Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls Tue 14th Sat 25th Mar 2017

Transcription

1 Limosa Holidays Trip Report Botswana & Zambia Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls Tue 14th Sat 25th Mar 2017 Trip photos (clockwise from top): African Wild Dogs & Zebra Zambezi sunset African Pygmy Geese Leopard Rackettailed Rollers tour leader Joe Grosel Report compiled by tour leader: Joe Grosel Limosa Holidays, West End Farmhouse, Chapelfield, Stalham Norfolk NR12 9EJ tel: +44 (0) fax: +44 (0) website:

2 Botswana & Zambia Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls Day 1. The tour started with an overnight flight to Johannesburg and a morning connection to the town of Livingstone in Zambia. After completing the customs and immigration formalities we were collected and transferred to our lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, some 20km west of Livingstone. Lunch at the lodge was frequently interrupted by sightings of birds seen from the veranda. Our first species seen in the lodge grounds included some real beauties such as White-fronted Bee-eater, Village Weaver, Meves s Starling, African Pied Wagtail, Blue Waxbill and Brown-hooded Kingfisher while African White-backed, Hooded and Whiteheaded Vultures were seen soaring high overhead. After afternoon tea, we were transferred to a jetty where we boarded a boat for an afternoon cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, a few kilometres upstream of the Victoria Falls. A party of noisy Trumpeter Hornbills in the fruiting trees above the boat were the first of many wonderful birds seen on the cruise. Others included Hamerkop, Striated, Rufous-bellied, Goliath and Black Heron (performing its umbrella hunting behaviour), Natal Spurfowl, Water Thick-knee, White-crowned and African Wattled Lapwing, Little Bee-eater and Malachite Kingfisher. Sundowners (which became a daily ritual on this tour) were enjoyed on a small palm-fringed island from which several groups of Hippo were seen getting ready for their nocturnal feeding excursions while groups of African Palm Swifts circled overhead. On the island itself a handsome Dickinson s Kestrel was photographed, while some of the group got to see Collared Palm- Thrush and the local race of Olive Woodpecker. A stunning sunset over the Zambezi with the ever-present plume of vapour above Victoria Falls was the perfect way to end the cruise and the first day of the tour. Day 2. A pre-breakfast walk down one of the roads near the lodge gave us good looks at White-browed Sparrow- Weaver, Collared Sunbird, White-winged Widowbird, Holub s Golden Weaver, Grey-headed Bushshrike, African Golden Oriole, African Goshawk (for some), Golden-breasted Bunting and an interesting mammal in the form of a Mauritian Tomb Bat, roosting up against the wall of a barn near the lodge. Following a fine breakfast we were transferred to Victoria Falls where we walked along several paved trails to do some birding and to admire the spectacular views of the falls. Due to the high water volume coming over the falls, the spray made it virtually impossible to venture beyond the first few lookout points, however the frolicking Chacma Baboons, large flocks of Marabou Storks and beautiful Schalow s Turacos kept us suitably entertained during our visit there. A quick venture into one of the nearby hotel grounds provided an interesting sighting of a Boomslang moving through the trees with a pair of Black-backed Puffbacks in close attendance. After the falls experience we were collected and taken back to our lodge for lunch before heading off to the Botswana border, crossing the Zambezi River at the Kazungula border post, where African Mourning Dove and Northern Greyheaded Sparrow were added to the bird list. Once in Botswana we drove through a section of the Chobe National Park to Chobe Elephant Camp with its lovely views of the Chobe river floodplains and Namibia s Caprivi Strip in the distance. Some noteworthy birds and mammals seen en-route included, Lilac-breasted Roller, African Harrier-Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, Red-crested Korhaan, Southern Ground Hornbill, several herds of African Elephant, Impala, Giraffe and African Buffalo. On arrival at the Lodge we were greeted with a welcoming song by the lodge staff before enjoying another superb sundowner from the swimming pool deck. Day 3. After an early wake-up call and breakfast we hopped into an open safari vehicle and headed out into Chobe National Park for the day. The first mammals were a pair of delightful little Bat-eared Foxes, seen just as we left the lodge grounds. At the entrance gate we were welcomed by a beautiful little African Barred Owlet and several Scarlet-chested Sunbirds feeding among the pink flowers of the impressive Zambezi Teak trees. Other birds seen in the teak woodlands once we entered the park were White-crested Helmet-Shrike, Amethyst Sunbird, African Hoopoe, African Grey Hornbill, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Cape Starling and Yellowfronted Canary. Out of the woodlands and into the shrubland thickets leading down to the Chobe River, many Palearctic migrants were encountered with Spotted Flycatcher, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike, European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Icterine and Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Kestrel seen on several occasions. Heading closer to the river a small herd of Impala were looking suspiciously alert and no sooner had we stopped to take a closer look when a young male leopard was spotted. Unfortunately for him the Impala caught wind of his presence and took off. The big cat then gave us excellent views as he strode out across the road in front of our vehicle. What a great sighting! Further along the route down the Chobe riverfront a good variety of aquatic birds was seen including White-faced Whistling Duck, African Sacred Ibis, African Jacana, Spur-winged Goose, Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets, African 2 Limosa Holidays

