Okatjuru Birding Safaris - Birding Safari In Nambia.

Namibia is a vast land of contrasts. In the west, the cold water of the Atlantic washes onto desert shores. The central highlands are characterized by African thornveld, and the east by the red sand dunes of the Kalahari desert. The north-eastern zone consists of sub-tropical dry woods.

While each region has its own particular avifauna, thousands of migrants flock to favored spots annually - drawn by the promise of clement weather and good food sources. Along the coast, the waders invade the saltwater lagoons; while inland, birds of prey assemble immediately after the first rains to feed on emerging termites.

The primary objective of Okatjuru Safaris is to place you in the right spot every time. Smaller bird species are observed from hides carefully placed alongside favored waterholes and the larger species and birds of prey are searched for on game drives in the surrounding areas.

Experience 14 days of magnificent birding in five different nature settings of our country; viz. savannah bushveld, mountain areas, the desert, ocean and the swamps and woodland of the Caprivi. This fully guided tour includes travel in an air-conditioned vehicle and your return flight from Windhoek to the Caprivi.

The best period for birding is during the African summer months, September to April. During this time many seasonal visitors and large numbers of raptors can be seen.

Being the highlight of the trip, here you can see Fish-eagles, various Kingfishers, many ducks, the carmine bee-eaters along with many different raptors.

Itinerary
Day 1	Arrival and transfer to Okatjuru Lodge in the NE central savannah bushveld.
Day 2	Early morning scouting at one of the numerous birding blinds at watering holes. Afternoon bird watching from a Safari vehicle moving slowly through the area.
Day 3	Early morning walks through a different habitat with different bird species. Watering holes in the middle of the day will bring about different birds than in the morning. Evening nature drive. The pale chanting Goshawk, ant-eating Chat and sociable Weaver to be seen among the endemic species.
Day 4 & 5	Arrival at Tambuti Lodge. Nature drives in this beautiful mountainous area with many big trees and bush carry an abundance of bird life, such as Rueppel's Parrot, Monteiro's Hornbill, Violet Woodhoopoe among the Namibian specials along with four different Francolins.
Day 6	Depart for Palmwag in the arid North West. Namibian specials, such as the White-tailed Shrike, Herero Chat and White-backed Mousebird can be seen here.
Day 7 & 8	Depart for Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast. Take a drive to nearby Walvis Bay to view birds on the lagoon and wetlands. Possible afternoon desert drive. Endemic species here are among others the Bank Cormorant, South African Shelduck, African Black Oyster Catcher and the South African Cliff Swallow.
Day 9 & 10	Travel to Namib Naukluft Lodge in the Namib desert mountainous area. Hiking in the mountains to see endemic birds and other desert dwelling species. Namibian endemic species here include Rueppell's Korhaan, Black Harrier, Dune Lark and the Southern Grey Tit.
Day 11	Depart for Windhoek and overnight there.
Day 12	Fly to Lianshulu Lodge. Afternoon birding from a boat on the Kwando river.
Day 13	Birding by vehicle in the forest and at Mamili Park in the swamps. Sunset boating excursion.
Day 14	Return to Windhoek.

Fees include:	All accommodation, food, transport in Namibia and a tour-guide.
Not included:	Drinks, dinner during the last evening in Windhoek, expenses of personal nature.

Enjoy 10 days of magnificent birding and big game adventure. You will be able to observe birds in at least four different regions of Namibia and in addition view some of our spectacular big game in the Etosha National Park. Here elephant, black rhino and lion frequent the water holes alongside hundreds of thirsty antelope. The interesting landscape includes lush bushveld, savannah and the large, dry pan surrounded by Tambotie forest in the west and Mopane forest in the east. The beautiful flat-topped mountains in Damaraland will lead you to the Namib desert and the Skeleton coast that borders the Atlantic Ocean.

Itinerary
Day 1	Arrival and transfer to nearby Okatjuru Lodge.
Day 2	Early morning birding from a pit blind where you will get as close as 3 yards to some birds. About two hours after sunrise the sand grouse start to descend to the water. Afternoon game and bird viewing from an open vehicle. During the summer months a spectacle of hundreds of raptors can be seen chasing after flying termites in a vortex hundreds of meters high.
Day 3	Early morning walk in a different area. Different species of Frankolins, Horn bills and lots more can be encountered. Afternoon birding from the vehicle on a hillside where again different vegetation and birds occur.
Day 4 & 5	Departure for Etosha National Park which will be crossed from west to east.
Day 6	Drive to Palmwag in Damaraland, where black rhino still roam freely. Birds of semi-desert and rocky terrain can be found here.
Day 7	Game drive in the Plamwag concession area. Breath taking landscapes.
Day 8	Depart for Swakopmund on the Atlantic coast.
Day 9	Visit Walvis Bay and the wetlands. Afternoon excursion into the Namib desert.
Day 10	Return to Windhoek and visit a bird rehabilitation center where some of our beautiful raptors can be seen from close up. Depart the next day to go home.

Fees include:	All accommodation, meals, vehicle, tour-guide and park fees.
Not included:	Drinks, expenses of personal nature.

"Birding in Namibia" by Eckhart Demasius and Christine Marais.
Published by Gamsberg MacMillan Publishers (PTY) Ltd.
POBox 22830, Windhoek, Namibia.

"Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa"
Published by The John Voelcker Bird Book Fund.

"Newman's Birds of Southern Africa"
Published by MacMillan South Africa (PTY) Ltd.

For further information as well as bird lists, please e-mail Jochen Hein at jhein@iway.na

Min. 2 Persons:	. . . .	US$ 4195.00 per person
Min. 4 Persons:	. . . .	US$ 3795.00 per person
Min. 6 Persons:	. . . .	US$ 3495.00 per person
Single Suppl:	. . . .	US$ 300.00

Min. 2 Persons:	. . . .	US$ 3250.00 per person
Min. 4 Persons:	. . . .	US$ 2850.00 per person
Min. 6 Persons:	. . . .	US$ 2550.00 per person
Single Suppl:	. . . .	US$ 200.00

Okatjuru Birding Safaris Namibia