Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls!
Naturetrek Tour Report 26 February – 13 March 2016
Victoria Falls African Pygmy Goose
Little Green Bee-eater
Report & images compiled by Mark Hays
Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
Tour Participants: Mark Hays (leader) with eight Naturetrek clients
Day 1 Friday 26th February
The tour started with overnight flights from Heathrow to Windhoek via Johannesburg.
Day 2 Saturday 27th February
The flight from Johannesburg arrived at Windhoek in the early afternoon, where we met Mark who was waiting for us. It wasn’t long before we were out of the airport and onto the long road to Waterberg to make sure we arrived before dark. Check-in was done by 7.20pm and some of the group opted to take a nice slow stroll down the mountain to our restaurant. Everybody enjoyed the meal and then it was off to bed to ensure a good night’s sleep after a long day for some.
Mammals seen today included Giraffe, Chacma Baboon, Gemsbok, Common and Black-faced Impalas, Damaraland Dik-dik and Banded Mongoose. A Small Spotted (Common) Genet was seen by a lucky few, and a Bushbaby as well.
Today no bird list was done but we need to mention a few sightings: Tawny Eagle, Yellow-billed and Black- shoulder Kites, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Yellow-crowned Bishop, and Red-backed, Lesser Grey and Fiscal Shrikes. Southern Masked Weavers were building their nests outside the breakfast room, and some of the group also saw Grey Hornbill and Crimson-breasted Shrike. We also heard Black Cuckoo.
Day 3 Sunday 28th February
Today we had an early morning walk along the footpath below the Waterberg Plato and had reasonable views of Hartlaub`s Spurfowl. Rockrunner was very close but wasn`t showing itself well enough for photographs. During the walk down to the breakfast room we saw Pale-winged Starling, Acacia Pied Barbet, White-bellied and Marico Sunbirds, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Alpine Swift, Cape Glossy Starling, Red-billed Spurfowl, Grey Go-away-bird, Violet Woodhoopoe and African Hawk Eagle to mention a few.
The drive from Waterberg to Etosha was also very productive and along the way sightings included Grey Hornbill, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rufous-naped Lark, Steppe Buzzard, Violet-eared and Blue Waxbills and Black-throated Canary. We also had great views of African Paradise Flycatcher in the gardens of Ombinda Lodge.
In the park along the way to Halai we saw plenty of Zebra, Springbok, Blue Wildebeest, Steenbok and Giraffe. We also saw four Lions relaxing under an Acacia tree. During the drive, people in the first two rows in the car managed to catch a glimpse of one of the ‘little five’ as an Elephant Shrew ran across the road. Birds seen along the way were a beautiful pair of Blue Cranes, a male Kori Bustard displaying, Northern Black Korhaan, Grey- backed Sparrowlark, Lark-like Bunting, Pied Avocet, Red-billed Teal, Knob-billed Duck and a flock of Abdim’s Storks. It had been a very productive day with close to 100 species seen.
Day 4 Monday 29th February
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
We meet for early morning coffee and muffins at Halai breakfast room around 6.25am and then headed out of the camp. Within the first ten minutes of our drive we had spotted lots of birds including Gabar Goshawk, Monotonous Lark, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Black Crow, Lanner Falcon, Greater Kestrel, Dusky Sunbird, Black- chested Prinia, Blue Crane, African Jacana and Southern Pied Babbler. Suddenly we saw a pair of Lions very close to the road which set the cameras rolling. Soon after that we had some spectacular views of our first Black Rhinoceros out in the open, followed by herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, Springbok and a lone Red Hartebeest on the plains of Etosha. Back at camp we got some fantastic photographs and views of Barn Owl and African Scops Owl very near to our breakfast table.
Our second drive started at 11am and was also productive and sightings included Red-headed Finch, Hottentot and Red-billed Teals, Red-knobbed Coot, Brown Snake Eagle, Groundscraper Thrush, Egyptian Geese with chicks, Ostrich, Violet-eared Waxbill, Pink-billed Lark, Yellow Canary and Kalahari Robin.