3 Spoonbill and rather unexpectedly two Pink-backed Pelican. Raptors seen along this stretch were Tawny Eagle, Bateleur, Osprey, Secretarybird and numerous African Fish Eagles. Throughout the morning numerous mammal sightings were enjoyed of species such as African Elephant, Hippo, Slender Mongoose, Red Lechwe, Greater Kudu, Warthog, Sable Antelope, Giraffe, Zebra and two Honey Badgers (fleeting views). At around midday we were treated to a great picnic lunch while being watched by the likes of Vervet Monkeys, Smith s Bush (tree) Squirrels, Grey-backed Cameropteras and White-browed Robin Chats. After lunch we drove to the town of Kasane and boarded a boat to take in the animals and sights of the Chobe River. Great mammal and reptile sightings were enjoyed from the comfort of the safari boat with close-up views of Elephant herds coming to drink, basking Nile Crocodiles, Hippo on land and in the water, several Nile Monitor Lizards and a variety of antelope. Broad-billed Roller, African Darter, Pygmy Goose, African Marsh Harrier, Long-toed Lapwing, Red Bishop, Luapula Cisticola, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Black Heron were some of the noteworthy species seen during the cruise. After this eventful excursion we headed back to our lodge for a lovely dinner then bed, listening to the nocturnal sounds of Spotted Hyena and Lion in the distance. Day 4. The day started with an early breakfast and another morning mammal drive with the highlight being a herd of approximately 250 Buffalo crossing the road and surrounding the vehicle with both Red-billed and Yellowbilled Oxpeckers in attendance. In the tall teak woodlands we encountered what was probably the bird of the day, Racket-tailed Roller. A small family group of these rather elusive rollers entertained us for quite some time along with other woodland specials such as Purple-banded Sunbird, African Black Flycatcher, Yellowthroated Petronia, African Yellow White-eye, Green Woodhoopoe and Cardinal Woodpecker. In the riverine sections along the Chobe River we recorded amongst others; Levaillant s, Jacobin and Klaas s Cuckoos, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, White-browed Coucal, Tropical Boubou, Red-billed Spurfowl and Village Indigobird. Many more, good mammal and bird sightings were enjoyed in the park before returning to camp for lunch and a well-earned siesta. During the afternoon session we took a short drive to an area below the camp consisting of Acacia shrubland. Here a host of new birds were seen such as Brown Snake Eagle, Longtailed Paradise Whydah, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Crested Barbet, Red-billed Firefinch, Shikra, White-crowned Shrike, Green-winged Pytilia, Arrow-marked Babbler, Long-billed Crombec and a pair of Pearl-spotted Owlets. On the way back to the lodge some adventure was added to the afternoon activity when we had to do some road building in a section of the track that had been badly eroded by the recent heavy rains. Despite the rough terrain our driver and guide Joel Body did very well in getting us back to the lodge in time for the obligatory sundowners on the deck. After dinner the staff of the lodge entertained the group with some traditional Tswana songs after which we marvelled at the brilliant night sky before turning in. Day 5. A pre-breakfast birding walk around the lodge area produced Striped Kingfisher, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Rattling Cisticola, White-browed Scrub Robin, and a very vocal but shy Thrush Nightingale in the car park. At the Kasane Airport we boarded two light aircraft and took a very scenic flight from the Chobe area into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Many large mammals including elephant, hippo and buffalo were seen from the air. After landing on a typical Okavango airstrip we were collected by the guides from the Delta Camp and taken to the lodge in traditional dugout canoes called Mokoros. The delta had received an unprecedented amount of water for this time of the year due to heavy, early rains in the catchment areas and in the delta itself. All this water resulted in the channels being choked by touch hippo grass so the Mokoro polers had a difficult task in steering their long vessels. Delta Camp is a beautifully appointed safari lodge situated on Palm Island with separate units overlooking the Boro and Metsematsweu channels. These channels were more like flooded grasslands which provided excellent habitat for the likes of Allen s Gallinule which were abundant in the area. Other species seen from the main deck of the lodge during lunch and afternoon tea were Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Chirping Cisticola, Lesser Moorhen and Pygmy Goose. In the late afternoon we set out to find one of the Okavango s most sought-after birds, Pel s Fishing Owl. So off we went walking through the tall grass to investigate various dense copses of tall Mahoganies, Ebonies and Sausage trees. At the third such grove a large ginger bird was flushed from the lofty canopy and settled on an open branch for all to see, a stunning Pel s Fishing Owl, possibly the highlight for many on the tour. Mission accomplished, we headed back to the lodge for celebratory sundowners and dinner. Day 6. The dawn chorus in the Okavango is something special in its vociferousness and diversity so most folks were wide awake long before the prearranged wake-up call sounded. After breakfast we were taken across the channel by mokoro to one of the large islands that make up the Moremi Reserve. Here we took a leisurely walk amongst the Baboons, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and Impala. A good variety of birds were also seen including Dickinson s Kestrel, Bennett s Woodpecker, Black-bellied Bustard, Crowned Lapwing, Common Buzzard, Brubru and Magpie Shrike. Back at the lodge there was another tasty lunch set out for us while the 3 Limosa Holidays

