Botswana Birding Safari
The 'Botswana Birding Safari' is a classic 10-day safari exploring the spectacular Okavango Delta, Chobe, Savute, Moremi Wildlife Reserves, and magnificent Victoria Falls. With our dedicated CCAfrica specialist birding guide, this safari enables birders to observe the extraordinary birdlife of Botswana at an affordable price.
ITINERARY
4 - 15 August, 2004
Day 1
Depart from London Heathrow* on an overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Days 2 & 3
On arrival in the early morning, connect with the Air Botswana morning flight to Maun. We meet our guide and take a charter flight into the Okavango Delta. We will explore the channels and lagoons of the world's largest delta by mokoro (dugout canoe) and on foot. Exclusive wilderness camping in CC Africa’s private Delta concession.
The Okavango Delta lies in the northwestern corner of Botswana, where the vast semi-desert is transformed into a paradise of palms, papyrus and crystal-clear waters. The area offers unparalleled wildlife and birding opportunities. Seasonally flooded grasslands draw otherwise impossible-to-see birds like African Crake, Baillon's Crake, Lesser Gallinule and Lesser Moorhen out into the open. Commonly seen, sought-after specials include Wattled Crane, Saddlebill Stork, Slaty Egret, Rufous-bellied heron, White-backed night heron, Pygmy goose and the magnificent Pel's fishing owl. We will also look for Lesser Jacana, African skimmer, Carmine Bee-eater, Wood owl and Water dikkop, among others.
Days 4 & 5
We take a charter flight into Moremi, one of Africa’s most beautiful reserves, in the heart of the Okavango. We will enjoy extensive game drives to see Africa's big game, as well as the rare birds and wildlife species. Two nights exclusive wilderness camping.
The habitat in Moremi varies from riverine and flooded grasslands to dry deciduous woodland. Giant eagle owl is commonly encountered, as are Slaty Egret, Lesser Jacana, Red-crested Korhaan, Swamp nightjar, Broad-billed roller, Bennett's and Bearded woodpeckers, Black- and Brown-crowned Tchagras, Red and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers and a host of kingfishers, bee-eaters, cuckoos and weavers.
Days 6 & 7
Savute, in the particularly lush and wildlife-rich southern part of Chobe National Park, is well known for predators, mammals and hundreds of bird species. Two nights exclusive wilderness camping.
Chobe’s bird list should set the pulse of any keen birder racing. It includes: Rufous‑bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Bat Hawk, Cape Griffon vulture, Pale Chanting‑Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk, the enigmatic Southern Banded Snake‑Eagle, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Martial Eagle, Secretary‑bird, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana, Kori bustard, Red‑crested korhaan, Double‑banded Courser, Long‑toed Lapwing, Double‑banded & Burchell's Sandgrouse, African Green‑Pigeon, Coppery‑tailed Coucal, Senegal & Black Coucals, Barn Owl, Verreaux's Eagle‑Owl, Pel's Fishing‑Owl, Pearl‑spotted Owlet, African Barred Owl, Fiery‑necked Nightjar, Brown‑hooded Kingfisher, Striped Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee‑eater, Broad‑billed Roller, Bradfield's Hornbill, Southern Ground‑Hornbill, Black‑crowned Tchagra, Crimson‑breasted Gonolek, Red‑backed Scrub‑Robin, the highly localised Arnot's Chat, Swamp Boubou, Banded Martin, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Southern Black‑Tit, Red‑faced & Winding Cisticolas, Monotonous & Sabota Larks, Rosy‑throated Long-claw, the lovely Violet‑eared Waxbill, White-rumped and Southern Pied‑Babblers and Brown Firefinch.
Days 8 & 9
We travel to the north of the Chobe National Park, where we will see huge elephant herds, reputedly the largest herds in Africa. We camp next to the Chobe River in a beautiful setting.
Day 10
We travel to the breathtaking Victoria Falls. In the afternoon, we tour the Falls along the winding, forested path. The mist rising from the falling water can be seen miles away. There are a number of optional excursions and exciting activities on offer. Overnight at The Kingdom.
Apart from enjoying the magnificent scenery, we will look for African Finfoot, Abdim's Stork, Rock Pratincole, Trumpeter Hornbill, Golden‑tailed Woodpecker, African Reed-warbler, African swift, Bearded Scrub‑Robin, Terrestrial Brownbul, Bar‑throated Apalis and Collared Sunbird. The very rare Taita Falcon is also known from here as is Collared Palm‑thrush. Birding along the edge of the Zambezi River may reveal the likes of Bat Hawk, Black Goshawk, Black Cuckoo‑Shrike, Grey‑headed Bushshrike, Violet‑backed (Plumcoloured) Starling and Blue waxbill.
Day 11
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Johannesburg and connect with an overnight flight to London Heathrow*.
Day 12
Arrive London in the early morning.
Price: £1985 per person
Maximum number of participants: 7.
Guaranteed window seat throughout the safari.
*Add-on flights are available from certain UK regional airports. Participants from North America, Australia and New Zealand may wish to join the group in Johannesburg - please contact us for further details.
Created 10 March, 2004.
Contact us
or phone (44) 20 7226 1004 for more information