The late afternoon outing didn’t disappoint and we saw lots more including large flocks of Lanner Falcons, Wattled Starling, Greater Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Three-banded Plover, Kori Bustard, Chestnut Weaver, Cape Glossy Starling, two pairs of Blue Cranes (one with a chick, the other pair with two eggs on the nest), Scaly- feathered Finch, Blacksmith Lapwing and Namaqua Sandgrouse. We also had some special mammal sightings with great views of Lion, Cheetah, Black Rhinoceros, a family Bat-eared Foxes, Yellow Mongoose, Steenbok, Burchell’s Zebra dust bathing, Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Black-faced Impala, Giraffe and Black-backed Jackal. Also Praying Mantis, Leopard Tortoise and a Bullfrog were seen.
The after dinner walk through the camp threw up another highlight when we saw a Small Spotted (Common) Genet.
Day 5 Tuesday 1st March
This morning we opted for another early morning drive before breakfast and we saw Yellow-bellied Eremomala, Chestnut Weaver, Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk, Double-banded Courser, Red-headed Finch, Sabota Lark, Red-capped Lark, African Pipit, Secretarybird, Red-footed Falcon and lots more.
The late morning drive to Fort Namutoni was a rather quiet affair but we saw Tawny Eagle, Northern Black Korhaan, Rufous-naped and Red-capped Larks, Crowned Lapwing, African Palm Swift and Eurasian Hobby.
The afternoon outing was really productive and we saw lots of new birds. Sightings included Steppe Eagle, Greater flamingo, South African Shelduck, Little Sparrowhawk, Swainson`s Spurfowl, Black Crake, Kittlitz’s Plover, Little Stint, Double-banded Courser, Black-winged Pratincole and Pirit Batis.
Mammals and reptiles seen today included Springbok, Striped Skink, Yellow Mongoose, Oryx, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Burchells Zebra, African Elephant, Etosha Agama, Black Rhinoceros, Marsh Terrapin, Cheetah, Damaraland Dik-dik, Ground Squirrel, Tree Squirrel and Blesbok.
Day 6 Wednesday 2nd March
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
At first light at 6.15am we had a walk in the lodge gardens and saw Terrestrial Brown Bulbul, Glossy Starling, Grey Go-away-bird, Grey Sparrow, Fork-tailed Drongo, Pearl-spotted Owlet and Walberg’s Fruit Bat.
Our early morning drive in the park was very productive with good views of Jacobin Cuckoo, Grey and Yellow- billed Hornbills, Cape Turtle Dove, Rock Kestrel, Cape Glossy Starling and Lilac-breasted Roller.
During our lunch break we saw an African Oriole in the lodge gardens. On our afternoon drive we saw lots of birds including Grey Heron, Great Egret, South African Shelduck, White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures, African Jacana, Little Stint, Palm Swift, Red-faced Mousebird, Brubru, Icterine Warbler, Rattling Cisticola, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Burchell`s Starling and Marico Sunbird to name a few!
Reptile and mammal sightings were a bit slow today but we did see a Kudu bull, a herd of Zebra, Oryx, Springbok, Slender Mongoose, Impala and Wildebeest. We also saw a Leopard Tortoise.
Day 7 Thursday 3rd March
This morning our garden walk at Mokuti Lodge was fairly quiet but we still had glimpses of Red-eyed and Terrestrial Bulbuls, Grey-headed Sparrow, Grey Go-away-bird, Red-billed Hornbill, Blue Waxbill, Black- backed Puffback, Grey-backed Camaroptera, Southern Masked Weaver, Fork-tailed Drongo and Crimson- breasted Shrike. A lone Common Duiker was seen in the undergrowth and, on departure, an Etosha Agama made it onto our reptile list for a second time.