4 kitchen staff guarded the buffet against thieving Vervet Monkeys. During the heat of the day two large elephant bulls paid the camp a visit and even shared the path connecting the chalets and the dining area with some of the tour participants! Our afternoon walk on the island was cut short due to a looming thunderstorm so we did some relaxed birding from the lounge deck from where Little Bee-eater, Black and Coppery-tailed Coucals, Woodland Kingfisher and Wire-tailed Swallows were watched and photographed. As usual, dinner was a cheerful affair with much chatting and storytelling before we were serenaded to bed by African Scops Owls and Fiery-necked Nightjars. Day 7. The day started with some birding along the main camp path, which gave us lovely looks at a very obliging Verreaux s Eagle Owl with its pink eye-shadow. Other species seen, were Swamp Boubou, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Bearded Woodpecker, Kurrichane Thrush, Common Waxbill and soaring Saddle-billed Stork. During breakfast, we were richly entertained by a few, greedy Black-collared Barbets and Golden Weavers, who made short work of a pear that was put out for them; then a family of Arrow-marked Babblers noisily splashed about in the small birdbath. After all this activity we were back in the mokoros as we made our way back to the airstrip from where we were flown to the Khwai Safari Concession on the far-eastern edge of the Okavango Delta. Large parts of the Khwai area were flooded so after another scenic flight across the delta we were obligated to land at an airstrip that was dry! This one was situated some 25km from our lodge. As we were preparing to get into the vehicle which would ferry us to the lodge, a Tsessebe bull came walking down the landing strip, causing an incoming plane to abort its landing at the last second. Once the antelope was chased off, air traffic control returned to normality. The drive to the lodge was quite bracing with some very deep, water crossings and some very muddy ditches that were expertly negotiated by our driver. Once we were settled into out lovely accommodation at the Sango Safari Lodge we were informed that most of the safari area was inaccessible due to the high water levels. Even the lodge swimming pool was under water and the normally dry areas directly in front of the lodge where now home to hippo and crocodiles. Our local guide Frank however assured us that we would still have a wonderful birding and mammal viewing experience in Khwai! He was right, as less than an hour later we were watching a pack of 12 African Wild Dogs first resting in the shade and then becoming more active, shifting in hunting mode. The dogs gave us excellent views and even returned for another view while we were enjoying sundowners in a large open sodic area. Day 8. We set off nice and early for a morning drive to the dryer parts of the Khwai area in the far north of the concession. En-route the pack of Wild Dogs was again seen but this time the dogs were on the move and soon disappeared into the dense woodlands. The excursion also delivered good numbers of plains animals consisting mainly of Impala, Tsessebe, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog and a few of the smaller mammals such as Dwarf and Banded Mongoose. New trip birds included Wahlberg s and Martial Eagles, Buffy Pipit, Namaqua Dove, Double-banded Sandgrouse and Common Scimitarbill. During the afternoon drive we had a close encounter with a very docile bull elephant while the birding highlights came in the form of several Dwarf Bittern of which we got excellent views and Yellow-crowned Bishop males performing their bumble bee-like display flights over a grassy marsh. After sundowners in the bush we did a short night drive back to the lodge, seeing some interesting nocturnal species in the form of Springhare, Lesser (Galago) Bushbaby, Scrub Hare, Bronze-winged Courser, Square-tailed Nightjar and Verreaux s Eagle-Owl. Day 9. Another early start with coffee on the open terrace adjacent to the river whilst watching flocks of water birds flying to a fro along the river course. Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Reed Cormorant, Fulvous Whistling Duck and many others made up the first recorded birds of the day. After the early entertainment we headed out on a drive with the intension of finding some big cats. In the Magotho open camping area a partly eaten Impala carcass was seen hanging in a large Camel Thorn tree only a few meters from a fairly busy campsite. The leopard had to be lying up in one of the nearby thickets waiting for things to quieten down before returning to its kill. After a lengthy search our determination was rewarded when a female leopard was spotted in a clearing moving in the direction of her meal. With cameras clicking away, she passed by the vehicle within a few feet before once again disappearing into a bushy thicket. On the way back to the lodge our guide got word of a lion sighting a few kilometres away so lunch was put on hold while we headed to the site. We got within a few meters of a young male and two adult lionesses lying up in what little shade the small mopani shrubs could offer. Back at camp we had some time off after lunch before we embarked on a drive, which would take us to the fringes of the Khwai River floodplain. En-route we had a hold-up at a narrow wooden bridge where a tourist had misjudged the width of the structure and managed to suspend the large 4-wheel drive over the edge. With great input and willing manpower from the local community the vehicle was manoeuvred back onto the bridge with a combination of proficiency and brute force. When we eventually got across the stream there was some time left in the day for a bit of relaxed birding, resulting in some good sightings of, amongst others, Three-banded 4 Limosa Holidays

