A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Namibia & Botswana III 2023
October 31-November 19, 2023 with Terry Stevenson & Tarry Butcher guiding
Our November 2023 Namibia and Botswana tour followed our well tried and tested route visiting all the main birding areas of these two strikingly different countries, varying from giant sand dunes, gravel plains, rocky mountains and the Atlantic coast in Namibia, to the riverine woodlands of Botswana and finally the expansive Okavango Delta itself.
Our first birding was in Windhoek at the local sewage works where waterbirds included South African Shelduck, Blue-billed Teal, Southern Pochard, Red-knobbed Coot, Long-tailed Cormorant and Squacco Heron. Along the shores we saw Three-banded Plover and African Sacred Ibis, while in the surrounding acacia woodlands were Gray Go-away-bird, Gabar Goshawk, White-backed Mousebird, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Pied Barbet, Black-fronted Bulbul, Chestnut-vented Warbler, and Mariqua Sunbird. In the center of town, a stop at Palm Tree Park provided us with good views of the localized Bradfield's Swift and Rosy-faced Lovebird, and we finished off a great first afternoon watching a pair of endemic Monteiro's Hornbills in our guesthouse garden.
The following day found us heading south-west to the Namib Naukluft Desert National Park, where we'd spend two nights while visiting the magnificent red sand dunes at Sossusvlei. Highlights during our time here included Common Ostrich, Ludwig's and Rueppell's bustards, the nomadic Burchell's Courser, Lappet-faced Vulture, Pale Chanting-Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Ashy Tit, Karoo Long-billed Lark, the extremely localized and endemic Dune Lark, Pale-winged Starling, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Karoo and Tractrac chats, Mountain Wheatear, Sociable Weaver, and Yellow and White-throated canaries. We also had our first mammals, with Chacma Baboon, Black-backed Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Yellow Mongoose, Mountain Zebra, Gemsbok, Springbok, and amazing close looks at a rarely seen Brown Hyaena.
As a total change of scene, we then spent a night on the coast at Walvis Bay. After watching flocks of both Greater and Lesser flamingos from our rooms, we drove along the shore giving great close views of a variety of shorebirds, gulls and terns. Just some of the species we saw included Pied Avocet, African Oystercatcher, White-fronted and Chestnut-banded plovers, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Kelp and Hartlaub's gulls, Damara and Great Crested terns, Crowned and Cape cormorants, and Great White Pelican.
We then headed north to Swakopmund with a stop on the gravel plains for another endemic – the cryptic Gray's Lark. Once seen by all we continued on, this time heading more north-easterly for a two night stay at the southern end of the Erongo Mountains and then at another near-by lodge a short drive north. In this new habitat, a mixture of dry bush country, giant acacia lined river beds and rocky mountains, we made several short walks, adding the following to our growing list; Hartlaub's and Red-billed spurfowl, Namaqua Dove, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Freckled Nightjar, Verreaux's Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Southern Yellow-billed and Damara Red-billed hornbills, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Rueppell's Parrot, the striking White-tailed Shrike, White Helmetshrike, Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Carp's Tit, Stark's Lark, Rockrunner, Burnt-neck Eremomela, and probably the hardest endemic to find – Herero Chat. We also enjoyed sole member of the family Petromuridae - the Dassie Rat!
Heading further north, we then spent three nights at different lodges in and just outside Etosha as we worked our way across this most famous Namibian National Park. Seeing mammals here was of course high on our list, and we all enjoyed Spotted Hyaena, 7 Lions, around 60 African Bush Elephants, 7 Black Rhino, over 70 Common Giraffe, and many herds of Burchell's Zebra, Greater Kudu, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, and Springbok. We also added new birds, with just a few of the favorites being Namaqua and Burchell's sandgrouse, Kori, Denham's, Red-crested and White-quilled bustards, Blue Crane, Double-banded Courser, Saddle-billed Stork, Secretarybird, White-headed Vulture, Tawny Eagle, Red-faced Mousebird, Violet Woodhoopoe, Red-necked Falcon, African Golden Oriole, African Paradise-flycatcher, White-crowned Shrike, Spike-heeled, Sabota, Red-capped and Pink-billed larks, Gray-backed Sparrow-lark, Cape Penduline-tit, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Bare-cheeked, Southern Pied and Black-faced babblers, White-breasted Sunbird, Red-headed Finch, and the gorgeous Violet-eared Waxbill.
The final part of travels in Namibia was to the far north near Rundu, and then to Mahango National Park on the Botswana border. What a change of habitat this is, with farmlands, the tree-lined Okavango River, giant fig and baobab trees, and a whole variety of green leafy bushes and shrubs. Birds were of course plentiful, with new species including Spur-winged Goose, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Black Cuckoo, Wattled Crane, Long-toed and Wattled lapwings, African Jacana, African Openbill, Hamerkop, Goliath and Rufous-bellied herons, Bateleur, African Fish-Eagle, Malachite, Woodland and Giant kingfishers, White-fronted, Little and Southern Carmine bee-eaters, Broad-billed Roller, Gabon Boubou, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Arrow-marked and Hartlaub's babblers, Red-billed Oxpecker, Meves's Starling, Ashy Flycatcher and African Pied Wagtail. New mammals at Mahango included Hippo, Bushbuck, African Buffalo, Lechwe and Common Tsessebe (Topi).
