The Okavango Delta, with bird-filled
and game-studded swamps, and the enormous dry woodlands of the Kalahari
offer vast wilderness and good infrastructure, with 580 species
and one of the world's best places to see key Kalahari, grassland,
swamp and floodplain specials.
We customise tours into the heart of the Okavango Delta and Chobe
National Park, the Central Kalahari or Eastern Botswana. We also
combine the Okavango Panhandle with the Namib desert (see Namibia
tours) or even Victoria Falls in Zambia.
Our hand-picked accommodation sites in the Okavango offer a good
chance of seeing much desired species like Pel's Fishing
Owl, White-backed Night-Heron, and other
Okavango specials such as Coppery-tailed Coucal,
Chirping and Luapula Cisticolas,
Long-toed Lapwing, Hartlaub's Babbler,
Brown Firefinch, African Skimmer,
Western Banded Snake Eagle, Lesser Jacana
and Slaty Egret.
Eastern Botswana offers top birds such as Short-clawed Lark, Boulder
Chat, and Cape Vulture. Burchell's Sandgrouse, Olive-tree Warbler
and Pallid Harrier are much desired in Central Kalahari Game Reserve
and Chobe National Park.
Callan recommends: The Botswana
and Okavango tours are is well suited to world listers, because
we see a very high proportion of endemic birds, as well as wildlife
enthusiasts because we make a special effort to see large mammals,
desert reptiles and special plants on our walks.
Callan
Cohen founded Birding Africa 16 years ago and has
written two books, including the birding site guide to southern
Africa and Madagascar. Callan has over 20 years of birding
experience in the region.
* Cost per person sharing a room, ** Single room supplement.
* Included in the above price: Birding Africa tour leader, Birding
Africa printed booklet with species lists, activities as indicated
on the itinerary, road transport, guide fees, entry fees for the parks,
reserves and botanical gardens, full board accommodation and drinking
water on the bus. Not included: international flights, drinks, optional
tips, and items of a personal nature are not included.
What
participants say...
'Again, my warmest thanks
for your [Joe's] fantastic performance as our Namibia-Botswanda
guide. I still wonder how you managed all that driving, bird-watching,
organizing, keeping a perfect mood - not possible to do better!'
H&H, Switzerland
'I cannot thank you [Joe] enough for this wonderful trip. I learned
a lot about the birds, the animals, the plants of Africa thanks
to your immense knowledge.I also appreciated your humour and wonderful
loving way of dealing with all creatures (including Swiss tourists).'
R. Derrer, Switserland
'Many thanks [Marje] for such a comprehensive set of information...
but then I'd expect nothing less after all of your previous hard
work and attention to detail!
'The trip was a huge success....”
“ Dalton was brilliant and an excellent travelling companion.
He enlivened the list with a huge fund of bird and animal tales...perfect."
JH, Oundle
For keen birders and mammal
enthusiasts. The tour focuses on endemic and near-endemic birds
as well as the Okavango region specials, like Pel's Fishing
Owl, Slaty Egret and White-backed Night Heron. Boat trips and
game walks in the Okavango area are generally included. We are
also able to spend a lot of time looking for other aspects of
wildlife such as mammals, frogs, geckos, butterflies and interesting
plants. We can customise any guided or self-drive itinerary
to suit to the keen birder, the wildlife enthusiast or both.
Photography
Many participants on our trips are amateur
wildlife photographers. And when we get excellent views of a
bird or mammal, some time is usually spent watching and photographing
it. However, this is not a photographic tour and once the majority
of the people have felt that they have absorbed the animal or
bird to their satisfaction, then we move on in search of the
next encounter. Thus, while the photographic opportunities are
very good, the group will only occasionally wait for somebody
who wants to spend even longer getting better photos.
Fitness
No fitness is required. The few walks
are generally in relatively flat areas with occasional small
inclines.
Timing
Good year round even though most productive
in summer. Malaria is prevalent.
Climate
Hot, especially in summer.
Comfort
A good standard of accommodation in
guest houses, lodges and tented camps.
Transport
We travel by four wheel drive vehicle.
To visit the Okavango Delta, we use charter aircraft, which
requires luggage to be packed in a soft bag, while not exceeding
20 kg including hand luggage.
Group Size
This depends on the specific tour. Please
enquire.
African Elephant, African Buffalo, Lion,
Leopard, Cheetah, African Wild Dog. In the Okavango region,
there is a chance of seeing Red Lechwe, Sitatunga and Hippopotamus.
Booking
Your booking can be secured with a booking form and deposit. You will receive confirmation and our tour information pack with practical information
on what to expect and how to prepare for the tour. The balance
is due 150 days before the tour. Contact us to enquire about availability.
About Birding Africa
Birding Africa is a specialist birding tour
company customising tours for both world listers and more relaxed
holiday birders. We combine interests in mammals, butterflies, dragonflies,
botany and other natural history aspects and will guide you to Africa's
and Madagascar's most diverse birding destinations. Our guides'
knowledge of African birds and birding areas is our greatest strength
and together we have rediscovered species, shared exciting observations
with the birding community and had a fun time exploring our home
continent. †We've even written two acclaimed guide
books on where to find Southern Africa's and Madagascar's best
birds. Birding is more than our passion, it's our lifestyle, and
we are dedicated to making professional, best value trips filled
with endemic species and unique wildlife experiences. Since 1997,
we've run bird watching tours
in South Africa and further into Africa for individual birders,
small birding groups and top international tour companies. We've
run Conservation Tours
in association with the African Bird Club and work with and consult
for a number of other top international tour companies and the BBC
Natural History Unit.
White-backed Night Heron © Callan Cohen & Deirdre Vrancken,
Birding Africa
Pel's Fishing Owl seen on a Birding Africa
Tour © Callan Cohen
Green-spotted Wood Dove © Deirdre Vrancken, Birding Africa