5 Plover, Knob-billed Duck, Red-billed and Hottentot Teal, Glossy Ibis, Collared Pratincole and Slaty Egret. At dinner time the Sango Lodge staff entertained us with some fervent song and dance. Day 10. Our final morning started with the lovely sight of an African Openbill hunting mussels and aquatic snails in front of the breakfast area. Other birds seen in the grounds before our departure for the airstrip, were Pearl-spotted Owlet, Black Crake, Senegal Coucal, Grey-headed and Malachite Kingfisher and Black Cuckoo. The drive to the airstrip took us through some pristine Mopani Woodland where we got some great birds with notable species being Stierling s Wren-Warbler, Arnot s Chat, Fawn-coloured Lark and Purple Roller. Once again we had to clear the runway of a few large mammals before the aircraft could make safe landings. The flight to the town of Maun on the southern tip of the delta was a quick one before we had a long wait for our connecting flight to Johannesburg. Rather fittingly for the European-based tour participants our final bird species recorded in Botswana was the humble House Sparrow, seen as we walked across to the waiting plane. Bird Checklist: 251 species Ducks, Geese & Swans Family Anatidae White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata very common and distinctive Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor a small flock flying past on the Khwai River Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis common and widespread Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Seen in the Khwai area Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca very common African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus seen very well at Chobe and in the Okavango Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha small numbers ih the Khwai area Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota small numbers ih the Khwai area Pheasants, Fowl & Allies Family Phasianidae Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena heard and seen in Khwai Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus abundant throughout Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis Seen on an island on the Zambezi River Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii common throughout Grebes Family Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis seen once in the Khwai area Storks Family Ciconiidae Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis seen one the Chobe River African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus good views on the Kwhai Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii big group near Victoria Falls for some Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus good views in the Kwhai area Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis fantastic views in the Okavango Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer big numbers esp at Kasane Ibises, Spoonbills Family Threskiornithidae African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus very common on the Zambezi and smaller numbers throughout Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash common and noisy throughout, especially Zambezi Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus seen once in the Khwai area African Spoonbill Platalea alba seen on our Chobe boat trip Herons, Bitterns Family Ardeidae Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus seen in front of the last camp Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii amazing views in the Khwai Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax several on the Khwai in front of the camp Striated Heron Butorides striata small numbers throughout Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides quite common throughout Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris seen well on a few occasions Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis common Grey Heron Ardea cinerea small numbers Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala seen near Khwai village 5 Limosa Holidays