Driving in to Botswana, we were shocked to find raging bush fires around our lodge in the pan-handle. Started by local people to drive away elephants, which were hiding in the reeds by day but raiding their farms at night – the conditions were hardly idea. However, as this was the only realistic chance of seeing two of the tours most special birds – White-backed Night-Heron and Pel's Fishing-Owl we ventured on, and thanks to our local guide Otto, had great success with both. Other highlights here were African Pygmy-goose, African Swamphen, more Wattled Cranes, Water Thick-knee, nesting African Skimmer, African Darter, African Wood-Owl, Chirping Cisticola, Terrestrial Brownbul, White-browed Robin-Chat, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver. We also saw a Sitatunga, a seldom seen skulking antelope which was fleeing the burning reeds.
The final leg of our tour was to take a charter flight deep into the Okavango Delta for a three night stay at Macatoo Camp. Although primarily for horseback riding safaris, we have special permission to stay here, allowing us to use their specially adapted 4x4 safari vehicles while driving through 'sandveld' – a mix of wooded glades, palm trees, and acacia bush, with beautiful pools and lagoons attracting drinking animals and birds. A major attraction here are the big cats and during our stay we had marvelous views of Lions, 3 Leopards, and also Spotted Hyaena, Hippo, Elephant (including small groups of bulls, and herds of females with young), a single herd of over 500 African Buffalo (near our airstrip), Reedbuck, a Roan Antelope, and other herds of Burchell's Zebra, Greater Kudu, Blue Wildebeest and Impala. New birds in the area included Swainson's Spurfowl, Black-bellied Bustard, Great-spotted Cuckoo, African Snipe, Pink-backed Pelican, Slaty Egret, African Spoonbill, Martial Eagle, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Crested Barbet, Dickinson's Kestrel, Magpie Shrike, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, and Pin-tailed Whydah.
After a final charter flight to Maun, we said our farewells, congratulated ourselves on all the amazing things we'd found and enjoyed and then boarded our different flights to Johannesburg and beyond...........
Please see the Field Guides website for Namibia and Botswana tours in 2024.
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
Struthionidae (Ostriches)
COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus)
Common in open areas throughout the tour; in all we saw about 145.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
About 600 at Mahango NP, 100+ in the Drotsky's area, and 10 near Macatoo.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor)
We saw a single bird at the Gammams Water Care Works, Windhoek.
KNOB-BILLED DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
One at Mahango NP.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
Widespread at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 540.
SOUTH AFRICAN SHELDUCK (Tadorna cana)
About 20 at Gammams, and 18 at Etosha.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis)
At least 150 were at Etosha, and we then saw about 300 more in the Okavango area.
AFRICAN PYGMY-GOOSE (Nettapus auritus)
We saw a pair down river from Drotsky's.
BLUE-BILLED TEAL (Spatula hottentota)
Nine at Gammams, Windhoek.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata)
Four in the Macatoo area.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)
About 250 at Walvis Bay, and a dozen at Etosha.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha)
Small numbers were widespread at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 34.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma)
We saw 2 males and 3 females at Gammams.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
Very common and widespread with a total of about 360.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Ortygornis sephaena)
Heard at Mushara Lodge, and then 2 were seen nicely at Drotsky's.
HARTLAUB'S SPURFOWL (Pternistis hartlaubi) [E]
Very difficult to find these days so we were lucky to get great views of a pair at Ai-Aiba.
RED-BILLED SPURFOWL (Pternistis adspersus)
Common and widespread with a total of about 125.
SWAINSON'S SPURFOWL (Pternistis swainsonii)
Four near Macatoo.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Many thousands together with Lesser Flamingos at Walvis Bay.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor)
The most numerous of the two flamingo species, outnumbering Great Flamingos by about eight to one.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Small numbers at Gammams (6), and Etosha (12).
EARED GREBE (Podiceps nigricollis)
About a dozen at Walvis Bay.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
Fairly common in a variety of towns and villages from Windhoek to Usakos.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
Most common around Ai-Aiba (60+) but we also saw another 50 at scattered sites between Windhoek and Etosha.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
Eight at Drotsky's.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
Common from Hakusembe to Mahango and on to Drotsky's and Macatoo; in all we saw about 110.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola)
By far the most common and widespread dove with a total of about 275.
