Lesser Flamingos. Photo by Josh Engel, Red Hill Birding
Southern Africa:
Towering falls to desert dunes
Travel to Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe with Birds Georgia
Sunday, August 17 to Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Sunday, August 17 to Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Crimson-breasted Shrike and Kori Bustard. Photos by Josh Engel.
Birds Georgia Leader: Adam Betuel, Director of Conservation
Local Guide: Adam Betuel (Birds Georgia Director of Conservation), Josh Engel (Red Hill Birding), and local guide
Group Size: 13 people (can be run with a smaller group at an elevated price)
Member price: : $9,950*
Non-member price: $10,000* (Includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single supplement for non-shared hotel room: $500/person
*Based on double occupancy. See more details below if traveling solo
*Sharing of a room is almost a certainty at one location. More info on Day 2 in trip description.
Lodging Note: Depending on group construction, single travelers may be asked to pay a single supplement if we are unable to pair you with another guest. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense, though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
Namibia and Botswana are desert countries, yet they are unexpected oases of amazing bird and animal diversity. From the nutrient-rich Benguela Current that brings moisture and life to the western coastline, across the Kalahari to the swamps and broad-leafed woodlands that fringe the Okavango River, and following the Zambezi River to the incredible Victoria Falls, no two days in this region are alike. In between lies the mountainous escarpment that forms the backbone of the country and the wildlife-filled Etosha National Park. A stellar cast of birds live here, like Rockrunner, White-tailed Shrike, Dune Lark, Damara Hornbill, Rüppel’s Parrot, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, African Skimmer, and Pel’s Fishing Owl.
Namibia and Botswana are among the least densely populated countries in the world, yet contain world-class tourism infrastructure. The scarcity of people translates into abundant birds and wildlife, even outside of formally protected areas. The arid nature of both countries means that any place with water attracts large quantities of creatures, and many lodges and protected areas provide permanent water sources just for this purpose. The unique habitats—the Kalahari Scrubland, the Namib Desert, the Okavango Swamps—means an abundance of unique and endemic birds and animals. This trip is not just excellent for birds; it also presents wonderful opportunities to see and photograph the megafauna that Africa is so famous for, including lion, giraffe, elephant, black rhinoceros, leopard, a wide diversity of antelopes and smaller mammals, and reptiles.
Namibia and Botswana are easy countries to travel in; we stay in wonderful hotels in extraordinary locations. We will be in custom-modified vehicles that are designed for tours like this, so that everyone has a window seat and those windows open wide for great viewing and photography. Despite remaining under the radar from a global tourism perspective, the tourism infrastructure is outstanding: the roads are excellent, the hotels comfortable, and the food delicious. These are among the safest countries in Africa, with vibrant democracies and a free press. Between the birding, the mammals, the people, and the infrastructure, it is no wonder that it is a favorite of guides and wildlife travelers alike.
Local Guide: Adam Betuel (Birds Georgia Director of Conservation), Josh Engel (Red Hill Birding), and local guide
Group Size: 13 people (can be run with a smaller group at an elevated price)
Member price: : $9,950*
Non-member price: $10,000* (Includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single supplement for non-shared hotel room: $500/person
*Based on double occupancy. See more details below if traveling solo
*Sharing of a room is almost a certainty at one location. More info on Day 2 in trip description.
Lodging Note: Depending on group construction, single travelers may be asked to pay a single supplement if we are unable to pair you with another guest. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense, though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
Namibia and Botswana are desert countries, yet they are unexpected oases of amazing bird and animal diversity. From the nutrient-rich Benguela Current that brings moisture and life to the western coastline, across the Kalahari to the swamps and broad-leafed woodlands that fringe the Okavango River, and following the Zambezi River to the incredible Victoria Falls, no two days in this region are alike. In between lies the mountainous escarpment that forms the backbone of the country and the wildlife-filled Etosha National Park. A stellar cast of birds live here, like Rockrunner, White-tailed Shrike, Dune Lark, Damara Hornbill, Rüppel’s Parrot, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, African Skimmer, and Pel’s Fishing Owl.
Namibia and Botswana are among the least densely populated countries in the world, yet contain world-class tourism infrastructure. The scarcity of people translates into abundant birds and wildlife, even outside of formally protected areas. The arid nature of both countries means that any place with water attracts large quantities of creatures, and many lodges and protected areas provide permanent water sources just for this purpose. The unique habitats—the Kalahari Scrubland, the Namib Desert, the Okavango Swamps—means an abundance of unique and endemic birds and animals. This trip is not just excellent for birds; it also presents wonderful opportunities to see and photograph the megafauna that Africa is so famous for, including lion, giraffe, elephant, black rhinoceros, leopard, a wide diversity of antelopes and smaller mammals, and reptiles.