6 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath this huge bird seen well a few times Purple Heron Ardea purpurea good numbers seen Great Egret Ardea alba quite common throughout Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia great views on the Chobe river Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca small numbers Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula only seen once in the Khwai area Little Egret Egretta garzetta fairly common Hamerkop Family Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta common, and the giant nest was seen too Pelicans Family Pelecanidae Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens two birds seen in the Chobe National Park Cormorants, shags Family Phalacrocoracidae Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus common Anhingas, darters Family Anhingidae African Darter Anhinga rufa common, very good views Secretarybird Family Sagittariidae Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius Seen in the Chobe Park Ospreys Family Pandionidae Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus Seen in the Chobe Park Kites, Hawks & Eagles Family Accipitridae African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus seen on a few occasions Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus small numbers of this small vulture White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus common and seen often in good numbers White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis a few sightings of this special species Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis seen once in the Khwai area Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus Seen in the Chobe Park Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus many seen, almost every day Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus seen in Khwai concession Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina seen in flight by some in the Okavango Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi small numbers throughout Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax small numbers seen well, esp Chobe African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster seen well in the Khwai area Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus seen near Livingstone Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar seen on the last morning African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro seen in the garden of the first lodge Shikra Accipiter badius seen in Chobe African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus seen in the Okavango African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer very common and excellent views on many days [Steppe Buzzard] Buteo [buteo] vulpinus a single bird seen Bustards Family Otididae Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista seen well in the Khwai area Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster seen on a walk in the Okavango Rails, Crakes & Coots Family Rallidae African Crake Crex egregia seen on several occasions Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra seen and heard on the Khwai River Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni abundant in the Okavango and Khwai areas Lesser Moorhen Paragallinula angulata seen on a few occasions Stone-curlews, Thick-knees Family Burhinidae Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus common along river edges 6 Limosa Holidays

7 Plovers Family Charadriidae Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris small numbers in the Okavango Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus common throughout White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps seen well along the Zambezi and Chobe rivers Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus commonly seen African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus small numbers Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Seen in the Chobe Park Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris Seen in the Khwai area Jacanas Family Jacanidae African Jacana Actophilornis africanus common throughout Sandpipers, Snipes Family Scolopacidae Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola common along watersides Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos small numbers in the Chobe Ruff Philomachus pugnax seen on the Chobe River Coursers, Pratincoles Family Glareolidae Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus Seen in the Khwai area Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Seen in the Khwai area Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Family Laridae African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris a small group seen on the Chobe River White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus seen along the Chobe river Sandgrouse Family Pteroclidae Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus seen well in the Khwai area Pigeons, Doves Family Columbidae Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens seen on a few occasions Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata very common Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola very common Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis common especially in the Livingstone and Chobe areas Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos small numbers throughout of this smart dove Namaqua Dove Oena capensis small numbers in the Kwhai area African Green Pigeon Treron calvus seen by some in the Okavango Turacos Family Musophagidae Schalow's Turaco Tauraco schalowi seen at the Vic Falls Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor very common and characterful birds Cuckoos Family Cuculidae Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis small numbers in a few places Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus small numbers in the Okavango White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus seen well a few times Black Coucal Centropus grillii seen in the Okavango Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii seen in Chobe Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus seen in Chobe and Khwai Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas seen well in the Chobe Park Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus seen on the last morning Owls Family Strigidae African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis heard in the Okavango Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus amazing views a few times Pel's Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli incredible views in the Okavango Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum seen well a few times African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense seen well in the Chobe Park Nightjars Family Caprimulgidae Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis heard in the Okavango Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii seen on an evening drive in the Khwai area 7 Limosa Holidays

