONTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus nigricans) – More commonly known as Red-eyed Bulbul, they were very common throughout most of Namibia.


The Quiver Tree (Aloe dichotoma) is indigenous to Southern Africa. As its name suggests, it's used by the local San people, who hollow out the branches to make quivers for their arrows. Photo by participant Martha Vandervoort.

Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
CAPE CROMBEC (Sylvietta rufescens) – Two at Uris, and 1 at Baines' Camp.
ROCKRUNNER (Achaetops pycnopygius) – Seen briefly in the southern part of the Erongo Mts. and then we all had good scope views in the north. A regional endemic.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) – Two singles at Xaro.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
ICTERINE WARBLER (Hippolais icterina) – Nice looks at 1 at Okaukuejo, Etosha.
SEDGE WARBLER (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) – One at the Windhoek Sewage Works.
AFRICAN REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus baeticatus) – About 20 at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 1 at Xaro.
GREAT REED-WARBLER (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) – Heard singing from within dense bush at Xaro.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – The gray-backed form was fairly common in acacia country throughout the tour.
BARRED WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes fasciolatus) – Singles at Windhoek and in the Erongo Mts.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Two at Windhoek, 1 at Mahango, and about 12 in the Baines' Camp area.
WINDING CISTICOLA (LUAPULA) (Cisticola galactotes luapula) – One from the boat in the Okavango River.
CHIRPING CISTICOLA (Cisticola pipiens) – Good looks in the reed beds around Xaro.
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis) – One at Hakusembe.
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus) – One at Windhoek, and 1 at Etosha.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – About 6 in the reeds along the Okavango River near Xaro.
BLACK-CHESTED PRINIA (Prinia flavicans) – Fairly common in acacia country; in all we saw about 40.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – Four near Windhoek, 3 in the southern Erongo Mts, and 1 on the north side of the Erongo Mts.
BURNT-NECK EREMOMELA (Eremomela usticollis) – Four at Windhoek Sewage Works, and 2 in the Erongo Mts.
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers)
RUFOUS-VENTED WARBLER (Sylvia subcaerulea) – Small numbers from Windhoek to Sossusvlei, in the Erongo Mts., and at Etosha.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
ORANGE RIVER WHITE-EYE (Zosterops pallidus) – We saw a pair at Walvis Bay, and then a single bird at Swakopmund.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
HARTLAUB'S BABBLER (Turdoides hartlaubii) – We saw small flocks at Hakusembe, Xaro, and in the Okavango Delta.
BLACK-FACED BABBLER (Turdoides melanops) – One of the group saw 3 at our lunch stop just east of Etosha.
SOUTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides bicolor) – Two small flocks at Mahango.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – About 10 at Xaro.
BARE-CHEEKED BABBLER (Turdoides gymnogenys) – A group of 3 birds were seen by just 2 of our group at Uris.


We saw only a single Short-toed Rock-Thrush -- a male at Erongo Wilderness Lodge. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
CHAT FLYCATCHER (Bradornis infuscatus) – Four along the road in the Solitaire area.
MARIQUA FLYCATCHER (Bradornis mariquensis) – Small numbers in acacia country from Windhoek to Etosha.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – One at the gate to Mahango.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) – We saw a total of about a dozen in a variety of widespread areas.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – Two at Mahango.
KALAHARI SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas paena) – Two just outside Windhoek.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Two singles in the Erongo Mts.
HERERO CHAT (Namibornis herero) – Great looks at 2 at our usual site in the Erongo Mts. This regional endemic is in its own genus - Namibornis!
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – About 6 at Xaro and Baines' Camp.
SHORT-TOED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola brevipes) – One at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.
SOUTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla formicivora) – Four in the grassy farmlands south of Outjo.
TRACTRAC CHAT (Cercomela tractrac) – Four in the Namib Naukluft NP.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – Widespread in small numbers in Namibia.
MOUNTAIN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe monticola) – First seen on the way to Solitaire, and then about a dozen in the Namib Naukluft area, and 2 in the Erongo Mts.


