- F R O M T H E D E S K O F -
- F R O M T H E D E S K O F -
O K A V A N G O B I R D I N G S A F A R I S
O K A V A N G O B I R D I N G S A F A R I S
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DESIGNERS OF SPECIALIZED BIRDING JOURNEYS ACROSS BOTSWANA
Targeting Key Species, Habitats & Seasons
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Where are northern Botswana's most notable birding areas?
Where are northern Botswana's most notable birding areas?
There are four major areas to explore, but whichever you choose to visit, we suggest that you spend at least three nights in each area. This allows you to experience a variety of activities and to investigate the range of habitats available.
Okavango Delta
Okavango Delta
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The Okavango Delta is a vast inland wetland featuring seasonally inundated floodplains, expansive heronries, palm islands, and shifting channels. Fed by the annual floodwaters from the Angolan highlands, this dynamic habitat undergoes a dramatic seasonal transformation that draws spectacular wildlife populations and diverse birdlife.
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Look out for:Slatyt Egret, Wattled Crane, Pink-throated Longclaw◆----------------------◆
Chobe & Savute
Chobe & Savute
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Spanning Botswana’s northeast, this diverse region encompasses the prominent Chobe River front, seasonal marshes, and dry woodlands. Its rich riverine edges shelter abundant waterfowl alongside massive elephant herds, while the drier inland sandveld and seasonal channels attract exceptional numbers of migrating birds and dry-woodland specialists.
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Look out for:Schalow's Turaco, African Finfoot, Collared Palm-thrush◆-----------------------◆
Okavango Panhandle
Okavango Panhandle
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The Okavango Panhandle is a permanent deep-water river system in the northern reaches of the country. Defined by fast-flowing main channels, thick papyrus beds, and towering riparian forest canopies, it holds exceptional concentrations of aquatic biodiversity and provides a critical sanctuary for secretive nocturnal waterbirds and riverine wildlife.
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Look out for:Pel's Fishing Owl, African Skimmer, Western Banded Snake-Eagle◆-----------------------◆
Kalahari
Kalahari
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The Kalahari is a vast, semiarid sandveld ecosystem of dense acacia scrub, sweeping grasslands, and ancient fossil valleys. While parched and inhospitable during winter, torrential summer rains rapidly transform the pans into a flourishing green paradise. It provides a spectacular environment for specialized, desert-adapted wildlife.
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Look out for:Northern Black Korhaan, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Kalahari Scrub-Robin◆-----------------------◆
Are you looking for Summer Migrants or Winter Residents?
Are you looking for Summer Migrants or Winter Residents?
The Spectacular "Green" Season
The Spectacular "Green" Season
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What to Expect
Spanning November to April, during Botswana's summer months, expect warm to hot days (often reaching 30°C to 35°C) accompanied by dramatic, afternoon thunderstorms that transform the dry landscape into a lush, emerald paradise.
This is the region's ultimate avian spectacle with millions of migrants arriving from Europe and northern Africa from late August to join the resident species, adding over 100 summer migrants to the overall bird population. You can expect massive insect hatches, dense green foliage, and intense breeding activity. Resident male birds don bright, striking breeding plumage, build intricate nests, and display active courtship behavior.
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Why Visit in the Green Season
This is the undisputed prime season for dedicated birdwatchers and wildlife photographers seeking maximum species diversity. It is very common to tally over 200 bird species in a single day. The dramatic, moody skies, vivid greenery, and constant bird activity offer breathtaking photographic opportunities. As an added bonus, visiting during the Green Season means enjoying off-peak safari rates, far fewer safari vehicles in the parks, and the chance to spot newborn big game alongside flourishing bird colonies.
The Rewarding "Dry" Season
The Rewarding "Dry" Season
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What to Expect
When the rain and the migrants have moved on, over 400 winter residents remain in the northern parts of the country. Botswana’s dry period undergoes a change to a crisp winter and then to extreme early summer heat. From May to August, early mornings are cold (often dropping between 0°C and 8°C), giving way to clear, sunny afternoons around 25°C. By September and October, temperatures surge into dry, scorching heat, with daytime highs regularly exceeding 40°C before the rains break.
