After arrival at the Namibian Hosea Kutako International Airport outside Windhoek, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city. After a short city tour and a short break, we will commence our exploration of the surrounding rugged Khomas Hochland at a nearby local birding spot, Daan Viljoen Game Park.
Special Birds: Rosy-faced Lovebird, Monteiro’s Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, Short-toed Rockthrush, Black-chested Prinia, Barred Wren-Warbler, Rockrunner, Bradfield’s Swift
After breakfast we will begin the journey south across the Central Highlands of Namibia. Roadside birding is always rewarding and the scenery is dotted with large Social weaver nests. After settling at the farmhouse, we will spend time birding the farm on foot and by vehicle.
Special Birds: Verreaux’s Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Southern Pale-chanting Goshawk, Black-winged Kite, Marico Flycatcher, Larklike Bunting, Sociable Weaver, Bokmakierie, White-backed Mousebird, Dusky Sunbird, Rüppell’s Korhaan
Birdwatching hike
Sundowner game drive
Kalahari Farmhouse Self Sufficiency Centre
Accommodation, Breakfast & Dinner
Lunch & Drinks
After a hearty breakfast, we leave the red dunes of the Kalahari and drive South to visit past. The Mesosaurus fossil site is located approximately 38 kilometers Northeast of Keetmanshoop. On the farm there are, besides the Mesosaurus fossils, a large quiver tree forest consisting of about 5000 trees.
We continue to the Namib Desert to the border to the Sperrgebiet to Klein-Aus Vista.
During sundowner you can reminisce and revisit the impressions of the day.
In the afternoon you can hike along the paths through the protected nature reserve. Birds to see: Cape Eagle-Owl; Mousebirds; Pygmy falcon and the Lark-like bunting
On the way to Lüderitz, we will stop in the middle of the desert in the ghost town; Kolmanskop. Here where the streets are buried in the sand and the only sound is the howling of the wind, you will visit dilapidated and spectacular houses of this old mining town. In the museum in the former casino of the town you will learn a lot about the diamond mining in this region.
The harbor town of Lüderitz on the Atlantic Ocean is characterized by its magnificent art nouveau buildings. Also worth a visit are the Waterfront and the more than 500 year old Diaz Cross.
In the afternoon we will take some beautiful pictures on our visit of the Wild Horses of the Namib at Garub, and understand the fascination thousands of visitors have with these animals.
Birds on the way to Lüderitz: Kestrel , Pale Chanting Goshawk , Jackal Buzzard , Augur Buzzard , Red-necked Falcon , Greater Kestrel,
Ruppell’s and Northern Black Korhans, Double Banded, Burchell’s and Namaqua Sandgrouse.
In Lüderitz itself: Jackass Penguins, White-chinned Petrel, Subantarctic Skua, Hartlaub’s Gull, Kelp Gull, White-fronted Plover, Avocets, Grey Plover
Accommodation, breakfast, dinner
Lunch, drinks
In the morning we will pay a visit to the Naute Dam. Here you will be able to see pelicans, cormorants, darters, Egyptian geese and more water birds.
After a quick lunch stop, we continue to Hardap Dam, the 2,500-hectare lake is the largest in Namibia. Hardap Dam supplies Mariental and the surrounding settlements with potable water and is of great importance for agriculture. On the south bank is a wildlife sanctuary with hiking trails, where you can observe zebras, kudus, springboks, and antelopes and countless birds. It is an ideal recreation area for anglers and water sports enthusiasts. The camp has VIP rooms, family and bush chalets, dormitories and camping sites. Other amenities and facilities include a swimming pool, conference facility, restaurant and shop.
Great White Pelican,cormorant, darter and spoonbill can be seen on the lake itself, as well as fish eagle and a small number of osprey.
Naute Dam
Accommodation and breakfast
Dinner, lunch, drinks
During a delicious breakfast we can observe the waterbirds. Thereafter we continue via Windhoek, with a birdwatching stop at the Avis dam, to the Onjala Lodge. It lies 45km North-East of Winhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport and is the perfect ending to your Namibian tour. The lodge impresses through its special architecture. The buildings are made of natural stone and are built on a rocky hill, almost reminiscent of Moorish buildings. Each room has a balcony with a wonderful view over the grassed areas and hills of the farm and upstairs is a small living room with fireplace and a second small balcony. From here one can see the courtyard with the rippling waterfall (also something special in this dry Namibia). There is a quaint little bar and a large lapa where the meals are served. The large Lapa permits a fantastic view over the unique "Bird Restaurant", where various species of wild birds can be found to enjoy the special delicacies on offer.
Onjala offers a variety of activities, with the main focus being on wildlife viewing: game drives, guided hikes, bird watching, sundowner rides, star gazing (optional).
Excellent possiblities present themselves for bird watching and photography: Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Acacia pied barbet, Violet-eared waxbill, Cape sparrow, Southern red bishop, Black-throated canary, Black-faced waxbill, Dusky sunbird, Violet-backed Starling, Brown-crowned tchagra, Red-backed shrike, Long-billed Pipit, Groundscraper thrush.
Avis Dam Birdwatching
Game Drive at Onjala
Accommodation, breakfast, dinner
Lunch, drinks
This day you can use to relax or for a last extended hike. Hikes of different lengths can be undertaken. On the farmland belonging to the lodge you can see, among others, Oryx antelopes, Springbok, Kudus, Hartebeest, Zebras, Ostriches and Warthogs
In the afternoon you will be taken to the airport and will depart from there in the evening.
Breakfast