LAUGHING DOVE (Spilopelia senegalensis)
Another common and widespread dove; in all we saw about 120.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
Fairly common from Ai-Aiba onwards throughout northern Namibia and in Botswana; in all we saw about 40.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)
Three at Windhoek, 1 at Ai-Aiba, 12 at Etosha, and about 40 between Mahango, Drotsky's, and Macatoo.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
One at Otjikoto, about 30 near Drotsky's, and 7 at Macatoo.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
NAMAQUA SANDGROUSE (Pterocles namaqua)
Our first sighting was of 8 near the Quiver Tree view point, then we had 8 and 12 in the eastern side of Etosha.
DOUBLE-BANDED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles bicinctus)
Six at Hohenstein, and 150 at Halali for some of the group.
BURCHELL'S SANDGROUSE (Pterocles burchelli)
Four in the eastern side of Etosha.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)
Eleven in and around Etosha.
DENHAM'S BUSTARD (Neotis denhami)
Rare in Namibia, but we were lucky and saw 1 near Okaukuejo, Etosha.
RUEPPELL'S BUSTARD (Eupodotis rueppelii) [E]
We saw a pair in the bare open Namib Naukluft Desert.
RED-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis ruficrista)
More of an acacia dry bush country species than Rueppell's; we saw 6 in the Etosha area.
WHITE-QUILLED BUSTARD (Eupodotis afraoides)
Eleven at Etosha.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster)
We saw a single male near Macatoo.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GRAY GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides concolor)
Common and widespread away from open desert; in all we saw about 170.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SENEGAL COUCAL (Centropus senegalensis)
One at Otjikoto.
COPPERY-TAILED COUCAL (Centropus cupreicaudus)
We saw a total of 8 between Hakusembe and the Drotsky's area.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus)
Two in the grounds of Drotsky's Cabins.
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (Clamator glandarius)
One immature near Macatoo.
PIED CUCKOO (Clamator jacobinus)
One at Otjikoto.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius)
Heard at Hakusembe, and then seen calling from a tall tree on the Drotsky's floodplain.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus)
Heard at Hakusembe and then seen at Mahango and Drotsky's,
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) [*]
Heard at Hakusembe.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis)
One along the road between Okaukuejo and Halali.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
FIERY-NECKED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus pectoralis) [*]
Heard at Macatoo.
FRECKLED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus tristigma)
Great looks at about 5 at Ai-Aiba.
Apodidae (Swifts)
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba)
Fourteen at Windhoek, and then singles at Hohenstein and Ai-Aiba.
COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus)
We saw a total of about 600 at Etosha.
BRADFIELD'S SWIFT (Apus bradfieldi) [E]
Five at Palm Tree Park, Windhoek.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis)
One at Palm Tree Park.
AFRICAN PALM SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
Three at Windhoek, 1 at Hohenstein, 2 at Etosha, and 6 at Macatoo.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
Six at Gammams, and 2 at Etosha.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
About 40 at Gammams, and 2 at Etosha.
AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio madagascariensis)
Two singles in the reed beds on the flood plain near Drotsky's.
BLACK CRAKE (Zapornia flavirostra)
Singles at Etosha (2), Mushara (1), Hakusembe (2) and Mahango (1).
Gruidae (Cranes)
BLUE CRANE (Anthropoides paradiseus)
Three at Andoni Pan, Etosha.
WATTLED CRANE (Bugeranus carunculatus)
Great views this tour, with 2 adults and a juvenile at Mahango, 2 near Drotsky's, and 8 in the Macatoo area.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus)
About a dozen along the Okavango River near Drotsky's, and 6 near Macatoo.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
Widespread at many wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 170.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Fabulous looks at several hundred at Walvis Bay, and about 50 at the Swakopmund Salt Pans.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus moquini)
We saw a total of 38 in the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund area.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
About 50 between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris)
Small numbers at Mahango, along the Okavango River, and near Macatoo; in all we saw about 40.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)
Common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
About 20 at Etosha, and another 20 around Macatoo.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
Two at Hakusembe, and 1 near Drotsky's.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius)
One at Walvis Bay, and 8 at Etosha.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
Four at Walvis Bay.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
Four at Gammams, 3 at Walvis Bay, and 2 at Etosha.
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus)
We saw a total of about 25 between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius pallidus)
Amazing looks at Walvis Bay, including a flock of about 400 near the salt works.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
Two at Hakusembe, about 30 at Mahango, 40+ in the Drotsky's area, and 15 at Macatoo.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus)
Four at Walvis Bay.
EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata)
One at Swakopmund.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
At least 300 were in the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
Twenty between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
Small numbers at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 75.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea)
At least 600 were seen at Walvis Bay, and another 100+ at the Swakopmund Salt Pans.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
About 40 in the Walvis Bay area.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
Three hundred and fifty at Walvis Bay, and 9 at Etosha.
AFRICAN SNIPE (Gallinago nigripennis)
One near Macatoo.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
Singles at Walvis Bay and and Etosha, and 2 near Macatoo.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about a 20.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
One at Etosha.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
Widespread in small numbers; in total we saw about a dozen.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
BURCHELL'S COURSER (Cursorius rufus)
We saw a flock of 11 near Elim Dune.
