Okavango Delta Birding Tour
The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a haven for an astonishing variety of wildlife, both big and small. It stands as one of Africa’s most breathtaking and unique wilderness areas, renowned for its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. This immense oasis, fed by the Okavango River, sprawls across northern Botswana, creating a mesmerising mosaic of floodplains, channels, lagoons, and islands.
It’s also teeming with avifauna with over a staggering 500 species. On this tour, we aim to see the best of the Okvango’s birdlife in just three days. Expect a large count and lots of fun as we explore the delta via foot, boat, and safari vehicle all while enjoying the comforts of one the best safari lodges in Africa.
Day 1: Pick-up from Maun/Okavango Delta
At Maun, a Sustainable Birding representative will meet you and have a quick meet and greet, before will hop on a small ‘safari-style’ aircraft and leave the bustling town behind to head into the famous Okavango Delta. We’ll be flying to our impeccable lodge which to sits right in the heart of this delta, offering stunning aerial views of the beautiful wetland.
In the afternoon, we’ll search the nearby riverbanks to look for various bird species such as the Western Banded Snake-eagle, African Hobby, African and Eurasian Golden Orioles, Hartlaub’s and Arrow-marked Babblers, African Yellow White-eye, Terrestrial Brownbul, African Paradise Flycatcher, Swamp Boubou, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, African Emerald, Levaillant’s, Black, Klaas’s, and Jacobin Cuckoos, not forgetting the charming and ever-present White-browed Robin-Chat to name a few.
Where you will be staying: Camp Okavango
Days 2 & 3: Okavango Delta – Moremi Game Reserve
The next few days are all about exploring the Okavango Delta by both land and water. We’ll be taking many boat cruises, quietly gliding through the delta’s intricate network of channels. Expect to spot Luapula and Chirping Cisticolas, Black Coucal, Greater, and Lesser Swamp Warblers, as well as Great Reed and African Reed Warblers. The skies will likely be adorned with White-fronted, Southern Carmine, Blue-cheeked, and Little Bee-eaters, while the majestic African Fish Eagle graces the scene. We will also be hoping to see the sought-after Pel’s Fishing Owl, which will be our main target. Other notable sightings we hope to see are the Wattled Crane, Slaty Egret, White-browed, Senegal, and Coppery-tailed Coucals, along with the striking Southern Ground Hornbill and Bradfield’s Hornbill.
The skies should be lively with various raptors, with chances to spot Ovambo and Little Sparrowhawks, African Goshawk, African Harrier-Hawk, Shikra, and Gabar Goshawk being quite common. Alongside seeking the previously mentioned birds, we’ll visit a sizable heronry known for fantastic sightings of African Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Stork, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, African Openbill, Hamerkop, African Darter, and Saddle-billed Stork. Keep an eye out for the majestic Giant, Pied, Malachite, and Half-collared Kingfishers patrolling the channels. We’ll also be on the lookout for animals like African Elephants, African Buffalo, Lions, Chacma baboons, Greater Kudu, Impala, and Waterbuck as they come down to the water for a drink.
On our final morning, following breakfast, we’ll indulge in a final boat cruise in this part of the delta.
Then, in the afternoon, we’ll again be taking a small aircraft back to Maun, where this tour will be ending. In the sky, you’ll get a last glimpse of this incredible landscape. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Maun and the next day you’ll catch your flight back home.
Where you will be staying: Camp Okavango
Tour pace:
Slow
Tour difficulty:
Easy– most activities to be done via boat exploring the Okavango, along with some on-foot birding.
Cost:
The above cost is based on a group of 6 people. Please get in touch if you’d like us to arrange a private tailor made tour
Best time of year to visit:
The optimal months in Botswana for birding and wildlife viewings are November, December, and March. These months experience less rainfall than January and February, offering exceptional birdwatching opportunities against a backdrop of stunning landscapes.
Sustainability:
At Sustainable Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip!
Tour Leader:
Born in a village situated in the remote wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Pan Handle, Disho spent a significant portion of his childhood engaged in hunting and trapping alongside his uncles—a customary practice for young boys within the Hambukushu tribe. These experiences played a pivotal role in shaping him into the exceptional guide he is today, possessing what appears to be a sixth sense for locating wildlife.
Upon completing a diploma in Travel and Tourism at college, Disho entered the tourism industry as a guide, dedicating himself to his passions for wildlife, conservation, and photography. His journey led him to undergo extensive training as a specialised walking and birding guide. Notably, Disho holds the distinction of being the first and only Motswana guide recognised as a full specialist birding guide by the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).
Bird species highlights:
- Western Banded Snake-eagle
- African Hobby
- African Golden Oriole
- Hartlaub’s Babbler
- Arrow-marked Babbler
- African Yellow White-eye
- Terrestrial Brownbul
- African Paradise Flycatcher
- Swamp Boubou
- Yellow-bellied Greenbul
- African Emerald Cuckoo
- Levaillant’s Cuckoo
- Black Cuckoo
- Klaas’s Cuckoo
- Jacobin Cuckoo
- White-browed Robin-Chat
- Luapula Cisticola
- Chirping Cisticola
- Black Coucal
- Greater Swamp Warbler
- Lesser Swamp Warbler
- Great Reed Warbler
- African Reed Warbler
- White-fronted Bee-eater
- Southern Carmine Bee-eater
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Little Bee-eater
- African Fish Eagle
- Pel’s Fishing Owl
- Wattled Crane
- Slaty Egret
- White-browed Coucal
- Senegal Coucal
- Coppery-tailed Coucal
- Southern Ground Hornbill
- Bradfield’s Hornbill
- Ovambo Sparrowhawk
- Little Sparrowhawk
- African Goshawk
- African Harrier-Hawk
- Shikra
- Gabar Goshawk
- African Spoonbill
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Great Egret
- Intermediate Egret
- African Openbill
- Hamerkop
- African Darter
- Saddle-billed Stork
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DepartureMaun
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IncludedAirport transfers.Private safari 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with a 'pop-up' roof!Accommodation as shown based on twin room. Single supplement available.Full-board basis (breakfast, lunch & dinner).All national park entrance fees.Professional English-speaking guide/driver.Mineral water in the vehicle.Wi-fi in the vehicle.Medical emergency evacuation cover.
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Not IncludedInternational flights.Optional activities unless specified as included.Excess baggage charges.Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages.Visas.
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