Maarten & Rob in Africa: Namibia

Evening, from the campsite at
Zambezi Mubala Camp.

Laid back birding!

Getting ready!

Delana

Hippos are a bit of a menace when in a small boat.

African Pygmy Goose

Quite common along this stretch of river.

There are some lovely quiet backwaters
 along the river.

A much sought after but rarely seen....
White backed Night-Heron

There were three birds here, but all difficult to see!

It is not often one sees this species in the daytime.

Yet another hard to find species!

The wonderful Pel's Fishing Owl

Two birds were present.

Immature Black Crake

African Jacana

Allen's Gallinule

Water Monitor

Water Dikkop

Greenshank

Blue cheeked Bee-eater

White fronted Bee-eater

Brown throated Martin

Brown Firefinch

A terrible photo of a Greater Swamp Warbler!

Chirping Cisticola

We were lucky enough to find over
90 African Skimmers.

African Skimmers & White winged Black Terns.

These birds had recently arrived.

I have not seen Skimmers for a long time.

The storm is approaching!

Weather is getting worse!

It was a real shame that the weather stopped our boat cruise prematurely. It poured down with rain & no birding was possible for the rest of the day. Zambezi Mubala is always a pleasure, great facilities & of course the wonderful river!

Birds:

Looking out over
 the river at Ngepi.

Okavango River

We stayed once again at Ngepi Camp as it is close to the wonderful Mahango Game Reserve. On this occasion we splashed out on the huts right on the banks of the river. Nice views of the river. it was too wet to camp as it rained periodically during our stay here.

Evening meal at Negepi.

We did see a few Rock Pratincoles along the river just before dark, but too dark for photos. The next morning up at the crack of dawn for a day trip into Mahango. Unfortunately it had rained heavily overnight making conditions far from ideal. 

Yes, it was very wet!

Banded Mongoose

The flood plains at Mahango Game Reserve.

Valentine's Day at Mahango Game Reserve.

It is a great spot for lunch, 
overlooking the floodplains.

We all enjoyed a great day out, but the very wet conditions made it quite tough going.

Birds:

The wonderful Onguma

The view from the restaurant.

The facilities & meals were excellent here.

The camp site is spacious & very comfortable
 with great facilities.

Getting ready for the braii!

Kalahari Scrub Robin

This individual was around our camp.

It got very close!

The photography hide is partially underground.

Inside the hide.

It was quite an experience being in the hide.

The surrounding area is quite open

The waterhole in front of the hide.

Being at ground level creates unusual angles
 for photography.

Blue Wildebeast

Gemsbok

Impala, but the wrong race!
Onguma is a private nature reserve
 & they imported the wrong race of Impala!

It should be Black faced Impala here!

Woolly necked Stork

Juvenile African Hawk Eagle

Red headed Falcon

Egyptian Goose

Lesser Moorhen

It is not often you get up close to this species.

Blacksmith Plover

Wood Sandpiper

Male Namaqua Dove

Female.

Etosha, early morning.

Black backed Jackal

Very common in Etosha.

This Lioness crossed right in front of us.

Two Palms

It is big sky country here, very wild & wonderful.

There is a very isolated small population of 
Blue Cranes here in Etosha.

Kori Bustard

Northern Black Korhaan.


Ostriches coming to drink.

Pale phase Tawny Eagle

Black Kite, an uncommon summer visitor here.

Black winged Kite

Animals are reliant on the waterholes in Etosha.

Giraffe

A typical scene as one drives around Fischer's Pan

A waterhole on the Andoni Plains.

Plains Zebra

Springbok

Abundant on these plains.

A typical Etosha scene.

Gemsbok

A little bit of rivalry.

There is only one winner!

Sabota Lark

Violet eared Waxbill

Scaly feathered Finch

Namoutoni Fort

Our campsite at Halali Camp.

The place was empty, so we had a really great site!

Camp life!

Cheers!

African Scops Owl

Violet Wood-hoopoe

Bare cheeked Babbler

Green winged Pytilia

White crowned Shrike

Cape Glossy Starling

Elephants drinking at night.

One of the great things about Halili, 
is the floodlit waterhole.

One of the best places in Africa to see...

Black Rhinoceros.

Black backed Jackal

A pair of Cape Fox.

Uncommon & normally hard to spot.

Red necked Falcon

These birds had roosted close to the ground overnight.

Female Northern Black Korhaan.

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Male.

Spike heeled Lark

Pink billed Lark

Elephants drinking at the waterhole in camp
 at mid-day.

A mixture of Whydahs feeding on the lawn.

Long tailed Paradise & Shaft tailed Whydahs.

Long tailed Paradise Whydah

Groundscraper Thrush

Purple Roller

Fork tailed Drongo

Crimson breasted Boubou

White crowned Shrike

This was the days prize! 
A close up African Cuckoo.

Acacia Pied Barbet

Calling.

Red eyed Bulbul

Southern Grey headed Sparrow

Red necked Falcon.

Black backed Jackal