DOUBLE-BANDED COURSER (Smutsornis africanus)
Eleven at Etosha, and 2 near Macatoo.
COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola)
Eight at Mahango, 15 in the Drotsky's area, and 6 near Macatoo.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
Two in the Walvis Bay to Swakopmund area.
HARTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)
At least 500 were along the shore between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
KELP GULL (VETULA) (Larus dominicanus vetula)
About 150 between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
DAMARA TERN (Sternula balaenarum)
We saw 4 of these very localized terns at Walvis Bay.
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)
About 45 at Walvis Bay.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
One at Mahango, and 2 (including 1 in breeding plumage) near Macatoo.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
Two hundred at Walvis Bay.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii)
About 30 in the Walvis Bay area.
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Eighty-five at Walvis Bay.
AFRICAN SKIMMER (Rynchops flavirostris)
Great looks at about 30 along the Okavango River; included some breeding birds on a sand bank.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus)
Three at Hakusembe, 10 near Drotsky's, and 10 near Macatoo.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia)
Five at Mahango.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
One at Etosha (a bit distant) and then great looks at Macatoo.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
About 40 near Shakawe, 50 in the Drotsky's area, and 10 near Macatoo.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
Singles at Mahango and near Drotsky's, and 6 in the Macatoo area.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa)
Three at Hakusembe and Mahango, and 6 along the river at Drotsky's.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Microcarbo africanus)
Three at Gammams, 2 at Otjikoto, 100+ at Hakusembe and Mahango, and about 40 near Drotsky's.
CROWNED CORMORANT (Microcarbo coronatus)
Thirty on the guano platform near Walvis Bay.
CAPE CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax capensis)
About 50 at Walvis Bay and then many many thousands on the guano platform near Swakopmund.
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
About 20 near Walvis Bay.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
One hundred and sixty between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and 50 in the Macatoo area.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)
Eight near Macatoo.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
We saw a total of 22 between Mahango, Drotsky's and Macatoo.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
Eight in the Walvis Bay to Swakopmund area, 6 at Mahango, and 3 near Macatoo.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala)
One near Outjo.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath)
Good looks at 7 in the Mahango and Drotsky's areas.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
One near Drotsky's.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
Ten between Hakusembe and Mahango, 8 near Drotsky's, and 6 at Macatoo.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Ardea intermedia)
One at Mahango, 2 at Drotsky's, and 2 at Macatoo.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
Two at Gammams, 1 at Hakusembe, and 1 at Mahango.
SLATY EGRET (Egretta vinaceigula)
We saw 2 of these very localized almost endemics near Macatoo.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
Small numbers near Windhoek, and then at Etosha, Mahango, and near Macatoo.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
One briefly at Gammams, and then good looks for everyone at Hakusembe, Mahango, and Macatoo.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris)
Singles at Hakusembe and near Macatoo.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Heard at Gammams, and then seen at Mahango and Drotsky's.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Two at Hakusembe.
WHITE-BACKED NIGHT-HERON (Gorsachius leuconotus)
Great looks at 2 of these rarely seen birds at Drotsky's.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
Two at Mahango.
AFRICAN SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
Thirty at Gammams, and 20 in the Drotsky's area.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
Two at Hakusembe, and 4 at Drotsky's.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Two near Macatoo.
Sagittariidae (Secretarybird)
SECRETARYBIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius)
Two singles at Etosha.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Singles at Gammams, Hakusembe and Shakawe.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-WINGED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
One near Shakawe.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis)
Two singles at Etosha.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
Four in the Namib Naukluft Desert, and 2 at Etosha.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
About a dozen near Outjo, and singles near the Erongo Mountains, Mahango, and Drotsky's.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
Three at Mahango.
BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis)
Four singles; near Windhoek, the Erongo Mountains, and Etosha.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)
One near Outjo.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
One near Macatoo.
BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus)
We saw a single dark morph near Drotsky's.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
Five at Etosha.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii)
One in the Erongo Mountains.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster)
Two at Hohenstein.
PALE CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax canorus)
The most common and widespread raptor with a total of at least 34.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar)
An adult and an immature at Windhoek, and 3 other single adults at Hohenstein, Hakusembe, and Mahango.
SHIKRA (Accipiter badius)
Singles at Hohenstein and Etosha.
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus)
About 20 along the road from Rundu to Divundu, and 6 in the Drotsky's area.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
Four at Mahango, about a dozen in the Drotsky's area, and 4 near Macatoo.
Strigidae (Owls)
SPOTTED EAGLE-OWL (Bubo africanus)
An adult and an immature at Otjikoto.
PEL'S FISHING-OWL (Scotopelia peli)
Great looks at 1 from the boat near Shakawe – a major highlight of the tour!
