The Caprivi Strip is a lush corner in the far northeast of Namibia. The Caprivi Game Reserve, now encompassed in the newly-established Bwabwata National Park, features substantial herds of elephant, zebra, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, antelope, lion, cheetah, leopard, and spotted hyena. Over 430 bird species have been recorded in the park. Birding is best during the rainy season when the weather might, unfortunately, be at its least pleasant. Katima Mulilo is the main town.
- The Zambezi Region is Namibia’s bird paradise. It has varied habitats including broad-leafed and acacia woodlands, mopane forests, riverine forests, grasslands and floodplains. There are more than 400 species of birds. The eastern floodplains and grass veld are accessible by 4×4 vehicles, but only at certain times of the year (May to November).
- Closer to Katima Mulilo town, the habitat changes to mopane woodlands, where you can expect to find Arnot’s chat, white-breasted cuckoo shrike and many species of woodpecker. After the rains, pools of water attract numerous waterbirds, including migrants such as lesser moorhen, black-tailed godwit, great snipe and many more.
- Birding in and around Katima Mulilo offers plenty of sightings, amongst many others: African finfoots, African skimmers, African fish eagles and, if you are lucky, bat hawks on the Zambezi River.
- Birding in the gardens of the Zambezi Fish Farm, Caprivi River Lodge, and around Katima Mulilo, should produce special sightings of Schalow’s turaco, trumpeter hornbill, coppery sunbird, eastern nicator, eastern bearded robin, Hartlaub’s babbler and western-banded snake eagle. Night specials include pennant winged nightjars, wood owls, barred owlets, and three-banded coursers.
- There are three state-protected game reserves on the Caprivi Wetland Paradise: the Mamili, Mudumu, and the Bwabwata National Park – wild areas that offer challenge and adventure. In the wet season bird-filled pans fringed by water lilies, are inhabited by hippos. You can expect to sight water-loving antelope – lechwe, reedbuck and waterbuck – in the floodplains. You may even see roan and sable antelope or catch a glimpse of the rare, semi-aquatic sitatunga found in the dense papyrus reed beds.
- You will also see many raptors and grassveld species, including Dickinson’s kestrel and yellow-throated sand grouse. On the banks of the Zambezi River between the two lodges is a breeding site for carmine bee-eaters. Thousands of these birds gather annually from September to November.
- In the west, state forests host some exciting sighting possibilities. These teak forests host at least eight species of sunbird, including Shelley’s and purple banded. You may also be lucky enough to see the Stierling’s wren warbler, black-eared seed-eater (canary), broad-tailed paradise whydah and the northern grey-headed sparrow.
- Travelling south-west, you will find swamplands are filled by local rains and some overflow from the Linyanti River. In this special environment, you can expect to see large numbers of pygmy geese among hundreds of water birds. This park also hosts a few pairs of wattled cranes and if lucky, you may catch tantalising sight of the uncommon Denham’s bustard.
- The Zambezi Region experiences a tropical climate and during dry winter months, large populations of elephants and buffalo are known to congregate along the river areas, making this a good time of year for game viewing. The area is a malaria area and travellers are advised to take relevant prophylaxis, always use mosquito repellent at night and sleep under a mosquito net.
Caprivi Formal Birdwatching Tour
Join us on an adventure that will concentrate mainly on the Zambezi Region of Namibia (Caprivi).
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Next tours: 26 November – 3 December 2022 plus 14 – 21 November 2023
Max amount of persons: Min 4 & max 8 guests
Heuningland: African & Karoo tours to stir the heart and lift the soul
We are proudly South African and have a fervent love of the Great Karoo, its people and its unique vegetation and animals. We are passionate conservationists of nature and would like to share our knowledge acquired through years of travel and touring experience. We are therefore able to offer custom-designed and distinctively different tour options:
- Hiking/camping trails or guided self-driving tours through the ancient landscape of the Karoo.
- Tailor-made safaris to any destination in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Botswana.
Find out more at: www.heuningland.com
