The Rare Birds and Mammals of Northern Botswana – By Tented Camp

Although not a dedicated birding group, birds feature heavily in our regular group departure, using tented camps throughout.  A naturalist guide, as well as a team of camp crew (including a chef!), will travel along the same route as you, setting up the mobile camps prior to your arrival at each location.

The spacious tents are comfortable, with solid beds and bed linen provided, and private en suite toilet/shower areas. The quality of meals prepared, cooked and served is not akin to camping as you know it, whilst a selection of beers, wines and spirits are provided for your enjoyment.  This is glamping.

The route explores the Okavango and Chobe regions of Northern Botswana, taking in the protected areas of Moremi Game Reserve, Mababe Private Reserve and Chobe National Park. You will explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta by Mokoro (a dugout canoe traditional to the area) and have the chance to see hippo, crocodile and greater kudu amongst plentiful wetland bird species. The endangered African Wild Dog is an expert hunter in the flooded plains.

You will travel north through Savuti, the temporally flooded marshland, famed for its lions that have learned how to hunt elephants. Delve into the enchanting teak woodlands of Chobe Forest Reserve and scan the expansive savannah of Chobe National Park for its iconic species. Finish your trip with a boat trip along the Chobe River to reach the riverside town of Kasane for your flight home.

Birds of prey to look out for include the African hawk-eagle, Gabar goshawk, Shikra, Little sparrowhawk, Dark chanting goshawk, Tawny eagle, Steppe eagle, African fish eagle, African harrier hawk, Bat-hawk, Cuckoo hawk, Long-crested eagle, Black sparrowhawk, Martial eagle, Bateleur, Red-necked falcon, Lanner falcon, Secretary bird, Black-shouldered kite, Lesser-spotted eagle, Wahlberg’s eagle, Steppe buzzard, Yellow-billed kite, Montague’s harrier, Dickenson’s kestrel, Amur falcon, Peregrine falcon and Lizard buzzard, White-faced owl, Eurasian hobby falcon and Ovambo sparrowhawk

Other bird species include: Red-billed, Southern yellow-billed, African grey, Bradfield’s and Southern Ground hornbills; Diederick cuckoo, Levaillant’s cuckoo, Jacobin cuckoo, Great-spotted cuckoo, African cuckoo, Common cuckoo, Shaft-tailed whydah, Pin-tailed whydah, Eastern paradise whydah, Greater honeyguide, and Lesser honeyguide.

African rail, Coppery-tailed coucal, Black coucal, Red-chested flufftail, African crake, Black crake, Corncrake, chirping cisticola, Luapula cisticola, Purple swamphen, Allen’s gallinule, African skimmer, Saddle-billed stork, Yellow-billed stork, Intermediate egret, Goliath heron, Slaty egret and Wattled crane, Malachite kingfisher, Great white pelican.

Red-headed weaver, Stierling’s wren-warbler, Scarlet-chested sunbird, Neddicky, Yellow-breasted apalis, Chin-spot batis, Quail finch, Long-legged bustard.

Rosy-throated longclaw, Greater painted snipe, Lesser jacana and Lesser moorhen.

Violet-eared waxbill, Black-cheeked waxbill, Village indigobird, Red-crested korhaan, Caspian plover Chestnut-backed sparrowlark, Grey-backed sparrowlark, Northern black korhaan, Rufous-naped lark, African pipit and Desert cisticola.

Red-winged pratincole, black-winged pratincole, racket-tailed roller, tree pipit and Miombo rock-thrush.

Please note that your exact program of activities will be determined by your guide depending on seasonal water levels, grass height, weather and recent animal sightings.

Tours are based on a minimum of 2 people with a maximum group size of 7.  Transport will be in specially designed safari 4×4 with fridge and retractable canvas roof.  Guaranteed window seat for each passenger.

No single supplement for the first three singles on each departure.  Minimum age for children is 12 years.