Namibia and Botswana are easy countries to travel in; we stay in wonderful hotels in extraordinary locations. We will be in custom-modified vehicles that are designed for tours like this, so that everyone has a window seat and those windows open wide for great viewing and photography. Despite remaining under the radar from a global tourism perspective, the tourism infrastructure is outstanding: the roads are excellent, the hotels comfortable, and the food delicious. These are among the safest countries in Africa, with vibrant democracies and a free press. Between the birding, the mammals, the people, and the infrastructure, it is no wonder that it is a favorite of guides and wildlife travelers alike.
Two spots remain!
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Questions?: Contact Adam Betuel via email.
Questions?: Contact Adam Betuel via email.
Trip Overview:
Click on each day for more information.
Day 1, Sunday, August 17: Arrival in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We will gather in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe upon everyone’s arrival. Depending on the arrival time, we may visit the falls themselves in the afternoon. In not, we will visit in the morning. Regardless, we hope to see a few birds on our arrival day, which will give us a nice little intro to birds of this part of the world, with common but unfamiliar birds like Common Bulbul, White-browed Robin-Chat, multiple species of starlings and weavers, and many others. It could also include a few species that we are unlikely to see elsewhere on the tour, like African Swift, Trumpeter Hornbill, Red-winged Starling, and Tropical Boubou. Visiting the Falls will be a great start to our extraordinary journey.
Days 2 and 3, Mon-Tue, August 18 and 19: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to Katima Mulilo, Namibia, with a full day around Katima Mulilo
After an early morning visit to the Falls (if we haven’t visited the day before), we will head west from Vic Falls through Zambezi National Park, cross into Botswana, drive right through Chobe National Park—where we might see some roadside elephants!—and into Namibia. It will be a two-border-crossing day, but we will be sure to squeeze in birding whenever and wherever we can. Fortunately, these crossings are straightforward and there is even good birding close to the border posts, along with excellent roadside birding through the drive (though stopping is not allowed in some areas due to dangerous wildlife).
We will arrive in the afternoon to the town of Katima Mulilo, situated right on the Zambezi River. Birds will be abundant right around the lodge grounds, where we will spend the remainder of the afternoon birding. The woodlands along the river could hold Schalow’s Turaco, Meyer’s Parrot, Copper Sunbird, and a variety of beautiful Estrildid finches, while the river itself can have various herons and egrets, White-headed Lapwing and other shorebirds, Knob-billed and other ducks, many other waterbirds, and large numbers of the spectacular Southern Carmine Bee-eater. We may find some owls and nightjars around the lodge grounds after dark.
We will also venture out into the broad-leaved woodland outside of town, where birds can be sparse but the quality is high, and we can look for uncommon species like Racket-tailed Roller, Arnot’s Chat, African Penduline-Tit, and Tinkling Cisticola.
We will arrive in the afternoon to the town of Katima Mulilo, situated right on the Zambezi River. Birds will be abundant right around the lodge grounds, where we will spend the remainder of the afternoon birding. The woodlands along the river could hold Schalow’s Turaco, Meyer’s Parrot, Copper Sunbird, and a variety of beautiful Estrildid finches, while the river itself can have various herons and egrets, White-headed Lapwing and other shorebirds, Knob-billed and other ducks, many other waterbirds, and large numbers of the spectacular Southern Carmine Bee-eater. We may find some owls and nightjars around the lodge grounds after dark.
We will also venture out into the broad-leaved woodland outside of town, where birds can be sparse but the quality is high, and we can look for uncommon species like Racket-tailed Roller, Arnot’s Chat, African Penduline-Tit, and Tinkling Cisticola.
Days 4 and 5, Wed-Thu, August 20 and 21: Katima Mulilo to Shakawe, Botswana, with a full day around Shakawe
After some birding around the lodge, we will have breakfast, then set out for the long drive through Namibia’s Caprivi Strip—a strange geographical quirk of colonialism—stopping along the way as we see birds. It’s a drive through sparsely populated regions of broad-leaved woodland and small farms and we will no doubt see some interesting birds along the way.
As we approach the Botswana border (a different border crossing than the one we will have crossed two days prior), we will get our first sight of the Okavango River (called the Kavango River in Namibia), and will spend the late afternoon birding along the river, before crossing into Botswana. Along the river we will start to see Little and White-fronted Bee-eaters, Pied, Malachite, and Giant Kingfishers, and many other birds typical of riverine habitat.
We will have two nights to enjoy the relaxing, lovely surrounds of our riverside lodge near Shakawe, Botswana. The extensive reed beds in this sea of papyrus are directly adjacent to our lodge, and home to a wide variety of herons, egrets, bee-eaters, and kingfishers, as well as birds with more limited distribution like Chirping and Luapula Cisticolas, Hartlaub’s Babbler, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver. The adjacent woodlands host a different sort of avifauna, including Green Woodhoopoe, Swamp Boubou, Brown Firefinch along with various other waxbills and finches, Swamp Boubou, and much else. A number of rare or difficult species are regular here, such as the highly sought-after giant ginger owl, Pel’s Fishing-Owl, as well as White-backed Night-Heron. We will have a boat trip on the Okavango here to search for these and others and to enjoy the vastness and beauty of the swamps.
