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You select the date for a trip to suit you, and you will not be just an other tourist: Your guide is also your travel companion, who will make sure you also experience the native people, scenery, culture, history and food, first hand.
You will enjoy the advantage of all the attention you get in a small group, for the same price or perhaps even less, than you will pay if you travel with the large tour groups from other countries.
Boosting the local economy by hiring a local guide through Birdingpaltours also promotes the importance of protecting birds and
their habitat in many countries around the world.
Remember, the next time you travel you do not have to miss the birdwatching, if your partner or travel companions are non birders; a local guide is flexible, and will easily accommodate other needs too.
Birdwatching in Namibia
There are 959 species of birds in the African sub-continent and over 644 can be spotted in Namibia. Of these, over 100 are endemic
to southern Africa while 2% of Namibias bird population comprises near-endemic and endemic species.
With 350 days of sunshine and a diversity of habitats ranging from deserts to wetlands, bushveld, oceans and swamps, Namibia is a twitchers paradise. Politically stable with a solid transport, health and education infrastructure, Namibia remains charmingly un-commercialized and is a haven for those seeking space, solitude and adventure in some of the most beautiful and diverse settings the planet has to offer.
"Chobe River birding"
Whether youre a serious bird lover in search of the endemic Dune Lark, the elusive species that has adapted to its arid desert conditions, or looking to witness the dawn chorus of White-browed Robin-Chats on the banks of the Okavango or Rufous-tailed Palm-Thrush at the Kunene River, Namibia will not disappoint.
At Nomtsas we know our birds. We know their preferred habitats and what they like to eat and have an excellent track record when it comes to fulfilling a wish list. As pretty fanatical bird watchers ourselves, we wont hurry you along and will take as much delight as you will in watching Oxpeckers work their way along the neck of a grazing Buffalo, or marveling at Cattle Egrets picking clean
the teeth of crocs taking a post-prandial nap on a sandy river bank.
Day 1
Arrival at Windhoek International Airport. We will meet you and advise you on exchanging money, shopping, security etc. Windhoek, being the capital of Namibia is by far the biggest city in this country and has many different faces. A short city tour takes us through some of the historical, colonial, modern and other interesting parts of Windhoek.
In the afternoon we depart for a short game drive in an open vehicle to make you feel welcome in Africa. Various species of
antelope, some curious giraffe, and numerous species of birds and with some luck even a white rhinoceros might await you in this dry woodland and savannah.
Windhoek/Avis Dam/Sewage works:
Bradfield's Swift*, South African Shelduck, Red-billed Teal, White-backed Mousebird, Monteiro's Hornbill*, Ashy Tit, Black-faced and Violet-eared Waxbill, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Black-throated Canary, Rockrunner*, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Barred Wren-Warbler, Orange River Francolin, Crimson-breasted Shrike etc.
1 Night Haus Sonneneck, Accommodation and Breakfast and Game drive. Day 2 An easy drive north takes us past the woodcarvers-market at Okahandja to the majestic and well known Waterberg.
Waterberg Plateau National Park:
Bradfield's Hornbill, Violet and Green Woodhoepoe, Rüppell's and Meyer's Parrot, Short-toed Rock-Thrush, Carp's Black Tit, Grey-backed Eremomela, White-browed Scrub-Robin, Red-billed Spurfowl, Marico Flycatcher, Greater Spotted and Jacobin Cuckoos etc.
1 Night Waterberg de la Bat Restcamp, Accommodation and Breakfast.
Day 3 and 4 To add a bit of geology to today's route, we stop at a rather remarkable limestone pillar, a remnant of a limestone plateau that was formed over 15 mill. Years ago, called the Vingerklip.
Hobatere, considered one of the last most unspoilt wilderness areas in Namibia, offers game drives with a difference. The endemic Hartman's mountain zebra, a Namibian special, is a guaranteed sighting, along with many other different kinds of antelope. Sometimes even lion and elephant are found in the area. The night drives are mostly very successful, concentrating only on the nocturnals,
like polecat, genet, African wild cat, aardvark, aardwolf, porcupine etc. Since the local guides are excellent birding experts, it
is a birders' paradise, even at night when the focus is on nightjars.
Hobatere/gamedrives and birding walks:
Damara Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Hartlaub's Spurfowl, Black-faced Waxbill, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Orange River Francolin, Meve's Starling, Pearl-spotted Owlet, White-tailed Shrike, Pale-winged Starling, Yellow-billed Hornbill, Augur Buzzard.
2 Nights Hobatere Lodge, Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast with 3 activities.
"Rueppells Parrots"
Day 5, 6 and 7
Early start to the Etosha National Park. Being a fully registered safari operator, we are able to enter the park at its most western side and enjoy the 200km of publicly restricted game viewing. This is a great advantage for us, since we will be able to enjoy the abundant wildlife of Etoscha without any disturbance by other vehicles.