As inland pans dry up and bush foliage thins, birdlife gathers along permanent water channels like the Okavango Delta and Chobe River and concentrates heavily around remaining pools through the day.
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Why Visit in the Dry Season
The early to mid dry season from May to August is ideal for travelers who prefer pleasant, comfortable weather and want to seamlessly combine high-quality birding with world-class big game viewing. The bare trees and low grass make spotting raptors, owls, and secretive ground birds much easier. Because birds and land predators are packed tightly around remaining waterlines, you will witness dramatic feeding aggregations and active hunting scenes.
What style of safari are you looking for?
What style of safari are you looking for?
Mobile Safaris
Mobile Safaris
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On a mobile safari you travel with your guide by road in an open gamedrive vehicle between your temporary camps. A dedicated backup crew is responsbile for setting up camp before your arrival and breaking down camp and moving the camp to the next destination.
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You are accomodated in canvas "Sahara"-style tents with ensuite bathrooms (bucket showers and longdrop loos). Limited lighting is provided and is either LED or paraffin lamps
All meals, local drinks and activities are included.
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You will typically have two activities a day, focussed mainly on shared game drives with some down time during the middle of the day.
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Join a birding-focussed mobile camping safari. These have set departure dates and offer the best value. These run exclusively in the Green season - November to February.
From USD435 per person per night for 11 nights
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We also offer tailormade private mobile safaris throughout the year.
The cost will depend on the duration, number of people and the areas visited. From USD740 per person per night for a 9 night private mobile safari*
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* based on four people traveling
Fly-in Safaris
Fly-in Safaris
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As most camps in northern Botswana are located in remote areas, they are only accessible by small 10-seater aircraft. You will travel from Maun and between camps in via charter flights, landing at remote airstrips and driving or boating into camp.
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Accommodation is in luxury semi-permanent safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, hot showers, flush loos and 24 hour electriciy (all remote camps run on solar power systems)
Your stay is fully inclusive: all meals, local drinks and activites are included.
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Game drive vehicles are generally shared unless private vehicles are booked.
The camps offer a variety of activities based on their location. This could include drives in open game-drive vehicles, boating activites, mokoro (dugout canoe) trips or walks.
We only parnter with camps that employ guides that are expertly trained and well acquianted with the birds in their area.
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You can choose to stay as many nights as you like, but we would suggest spending at least three nights at each camp. Various levels of accommodation are available from basic bush camps to luxurious lodges.
From USD650 (for a group of 6 people) or USD950 (for 2 people) per person per night sharing for 9 nights in mid-range camps*
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* based on traveling in the Green Season - including all internal flights / transfers between camps & a private vehicleDo you need the freedom to explore at your own pace?
Do you need the freedom to explore at your own pace?
To ensure that birding remains your priority, our desk offers three levels of dedicated field support. We strongly advise a private vehicle to avoid balancing your birding with the general wildlife requests of shared-vehicle safari-goers.
Private Vehicle Use
Private Vehicle Use
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By allocating a private vehicle to your expedition, your daily schedule and route are entirely your choice. While you will be hosted by the camp’s resident guide, your time in the bush will be free from the compromises of a shared safari.
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Cost - from USD350 per day †
Hosted Trips
Hosted Trips
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We travel with you. In addition to hosting you, we include the use of an exclusive vehicle and coordinate daily activities with the camp's resident guide to get the most out of your time in the bush.
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Cost - from USD950 per day †
Birding Specialists
Birding Specialists
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We pair an exclusive vehicle with a dedicated local birding specialist. This is highly recommended for serious birders looking for rare or elusive species. Working with the camp's resident guide, they will enhance your trip by managing your time and experiences.
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Cost - from USD1100 per day †
† depending on the season and the length of the safari
Do you know how easy it is to contribute to avian conservation?
Do you know how easy it is to contribute to avian conservation?
While paper checklists and field journals may belong to the heritage of birding, modern field guides rely on digital precision to serve regional conservation. Every sighting logged using the apps below is treated as valuable citizen science, and we endeavor to integrate all collective data directly into the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2 (SABAP2).
To align your upcoming safari with these scientific protocols, we recommend installing either Bïndo or eBird onto your mobile device prior to departure. Please feel free to contact us for assisance with these appsif you need.
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