As we approach the Botswana border (a different border crossing than the one we will have crossed two days prior), we will get our first sight of the Okavango River (called the Kavango River in Namibia), and will spend the late afternoon birding along the river, before crossing into Botswana. Along the river we will start to see Little and White-fronted Bee-eaters, Pied, Malachite, and Giant Kingfishers, and many other birds typical of riverine habitat.
We will have two nights to enjoy the relaxing, lovely surrounds of our riverside lodge near Shakawe, Botswana. The extensive reed beds in this sea of papyrus are directly adjacent to our lodge, and home to a wide variety of herons, egrets, bee-eaters, and kingfishers, as well as birds with more limited distribution like Chirping and Luapula Cisticolas, Hartlaub’s Babbler, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver. The adjacent woodlands host a different sort of avifauna, including Green Woodhoopoe, Swamp Boubou, Brown Firefinch along with various other waxbills and finches, Swamp Boubou, and much else. A number of rare or difficult species are regular here, such as the highly sought-after giant ginger owl, Pel’s Fishing-Owl, as well as White-backed Night-Heron. We will have a boat trip on the Okavango here to search for these and others and to enjoy the vastness and beauty of the swamps.
Day 6, Fri, August 22: Shakawe, Botswana, to Divundu, Namibi
After another lovely morning birding around our lodge and another lovely breakfast, we will take the short drive back to the border crossing and cross back into Namibia, where we will hit the ground running in the Mahango Sector of Bwabwata National Park.
Mahango is where the river begins its splendid outpouring into the sands of the Kalahari at the “panhandle” of the Okavango Delta, and we will search the open floodplain for Slaty Egret, Rufous-bellied Heron, Long-toed Lapwing, Saddle-billed Stork, and the regal Wattled Crane. More common are birds like African Jacana, African Wattled Lapwing, and Black Egret. Along the river-edge forest we will begin seeing Meve’s Starlings, oxpeckers, sunbirds, and raptors. The park is also an excellent one for mammals, and we may come across Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, and there is the possibility of seeing rare or locally distributed antelope like Roan, Sable, and Red Lechwe.
We will leave the park in the afternoon to head to our riverside lodge nearby, where we will have one more afternoon to enjoy the riches of the Okavango and the adjacent riparian forest.
Mahango is where the river begins its splendid outpouring into the sands of the Kalahari at the “panhandle” of the Okavango Delta, and we will search the open floodplain for Slaty Egret, Rufous-bellied Heron, Long-toed Lapwing, Saddle-billed Stork, and the regal Wattled Crane. More common are birds like African Jacana, African Wattled Lapwing, and Black Egret. Along the river-edge forest we will begin seeing Meve’s Starlings, oxpeckers, sunbirds, and raptors. The park is also an excellent one for mammals, and we may come across Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, and there is the possibility of seeing rare or locally distributed antelope like Roan, Sable, and Red Lechwe.
We will leave the park in the afternoon to head to our riverside lodge nearby, where we will have one more afternoon to enjoy the riches of the Okavango and the adjacent riparian forest.
Day 7, Sat, August 23, Divundu to Rundu
The drive today will parallel the Okavango River along the border with Angola, passing through extensive broad-leaved woodland. We will make stops in the woodland habitat to look for mixed flocks that could hold Rufous-bellied and Southern Black Tits, African Penduline-Tit, Greencap Eremomela, and Golden-breasted Bunting. We may have a chance to look for the rare Souza’s Shrike and Sharp-tailed Starling as well.
We will stop along the way as we encounter raptors, mixed flocks, or other interesting birds, before ending at yet another Okavango River edge lodge near the town of Rundu, where we will be able to look across the river into Angola.
We will stop along the way as we encounter raptors, mixed flocks, or other interesting birds, before ending at yet another Okavango River edge lodge near the town of Rundu, where we will be able to look across the river into Angola.
Days 8 to 12, Sun-Thu, August 24 to 28. Etosha National Park. Nights at three different lodge
We will have a final morning to again enjoy the river and the diversity it harbors—the last time we will see flowing water until we make it to the Atlantic Coast near the tour’s end. Leaving the lodge, we will head south and west and see the habitat get more arid and the birdlife change, until we finish the day in the mopane woodlands and dry scrub and grassland at the east edge of the great Etosha National Park. We will be keeping our eyes out along the road for raptors like Brown and Black-chested Snake-Eagles, Pale Chanting Goshawk, and Lanner Falcon.