The long transfer to Kaisosi was very productive with sightings on the way which included Brown Snake Eagle, Carmine, Swallow-tailed and European Bee-eaters, Chestnut Weavers, Long-tailed Whydah, African and Black Cuckoos, Red-faced Mousebird and Monotonous Lark.
The group opted to take a river cruise at the lodge and we had wonderful views from the boat of the Kavango river where we saw Open-billed Stork, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers, Green-backed Heron, African Darter, Reed Cormorant, Village Weaver, Red Bishop, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Southern Pochard, African Pygmy Goose, Hamerkop, Hartlaub’s Babbler, Black Crake, Red-eyed Dove, White-faced Duck and African Fish Eagle together with many more wetland birds.
Day 8 Friday 4th March
This morning we started our day with an early morning walk around Kaisosi Lodge grounds and bird sightings included African Palm Swift, Black-eyed Bulbul, Pied Crow, Kurrichane Thrush, Yellow White-Eye, Swamp Boubou, African Mourning Dove, Senegal Coucal and African Paradise Flycatcher.
We departed after a hearty breakfast and travelled north-east to Divundu. En route we saw Steppe Buzzard, Black Kite, Little Sparrowhawk, Meyer’s Parrot, Magpie Shrike, Lilac-breasted Roller, Violet Woodhoopoe, Thick-billed and Golden Weavers, Striped Kingfisher, Carmine Bee-eater, Cardinal Woodpecker, Red- breasted Swallow, Marico Flycatcher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. Just before we entered the grounds of Mahango Lodge a big Hippopotamus greeted our arrival at the gates, and we almost ran over a Flap- neck Chameleon along the way too!
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
Day 9 Saturday 5th March
Before breakfast we spotted two new birds: Levaillant`s Cuckoo and Collard Sunbird. We enjoyed an early breakfast and headed straight for the Botswana border to search for Pel`s Fishing Owl on the Kavango river. We spent a lovely day out on the river with lots of birds making it onto the list for the first time: Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Black Kite, Greater Swamp Warbler, Lesser Reed Warbler, African Marsh Harrier, Water Thick- knee, Pel`s Fishing Owl, White-fronted Bee-eater, White-browed Coucal and Coppery-tailed Coucal. We also managed to see an African Harrier Hawk with its young, Red-billed Quelea, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Grey- rumped Swallow, Greater and Lesser Striped Swallows, Bateleur, Brown-throated Martin, Southern Black Tit, Black-collard Barbet, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Yellow-billed Oxpecker and Spectacled and Golden Weavers amongst many other sightings today. Mammals seen in Mahango Park include Burchell’s Zebra, Common Impala, Greater Kudu, Hippopotamus, Common Duiker and Giraffe.
Day 10 Sunday 6th March
Today our early morning walk was very productive, and then we enjoyed a breakfast cruise along the Okavango River. Our post cruise game drive was enjoyed by all and produced quite a few nice photographic opportunities.
Birds seen today included Crested Barbet, Brown Firefinch, Dwarf Bittern, Yellow Egret, Grey-hooded Kingfisher, African Green Pigeon, Goliath Heron, Wattled Crane, White-crowned Lapwing, Luapula Cisticola and Miombo Starling.
The mammals in the park showed well today and we saw Elephant, Giraffe, Chacma Baboon, Burchell’s Zebra, Cape Buffalo, Red Letchwe, Common Impala, Wildebeest, Greater Kudu and Vervet Monkeys. It had been a great day for game and bird sightings.
Day 11 Monday 7th March
On our pre-breakfast walk we found two new birds for our list; Collard Sunbird and Yellow-bellied Greenbul, which gave a good start to the day. We then travelled further north towards Katima Mulilo. Other birds seen today included Luapula Cisticola, White-faced Whistling Duck, Woodland Kingfisher, Pin-tailed Whydah, Bateleur, Red-crested Korhaan, African Jacana and Meyer`s Parrot. Mammals seen en route included Chacma Baboon and a big herd of Africa Elephants.