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
Two near Usakos, 3 at Hohenstein, 6 in the Okombahe to Ai-Aiba area, and 3 at Etosha.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii)
One at Drotsky's.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
WHITE-BACKED MOUSEBIRD (Colius colius)
About 10 in the Windhoek area.
RED-FACED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius indicus)
Four at Ai-Aiba, and 4 for some of the group at Etosha.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
Small numbers at Windhoek, the Erongo Mountains, Okombahe, Etosha, Mushara, and near Macatoo.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitarbills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
Six at Okombahe, and 1 at Drotsky's.
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (VIOLET) (Phoeniculus damarensis damarensis) [E]
We saw a flock of 5 of this localized endemic at Halali Rest Camp in Etosha.
COMMON SCIMITARBILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
One at Ai-Aiba, and 2 at Etosha.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
Great looks at a total of 8 in the Macatoo area.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)
Eleven in and around Etosha, and 1 near Macatoo.
SOUTHERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus leucomelas)
Common and widespread in acacia country throughout the tour; in all we saw about 45.
MONTEIRO'S HORNBILL (Tockus monteiri) [E]
Six in the Windhoek area, 2 at Hohenstein, and 4 at Ai-Aiba.
SOUTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus rufirostris)
Sixteen in Etosha.
DAMARA RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus damarensis) [E]
Two at Okombahe, and 2 near Ai-Aiba.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)
Two at Hakusembe, and 3 in the Drotsky's area.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis)
Great looks at a total of 13 between Hakusembe Drotsky's and Macatoo.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti)
One near Macatoo.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima)
Great looks at 2 at Drotsky's.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
One a Gammams, 8 at Hakusembe, and about 25 in the Drotsky's area.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides)
Very common in the Drotsky's area, with a total of abut 90.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
Two near Hakusembe, about a dozen between Mahango and the Drotsky's area, and 8 at Macatoo.
SWALLOW-TAILED BEE-EATER (Merops hirundineus)
We saw 4 of these gorgeous bee-eaters in the Windhoek area, and 2 near Macatoo.
BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus)
One at Mahango.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)
Six at Okombahe.
SOUTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicoides)
Another gorgeous bee-eater; we saw about 12 of these in the Mahango and Drotsky's area.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
One at Windhoek, 1 near Etosha, 2 at Mahango, and 4 at Macatoo.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
Singles near Windhoek and Etosha.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus)
One near Shakawe, and 3 near Macatoo.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
CRESTED BARBET (Trachyphonus vaillantii)
Two near Macatoo.
PIED BARBET (Tricholaema leucomelas)
Likes acacia trees and formerly known as Acacia Pied Barbet; we saw 6 in four different areas.
BLACK-COLLARED BARBET (Lybius torquatus)
One at Mahango (by our picnic lunch tree) and 2 at Drotsky's.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Chloropicus fuscescens)
Singles at Hohenstein and Macatoo.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Chloropicus namaquus)
One near Macatoo.
GOLDEN-TAILED WOODPECKER (Campethera abingoni)
One at Usakos, and 1 at Mushara.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus)
Great looks at 1 near Sossusvlei.
ROCK KESTREL (Falco rupicolus)
Small numbers at Windhoek, Rehoboth, Hohenstein and Ai-Aiba.
GREATER KESTREL (Falco rupicoloides)
One at Sossusvlei.
DICKINSON'S KESTREL (Falco dickinsoni)
Two in the Macatoo area.
RED-NECKED FALCON (Falco chicquera)
Three and then 2 at Etosha.
RED-FOOTED FALCON (Falco vespertinus)
We saw about 30 of these feeding along the Okavango River at Hakusembe.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus)
One on the way to Namib Desert Lodge.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)
ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis roseicollis) [E]
About 15 at Windhoek, and 20 at Ai-Aiba.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri)
Two near Macatoo.
RUEPPELL'S PARROT (Poicephalus rueppellii) [E]
Three at Hohenstein, and 1 at Otjikoto.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus)
One at Etosha.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
WHITE-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanioturdus torquatus) [E]
This striking endemic was seen at Okombahe (5) and Ai-Aiba (4), a real trip highlight!!
PRIRIT BATIS (Batis pririt)
Fairly common in acacia bush country; in all we saw about 18.
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus)
Another striking bird of the acacia country; we saw 5 at Usakos, and 7 at Okombahe.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
One at Ai-Aiba.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
One near Usakos, 2 at Ai-Aiba, and 1 at Etosha.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
Nice looks at 1 at Mushara.
GABON BOUBOU (Laniarius bicolor)
Good looks at Hakusembe and Drotsky's; great duetting call too!
CRIMSON-BREASTED GONOLEK (Laniarius atrococcineus)
And yet another striking bushshrike; we saw these at Hohenstein, Ai-Aiba, Etosha, and Mushara.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
Small numbers at Mushara, Hohenstein, Mahango, Drotsky's and Macatoo.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio)
Good views of a male at Otjikoto.