With four full days of safari in Etosha, we will be able to take our time and explore the backroads of this amazing place. We will visit all of the various habitats of the park, including the Etosha Pan and Andoni plains. There is much to see here, including a variety of bustards (Kori Bustard is downright common), francolins, coursers, eagles, hawks, and vultures. Small birds abound, too, and we’ll seek out the many larks, cisticolas, weavers, and finches that make the park home.
Among the target birds will be Kori Bustard, Blue Crane, Pink-billed Lark, Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark, Martial Eagle, Namaqua and Burchell’s Sandgrouse, and Double-banded and Burchell’s Coursers. Mammals are incredibly abundant, especially herds of Sprinkbok, Oryx, Impala, and Zebra. With such an abundance of prey, predators are also numerous; Etosha is one of the best places anywhere to see Lions, though seeing Leopard and Cheetah will take considerably more luck. It’s also a great place to see the rare Black Rhinoceros, Elephant, Giraffe, and a variety of mongoose, and we may get lucky with something like Honey Badger, Cape Fox, or other smaller beasts.
Birding around the camps can yield an excellent variety of woodland birds, including Southern White-crowned Shrike, Violet Woodhoopoe, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Carp’s Tit, woodpeckers, and sometimes the camp staff knows where African Scops-Owl and other owls are roosting. Many birds join the mammals in visiting the camp waterholes, making them a great place to sit with a beverage and watch what comes in, day or night. The same waterholes at the camps are worthy of nighttime vigils, when Elephants, Rhinos, and Lions sometimes come to quench their thirst. Fiery-necked Nightjars often pay nighttime visits to the waterholes as well.
With four full days of safari in Etosha, we will be able to take our time and explore the backroads of this amazing place. We will visit all of the various habitats of the park, including the Etosha Pan and Andoni plains. There is much to see here, including a variety of bustards (Kori Bustard is downright common), francolins, coursers, eagles, hawks, and vultures. Small birds abound, too, and we’ll seek out the many larks, cisticolas, weavers, and finches that make the park home.
Among the target birds will be Kori Bustard, Blue Crane, Pink-billed Lark, Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark, Martial Eagle, Namaqua and Burchell’s Sandgrouse, and Double-banded and Burchell’s Coursers. Mammals are incredibly abundant, especially herds of Sprinkbok, Oryx, Impala, and Zebra. With such an abundance of prey, predators are also numerous; Etosha is one of the best places anywhere to see Lions, though seeing Leopard and Cheetah will take considerably more luck. It’s also a great place to see the rare Black Rhinoceros, Elephant, Giraffe, and a variety of mongoose, and we may get lucky with something like Honey Badger, Cape Fox, or other smaller beasts.
Birding around the camps can yield an excellent variety of woodland birds, including Southern White-crowned Shrike, Violet Woodhoopoe, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Carp’s Tit, woodpeckers, and sometimes the camp staff knows where African Scops-Owl and other owls are roosting. Many birds join the mammals in visiting the camp waterholes, making them a great place to sit with a beverage and watch what comes in, day or night. The same waterholes at the camps are worthy of nighttime vigils, when Elephants, Rhinos, and Lions sometimes come to quench their thirst. Fiery-necked Nightjars often pay nighttime visits to the waterholes as well.
Days 13 to 14, Fri-Sat, August 29 and30, Erongo Mountains
We will have a final morning with the Etosha megafauna, maybe one last visit with the local elephant herd, before continuing south through the desert scrub, emerging in the beautiful surrounds of the Erongo Mountains, an ancient range that is now a series of large granite dome-like hills.
As the early morning light strikes the rocks, we will be ready, waiting to chase down raucous coveys of Hartlaub’s Francolins. We will also be looking hard for the other boulder-loving birds, like the charismatic White-tailed Shrike and the enigmatic Rockrunner. After a scrumptious breakfast while we watch flocks of Rosy-faced Lovebirds coming in for a drink at the bird baths, we will venture down to the sandy riverbeds in search of cackling Violet Woodhoopoes, Damara Hornbills, and Rüppell’s Parrots. Although afternoon birding can be quiet, imitating Pearl-spotted Owlet can liven things up with responses from Southern Pied-Babbler, Dusky Sunbird, African Hoopoe, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, and possibly even the owlet itself. With luck, one of the anna trees will hold Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and sometimes large mammals, including Giraffe and Oryx, can be found walking along the riverbed.
As the early morning light strikes the rocks, we will be ready, waiting to chase down raucous coveys of Hartlaub’s Francolins. We will also be looking hard for the other boulder-loving birds, like the charismatic White-tailed Shrike and the enigmatic Rockrunner. After a scrumptious breakfast while we watch flocks of Rosy-faced Lovebirds coming in for a drink at the bird baths, we will venture down to the sandy riverbeds in search of cackling Violet Woodhoopoes, Damara Hornbills, and Rüppell’s Parrots. Although afternoon birding can be quiet, imitating Pearl-spotted Owlet can liven things up with responses from Southern Pied-Babbler, Dusky Sunbird, African Hoopoe, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, and possibly even the owlet itself. With luck, one of the anna trees will hold Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and sometimes large mammals, including Giraffe and Oryx, can be found walking along the riverbed.
