Accommodation for this night has been arranged at a guesthouse in Windhoek and is included in the cost of the tour. Once you have booked onto the tour, we will advise the name of the guesthouse and you will need to make your way to this guesthouse. Your tour guide will collect you from this guesthouse at 14:00.

The capital city of Namibia, Windhoek, lies in a bowl of mountains that form part of the rugged Khomas-Hochland range and excellent birding may be enjoyed right on the outskirts of town.

After a short break, we will commence our exploration in the productive dry Acacia woodland and rocky grassland of Daan Viljoen National Park. A number of central Namibian endemics may be found here and we will search for Monteiro's Hornbill, Carp's Tit, Short-toed Rock Thrush and the charismatic Rockrunner. Waterbird numbers vary according to the amount of water in the reserve, although Maccoa Duck and Southern Pochard are usually present. Other spectacular and interesting species include Red-billed and Orange River francolins, White-backed Mousebird, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Black-fronted Bulbul, Ashy Tit, the diminutive Southern Penduline-Tit, Mountain Wheatear, Long-billed Pipit, Pririt Batis, the brilliant Crimson-breasted Gonolek, Red-headed Finch, Violet-eared Waxbill and Yellow and Black-throated canaries. Mammals are prolific and we hope to see the endangered Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, the regal Gemsbok, Giraffe, playful troops of Chacma Baboons and herds of Springbok.

Expect an early start today, in order to spend a couple of hours at the Windhoek "water works" just outside of town. We will return to have breakfast and pack up before heading out of Windhoek across the Central Highlands of Namibia. Roadside birding is rewarding and we will watch out for Verreaux's Eagle, Black-chested Snake-Eagle, Pale Chanting-Goshawk, Black-shouldered Kite, beautiful Rufous-crowned and Lilac-breasted rollers, the diminutive Cape Crombec, Southern Anteater-Chat, Karoo Chat, Mariqua and Chat flycatchers, Cape Crow, Pale-winged Starling, Rufous Sparrow, Mossie and Lark-like Bunting. The scenery is dotted with huge, golden Social Weaver nests and we may be fortunate in locating the Pygmy Falcon, which utilizes the Social Weavers' nests as a convenient home.

It is only a few hours before we arrive at our overnight destination, the NamibGrens Guest Farm, set in very pleasant surroundings. After settling in, we will bird the area and continue to pick up more of the highland species.

We have a magnificent start to the day at the Spreetshooghte Pass. The view is spectacular looking out, over the Namib Desert. This is our first chance for the near-endemic Herero Chat and the elusive Cinnamon-breasted Warbler.

After crossing over the pass, we descend towards the coast and the terrain becomes increasingly desolate, until we reach the seemingly lifeless gravel plains. We will make frequent stops in the desert to scan for Ostrich (these wild, desert Ostriches represent one of the few genetically pure populations in southern Africa), the endemic Rüppell's Bustard and the almost white desert race of Tractrac Chat. However, our main target bird on these plains is the endemic and localized Gray's Lark. This diminutive and inconspicuous bird forages in small groups over the most inhospitable of terrain, where it tends to blend in with the gravel itself.

By late afternoon we will arrive at our accommodation in Walvis Bay with time enough to settle in before a delicious seafood dinner at a nearby restaurant.

In the early morning we will head for the dunefields to the south of town as they are home to another endemic lark - the handsome Dune Lark. Like many of the desert larks, its plumage coloration perfectly matches that of its environment: the deep ochre sands of the Namib dune sea. Other birds that we may encounter whilst searching for this bird are Rufous-vented Warbler, Black-chested Prinia, Dusky Sunbird, Cape White-eye (the distinctive local form recently split as Orange River White-eye) and Common Waxbill. Here, we will also have time to explore the tallest and most beautiful sand dunes in the world.

The marine coast, offshore guano islands, saltpans and estuaries around Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to the north literally teem with water birds. At this time of year, most of the migrants have departed but there are always enough birds to warrant exploration and occasionally a rarity turns up. Thousands upon thousands of Lesser and Greater flamingos feeding along the fringes of the bay alone make the trip worthwhile! Marine cormorants (of three endemic species - Cape, Bank and Crowned) form impressive lines as they stream out over the cold ocean in search of food. Great White Pelicans are prominent throughout the area and specialities of the pans include the localized Chestnut-banded Plover, Hartlaub's Gull and Damara Tern, the latter being a breeding endemic. The striking African Oystercatcher may be seen along the rocky shores and waders to be expected on the extensive mudflats in the lagoon include White-fronted and Black-bellied plovers, Ruddy Turnstone, Marsh Sandpiper, Red Knot, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Pied Avocet. Rarer birds possible at this time of year include Eurasian Oystercatcher, and Red-necked Phalarope. Freshwater pans at the edge of town are home to other wetland inhabitants such as Great Crested and Eared grebes, Little Bittern, Cape Teal, Red-billed Duck and Cape Shoveler.

