Johannesburg — Victoria Falls — Eastern Caprivi — Chobe, Botswana

This trip is absolute magic!

In a country often characterized as hot and dry, the Eastern Caprivi is noticeably more tropical than any of Namibia’s other regions. It enjoys a higher rainfall and a warmer winter than the rest of the country, providing a home to plants, birds and animals that are unable to survive in more arid biomes. Rain falls sporadically in the afternoons during the months of December to March, but nature now shows its lush and vibrant side, with bird watching at its phenomenal best.

A map showing the Eastern Caprivi.

We fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, where we will be met on arrival and transferred to Jafuta Lodge, situated in teak woodland about 15 kilometers from the Falls.

The afternoon will be spent birding on the large property where we could see Racket-tailed Roller, Bradfield's Hornbill, Broadtailed Paradise Whydah and Tinkling Cisticola. There is also big game to see and elephant and buffalo come to a waterhole opposite the main deck of the rustic lodge.

Early morning drive to view Victoria Falls, where the mighty Zambezi River tumbles down a mile wide chasm in the basalt shelf and then fights its way through a narrow gorge. Birding in the vicinity of the Falls is good and specials to find include Schalow's Lourie, Tropical Boubou, Collared Palm Thrush and Yellow White-eye.

We head back to the lodge for breakfast before being transferred to the airport for a charter flight to Lianshulu Lodge in the Caprivi. The lodge is situated in a Big Game area on the bank of the Kwando River in Mudumu National Park. We stay for three nights in brick and thatch chalets with private bathrooms.

Birding activities include pontoon rides on the river, open-vehicle drives and walks. Birds include Caprivi specials such as Black Coucal, Chirping Cisticola, Western Banded Snake Eagle and Pygmy Goose along the river. Inland, in dry habitat, many western species are on the edge of their range and it is possible to see Blackcheeked Waxbill, Fawncoloured Lark, Orange River Francolin and Arnot's Chat. Owls frequent the woodland surrounding the lodge and these include African Barred, Wood and Pearlspotted Owls.

Road transfer via Katimo Mulilo to the rustic Kalizo Lodge on a high bank of the Zambezi River. We stay for two nights and have excellent birding on the river and in the extensive floodplain grasslands inland from the lodge. Birds to see include African Skimmer, Carmine Bee-eater, Whitecrowned Plover, Brown Firefinch, Redbilled Francolin, Swamp Boubou, Senegal Coucal and Purplebanded Sunbird.

Boat transfer 120 kilometres down the Zambezi River on a flat-bottomed pontoon. The transfer will take the greater part of the day and birding stops will be made in quiet backwaters and on sandbanks and islands en route. This section is a highlight of the trip and a unique birding experience. Birds to see include Longtoed Plover, Rufousbellied Heron, Lesser Jacana, Fulvous Duck, Redwinged and Blackwinged Pratincoles, Copperytailed Coucal and Blue-checked Bee-eater.

Our destination is Impalila Island at the very eastern extremity of the Caprivi, where we stay at the superb Impalila Island Lodge. The lodge blends into the riverine forest and the individual, spacious en-suite chalets overlook the Zambezi River, floodplain and neighboring smaller islands.

We stay for three nights where activities include motorboat rides on the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers, and along the meandering Kasai Channel between the two rivers. 

There will be boat excursions into Chobe National Park as well, where game viewing from the boats is superb. You will see the rare Puku, Red Lechwe, Elephant, Hippo, crocodiles, buffalo and sometimes even lions.

Birdwatching is excellent and we should see Rock Pratincole, Whitebrowed Coucal, African Finfoot and Slaty Egret. Other specials include Greater Swamp Warbler, Pel's Fishing Owl, Whitebacked Night Heron, Hartlaub's Babbler, Natal Nightjar, Greyhooded and Halfcollared Kinfishers and many more.

River and road transfer via Kasane in Botswana to Victoria Falls airport for return flight to Johannesburg (JNB).

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