Towards Okaukuejo. Etosha is well known for its large numbers and interesting variety of game. Here we spend our night in the National Park itself. The waterhole near the camp can be spectacular at night. Big herds of elephant, often rhino and sometimes
lion, can often be seen here - it's all a matter of luck and patience. The Namutoni area offers a big variety of habitats, from Terminalia-forests, wide grasslands on pan edges and dense Acacia savannahs. Another Namibian special, the black-faced impala can be found in Etosha.
Etosha National Park:
African Scops-Owlet, Pink-billed, Spike-heeled, Bradfield's and Red-capped Lark, Grey Hornbill, Gabar Goshawk, Pale Chanting
Goshawk, White-backed and Lappet-faced Vulture, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Blue Crane, African Pygmy Falcon, Greater Kestrel, Sociable Weaver, Secretarybird, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Carp's Tit, Peregrine Falcon, Wahlberg's Eagle, African Cuckoo, Southern Pied Babbler, Red-crested Korhaan, Barred Wren-Warbler, Red-billed Hornbill, Blue Waxbill and many more.
1 Night Okaukuejo Restcamp, Accommodation only.
2 Nights Mokuti Lodge, Accommodation and Breakfast. Day 8, 9 and 10
Today we head for the Kavango River (Okavango). There is a little park, so small some don't even bother to go there, but is one of the best game viewing spots. There is no abundance of game, but the variety makes up for it. Sable and Roan Antelope, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Sitatunga, Tsessebe.. Often Leopard and Lion are seen here, as well as Giraffe, Elephants etc. Since the Lodge lies directly next to the river, it is an excellent Hippo and bird watching opportunity, let alone the beautiful surroundings. We will also, if anyone feels like it, take a short birding walk in the Popa game reserve - paradise.
Okavango River/Mahango National Park/Popa Falls National Park/Bwabwata National Park/Okavango Pan-Handle/Botswana:
Pel's Fishing Owl, Slaty Egret, African Pygmy Goose, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Lesser Moorhen, African Jacana, Swamp Boubou, Sharp-tailed Starling, Hartlaub's Babbler, Luapula Cisticola, Rattling Cisticola, Wood Pipit, Brown Firefinch, Wattled Crane, Rock Pratincole, White-backed Night-Heron, White-browed Coucal, African Skimmer, Western Banded Snake-Eagle.
3 Nights Mahangu Lodge, Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast. Day 11
At night hippos emerge to graze on the lawn and diners are serenaded by an enchanting wetland chorus of hippos, insects and the tink-tink of bell frogs. The Kwando river system is Namibia’s equivalent to the Okavango Delta. The largely forested islands brim with sycamore figs, Jackalberry, Leadwood and sausage trees. We take part in a boat trip mainly to experience the atmosphere and do some splendid bird watching. The carmine bee-eater breeds in the sandy cliffs of the Kwando River. Other interesting species like
the Nile monitor, African and Lesser Jacana, Lesser Swamphen and different Kingfishers are often spotted here.
Kwando River/Mudumo National Park/Susuwe/Susuwe Island:
Slaty Egret, Green-backed Heron, Golden Weaver, Southern Carmine and White-fronted Bee-eater, Narina Trogon, Pennant-winged
Nightjar, Rufous-bellied Heron, Black Heron, Copper, Marico and Dusky Sunbird, Red-headed Quelea, African Hobby, Stierling's Wren-Warbler, Arnot's Chat, African Cuckoo-Hawk and many more.
1 Night Lianshulu Lodge, Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast. Day 12, 13 and 14
From Lianshulu we will depart directly to the Chobe River. The Chobe Riverfront is considered one of Africa’s game hotspots with a practically non-stop binoculars glued to the eye game viewing experience. The area is also inhabited Chobes two trademark antelope, the water loving red-Lechwe and the very rare Puku. At Kasane we leave the car behind and find ourselves cruising past the Kasikili Island by boat. On the other side of the Chobe River we find the Kings Den Lodge. The Lodge is overlooking the Chobe River and Kasikili Island, a stamping ground for large game like Hippo, Elephant, Buffalo, Crocodiles and numerous birds. All game viewing
here is done by boat, an excellent experience...
We might be lucky enough to witness some swimming elephants or buffaloes.
Additional: A visit to Victoria Falls (Daytrip incl. Entrance fee: U$ 140.00 pp. - Visa excluded).
Chobe River/Chobe National Park/Kasika Island/Impalila Island/Sedudu Island/Zambezi River:
Allen's Gallinule, Lesser Jacana, Tropical Boubou, Collared Pratincole, Thick-billed Weaver, Plain-backed Pipit, Squacco Heron, Osprey, Bat Hawk, Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah, Racket-tailed Roller, Pied, Giant, Malachite, Grey-headed and Half-collared Kingfisher, Senegal Coucal, Trumpeter Hornbill, ... the list is endless.