In the afternoon, we will visit the historic town of Swakopmund, a German village transported into the middle of the desert! Thereafter, we will explore the famed Welwitschia Plains, where we will seek out one of the world's most bizarre plants. The Welwitschia is a coniferous tree (most closely related to the Pinon Pine) that, despite its immense age, grows to just a few feet tall and only had two leaves. They survive in the bone dry gravel plains of the Namib and we will also look for two species of colourful beetles that only survive around these unique trees.

Today, we leave early for the Spitzkoppe, a series of impressive granite inselbergs rising out of the desert plains. This is one of the premier sites in the country for Herero Chat, Namibia's most elusive endemic and we will require luck and patience to find this localized bird. Whilst searching around the base of the mountains, we may also find Augur Buzzard, the attractive Rosy-faced Lovebird, the near-endemic Bradfield's Swift, Pied Barbet, Sabota and Karoo Long-billed larks, Red-headed Cisticola, Layard's Warbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Bokmakierie - a near-endemic bush-shrike, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, White-throated Canary and Cinnamon-breasted and Cape buntings. The White-tailed Shrike, arguably Namibia's most striking endemic, should also entertain us here. The agile Klipspringer and Koakoveld Rock Hyrax may also be seen, and brilliantly coloured Namibia Rock Agamas are common. Other reptiles we may encounter whilst birding this area are the impressive Boulton's Namib Day Gecko, Bibron's Gecko, Bradfield's Dwarf Gecko and Namaqua Sand Lizard. We will also seek out San (Bushman) rock-paintings in secluded overhangs, a reminder of the original inhabitants of this region. The surrounding gravel plains occasionally produce Ludwig's Bustard, whilst Namaqua Sandgrouse, Stark's Lark and Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark are more regular.

We continue northwards, stopping at a site for Burchell's Courser en route. It will require luck to find this species, as it is nomadic and hence unpredictable, though we should locate the striking White-quilled Bustard, Double-banded Courser and flocks of Spike-heeled Larks. Further to the north, we will search for the endemic Rüppell's Parrot, the localized Violet Woodhoopoe and the handsome Southern Pied-Babbler.

Our destination for the next night is a lodge situated in spectacular surroundings, within huge boulders in the ancient Erongo Mountains.

Today's target species requires a pre-dawn walk to a vantage point near the lodge. En route, we should find the rock-loving Freckled Nightjar but the bird in question is another endemic, the bizarre Hartlaub's Francolin, which is only likely to be seen at first light when coveys emerge to vocalize atop prominent boulders. Other birds likely at this locality are Gabar Goshawk, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Barred Wren-Warbler, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, the wing-flicking Familiar Chat, White-tailed Shrike (particularly approachable individuals reside around the lodge) and Black-cheeked Waxbill. The strange Dassie Rat (so unique as to belong to its own family) may also be seen poking its whiskered nose from a rock crevice and a variety of interesting reptiles scurry over the rocks.

After our early morning walk and a leisurely breakfast, we will have some time to relax around our lodge before heading northwards to the world-famous Etosha National Park. We will begin our exploration of this park at the main camp of Okaukuejo.

The word "Etosha" means "Great White Place" in the local Herero language and nowhere else is the "great whiteness" of the enormous pan more evident than around Okaukuejo. Etosha is one of Africa's premier big game destinations and medium and large mammals teem around the huge pan itself in numbers that defy explanation when considering the aridity of the land. Waterholes are dotted around the park and these will often be the focus of our attention as it is here that streams of thousands of mammals come daily to drink. Often, up to an incredible dozen species of mammals can be seen at once as they mill around the saline water. September and August are the best times to visit these wonderful hubs of activity as parched game walk for miles around to quench their thirst. Commonly encountered species are the regal Gemsbok (a type of Oryx), Greater Kudu, Springbok, Giraffe, Elephant, Warthog, Kongoni (Hartebeest), Blue Wildebeest, Burchell's Zebra and Black-faced Impala. These waterholes don't only attract the attention of thirsty grazers and photographers, but also of the park's predators, who know where to come for an easy meal! Visits to waterholes should produce Black-backed Jackal, African Wild Cat, prides of lazing Lions, Spotted Hyena and often even Cheetah and Leopards. Photographic opportunities are unrivalled.