8 Swifts Family Apodidae African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus seen in the Okavango Common Swift Apus apus Seen in the Chobe Park African Black Swift Apus barbatus seen at Victoria Falls by some White-rumped Swift Apus caffer seen once in the Chobe area Mousebirds Family Coliidae Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus commonly seen Rollers Family Coraciidae Purple Roller Coracias naevius great view in Chobe Racket-tailed Roller Coracias spatulatus excellent views of this species in Chobe Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus this photogenic species was very common and seen every day! Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus seen on the Chobe Kingfishers Family Alcedinidae Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala seen well in a few places Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris seen on a number of occasions Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti small numbers in the Okavango Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis common in the Okavango Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus small numbers along river channels Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima seen well on boat trips Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis very common over water Bee-eaters Family Meropidae Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus good sighting on the last morning Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus very common especially in the Okavango White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides good numbers along the big rivers and seen on boat trips Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus common along the big rivers European Bee-eater Merops apiaster quite common, especially Vic Falls and Chobe Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides common throughout Hoopoes Family Upupidae African Hoopoe Upupa africana seen on a number of occasions Wood Hoopoes Family Phoeniculidae Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus this long-tailed species was quite common Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Seen in the Khwai area Ground Hornbills Family Bucorvidae Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri fantastic views a few times, especially Chobe Hornbills Family Bucerotidae Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris very common Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas Seen in the Khwai area Bradfield's Hornbill Lophoceros bradfieldi excellent views of this species in the Khwai area African Grey Hornbill Lophoceros nasutus very common Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator seen on the Zambezi African barbets Family Lybiidae Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus common and seen well in the Okavango camps Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii common and seen well in the Okavango camps Woodpeckers Family Picidae Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii good sightings in the Okavango Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni seen in the Okavango Bearded Woodpecker Chloropicus namaquus good sightings in the Okavango Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens good sightings in the Okavango Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus seen by some on a Zambezi island 8 Limosa Holidays

9 Falcons Family Falconidae Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni small numbers of this migrant along the Chobe River Dickinson's Kestrel Falco dickinsoni superb views on the Zambezi and in the Okavango Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera one seen flying near our Khwai camp Amur Falcon Falco amurensis many seen in the Chobe area African & New World Parrots Family Psittacidae Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri common and seen very well in the Okavango Wattle-eyes, Batises Family Platysteiridae Chinspot Batis Batis molitor seen on several occasions Helmetshrikes Family Prionopidae White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus numerous sightings of charismatic groups of this species Bushshrikes Family Malaconotidae Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti seen near the Livingstone Lodge Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus heard only Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis seen near the Livingstone Lodge Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus seen in the Okavango Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla small numbers throughout Tropical Boubou Laniarius major seen well around Vic Falls and Chobe Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor good views in the Okavango camps Brubru Nilaus afer seen in the Okavango Cuckooshrikes Family Campephagidae Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava seen by some in the Khwai area hrikes Family Laniidae Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus seen Chobe and Okavango Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens small numbers Okavango Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio very common at Chobe, presumably on passage Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor several seen Orioles Family Oriolidae African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus seen Chobe & Okavango Drongos Family Dicruridae Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis very common! Monarchs Family Monarchidae African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis small numbers of this great bird throughout Crows Family Corvidae Pied Crow Corvus albus common around Livingstone, Kasane Tits Family Paridae Southern Black Tit Melaniparus niger seen Chobe and Okavango Larks Family Alaudidae Fawn-colored Lark Calendulauda africanoides seen on the last morning in the Khwai area Bulbuls Family Pycnonotidae Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor too common! Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris heard a lot and seen well in the Okavango Swallows, martins Family Hirundinidae Banded Martin Riparia cincta seen by some on the boat trip in the Chobe Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica very common! Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii seen well along big rivers, and especially tame on the Chobe boat trip! Common House Martin Delichon urbicum seen by some in the Khwai area 9 Limosa Holidays

