Overview

From the ochre-coloured dunes of the Namib Desert to the lily-choked backwaters of the Okavango Panhandle, the flamingo-studded lagoons of Walvis Bay to the game-filled waterholes of Etosha and the breath-taking Victoria Falls, this tour provides incredible contrasts and an eco-tourism experience like no other!

This very popular overland safari is a birding and wildlife extravaganza, visiting some of the major highlights of three of Africa’s most remarkable countries, all offering vast areas of pristine wilderness. Birdlife abounds and we search for an impressive array of localized, as well as more widespread African species such as the sought-after Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, Ludwig’s Bustard, Rüppell’s Korhaan, Secretarybird, Pel’s Fishing Owl (one of ten possible owls!), Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, the huge Coppery-tailed Coucal, Rüppell’s Parrot, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Rockrunner, Violet Wood Hoopoe, Bare-cheeked and Black-faced Babblers, Rosy-faced Lovebird, White-tailed Shrike, Herero Chat, Dune and Gray’s Larks, Violet-eared Waxbill – and so much more besides!

What's more, we have time to observe mammals, large and small, ranging from elephant shrews to Africa Elephant, Fur Seals to Hippopotamus, as well as exciting range of charismatic African big game including the fabled ’Big 5’.

The spectacular and dramatic scenery, coupled with quality mammal viewing and exceptional birding, all combine to make this one of our most popular birding adventures!


*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour Facts Top Birds
Ludwig’s & Kori Bustards; Rüppell’s & Northern Black Korhaans; Secretarybird; Pel’s Fishing Owl; Hartlaub’s & Red-billed Spurfowls; Rüppell’s Parrot; Monteiro’s, Damara Red-billed & Bradfield's Hornbills; Rockrunner; Violet Wood Hoopoe; Bare-cheeked, Southern Pied & Black-faced Babblers; Rosy-faced Lovebird; White-tailed Shrike; Herero Chat; chances for Shelley’s & Copper Sunbirds; Dune & Gray's Larks; African Skimmer(seasonal); Slaty Egret; Wattled Crane; Rock Pratincole (seasonal); Chestnut-banded Plover; Damara Tern; Cape, Bank & Crowned Cormorants; Burchell's & Double-banded Coursers; African Oystercatcher; Bradfield's Swift; Bokmakierie; Rufous-eared Warbler; South African Shelduck; Orange River White-eye; Dusky Sunbird; Cape Vulture; thousands of Lesser & Greater Flamingos.
Top Mammals
The “Big Five” (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, Black and White Rhinoceroses, African Buffalo); Cheetah; Hartmann’s sub-species of Mountain Zebra; Plains Zebra; Common Warthog; Giraffe; Roan & Sable Antelope; Red Lechwe; Topi; Common Eland; Springbok; Meerkat; Honey Badger; Dassie Rat; Spotted-necked Otter; South African & Damara Ground Squirrels; African Wild Cat; Central African Large-spotted Genet.
Habitats Covered
coastal estuaries, broad-leaved woodland, riverine forest, floodplains, grass plains, papyrus swamps, mountains, gravel and sandy deserts
Expected Climate
temperatures are variable. Autumn/Winter (May to August) - can be warm during the day (reaching as much as 31°C / 88°F in the Caprivi). At night and in the early mornings it can, however, be very cold (as low as 5°C / 41°F in the central highlands of Namibia). Spring/Summer (September to April) - can be very high at this time of year, (reaching as much as 40°C / 104°F in the Caprivi).
Max Group Size
7 & 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking
moderate pace, long drives, undemanding walks
Accommodation
comfortable hotels, national park bungalows and lodges
Ease of Birding
easy, open country birding
Number of Species Expected
375-425
Other Attractions
Namib sand dunes, Spitzkoppe, Etosha, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls
Photographic Opportunities
excellent
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials

I enjoyed the trip… a nice mix of birds and other animals. Greg de Klerk did a great job. I hope there will be another trip that I can travel with him.

Glen was very organised and knowledgeable. He gave clear directions as to what we would be doing the following day. He has a very calm and friendly manner. He has extremely good hearing and the ability to both hear the birds and point them out. He was very helpful to assist me when I did not see where the bird was. I would certainly like to travel with him again.

Julian Parsons is an exceptional bird and nature guide in many respects - you can be proud to have him on your team. I couldn’t ask for more in a birding and total naturalist guide. His organization, attention to details, interest in the participants were all top notch. All those things that make a birding trip successful Julian attended to with energy, and enthusiasm. He was an excellent driver and put safety as #1. The amount of driving on this tour it would have been nice to have a driver and a guide. It’s one thing to know the birds, wildlife, plants, trees, etc. It's quite another to teach and explain the species to others. Julian is an exceptional teacher. He was always keen to go the extra step to provide the details and the understandings of the species, i.e. its behaviors, how it feeds, migration information, and on and on. Julian’s knowledge of the natural world is encyclopedic. Like all good teachers you never felt any question was too small or too trivial to ask - it’s a gift to be able to put the participants at ease so they feel comfortable to ask questions. There are many positive adjectives I could use to describe Julian as a person and as a professional bird/nature guide - the list is long. At the top is his character and kindness - it seems to be part of his being. I was grateful to have Julian as my guide - I hope I was a fraction as good as a participant.

The tour was fabulous and Heinz is a great guide. Our van was good with the "pop up" roof. The lodges we stayed at were very nice with good food. We even had a chance to try some wild game.

The best part of the tour was our guide, Julian Parsons. He was extremely knowledgeable about the birds, mammals, and plants and trees. He also was very personable and inclusive, making sure everyone was able to see the wildlife. I would go on other tours he plans if they fit my schedule. So, definitely, do what is needed to keep him on your staff.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
2024 DEPARTURES
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