Birds are also abundant in and around Okaukuejo camp and we may see Gray Go-away-bird, Eurasian Hoopoe, Southern Yellow-billed and Red-billed hornbills, Cardinal Woodpecker, Wattled Starling and the ubiquitous Red-shouldered Glossy-Starling, Brubru, Mariqua, White-breasted and Scarlet-chested sunbirds and Green-winged Pytilia. A pair of Pygmy Falcons sometimes roost in the camp's Social Weaver colony.

We spend the afternoon searching the open grasslands and sparse Acacia savanna for birds such as the huge Martial and Tawny eagles, the elegant Red-necked Falcon, Greater Kestrel, the magnificent Kori Bustard (the world's heaviest flying bird), Spotted Thick-knee, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Red-capped and Pink-billed larks, Capped Wheatear and flocks of angry-looking Scaly Weavers. In the evening, hundreds of Double-banded and Namaqua sandgrouse come to drink at the waterhole and occasionally Barn and Marsh Owls hunt in the vicinity. Mammals are also frequent at the waterhole after dark and we have a good chance of seeing Black Rhinoceros, African Elephant, Lion and Black-backed Jackal.

After some early morning birding, we will leave Okaukuejo and drive eastwards to the rest camp at Halali. Along the way, we will stop at a spot, which represents an isolated population of the endearing Rufous-eared Warbler. Halali is famous amongst birders as a site for Violet Wood-hoopoe and Bare-cheeked Babbler, both denizens of the taller Mopane woodland in the central part of the park. Other species in this area include the spectacular Bateleur, Shikra, flocks of Helmeted Guineafowl, Meyer's Parrot, Fawn-colored Lark, flocks of quizzical White Helmet-shrikes, White-crowned Shrike and Yellow-throated Petronia. The camp itself is an excellent location for finding roosting owls and we hope to locate Southern White-faced and African Scops owls and Pearl-spotted Owlet.

Here too, we will have an opportunity to spend time at a floodlit waterhole after dark. The evening's pageant is likely to commence again with hundreds of sandgrouse flying in to drink, with later visitors including nightjars, owls and a plethora of mammalian possibilities. African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros and Greater Kudu are regular, whilst Porcupine, African Wild Cat, Leopard and even the bizarre Aardvark have all been seen drinking here. Honey Badgers often make a nuisance of themselves in the camp, rummaging through rubbish bins in search of scraps, and we hope to track down the local family of these curious animals.

We will spend this morning birding the productive mixed woodland and grassland mosaic around Halali. Our final destination today is the rest camp of Namutoni, centered on an old German fort in the eastern part of the park.

As we travel eastwards from Halali towards Namutoni the scenery becomes ever greener and the vegetation taller. We will be searching for a number of species that we may not yet have encountered: Red-crested Bustard, Crowned Lapwing, Burchell's Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Red-faced Mousebird, African Gray Hornbill, Kurrichane and Groundscraper thrushes, Red-backed Scrub-Robin, Burnt-neck Eremomela, Chinspot Batis, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, Chestnut Weaver, flocks of Red-billed Quelea, sometimes numbering many thousands and Blue-breasted Cordonbleu. Vultures are often numerous around Namutoni and may include Lappet-faced, White-headed and wheeling flocks of White-backed.

The shallow Fischer's Pan lies to the north of the camp and is an eastern extension of the main Etosha Pan. Water levels vary tremendously and the pan is sometimes completely dry, but if water is present we may find flamingos, huge Saddle-billed and Yellow-billed storks, Red-billed Teal, South African Shelduck and large numbers of migratory waders. Further to the north of Namutoni, lie extensive grassy plains, home to large herds of Gemsbok, Springbok and Blue Wildebeest. The unique Secretary-bird and elegant Blue Crane are likely here and we may find both Eastern Clapper Lark and the diminutive Desert Cisticola.