Day 15, Sun, August 31, Erongo Mountains to Swakopmund
After some early morning birding, perhaps one last chance to enjoy the beautiful, bubbly song of Rockrunner and the raucous calls of Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, we will set out for the coast. Before we get there, we will stop in at the impressive granite peak of Spitzkoppe. The base of the mountain is one of the best places to find the local Namib Escarpment endemic Herero Chat. The plains around the mountain are home to the Namib Desert endemic Rüppel’s Bustard and Karoo Long-billed and Stark’s Larks.
After enjoying a picnic lunch here, we will make our way to the charming town of Swakopmund, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where we will spend the night. If we have time in the afternoon, we will head out to look for the remarkable Gray’s Lark, which inhabits the inhospitable gravel plains of this region, and get our first taste of coastal waterbirds, including Greater and Lesser Flamingos and up to four species of cormorants: Cape, Crowned, White-breasted, and Bank.
After enjoying a picnic lunch here, we will make our way to the charming town of Swakopmund, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where we will spend the night. If we have time in the afternoon, we will head out to look for the remarkable Gray’s Lark, which inhabits the inhospitable gravel plains of this region, and get our first taste of coastal waterbirds, including Greater and Lesser Flamingos and up to four species of cormorants: Cape, Crowned, White-breasted, and Bank.
Day 16, Mon, September 1, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay
As we make our way south from Swakopmund, Namibia’s famous red sand dunes will come into focus, with the dunes on the east side of the road and the Atlantic Ocean on the west side. Here we will explore the fascinating and famous Walvis Bay lagoon. We will bird the lagoon’s edge, where the waters are tinged pink with Greater and Lesser Flamingos. Large pelican formations dot the lagoon, which vast flocks of terns and shorebirds call home.
At the start of September, over-wintering shorebirds will start to be joined by migrants from the north. Among the more common birds like Hartlaub’s and Kelp Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, White-fronted Plover, and Great Crested Tern, we will keep a sharp eye out for the rarer Chestnut-banded Plover, Damara Tern, Eurasian Curlew, and Bar-tailed Godwit. The backdrop of the desert dunes makes for dramatic scenery. We will also be sure to devote some time to exploring the edge of the dunes themselves in search of Namibia’s one true endemic bird, the Dune Lark, and other organisms that eke out a living in one of the world’s harshest environments.
At the start of September, over-wintering shorebirds will start to be joined by migrants from the north. Among the more common birds like Hartlaub’s and Kelp Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, White-fronted Plover, and Great Crested Tern, we will keep a sharp eye out for the rarer Chestnut-banded Plover, Damara Tern, Eurasian Curlew, and Bar-tailed Godwit. The backdrop of the desert dunes makes for dramatic scenery. We will also be sure to devote some time to exploring the edge of the dunes themselves in search of Namibia’s one true endemic bird, the Dune Lark, and other organisms that eke out a living in one of the world’s harshest environments.
Day 17, Tue, September 2, Departure from Walvis Bay
Today is a departure day, and we will be sad to say goodbye to the desert and our incredible African adventure. Our schedule will be dictated by the flight times, but if we have some time for birding in the morning, we will take advantage of that.
Number of bird species expected: 300 to 325.
Additional Details:
Leopard. Photo by Josh Engel.
Services Included:
Price does not include
Payments:
1. $500.00 due to reserve spot on trip.
2. Half of cost (less $500) due by November 15, 2024
3. Full payment must be made by March 1, 2025
*The final payment would include your single supplement payment if applicable
** Some hotels may have limited single rooms available, so sharing will be required. The tour price may change slightly at the time of the final payment due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by November 15, 2024 a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative and all credit card fees). If notice of cancellation is received between November 16, 2024 and February 1, 2025 a 50% refund of the fees paid to date will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a refund will be given less any non-refundable payments made to the local company. Please contact Adam Betuel if you have any questions regarding the non-refundable payment schedule.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within 1 to 2 weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
- A Birds Georgia, Red Hill Birding, and local guide
- All meals (including soft drinks and bottled water), from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 17
- Transportation in a custom-modified vehicle designed for birding and wildlife trips with a Namibian driver
- All accommodations during that period
- Boat trips and all other activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for local drivers and boat captains
- All entrance fees
- Taxes
Price does not include
- Costs of obtaining passports/visas
- All airfare and any accompanying baggage fees
- Snacks, beverages, room service, or sightseeing not specified in itinerary (night drives)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Souvenirs
- Laundry
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Medical costs and any testing should it be required
- Gratuities for birding guides (Red Hill and local guide - optional)
- Phone/Personal communications
- Extra costs associated with unexpected route changes
- Any other incidentals that participants may wish to purchase
Payments:
1. $500.00 due to reserve spot on trip.