10 Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica fairly common throughout Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa small numbers Crombecs, African warblers Family Macrosphenidae Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens common in small numbers Leaf warblers and allies Family Phylloscopidae Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus common in small numbers Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris heard at the Okavango camp Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina seen on a number of occasions River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis heard by some at the Chobe camp Cisticolas and allies Family Cisticolidae Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana common Chobe and Okavango Luapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula seen along the Chobe River Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens seen in the Okavango Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis seen in grassy areas Chobe and Okavango Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava common in small numbers Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida seen in the Okavango Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata seen in the Okavango Stierling's Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi seen well in the Mopane woodlands og Khwai Typical Babblers Family Leiothrichidae Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii rather common and noisy Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii seen in the Okavango Sylviid Babblers Family Sylviidae Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis seen on a few occasions in Chobe African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis seen on a few occasions Starlings Family Sturnidae Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens seen well in Chobe, etc Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus seen by some in Kasane Meves's Starling Lamprotornis mevesii very common from day 1 Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis very common Okavango Oxpeckers Family Buphagidae Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus good views in the Chobe on Buffalo Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus very common Thrushes Family Turdidae Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana seen in the Khwai area Chats, Old World Flycatchers Family Muscicapidae White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys seen on a number of occasions Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina seen well Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata common throughout; on passage Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens seen by some in the Okavango delta camp White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini this smart bird in camp gardens! Collared Palm Thrush Cichladusa arquata seen by some on a Zambezi Island Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia heard and briefly seen by some at the Chobe camp Arnott's Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti great views in mopane woodland near Khwai Sunbirds Family Nectariniidae Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris seen on a few occasions Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina seen Chobe Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis seen Vic Falls to Chobe Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis seen once Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus seen in the Chobe White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala common Chobe 10 Limosa Holidays

11 Old World Sparrows Family Passeridae White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali seen Vic Falls to Chobe House Sparrow Passer domesticus seen Kazangula town Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus several seen at the Kazangula border post Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus very common Yellow-throated Petronia Gymnoris superciliaris seen Chobe and Okavango Weavers, Widowbirds Family Ploceidae Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger common Chobe and Okavango Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons seen by some on the Zambezi boat ride Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis Seen near Vic Falls Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops seen Okavango Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus fairly common weaver Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus breeding near Vic Falls Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps seen in the Khwai area Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea flocks quite common Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix breeding males seen on the Chobe and Zambezi rivers Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris seen along the Chobe River White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus seen at our Vic Falls lodge Waxbills, Munias & Allies Family Estrildidae Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba seen in the Chobe Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala quite common in the lodges Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia seen in the Okavango Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis very common! Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild seen around the Okavango lodges Indigobirds, Whydahs Family Viduidae Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata small numbers near Vic Falls and Chobe Purple Indigobird Vidua purpurascens seen in the Okavango Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea seen well in Chobe Wagtails, Pipits Family Motacillidae Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis small numbers in the Okavango African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp common Vic Falls and Chobe Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis seen in the Khwai area Finches Family Fringillidae Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis seen Chobe Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica small numbers Chobe Buntings Family Emberizidae Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris seen in the Okavango 11 Limosa Holidays

12 Mammal Checklist: 29 species PRIMATES ORDER PRIMATES Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus characterful troops were common Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygeruthrus great views in many places Southern Lesser Galago Galago moholi on the night drive FRUIT BATS ORDER MEGACHIROPTERA Peters Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus crypturus heard at the Okavango lodge HARES ORDER LAGOMORPHA Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis seen on one the night drive Khwai RODENTS ORDER RODENTIA Smith s Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi very common and seen well on many days Spring Hare Pedetes capensis this strange species seen on a night drive Damara Mole-rat Cryptomys damarensis mounds seen in the Okavango CARNIVORES ORDER CARNIVORA Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis two sightings in Chobe Wild Dog Lycaon pictus multiple good sightings of a pack in Khwai Ratel (Honey Badger) Mellivora capensis one quick view of two in the road Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo big groups seen on a number of days Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula seen in the Khwai area Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea 2 sightings Leopard Panthera pardus amazing views in the Khwai concession Lion Panthera leo good views in the Khwai concession ELEPHANTS ORDER PROBOSCIDEA African Savanna Elephant Loxodonta africana herds seen almost every day, huge numbers at Chobe ODD-TOED UNGULATES ORDER PERISSODACTYLA Common Zebra Equus quagga seen near Vic Falls and in the Okavango EVEN-TOED UNGULATES ORDER ARTIODACTYLA Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius very common and seen in many waterways Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus seen well on many days Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis seen well, mainly Chobe Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus seen by some near Vic Falls lodge Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros great views of this graceful antelope at a few places Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia brief views for some in Chobe Lechwe Kobus leche common on the water s edge in the Okavango Common Waterbuck Kobus [e.] ellipsiprymnus small numbers seen well, mainly Chobe Impala Aepyceros melampus very common! Topi / Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus seen in the Khwai area Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus seen at our final lodge in the Okavango Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger superb views in Chobe 12 Limosa Holidays