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NAMIBIA: Kavango East

The landscapes of Namibia are dominated by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts – hence the country’s birdlife is best known for its arid-country species. But the far northern province of Kavango East, where the Okavango River crosses a narrow strip of Namibia en route to Botswana, offers a richer habitat mosaic. Here the river’s wetlands meet the arid grasslands and savannah woodlands of the Kalahari, supporting an amazing diversity of birds.

At the heart of this area is Mahangu – a part of Bwabwata National Park – which is home to over 300 bird species and designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. Each component of this picturesque riverine environment has its avian specialities. The likes of Slaty Egret and Saddle-billed Storkwork the river channels, alongside smaller waders such as White-crowned and Long-toed Lapwing. Larger pools may attract fishing parties of Pink-backed Pelicans, while Lesser Jacanas forage through lily-festooned swamps.

The character of the river at any point determines which birds find a home there. Where it speeds up, such as at Poppa Falls, Rock Pratincoles perch on outcrops above the current.  Where it slows down, crescent sandbars offer nest sites for African Skimmers and Southern Carmine Bee-eaters excavate colonies in its steeply-shelving banks. In quieter stretches, tall riparian trees offer roosts for the elusive Pel’s Fishing-owland White-backed Night-heron.

 Away from the water, the open floodplain is a foraging ground for the stately Wattled Crane and rare Pink-throated Longclaw, while further back from the river, the extensive broad-leaved woodlands are home to numerous songbirds, including more unusual species such as Sharp-tailed Starling, Rufous-bellied Tit and the rare Souza’s Shrike. In summer, the species count increases, with long-distance migrants such as Montagu’s Harrier and Black-winged Pratincole arriving from Europe and Asia.

Southwest of Mahangu and the Okavango River, the wetland mosaic gives way to the sandy country of the remote Khaudum National Park. Here, at the edge of the Kalahari, the dry woodlands host numerous acacia-loving birds, including such localised species as Bradfield’s Hornbill and Black-faced Babbler. This is also the only place in the Kavango-Zambezi TFCA where you might come across Namibia’s near-endemicRuppell’s Parrot, which visits from January to June. Yellow-throated Sandgrouse dash between waterholes, and a wealth of raptors scan the wide expanses for prey, ranging from the diminutive Pygmy Falcon, which co-opts the nests of Red-billed Buffalo Weavers, to the mighty Martial Eagle.