2. Half of cost (less $500) due by November 15, 2024
3. Full payment must be made by March 1, 2025
*The final payment would include your single supplement payment if applicable
** Some hotels may have limited single rooms available, so sharing will be required. The tour price may change slightly at the time of the final payment due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by November 15, 2024 a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative and all credit card fees). If notice of cancellation is received between November 16, 2024 and February 1, 2025 a 50% refund of the fees paid to date will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a refund will be given less any non-refundable payments made to the local company. Please contact Adam Betuel if you have any questions regarding the non-refundable payment schedule.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within 1 to 2 weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
Photos by Josh Engel.
Additional information:
Timing:
The trip will begin in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on Sunday, August 17, 2025. This is an arrival day, with no activities planned, though we will do some birding if people’s flights arrive in time. The trip will end in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. It is a 16-night, 17-day trip. Most, if not all, international flights to Victoria Falls and back from Walvis Bay will connect through South Africa.
If you would like help planning activities before or after the trip, we would be happy to help make those arrangements. You may need to spend a night in Johannesburg or Cape Town before the arrival day—we can help with hotel reservations and airport transfers. We cannot book international flights for you; however, we are happy to give advice on routes and timing. Usually, the best routing from the United States is through Johannesburg, South Africa.
Passport and visa information:
It is always best to check on the latest visa and passport information before you travel. Please contact us if you have any concerns. As of this writing, Americans do not need visas in advance to travel to Namibia, Botswana, or South Africa. They do need a visa, available upon arrival and paid in U.S. Dollars cash, for Zimbabwe. You will need two consecutive blank passport pages and your passport must be valid for six months after your scheduled departure.
Physical difficulty:
This trip is physically easy. Most of our walking will be on flat trails or on roads, and while we may be on our feet for extensive periods, we will be walking at a “birding pace.” Much of our birding will be done along roads, driving and stopping frequently. The paved roads in Namibia are excellent. They are adequate to excellent in Botswana, though not as good on average as in Namibia. We will also extensively be on good gravel roads, especially in Namibia. We will stop at real bathrooms as frequently as possible, but at times only bushes will be available.
Pace:
The pace of the trip is moderate. A typical day will have us up early to catch the peak early morning bird activity. Some days will have us returning for breakfast at the lodge where we are staying; some breakfasts will be in the field. Lunches will sometimes be picnics and sometimes will be at restaurants along the way. Some days we will be in the field all day, other days will afford us the opportunity for an afternoon siesta. There are quite a few long drives (several that are 3 to 5 hours, a couple are even longer) on this trip, which we will break up with birding, bathroom, and lunch stops. There will be some nights where we have the option of making short excursions to look for owls, nightjars, and nocturnal animals. We will compile our daily checklist, which your guide will provide at the beginning of the tour, at dinner.
Hotels:
The hotels we use in Namibia and Botswana are generally excellent. We aim for small hotels that provide the best value and are near our birding destinations. All have en suite bathrooms, hot showers, electrical outlets for charging electronics, good service, and some have air conditioning (which will most likely be unnecessary on this wintertime tour). Most hotels, except for those in the national parks, have free wireless internet (though often only available in common areas); it can also be slow and unreliable at times. Electrical outlets are “Type M”, with three large round prongs, that is unique to Southern Africa.
Money:
The Namibian currency is the Namibian Dollar, which is tied in value to the South African Rand. Rands are accepted as normal currency in Namibia. You can easily change money upon arrival at the airport in Johannesburg. Alternatively, ATMs are available in towns and accept most American debit cards. The U.S. Dollar is the official currency of Zimbabwe. The currency in Botswana in the Pula. In the hotels in Botswana where we stay, you can use South African Rands (and maybe US Dollars), since opportunities to get Pula will be few. Credit cards, especially Mastercard and Visa, are widely accepted.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities on this tour are excellent. That said, this is primarily a birdwatching tour, so while there will be many excellent opportunities for photography along the way, we will not be making special considerations for photographers. If you are a photographer, you are sure to go home with many great photos.
Weather:
This trip is scheduled to coincide with the region’s dry, cool winter season. The weather will generally be mild and comfortable, with nighttime temperatures as low as the 40s and the high temperature possibly as high as 80° in places. Typical early morning temperatures will be in the upper 40s to 60s and typical daytime highs will be in the 70s-80s. Rain is very unlikely. The dirt roads get dusty at this time of year.