After lunch we had planned a nice long walk on the banks of the Zambezi River but, unfortunately, the rain beat us and we had to make a hasty retreat to the bar instead! Tonight’s dinner menu included a choice of meats or a tasty Zambezi Bream.
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
Day 12 Tuesday 8th March
It was fine day and we started by taking an early morning walk around the hotel gardens and campsite along the river. We had the good fortune to get sensational views of Schallow`s Turaco and African Finfoot two minutes walk from our rooms! Amongst the other birds seen were Levaillant’s Cuckoo, Ashy, Spotted and Asian Paradise Flycatchers, Grey Go-away-bird, Bronze Mannikin, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Common and Blue Waxbills, Yellow- fronted Tinkerbird and Yellow-bellied Greenbul.
The drive from Katima Mulilo to Kasane in Botswana was very eventful indeed and we made multiple stops along the way to capture images of Martial Eagle, Red Hornbill, Miombo and Sharp-tailed Starlings, Wahlberg`s Eagle, Ground Hornbill, Amur Falcon, Steppe Buzzard, Black Kite and White-browed Sparrow-Weaver.
The afternoon drive around Kasane public park and sewage works produce some wonderful sightings to cap off a sensational day. We see Slaty Egret, Red-billed Firefinch, Yellow Wagtail, Kittlitz’s and Three-banded Plovers, Spur-winged Goose, Water Thick-knee, Marabou Storks, Hamerkop, Black-winged Stilt, Grey-headed Gull and Knob-billed Duck to mention a few. Not all group members did the nature drive around town as a few opted to do a game drive in Chobe National Park. Mammals seen today were Elephant, Sable Antelope, Chacma Baboon, Common Impala, Waterbuck and Warthog.
This had been, by far, the best day for the group due to the fact that we had had such great views of so many special bird and mammals.
Day 13 Wednesday 9th March
This morning we went on an early morning boat cruise to find more special birds on the Chobe River. Our river guide was Michael who really went out of his way to ensure we had good views of everything spotted. We saw Long-toed and White-crowned Lapwings, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, African Fish Eagle, Reed Cormorant, African Jacana, Open-billed Stork, Black Heron, Slaty Egret, Purple Heron, White-faced and Fulvous Whistling Ducks and Black Heron to name a few.
The mid morning activity involved a short drive along the river to the Mowana Lodge gardens were sightings included Collard Palm Thrush, African Oriole, Blue Waxbill, Fork-tailed Drongo, Giant and Brown-hooded Kingfishers, Hartlaub’s and Arrow-marked Babblers, Tropical Boubou, Lesser Masked Weaver, Greater Honeyguide and Schallow’s Turaco.
The afternoon boat cruise was also very exciting with a few new species being sighted: Allen`s Gallinule, African Swamphen and Black-crowned Night Heron. We also saw Red Bishop, Water Thick-knee, Grey-headed Gull, African Fish Eagle and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters to name a few.
Mammals seen on the Chobe river cruises included Red Letchwe, Cape buffalo, Hippopotamus, Greater Kudu and African Elephant, while reptiles seen were Water Monitor and very well fed Nile Crocodiles.
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
Day 14 Thursday 10th March
Today we were heading to Camp Nkwasi in Livingstone, Zambia but before departing from Kasane in Botswana, a few of the group opted to take a last game drive into Chobe National Park, and a couple of early morning walkers took a stroll in the garden. The early morning game drive produced a first for the trip, a Puku, and of course the usual suspects like Giraffe, Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Impala, Elephant and Lions. Lots of birds were seen before we left including Willow and Icterine Warblers, Pied and Giant Kingfishers, Red and Grey Hornbills, House Sparrow, Orange-breasted Bush-shrike, Black-backed Puffback, Ashy Flycatcher, Dark-capped Bulbul, Jacobin Cuckoo, Jameson Firefinch, Black-collard Barbet, Golden-tailed Woodpecker and Arrow-marked Babbler.