Mammals are also plentiful in the dense woodland south of camp and include Spotted Hyena, African Elephant, Giraffe, Black-faced Impala and two antelope largely restricted to this part of the park: the huge Eland and the diminutive Damara Dikdik. Here too we will search for the most elusive of the five babbler species occurring in Namibia, the Black-lored Babbler. If we are very fortunate, we may also find Cheetah, Lion, Leopard, or Aardwolf.

After some final birding in the Namutoni area, we will depart for the drive eastwards to Rundu, gateway to the Caprivi Strip. Our route takes us through the dense thorn savanna east of Etosha National Park and then traverses over increasingly well-developed tropical woodland. We arrive at our lodge on the banks of the Okavango River in the late afternoon with time to explore some of the rich woodland close to Rundu, where we will search for such specials as Coqui Francolin, Common Scimitar-bill, White-breasted and Black cuckoo-shrikes, the richly-coloured Rufous-bellied Tit, White-headed Black-Chat, Greencap Eremomela and Red-headed Weaver. Our lodge overlooks wetlands situated across the Kavango in Angola and scanning this area may produce Spur-winged Goose, Rufous-bellied Heron, Dwarf Bittern and Coppery-tailed Coucal.

Our day commences with a dawn excursion to the Rundu "waterworks" to search for such gems as Hottentot Teal, Purple Swamphen, African Rail, Senegal Coucal, Red Bishop, Grosbeak Weaver and Zebra Waxbill. Following the Kavango River eastwards towards the Caprivi Strip, we will begin to encounter birds typical of the Okavango Delta, including White-rumped Babbler and Gabon Boubou. The rich teak woodlands in this area support a highly specialized avifauna, many of these typical of the extensive Miombo broad-leafed woodlands of Central Africa and we will stop frequently to search for such specials as Bradfield's Hornbill, the seldom-recorded Gray Cisticola and the rare Sharp-tailed Glossy-Starling.

In the afternoon, we cross into Botswana to the idyllic Xaro Lodge, situated on the banks of the Okavango River. Set in pristine riverine forest overlooking the endless waterways and papyrus swamps of the Okavango Delta, the lodge is a birder's paradise and we will be based here for two nights.

We commence our exploration of the area right in the lodge grounds, where the extensive woodland behind camp supports Crested Francolin, African Green-Pigeon, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Green Wood-hoopoe, Striped Kingfisher, Black-collared Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Arrow-marked Babbler, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Retz's Helmet-shrike, Violet-backed and Meves's Glossy-starlings, African Yellow White-eye, Lesser Masked-Weaver, and three species of firefinch including the localized Brown Firefinch, Terrestrial Brownbul and White-browed Robin-Chat. A wide variety of herons, egrets and kingfishers occur along the river and the extensive papyrus reedbeds adjacent to the lodge are home to Chirping Cisticola, Greater Swamp-Warbler, Southern Brown-throated and Holub's Golden weavers, and Fan-tailed Widowbird. The striking Little and the elegant White-fronted bee-eaters breed in the vicinity.

Most of the day will be spent exploring the channels and floodplains below the lodge, aboard motorized launches. We will search for the fabulous Pel's Fishing Owl, White-backed and Black-crowned nightherons, Pink-backed Pelican, Darter, Goliath, Purple, Black, Striated and Squacco herons, the rare and localized Slaty Egret, African Openbill and Marabou storks, the strange Hamerkop, Sacred, Glossy and Hadada ibises, Black Crake, African Snipe, Blacksmith and Three-banded plovers, Wattled and Long-toed lapwings, Water Thick-knee, African Skimmer, Pied, Giant and Malachite kingfishers, the huge Coppery-tailed Coucal, African Pied Wagtail and African Stonechat. African Fish-Eagles are ubiquitous and African Marsh-Harriers are commonly seen quartering the reedbeds here.

Some of the animals we will encounter are pods of Hippopotamus lazing in the shallows and good numbers of Nile Crocodiles. If we are lucky, we may see the shy Sitatunga (a swamp-dwelling antelope) or Common Reedbuck.

After dinner, we will search for nocturnal birds in the lodge grounds, including African Wood-Owl, African Barred-Owlet and Fiery-necked Nightjar.