Food:
The food is generally of a very high standard on this tour. The food has strong European influences, so is generally familiar to Americans. There will be opportunities to sample more distinctly Southern African foods and drinks, such as local seafood, boerwors, pap, game meat, Rooibos tea, and South African wine. Lunches will often be taken into the field with us. Vegetarian and other dietary restrictions are easily accommodated; Please contact Adam Betuel by email to discuss your needs before registering if you think there could be an issue. Snacks can be easily purchased at gas stations and elsewhere, but if there’s a particular birding snack you like at home, feel free to bring some along.
Seating:
A seating rotation will be implemented to make sure people have an opportunity to sit in various spots in the vehicle. If you struggle with sitting in the back or get motion sickness, come prepared. If you cannot abide by the seat rotation, please do not register.
Packing considerations:
You will generally want to wear comfortable, lightweight clothing, with layers for the sometimes dramatic changes of temperature as the day progresses. The dress for the tour is entirely casual. Long pants and long sleeved shirts are recommended for protection from the sun and to be prepared for various weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, but hiking boots or rubber boots are not necessary. A warm jacket or heavy sweater and a warm hat for cold mornings are also important. Some lodges having swimming pools, so a bathing suit is recommended if you think you might take advantage. There will be opportunities to do laundry along the way.
In terms of gear, apart from the usual binoculars, hat, field guide, etc., a flashlight or head lamp is very useful. Most people appreciate having a camera along. Sunscreen and bug repellant are useful, although mosquitoes and other biting insects are not a problem on this dry season tour.
Health considerations:
Please consult a doctor before making any decisions regarding vaccines, anti-malarial prophylaxis, or other health decisions regarding traveling.
The Kavango Region of Namibia and northern Botswana, where we will be for six nights, is a malaria risk area. Malaria is a potentially dangerous disease carried by mosquitoes. Even though this is a dry season trip and mosquitoes will be scarce, we recommend that you take prophylaxis as well as taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites such as wearing long sleeves and insect repellant.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that visitors to Namibia and Botswana have vaccines against Typhoid and Hepatitis A in addition to “routine vaccines.” Please visit their website for more information.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/namibia
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/botswana
Resources
The best bird field guide for this region is The Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair and Phil Hockey. Our favorite mammal guide is Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa by Chris Stuart and Mathilde Stuart. There are also regional snake, reptile, frog, and butterfly field guides, among others.
There is no general natural history guide for Namibia or Botswana. However there are some books that provide in-depth information about safari ecosystems, like we will experience in some places, especially Richard Estes’s The Safari Companion. There are also no general “common plant” guides. However, there are and some good more specific plant books, such as and the van Wyks’ Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa.
There are not many general interest books about the region. An interesting book that takes place in Namibia is The Sheltering Desert by Henno Martin. An excellent book about South African history is A History of South Africa by Leonard Thompson, which includes some of Namibia’s history as well. Whatever you do, Don’t Run is a fun book of safari stories by a Peter Alison, a guide in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Many people know of Botswana from the The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. Lonely Planet’s Namibia and Botswana is a good general travel guide.
The trip will begin in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on Sunday, August 17, 2025. This is an arrival day, with no activities planned, though we will do some birding if people’s flights arrive in time. The trip will end in Walvis Bay, Namibia, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. It is a 16-night, 17-day trip. Most, if not all, international flights to Victoria Falls and back from Walvis Bay will connect through South Africa.
If you would like help planning activities before or after the trip, we would be happy to help make those arrangements. You may need to spend a night in Johannesburg or Cape Town before the arrival day—we can help with hotel reservations and airport transfers. We cannot book international flights for you; however, we are happy to give advice on routes and timing. Usually, the best routing from the United States is through Johannesburg, South Africa.
Passport and visa information:
It is always best to check on the latest visa and passport information before you travel. Please contact us if you have any concerns. As of this writing, Americans do not need visas in advance to travel to Namibia, Botswana, or South Africa. They do need a visa, available upon arrival and paid in U.S. Dollars cash, for Zimbabwe. You will need two consecutive blank passport pages and your passport must be valid for six months after your scheduled departure.
Physical difficulty:
This trip is physically easy. Most of our walking will be on flat trails or on roads, and while we may be on our feet for extensive periods, we will be walking at a “birding pace.” Much of our birding will be done along roads, driving and stopping frequently. The paved roads in Namibia are excellent. They are adequate to excellent in Botswana, though not as good on average as in Namibia. We will also extensively be on good gravel roads, especially in Namibia. We will stop at real bathrooms as frequently as possible, but at times only bushes will be available.
Pace:
The pace of the trip is moderate. A typical day will have us up early to catch the peak early morning bird activity. Some days will have us returning for breakfast at the lodge where we are staying; some breakfasts will be in the field. Lunches will sometimes be picnics and sometimes will be at restaurants along the way. Some days we will be in the field all day, other days will afford us the opportunity for an afternoon siesta. There are quite a few long drives (several that are 3 to 5 hours, a couple are even longer) on this trip, which we will break up with birding, bathroom, and lunch stops. There will be some nights where we have the option of making short excursions to look for owls, nightjars, and nocturnal animals. We will compile our daily checklist, which your guide will provide at the beginning of the tour, at dinner.