The border crossing was an eventful affair with a ferry ride and the usual animated border crossing personnel. It rained quite heavily for the rest of the afternoon so, after lunch at Livingstone waterfront, we visited Livingstone museum and postponed the Victoria Falls excursion till tomorrow in the hope for more favorable weather.
On the way to Camp Nkwasi we saw Violet-backed Starling, African Oriole, Trumpeter Hornbill, Hadeda Ibis and White-crested Helmetshrike. To top off some excellent sightings, tonight we celebrated Linda`s birthday in style with a very yummy cake after our Zambezi Bream dinner.
Day 15 Friday 11th March
The rain had stopped so we had an early breakfast and immediately headed towards Livingstone to enjoy a day of activities. A few of the group decided to go for a game drive, and others took a scenic flight and enjoyed a microlight flight over the mighty Victoria Falls.
Prior to lunch at the Royal Livingstone Hotel on the banks of the Zambezi river and overlooking the Falls, we had a walk to take in the beautiful Falls themselves with a few Chacma Baboons in tow to keep us company.
The plan was to enjoy our last afternoon with a cruise on the river but it started to rain again, so we postponed the cruise to the early morning, on our day of departure.
Four new trip bird species were seen at Livingstone this morning: Sedge Warbler, Black-headed Heron, African Rail and Red-winged Starling. Other sightings included Collard Barbet, Hadeda Ibis, Red-billed Hornbill, Long- tailed Whydah, Allen`s Gallinule, African Swamphen, Miombo Starling, Grey-backed Camaroptera and Thick- billed Weaver.
Mammals seen today included Southern Giraffe, White Rhinoceros and Burchell’s Zebra. We were also fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Puff Adder crossing the road whilst heading back to camp from Livingstone.
Tony had stayed behind at Camp Nkwasi today whilst the rest of the group went to Livingstone. He spent some time in the gardens accompanied by the lodge’s bird guide and they saw Chinspot Batis and Emerald Cuckoo, the only ones spotted during the tour.
Day 16 Saturday 12th March
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
Today we were departing Africa but before breakfast we were on the water one last time to enjoy the Zambezi River and its surroundings by boat. We still keep adding to our bird list by seeing for the first time Half-collard Kingfisher, Dickenson’s Kestrel and Yellow-breasted Apalis. Other birds of note were Thick-billed and Village Weavers, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Water Thick-knee, Trumpeter Hornbill, African Finfoot and Tropical Boubou.
After breakfast we loaded our bags into the vehicle and headed for the airport in Livingstone, where we said goodbye and thanks to Mark, and to some of the group who were not returning to the UK. We then boarded our 2pm flight for Johannesburg and onwards to the UK.
Day 17 Sunday 13th March
Our flight landed at Heathrow airport in the early morning and another Naturetrek adventure came to an end.
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
Species Lists
Birds (= recorded but not counted; H = heard only) February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 Ostrich Struthio camelus 2 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 3 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 4 Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 5 Darter Anhinga rufa 6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 7 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 8 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath 9 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 10 Great Egret Egretta alba 11 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 12 Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia 13 Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca 14 Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula 15 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 16 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 17 Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus 18 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 19 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 20 Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii 21 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 22 Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii 23 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus 24 Open-billed Stork Anastomus lamelligerus 25 Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus 26 Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 27 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 28 Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 29 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 30 White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata 31 Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor 32 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 33 South African Shelduck Tadorna cana 34 Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota 35 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha 36 Cape Shoveller Anas smithii 37 Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma 38 Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus 39 Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos 40 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 41 Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius 42 White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 43 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus 44 Black Kite Milvus migrans 45 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius 46 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 47 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax 48 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 49 Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi 50 African Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster 51 Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus 52 Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus 53 Black-breasted Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis 54 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus 55 African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 56 Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo 57 Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus 58 Little Banded Goshawk Accipiter badius 59 Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar 60 Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus 61 African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 62 Gymnogene Polyboroides typus 63 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 64 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 65 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 66 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 67 Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera 68 Rock Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 69 Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides 70 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 71 Dickinson's Kestrel Falco dickinsoni 72 Red-billed Francolin Peliperdix adspersus 73 Hartlaub's Francolin Pternistes hartlaubi 74 Swainson's Francolin Peliperdix swainsonii 75 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris 76 Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus 77 Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus 78 African Rail Rallus caerulescens 79 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris 80 Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio 81 Lesser Gallinule Porphyrula alleni 82 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 83 Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata 84 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata 85 African Finfoot Podica senegalensis 86 