LESSER GRAY SHRIKE (Lanius minor)
Singles at Hakusembe and Macatoo.
MAGPIE SHRIKE (Lanius melanoleucus)
One near Macatoo for everyone, and a few others near there for some of the group.
SOUTHERN FISCAL (SOUTHERN) (Lanius collaris subcoronatus)
Sometimes split as Latakoo Fiscal, we saw 1 at Sossusvlei.
WHITE-CROWNED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus anguitimens)
Four at Etosha.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis)
Small numbers around Solitaire, and then about 60 in the Etosha area.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
Common and widespread.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
SOUTHERN BLACK-TIT (Melaniparus niger)
Three at Mahango.
CARP'S TIT (Melaniparus carpi) [E]
Singles at Usakos and Etosha.
ASHY TIT (Melaniparus cinerascens)
For singles at Sossusvlei, Hohenstein, Ai-Aiba, and Etosha.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
SOUTHERN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus minutus)
Generally very uncommon, but we all had great looks at Okaukuejo, Etosha.
Alaudidae (Larks)
SPIKE-HEELED LARK (Chersomanes albofasciata)
About 45 at Etosha.
GRAY'S LARK (Ammomanopsis grayi) [E]
Nice looks at this cryptic endemic on the gravel plains north of Swakopmund.
KAROO LONG-BILLED LARK (Certhilauda subcoronata)
Good looks at 2 during our picnic lunch on the way to Namib Naukluft Desert NP.
GRAY-BACKED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix verticalis)
About 40 at Etosha.
SABOTA LARK (BRADFIELD'S) (Calendulauda sabota naevia)
One at Hohenstein, and then a further 25+ at Etosha.
FAWN-COLORED LARK (Calendulauda africanoides)
One at the eastern side of Etosha.
DUNE LARK (Calendulauda erythrochlamys) [E]
Great close looks at this localized endemic at Sossusvlei.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea)
About 40 at Etosha.
STARK'S LARK (Spizocorys starki)
Six at Usakos, and 50+ at Etosha.
PINK-BILLED LARK (Spizocorys conirostris)
One at Etosha.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
CAPE CROMBEC (Sylvietta rufescens)
Singles at Ai-Aiba and Mushara.
ROCKRUNNER (Achaetops pycnopygius) [E]
Nice looks at this strange 'warbler' at Hohenstein.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis)
Small numbers around Windhoek, and then at several areas in the Erongo Mountains.
BURNT-NECK EREMOMELA (Eremomela usticollis)
One at Hohenstein.
BARRED WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes fasciolatus)
Singles at Hohenstein and Ai-Aiba.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata)
The gray-backed race was fairly common from Usakos to the Erongo Mountains and on to Etosha.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava)
One at Hakusembe.
BLACK-CHESTED PRINIA (Prinia flavicans)
Although avoiding absolute open desert they were fairly common from Windhoek to the coast and north to Etosha.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
Singles at Windhoek, Etosha, and Macatoo.
CHIRPING CISTICOLA (Cisticola pipiens)
Four in the reeds along the Okavango River at Drotsky's.
ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis)
One near Macatoo.
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus)
One near Halali, Etosha.
Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)
COMMON REED WARBLER (AFRICAN) (Acrocephalus scirpaceus baeticatus)
One at Gammams.
GREATER SWAMP WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens)
One near Drotsky's for some of the group.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
About 20 between Hakusembe and Drotsky's.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula)
Widespread in many areas with cliffs, buildings, and bridges.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Widespread in small numbers throughout the tour; in all we saw about 385.
WHITE-THROATED SWALLOW (Hirundo albigularis)
Two at Gammams.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
Two at Hakusembe.
PEARL-BREASTED SWALLOW (Hirundo dimidiata)
One at Etosha.
GREATER STRIPED SWALLOW (Cecropis cucullata)
Four at Etosha.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa)
Two at the waterhole at Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Etosha.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris)
One at Hakusembe.
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris)
Nice looks at this often shy bird at Drotsky's.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
Six at Hakusembe, about a dozen at Drotsky's, and 10 in the Macatoo area.
BLACK-FRONTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus nigricans)
Formerly known as Red-eyed Bulbul; they were common at Windhoek and then from Hohenstein to Hakusembe, and a few at Macatoo.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus)
Two singles at Etosha, and 1 at Hakusembe.
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies)
CHESTNUT-VENTED WARBLER (Curruca subcoerulea)
Fairly common in acacia country; in all we saw about 28.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
ORANGE RIVER WHITE-EYE (Zosterops pallidus)
Three at Walvis Bay.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
Three at Mahango.
BARE-CHEEKED BABBLER (Turdoides gymnogenys) [E]
Great looks at this localized endemic (6 and 4) at Halali.
SOUTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides bicolor)
Five in the dry river bed at Okombahe.
HARTLAUB'S BABBLER (Turdoides hartlaubii)
Common, with a total of about 120 between Hakusembe and Macatoo.
BLACK-FACED BABBLER (Turdoides melanops) [E]
Five at Mushara.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorynchus)
Six at Mahango.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
About 20 (mainly on African Buffalo) at Macatoo.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
About 250 at Gammams, and 30 at Otjikoto.
PALE-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus nabouroup)
Common in the Namib Naukluft Desert area, with a total of about 130.
BURCHELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis australis)
Two at Usakos, 6 at Okombahe, !2 at Mahango, and 6 around Drotsky's.
MEVES'S STARLING (Lamprotornis mevesii)
Six at Mahango.
CAPE STARLING (Lamprotornis nitens)
Widespread away from bare open desert; in all we saw about 150.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH (Turdus litsitsirupa)
We saw about 14 between Okombahe, Etosha, and Mushara.
KURRICHANE THRUSH (Turdus libonyana)
Singles at Otjikoto and Hakusembe.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata)
One at Otjikoto.
MARIQUA FLYCATCHER (Bradornis mariquensis)
Small numbers at Windhoek, around the Erongo Mountains and at Etosha.
CHAT FLYCATCHER (Agricola infuscatus)
Two in the Namib Naukluft Desert.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Fraseria caerulescens)
Two at Hakusembe.
HERERO CHAT (Melaenornis herero) [E]
We had great super close looks at this difficult to find endemic in the south Erongo Mountains.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
One at Mahango.
KALAHARI SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas paena)
Three near Windhoek, and 1 at Hohenstein.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
Singles at Hohenstein and Ai-Aiba.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
Two at Drotsky's.
SHORT-TOED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola brevipes)
Two at Solitaire included a gorgeous male, and we then saw about 5 in the Hohenstein area.
KAROO CHAT (Emarginata schlegelii)
One on the way to Namib Desert Lodge.
TRACTRAC CHAT (Emarginata tractrac)
One near the Topic of Capricorn.
SOUTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla formicivora)
About 6 near Outjo.
MOUNTAIN WHEATEAR (Myrmecocichla monticola)
Small numbers from the Namib Naukluft Desert to the Erongo Mountains.
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata)
One adult and 2 juveniles near Hakusembe.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Oenanthe familiaris)
About 8 at random widespread sites between Sossusvlei and Hohenstein.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
Two near Windhoek.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
Three at Windhoek, 3 at Etosha, and 2 at Drotsky's.
WHITE-BREASTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris talatala)
About 8 in and around Etosha.
DUSKY SUNBIRD (Cinnyris fuscus)
Four in the Solitaire area, and 7 between the Erongo Mountains and Etosha.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
One at Etosha, and 2 near Macatoo.
SCALY WEAVER (Sporopipes squamifrons)
Two at Gammams, and 2 south of Windhoek.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali)
Common and widespread; in all we saw about 120.
SOCIABLE WEAVER (Philetairus socius)
About 300 in the Namib Naukluft Desert area, and 40 at Etosha.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops)
Six at Hakusembe, and 2 at Macatoo.
SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus xanthopterus)
Four on the bird feeder at Drotsky's.
SOUTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus velatus)
Twenty around Windhoek, and then about 200 between Usakos, the Erongo Mountains, and Etosha.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
Twenty at Windhoek, and 60 at Etosha.
SOUTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix)
Two in non-breeding plumage at Gammams.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris)
About 50 in the Drotsky's area.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons)
Thirty at Drotsky's.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
BLACK-FACED WAXBILL (Brunhilda erythronotos)
Five at Hohenstein, 8 at Ai-Aiba, and 4 at Mushara.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild)
Twelve at Gammams, and 30 at Drotsky's.
RED-HEADED FINCH (Amadina erythrocephala)
About a dozen at Okaukuejo.
VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL (Granatina granatina)
We saw a female at Outjo, and then pairs at Etosha and Mushara.
SOUTHERN CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus angolensis)
Three at Windhoek, and then about 30 between Etosha and Hakusembe, 10 at Mahango, and 2 at Macatoo.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba)
Four at Hohenstein, two at Okombahe, 2 at Ai-Aiba, and another 2 at Etosha.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura)
One near Macatoo.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
Common from Windhoek to Walvis Bay and inland to Usakos.
GREAT RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer motitensis)
One at Gammams, and then about 24 between the Erongo Mountains and Etosha.
CAPE SPARROW (Passer melanurus)
Common in the Namib Naukluft Desert (70), and about 20 at Etosha.
SOUTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer diffusus)
Four at Ai-Aiba, 30 at Etosha, and about 10 at Mahango.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
Two at Gammams, and singles at Walvis Bay and Hohenstein.
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)
One at Okombahe.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
Two at Hakusembe, and 2 at Mahango.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus)
Two at Gammams, 6 at Etosha, and 3 near Macatoo.