3 Nights Chobe Safari Lodge or Kings Den Lodge, Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast, 2 Boat Trips.
"Bare-cheeked Barbbler"
Day 15
After a relaxing breakfast you will be taken to Mpacha Airport, from where you will be able to fly directly to Windhoek. A transfer service will await you to drive you to your accommodation. The friendly staff at Haus Sonneneck will see to your preferred dinner arrangements.
1 Night Haus Sonneneck, Transfers, Accommodation and Breakfast. Day 16
Transfer to Windhoek International Airport. Time to say Good bye.
Please note:
Due to logistical booking problems that might occur, we reserve the right to change the itinerary with short notice.
16 Days tour price is: 2 pax €5500 per person. 3 pax €4425 per person. 4 pax €3875 per person.
Included: Transfer and Transport as stated in itinerary; Accommodation and meals as stated in itinerary; Entrance fees as stated in itinerary; fully trained and certified English, German and Afrikaans speaking guide. Excluded: Personal expenses, Drinks and Tips, International and National Flights. Notes:
The above birding itineraries are based on what are essentially popular routes for birders. It can be shortened or extended.
Allow minimum two(2) month prior to departure date.
All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays. To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.
Fitness: The tour does not require a high level of fitness but participants should be in good general health. Should you have any physical limitations please contact us.
Should you only need a guide for a day or two please contact us for details.
Albert Voigts von Schütz, your local Birdingpal guide
"I was born in Nambia, and grew up on a farm in the far south of the country, miles from anywhere on the edge of the Namib desert. From an early age I was aware of the beauty and power of this land and a career as a tour guide was inevitable. I've even turned one of the homesteads on our family farm into a guest house for the ultimate African-farm experience.
My speciality is birding, photographic and natural history safaris but whether you've come just for the sunsets or the luxury of
wide open, uninhabited spaces, Namibia has something for you - from the chilly Atlantic, to the red dunes of Sossusvlei and the beautiful Makalani palms on the Kunene River.
Nomtsas Safaris is registered with the Namibian Tourism Board which sets pre-scribed standards for tour operators in Namibia.
Albert Voigts von Schütz and all Guides used by Nomtsas Safaris are fully qualified and hold a Bagde II certification of the
Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality (NATH).
Testimorial.
We are looking forward to March 2007, when we will again be in Namibia travelling with Albert. This will be our sixth trip
in Namibia with Albert, which speaks for itself. We will again be at Hobetere (one of our favourite places) and Etosha of course. This time we will be visiting game reserves and lodges new to us. Is there anything left for us to see after six trips? We hope so.
John & Hilary Wilshin, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. wilshin(AT)talktalk.net
In recent years I have been on two safari trips with Albert covering most of Namibia and parts of Botswana and Zambia and have found them to be a most enjoyable experience. From the time that Albert meets you at the airport in his friendly and competent manner you know that you are going to be well cared for. His organisational ability and attention to detail makes he whole trip completely stress free. Albert has an amazing knowledge of the countryside and all the creatures both human and animal that you come across on your travels. However his great love is for the birds of Southern Africa and he can recognise a species when to the rest of us it is still just a speck in the sky. His never ending knowledge of the habitat of the various species makes it nearly always possible to find any requests for particular sightings. This makes the trip exciting, interesting, and a great learning experience. I am absolutely confident that anyone who goes on a trip with Albert will want to repeat the experience as soon as possible.
Mrs. Shirley Simpson, Jordanstown. Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
shirlsimpson(AT)speed-mail.co.uk
Albert Voigts von Schütz is a long time Birdingpal guide, well known in his own country and by myself or birders from around the world.
Knud Rasmussen
Birdingpal
Some facts about Namibia.
Although not as well known as some of its African neighbours, Namibia is a gem for those in search of the wilderness. Namibia is a large, and sparsely populated country on Africa's south-west coast, which has enjoyed more than a decade of stability since
achieving Independence on 21 March 1990.
Today Namibia is a peaceful country which is economically prosperous as a result of its productive mining, fishing, tourism and agricultural industries. Essentially a desert country, Namibia offers contrasting landscapes. The desolate Namib Desert is said to
be the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The central plateau, with its thorn bush savannah and rugged mountains, rising abruptly from the plains, gives way to the majestic Fish river Canyon in the south. In the north of the country, landscapes range from dense bush and open plains of the great Etosha Pan, to woodland savannah and lush vegetation.
The Etosha National Park, the third largest in Africa, owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of approximately 5 000km². A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing. Germanic influence can still be found in the country's good road infrastructure, well-equipped rest camps throughout the country and most cities' architecture. The perfect choice for nature lovers and amateur photographers alike.
Surface Area: 824,292 sq km (318,261 sq miles).
Population: 2 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density: 2.43 per sq km.
Capital City: Windhoek. Population: 290,364 (2006).
Sasol or Newmans Field Guide to Birds of Southern Africa comes highly recommended. The photographic Guide of Ian Sinclair is also very good. Owls and Owling by Warwick Tarboton. Pipits of southern Africa by Faansie Peacock