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori 87 Red-crested Korhaan Eupodotis ruficrista H H H 88 Northern Black Korhaan Eupodotis afraoides 89 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 90 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 91 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 92 Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus 93 Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 94 White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps 95 Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus 96 Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris 97 Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos 98 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 99 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 100 Little Stint Calidris minuta 101 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 102 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 103 Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus 104 Double-banded Courser Smutsornis africanus 105 Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni 106 Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus 107 Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua 108 Rock Dove Columba livia 'feral' 109 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 110 African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens 111 Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola 112 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 113 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 114 Green-spotted Dove Turtur chalcospilos H H H 115 African Green Pigeon Treron calva 116 Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri H 117 Rüppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii 118 Rosy-Faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis 119 Schalow's Turaco Tauraco schalowi 120 Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor 121 African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis 122 Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus H H H H 123 Levaillant's Cuckoo Oxylophus levaillantii 124 Jacobin Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus 125 Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 126 Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius H H H 127 Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus H 128 Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis 129 White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus 130 African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis 131 Pearl-spotted Owl Glaucidium perlatum H H H H H 132 Pel's Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli 133 Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis H 134 Bradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi 135 White-rumped Swift Apus caffer 136 Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 137 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 138 White-backed Mousebird Colius colius H 139 Red-faced Mousebird Colius indicus H 140 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 141 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima 142 Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata 143 Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 144 Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis 145 Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris 146 Grey-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala 147 Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti 148 Eurasian Bee-eater Merops apiaster 149 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus 150 Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides 151 White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides 152 Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus 153 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus 154 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata 155 Purple Roller Coracias naevius 156 African Hoopoe Upupa africana 157 Red-billed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
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Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 158 Violet Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis 159 Trumpeter Hornbill Ceratogymna bucinator H 160 Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus 161 Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus 162 Damara Hornbill Tockus damarensis 163 Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas 164 Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri H 165 Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus H H 166 Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas 167 Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus H 168 Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii 169 Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 170 Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni 171 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 172 Monotonous Lark Mirafra passerina 173 Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana H H 174 Sabota Lark Mirafra sabota 175 Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea 176 Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris 177 Grey-backed Sparrowlark Eremopterix verticalis 178 Eurasian Swallow Hirundo rustica 179 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 180 Red-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa 181 Greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata 182 Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica 183 Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula 184 Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga 185 Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola 186 Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava H 187 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 188 African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus 189 Black Crow Corvus capensis
6 © Naturetrek
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 190 Pied Crow Corvus albus 191 Southern Black Tit Parus niger 192 Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii 193 Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii 194 African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans 195 Black-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus 196 Terrestrial Bulbul Phyllastrephus terrestris 197 Yellow-bellied Bulbul Chlorocichla flaviventris 198 Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus 199 Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa 200 Short-toed Rock Thrush Monticola brevipes 201 Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata 202 Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris 203 Stonechat Saxicola torquata 204 Heuglin's Robin Cossypha heuglini H 205 Collared Palm Thrush Cichladusa arquata 206 White-browed Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys 207 Kalahari Robin Cercotrichas paena 208 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 209 Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina 210 Eurasian Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 211 Cape Reed Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris 212 Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens 213 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 214 Chestnut-Vented Titbabbler Parisoma subcaeruleum 215 Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 216 Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens 217 Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis 218 Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata H 219 Rockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius 220 Luapula Cisticola Cisticola galactotes 221 Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
© Naturetrek April 16 7