After some final birding in the Shakawe area, we will depart on the short drive back across the border into Namibia and spend the day in Mahango Game Reserve. Situated along the Okavango River just north of Botswana, this unique park protects habitats ranging from attractive papyrus swamps to climax teak woodland and is a superb birding locality. We will search the open floodplain here for Woolly-necked Stork, African Spoonbill, White-faced and Knob-billed ducks and the regal and endangered Wattled Crane. Hirundines are in evidence and we will search for Lesser Striped, Wire-tailed and Gray-rumped swallows and the large Banded Martin. The adjacent woodland is home to amazing numbers of birds including Lizard Buzzard, Dark Chanting-Goshawk, Dickinson's Kestrel, Crested Barbet and Bearded Woodpecker. More open areas support Flappet and Rufous-naped larks African, Buffy and Plain-backed pipits and African Quailfinch.

Despite the presence of large mammals, one is allowed to get out of one's vehicle in Mahango and it is this freedom that makes birding here so special. We will be careful whilst walking since Hippopotamus, Elephant and Nile Crocodiles are all common. Elegant Red Lechwe graze on the floodplain and if we are very lucky, we may also see the shy Chobe Bushbuck. Other special mammals occurring here are the spectacular Sable and Roan antelopes and rare Tsessebe. We should see herds of these last three mentioned animals in the park as they forage and rest amongst the ubiquitous Elephants, Impala, Greater Kudu and troops of Chacma Baboons that make this park a fascinating wildlife adventure.

We then continue on to Suclabo Lodge. Like Xaro Lodge, Suclabo overlooks the Okavango River and a number of Okavango specials may be seen in camp.

In the evening, we will try again for Wood owl and may well see the resident Barn owl. A night drive will also be available and we may see Spotted and Verreaux's Eagle-owls, Marsh Owl and mammals including the unusual Zorilla.

Leaving the Kavango River, we continue eastwards towards Kasane through the Caprivi National Park. This area is characterized by broad-leafed Mopane woodland. This tree is the host of the Mopane worm, a delicacy to the local people.

At Katima Mulilo, we will birding nearby wetlands and woodland for African Mourning-Dove, impressive family groups of Southern Ground-Hornbill, Pale, Southern Black and Ashy flycatchers, Gray Tit-Flycatcher, Yellow-fronted and Brimstone canaries and Golden-breasted Bunting. Another major target here is the beautiful Schalow's Turaco.

Thereafter, we will drive to Kalizo Lodge, east of Katima and perched on the banks of the Zambezi River. Superb birding is possible around lodge itself.

Today, we have the full day available to explore the exciting areas around our lodge and Katima Mulilo. Wetlands may well yield the likes of the highly sought after Lesser Jacana, White-headed Lapwing and Greater Painted Snipe while in the riverine forests we may pin down African Barred Owlet, African Green Pigeon, White-browed and Red-capped robin chats and Retz's Helmetshrike. The broad-leafed woodlands and savanna are rich with birdlife and gems like Grey-headed and Orange-breasted bush shrikes, Red-billed Firefinch, Cut-throat Finch, White-headed Black Chat are all possible in our days birding. As the day draws to a close we may get lucky with a sighting of the rare Bat Hawk as it leaves the riverine forest in search of bats.

After early morning birding along the Zambezi, we will cross into Zambia on the new bridge over the Zambezi at Katima Mulilo and head to Livingstone.

After settling in to our lodge outside Livingstone, we will visit the world famous Victoria Falls. These falls have rightly been considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and we will spend some time appreciating the immense spectacle of the Zambezi River plunging 300ft into the gorge below. The continual spray from the falls has created a verdant rainforest and we will undoubtedly find some interesting birds here which may include Trumpeter and Crowned hornbills, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Yellow-breasted Apalis, various sunbirds including Amethyst, Collared and Purple-banded, Black-backed Puffback, Tropical Boubou and Red-winged Starling.

Livingstone is also one of the meccas for purchasing traditional African art and crafts and we will have time to browse through the markets, which offers a wide range of carvings (in both wood and stone), kitchen utensils and basket-ware.

Depending on flights, we may have sufficient time today to explore this fascinating area and our activities may include a trip to the Livingstone Sewage Works that is an excellent birding destination. Greater Painted-Snipe, Lesser Moorhen and Lesser Jacana are usually in residence and the reedbeds support populations of skulking Red-faced Cisticola, African Bush-Warbler and Lesser Swamp-Warbler. Both Gray-headed and Southern Gray-headed sparrows, a recent taxonomic split, can be found together in the town of Livingstone.

This afternoon, we fly from Livingstone to Johannesburg for our return international flights.