The Cape Starling is common in many parts of Namibia. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata) – One near Solitaire, and 2 at Etosha.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH (Psophocichla litsitsirupa) – One in a dry river bed near Usakos, and 7 at Etosha.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – About a dozen were seen briefly at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and then we had fabulous looks at 100+ nest building and in full breeding plumage in Etosha NP.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – Great looks at these gorgeous starlings from Solitaire to Etosha.
PALE-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus nabouroup) – Common in rocky areas from Windhoek to Sossusvlei and north to the Erongo Mts.
BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis) – Common from Mahango to the Okavango Delta.
MEVES'S STARLING (Lamprotornis mevesii) – As with the previous species this starling was also common from Mahango to the Okavango.
CAPE STARLING (Lamprotornis nitens) – Common in many parts of Namibia.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – An adult and 2 immatures were on a giraffe at Mahango, and then we saw about 12 in the Baines' Camp area.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – About 10 in the Baines' Camp area.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Six in and around Windhoek.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – Four at Windhoek, and then a few other singles in the Erongo Mts., Uris, and Xaro.
DUSKY SUNBIRD (Cinnyris fuscus) – Common in arid country from Windhoek to Sossusvlei and then north to the Erongo Mts.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Common from Windhoek to Walvis Bay, and then just a single at Xaro.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Four at Hakusembe.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Four at Etosha, and 2 near Baines' Camp.
BUFFY PIPIT (Anthus vaalensis) – One at Hohenstein Lodge, 1 south of Outjo, and 2 at Etosha.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
LARK-LIKE BUNTING (Emberiza impetuani) – About 40 in the Guisis area, and 3 in the Erongo Mts.
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – Singles at Etosha and Uris.
CAPE BUNTING (Emberiza capensis) – Three at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris) – Nice looks at 1 at Uris.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
BLACK-THROATED CANARY (Serinus atrogularis) – Ten at Erongo Wilderness Lodge, 6 at Etosha, and 4 at Uris.
YELLOW CANARY (Serinus flaviventris) – Four at Namib Desert Lodge.
WHITE-THROATED CANARY (Serinus albogularis) – About 6 in the southern Erongo Mts.


A Southern Masked Weaver checks out the latest construction. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers at Windhoek, Solitaire, and Walvis Bay.
GREAT RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer motitensis) – Small numbers at Guisis, and in the Erongo Mts; in all we saw about 30.
CAPE SPARROW (Passer melanurus) – First seen in Johannesburg, and then at Sossusvlei, and at Hohenstein.
SOUTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer diffusus) – Common and widespread.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – Sixty at Etosha, 1 at Uris, about a dozen at Mahango, and 40+ in the Okavango Delta.
SCALY WEAVER (Sporopipes squamifrons) – Also known as Scaly-feathered Finch; we saw small numbers in the Namib Naukluft NP, the Erongo Mts., and at Etosha.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common and widespread in acacia country.
SOCIAL WEAVER (Philetairus socius) – Great looks at these birds and their huge 'haystack' nests in the Namib Naukluft area, and at Etosha.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – One at Mushara, and 2 near Baines' Camp.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Two at Hakusembe, 10 at Xaro, and 8 in the Baines' Camp area.
SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus xanthopterus) – We saw a single male in the reeds near Xaro.
SOUTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus velatus) – Common and widespread.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – About 50 were nesting in the reeds near Xaro Lodge.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – About 40 at Etosha, and 12 at Uris.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – One at Erongo Wilderness Lodge, several flocks of hundreds at Mahango, at Xaro, and in the Okavango Delta.


Southern Cordonbleu was widespread in small numbers throughout much of the tour. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

SOUTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix) – We saw about 50 of these red and black 'fireballs' in the reed-beds at the Windhoek Sewage Works, and 1 at Xaro.
YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP (Euplectes afer) – Two males in full breeding plumage near Hakusembe.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – Fairly common along the river near Xaro.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Two of our group saw 1 near Xaro.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – Eight at Windhoek, 3 at Swakopmund, and 4 in the Okavango Delta.
BLACK-FACED WAXBILL (Estrilda erythronotos) – Small numbers at Windhoek, and in the Erongo Mts.
SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus angolensis) – Small numbers were widespread in acacia country.
VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL (Granatina granatina) – We saw these beautiful colorful waxbills at Windhoek, the Namib Naukluft area, in the Erongo Mts., and at Etosha.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Another beautiful waxbill; we saw these at Windhoek, in the Erongo Mts., Etosha, and Uris.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Two at Hakusembe, and 1 at Xaro.
JAMESON'S FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rhodopareia) – We saw a pair near Baines' Camp.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – A male at Mushara, and then 3 at the gate to Mahango.
RED-HEADED FINCH (Amadina erythrocephala) – We saw a female at Windhoek, and then about 40 (both sexes) in the Erongo Mts., and at Etosha.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Two at Hakusembe.