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 222 Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chinianus H 223 Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 224 Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans 225 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 226 Blue-grey Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens 227 Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis 228 Chat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus 229 Chinspot Batis Batis molitor 230 Pririt Batis Batis pririt 231 African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 232 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp 233 Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis 234 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 235 African (Grassveld) Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus 236 Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis 237 Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor 238 Common Fiscal Lanius collaris 239 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 240 Long-tailed Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca 241 Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus 242 Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor 243 Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus 244 Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla 245 Brubru Nilaus afer H H H 246 Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis 247 Orange-breasted Bush Shrike Telophorus sulfureopectus H H H 248 White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus 249 White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens 250 Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea 251 Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 252 Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis 253 Long-tailed Starling Lamprotornis mevesii
8 © Naturetrek
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 254 Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens 255 Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus 256 Lesser Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus 257 Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio 258 Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup 259 Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus 260 Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus 261 Marico Sunbird Nectarinia mariquensis 262 Purple-banded Sunbird Nectarinia bifasciata 263 White-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia talatala 264 Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fusca 265 Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis 266 Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris 267 Yellow White-Eye Zosterops senegalensis 268 Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger 269 White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali 270 Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons 271 Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius 272 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 273 Great Sparrow Passer motitensis 274 Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus 275 Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus 276 Scaly-feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons 277 Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis 278 Spotted-backed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus 279 Chestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus 280 Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus 281 Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius 282 Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops 283 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea 284 Red Bishop Euplectes orix 285 Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer
© Naturetrek April 16 9
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 286 Red-shouldered Widow Euplectes axillaris 287 White-winged Widow Euplectes albonotatus 288 Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba 289 Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia 290 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala 291 Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula 292 Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis 293 Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus 294 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 295 Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala 296 Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus 297 Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 298 Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia 299 Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea 300 Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua obtusa 301 Steel-blue Widowfinch Vidua chalybeata 302 Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus 303 Black-throated Canary Serinus atrogularis 304 Yellow Canary Serinus flaviventris 305 Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris 306 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 307 Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani
Mammals 1 Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus 2 Vervet Monkey cercopithecus aethiops 3 South African Galago Galago moholi 4 Peter's Epauleted Fruit Bat Epomophorus gambianus 5 S. African Ground Squirrel Geosciurus inauris 6 Smith's Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi 7 Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas 8 Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis
10 © Naturetrek
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9 African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis 10 Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo 11 Yellow Mongoose Cynictic penicillata 12 Common Genet Genetta genetta 13 Lion Panthera leo 14 Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus 15 Bushveld Elephant Shrew Elephantulus intufi 16 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis 17 African Elephant Loxodonta Africana 18 Burchell's Zebra Equus (quagga) burchelli 19 Browse (Black) Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis 20 Grass (White) Rhinoceros Cerathotherium simum 21 Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius 22 Warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus 23 Southern Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis 24 Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer 25 Bush Buck Tragelaphus scriptus 26 Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros 27 Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia 28 Steinbuck Raphicerus campestris 29 Damaraland Dik-dik Rhynchotragus kirki damarensis 30 Puku Kobus vardoni 31 Red Lechwe Kobus leche 32 Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus 33 Springbuck Antidorcas marsupialis 34 Impala Aepyceros melampus 35 Black-faced Impala Aepyceros melampus petersi 36 Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus 37 Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger 38 Gemsbok Oryx gazella 39 Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus caama
© Naturetrek April 16 11
Namibia, Botswana & Zambia – Etosha to the Victoria Falls! Tour Report
February/March Common name Scientific name 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Reptiles 1 Boomslang Dispholidus typus 2 Puff Adder Bitis arietens 3 Ovambo Tree skink Mabuya binotata 4 Western Three striped skink Mabuya occidentalis 5 Shovel-snouted Lizard Meroles anchietae 6 Water Monitor Varanus niloticus 7 Etosha Agama Agama etoshae 8 Button-scaled Gekko Pachydactylus laevigatus 9 Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa 10 Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis 11 Flap-neck Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis 1 12 Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus 1 1 1
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