BUFFY PIPIT (Anthus vaalensis)
One near Macatoo.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
BLACK-THROATED CANARY (Crithagra atrogularis)
Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about 40.
YELLOW CANARY (Crithagra flaviventris)
Four at Windhoek, 1 at Solitaire, and 6 Etosha.
WHITE-THROATED CANARY (Crithagra albogularis)
Singles near Windhoek, Hohenstein, and Ai-Aiba.
Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
Two at Otjikoto.
LARK-LIKE BUNTING (Emberiza impetuani)
About 60 between Hohenstein and Ai-Aiba, and 20+ at Etosha.
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi)
One at Halali.
MAMMALS
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops)
Four at Drotsky's, and about 15 near Macatoo.
CHACMA BABOON (Papio ursinus)
Widespread throughout the tour with a total of about 480.
SCRUB HARE (Lepus saxatalis)
One near Macatoo.
CAPE GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus inaurius)
One near Windhoek, about 20 around Solitaire, 8 in the Hohenstein to Ai-Aiba area, and 6 at Etosha.
SMITH'S BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus cepapi)
About 50 at Etosha, and a dozen around Drotsky's.
DASSIE RAT (Petromus typicus)
Three at Hohenstein, and 2 at Ai-Aiba.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
Three at Sossusvlei, singles at Hohenstein and Ai-Aiba, and 5 at Etosha.
BAT-EARED FOX (Otocyon megalotis)
Nice looks in the Namib Naukluft Desert.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus)
One at Hohenstein.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
About 30 at Etosha.
YELLOW MONGOOSE (Cynictis penicillata)
Two at Solitaire, and 2 near Hohenstein.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
Two at Etosha, and 6 at Macatoo.
BROWN HYAENA (Hyaena brunnea)
Fantastic close looks at this rarely seen mammal on the way to Solitaire.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
Just great! With a total 3 in the Macatoo area.
LION (Panthera leo)
Four and then 3 at Etosha, and 4 at Macatoo.
CAPE (AUSTRALIAN) FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus pusillus)
Three near Walvis Bay.
AFRICAN BUSH ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
Great looks at a total of about 60 at Etosha, and then 4 at Mahango, about a dozen at Drotsky's, and 80+ in the Macatoo area.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)
Five at Hohenstein, and 10 at Ai-Aiba.
MOUNTAIN ZEBRA (Equus zebra)
Four and then 6 in the Tropic of Capricorn area.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli)
Very common at Etosha, Mahango, and Macatoo; in all we saw about 1200.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis)
Seven at Etosha.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
Ten at Etosha, about 80 at Mahango, and 20 at Macatoo.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
About 30 at Mahango, 3 near Drotsky's, and 80+ at Macatoo.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Six at Ai-Aiba, 75 at Etosha, and 30 around Macatoo.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
Two at Mahango, and a dozen around Drotsky's.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
Five at Ai-Aiba, 28 at Etosha, 20 at Mahango, and 12 in the Macatoo area.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
About 60 at Etosha.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
About 60 at Etosha, a single herd of about 500 at Macatoo, and other much smaller herds also in the Macatoo area.
LECHWE (Kobus leche)
At least 200 at Mahango, and 50+ at Macatoo.
REEDBUCK (Redunca arundinum)
Also known as Southern Reedbuck; we saw about a dozen near Macatoo.
ROAN ANTELOPE (Hippotragus equinus)
One near Macatoo.
GEMSBOK (Oryx gazella)
About 200 in the Namib Naukluft Desert, and 80+ at Etosha.
COMMON TSESSEBE (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus)
Two at Mahango, and 30 in the Macatoo area.
RED HARTEBEEST (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama)
Five and then 12 at Etosha.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
Three at Hohenstein, about 550 at Etosha, and 150+ (including some from the plane) near Macatoo.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris)
Widespread in a variety of widely scattered areas; with a total of 17.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki)
Two at Ai-Aiba, and 4 at Etosha.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
Mostly in the Etosha, Mahango and Macatoo areas, with a total of about 850.
SPRINGBOK (Antidorcas marsupialis)
Extremely common at Etosha (2600+), and also about 180 in the Namib Naukluft Desert, 35 at Hohenstein and 40 at Ai-Aiba.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles on the tour included;
Nile Crocodile; 20 in the Drotsky's area (including some really huge ones) and 5 near Macatoo.
Water Monitor; 2 at Drotsky's and 1 at Macatoo.
Namibian Rock Agama; 2 at Hohenstein and 7 at Ai-Aiba.
Anchieta's Ground Agama; 1 at Hohenstein.
Kalahari Tree Skink; 1 at Etosha.
Leopard Tortoise; 1 at Etosha.
African Marsh Terrapin; about 30 in a variety of ponds at Etosha.
Totals for the tour: 328 bird taxa and 39 mammal taxa