Hotels:
The hotels we use in Namibia and Botswana are generally excellent. We aim for small hotels that provide the best value and are near our birding destinations. All have en suite bathrooms, hot showers, electrical outlets for charging electronics, good service, and some have air conditioning (which will most likely be unnecessary on this wintertime tour). Most hotels, except for those in the national parks, have free wireless internet (though often only available in common areas); it can also be slow and unreliable at times. Electrical outlets are “Type M”, with three large round prongs, that is unique to Southern Africa.
Money:
The Namibian currency is the Namibian Dollar, which is tied in value to the South African Rand. Rands are accepted as normal currency in Namibia. You can easily change money upon arrival at the airport in Johannesburg. Alternatively, ATMs are available in towns and accept most American debit cards. The U.S. Dollar is the official currency of Zimbabwe. The currency in Botswana in the Pula. In the hotels in Botswana where we stay, you can use South African Rands (and maybe US Dollars), since opportunities to get Pula will be few. Credit cards, especially Mastercard and Visa, are widely accepted.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities on this tour are excellent. That said, this is primarily a birdwatching tour, so while there will be many excellent opportunities for photography along the way, we will not be making special considerations for photographers. If you are a photographer, you are sure to go home with many great photos.
Weather:
This trip is scheduled to coincide with the region’s dry, cool winter season. The weather will generally be mild and comfortable, with nighttime temperatures as low as the 40s and the high temperature possibly as high as 80° in places. Typical early morning temperatures will be in the upper 40s to 60s and typical daytime highs will be in the 70s-80s. Rain is very unlikely. The dirt roads get dusty at this time of year.
Food:
The food is generally of a very high standard on this tour. The food has strong European influences, so is generally familiar to Americans. There will be opportunities to sample more distinctly Southern African foods and drinks, such as local seafood, boerwors, pap, game meat, Rooibos tea, and South African wine. Lunches will often be taken into the field with us. Vegetarian and other dietary restrictions are easily accommodated; Please contact Adam Betuel by email to discuss your needs before registering if you think there could be an issue. Snacks can be easily purchased at gas stations and elsewhere, but if there’s a particular birding snack you like at home, feel free to bring some along.
Seating:
A seating rotation will be implemented to make sure people have an opportunity to sit in various spots in the vehicle. If you struggle with sitting in the back or get motion sickness, come prepared. If you cannot abide by the seat rotation, please do not register.
Packing considerations:
You will generally want to wear comfortable, lightweight clothing, with layers for the sometimes dramatic changes of temperature as the day progresses. The dress for the tour is entirely casual. Long pants and long sleeved shirts are recommended for protection from the sun and to be prepared for various weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, but hiking boots or rubber boots are not necessary. A warm jacket or heavy sweater and a warm hat for cold mornings are also important. Some lodges having swimming pools, so a bathing suit is recommended if you think you might take advantage. There will be opportunities to do laundry along the way.
In terms of gear, apart from the usual binoculars, hat, field guide, etc., a flashlight or head lamp is very useful. Most people appreciate having a camera along. Sunscreen and bug repellant are useful, although mosquitoes and other biting insects are not a problem on this dry season tour.
Health considerations:
Please consult a doctor before making any decisions regarding vaccines, anti-malarial prophylaxis, or other health decisions regarding traveling.
The Kavango Region of Namibia and northern Botswana, where we will be for six nights, is a malaria risk area. Malaria is a potentially dangerous disease carried by mosquitoes. Even though this is a dry season trip and mosquitoes will be scarce, we recommend that you take prophylaxis as well as taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites such as wearing long sleeves and insect repellant.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that visitors to Namibia and Botswana have vaccines against Typhoid and Hepatitis A in addition to “routine vaccines.” Please visit their website for more information.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/namibia
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/botswana
Resources
The best bird field guide for this region is The Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair and Phil Hockey. Our favorite mammal guide is Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa by Chris Stuart and Mathilde Stuart. There are also regional snake, reptile, frog, and butterfly field guides, among others.
There is no general natural history guide for Namibia or Botswana. However there are some books that provide in-depth information about safari ecosystems, like we will experience in some places, especially Richard Estes’s The Safari Companion. There are also no general “common plant” guides. However, there are and some good more specific plant books, such as and the van Wyks’ Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa.
There are not many general interest books about the region. An interesting book that takes place in Namibia is The Sheltering Desert by Henno Martin. An excellent book about South African history is A History of South Africa by Leonard Thompson, which includes some of Namibia’s history as well. Whatever you do, Don’t Run is a fun book of safari stories by a Peter Alison, a guide in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Many people know of Botswana from the The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. Lonely Planet’s Namibia and Botswana is a good general travel guide.