Participant Cliff Hensel snapped this wonderful shot of a Leopard our driver/guide spotted near Baines Camp.

Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – We saw a female at Hakusembe.
EASTERN PARADISE-WHYDAH (Vidua paradisaea) – Four near Windhoek, 2 near Outjo, 10 at Uris, and 1 near Xaro, included several males in full breeding plumage.
SHAFT-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua regia) – We saw a total of about 20 (in several scattered areas) including some spectacular males.
PURPLE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua purpurascens) – Good looks (and a photograph) of a male near Baines' Camp.
MAMMALS
PETERS' EPAULETED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus crypturus) – Two at Xaro, and 3 at Baines' Camp.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Three at Mahango, and about a dozen at Xaro.
CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus) – Fairly common and widespread; in all we saw about 350.
SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatalis) – Singles at Sossusvlei and Solitaire.
CAPE GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus inaurius) – About 10 at Solitaire, and 6 at Etosha.
TREE SQUIRREL (Paraxerus cepapi) – Six at Halali Rest Camp, and then about another 30 between Mahango and the Okavango Delta.
DASSIE RAT (Petromus typicus) – Great looks at Erongo Wilderness Camp.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – One at Walvis Bay, and 3 at Etosha.
SPOTTED-NECKED OTTER (Lutra maculicollis) – Two of our group saw 1 at Xaro.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – One near Baines' Camp.


Nothing says "Africa" quite like a Lion sighting. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 35 at Etosha, and 10 near Uris.
YELLOW MONGOOSE (Cynictis penicillata) – Two singles in the Windhoek area.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – Great looks at 5 right next to our vehicle in the Okavango Delta.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Thanks to our driver/guide we all had fabulous looks at 1 in the Baines' Camp area.
LION (Panthera leo) – We saw a mating pair and then a female at Etosha, and 2 adult with 2 young in the Okavango Delta.
CAPE (AUSTRALIAN) FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus pusillus) – Two singles in the Walvis Bay area.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Great close up and personal encounters, with 7 at Etosha, and about 50 in the Okavango Delta.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Very common in the Erongo Mts.
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA (Equus zebra) – Nice looks at about 60 in the Namib Naukluft NP.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Two hundred at Etosha, 25 at Mahango, and about 50 in the Okavango Delta.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour; in total we saw about 75.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – About 30 at a hippo pool in the Okavango Delta.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Ten at Etosha, 8 at Mahango, and about 40 in the Okavango Delta.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – One at Mahango, and 3 at Xaro.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – Three in the Erongo Mts, 6 at Etosha, 2 at Mahango, and another half dozen in the Okavango Delta.


A couple of sparring Hippos show the tusks they use to inflict damage on each other. Photo by participant Cliff Hensel.

LECHWE (Kobus leche) – About 40 at Mahango, and 10 in the Okavango Delta.
REEDBUCK (Redunca arundinum) – Also known as Southern Reedbuck, we saw 1 at Mahango, and 4 in the Okavango Delta.
GEMSBOK (Oryx gazella) – At least 500 in the Namib Naukluft NP (including Sossusvlei), and 250+ at Etosha.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About a dozen in the Baines' Camp area.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – We saw about 40 of the southern African form commonly known as Red Hartebeest at Etosha, and 2 briefly near Windhoek.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – Three at Hohenstein, 150 at Etosha, and 30 in the Okavango Delta.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris) – One south-west of Windhoek, 4 near Outjo, and 1 in the Okavango Delta.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Three in the Erongo Wilderness Lodge area.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – At least 150 at Etosha, 60 at Mahango, and 100+ in the Okavango Delta.
SPRINGBOK (Antidorcas marsupialis) – About 200 in the Solitaire area, and 2000+ at Etosha.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Reptiles seen on the tour included;

Namib Rock Agama; about 60 in the Erongo Mts.

Leopard Tortoise; 1 in the Erongo Mts.

Rock Monitor; 1 at Etosha NP.

Three possible Round-eared Elephant-Shrews 'Macroscelides proboscideus' were seen in the Erongo Mts., but owing to the difficulty of identifying elephant-shrews in the field we could not be 100% certain they were this species.

Totals for the tour: 350 bird taxa and 35 mammal taxa