From desert dunes to flamingos in the ocean, Namibia is an interesting and unusual country in which to bird, an example of unspoiled nature.
Flying into Namibia, you may arrive at Windhoek, the capital, located near the center of the country amongst the rolling hills. Daan Viljoen Game Park, in the Khomas-Hochland Mountains, is only a short drive from the capital and has gravel roads and hiking trails to see the abundant wildlife, especially birds. Look for the Rockrunner, Cape Shoveler, and the Barred Wren-Warbler.
Traveling to the northeastern panhandle area of Namibia, make a stop in Okavango and Caprivi. A densely wooded wilderness makes birding interesting, with over 420 bird species reported. Pririt Batis, Pied Barbet, Black Korhaan, Blackcheeked Waxbill and Titbabbler are among the birds you might spy among the leaves.
In the northern central section of the country, Etosha is Namibia’s premier game park, the world’s largest national park covering over 13,670 square miles. Created in 1907, it is one of the major sanctuaries for wildlife in Africa. Dense brush alternates with open arid salt plains, offering a wide variety of bird habitats and viewing opportunities. Watering holes act as magnets, drawing animals and birdlife around the clock.
Around 340 bird species have been seen at Etosha, including the Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Cape Vultures, Crimson-breasted Shrike, the national bird of Namibia as well as huge flocks of flamingos. About one-third of these species are migrants, with over 200 species available year-round for ambitious birders. Another place in the northern section of Namibia is Waterberg Plateau Park, a place of rich birdlife that can be viewed from the hiking trails.
Continue your travels to the south, visiting Namib Naukluft Park. This park is huge, covering 30,924 square miles, and is the largest conservation area in Namibia. The Nabib, the oldest desert in the world is part of the park. Towering dunes, deep gorges that rival the Grand Canyon in the U.S., plus an estuarine lagoon make up this unusual place. Ostiches as well as other desert birds survive in this harsh climate, keeping close to the water sources. During an exceptional rainy season, the Tsauchab River flows into the lowlands that becomes a haven for water birds. Be sure to check out Sandwich Lagoon, an important wetland for African migratory shorebirds. Some birds to be seen may include the Pale Chanting-Goshawk, the Scaly-feathered Finch, or the Stark’s Lark.
On the Namibian coast, Walvis Bay is a 111,197 acre lagoon lined with reeds. This region is one of the southern hemisphere’s most important shorebird habitats, home to many coastal and freshwater birds. Over 80 species of birds have been reported with the flamingoes some of the most notable. Out on the sea you might see a Jackass Penguin or Cape Gannets. And imagine watching up to 20,000 (almost 50% of Africa’s flamingo population) of these birds frolic in the ocean waves near shore just before the crimson sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
As you can see, Namibia is truly a birder’s paradise.
About the author: Samet Bilir writes about technology trends, camera reviews, and photography, such as photographing backyard wildlife and wildlife photography. To read more articles from Samet, visit his website at chi-photography.com.