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Namibia & Botswana - Bird Photography Tour (Small Group)

© African Elephant by Keith Valentine
Namibia & Botswana - Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2025

25 Sep 2025 - 11 Oct 2025 (17 days)

ZAR148,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): ZAR148,950 * USD7,975 * GBP6,327 * EUR7,658 * AUD12,779

Single Supplement: ZAR14,500 * USD776 * GBP616 * EUR745 * AUD1,244

Namibia & Botswana - Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2026

24 Sep 2026 - 10 Oct 2026 (17 days)

ZAR154,900 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR154,900 * USD8,294 * GBP6,580 * EUR7,964 * AUD13,289

From 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 one of the most thrilling photo tours imaginable, with incredible contrasts and an eco-tourism experience like no other!

This exciting 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 and photograph mammals, large and small, ranging from elephant shrews to African Elephant, Fur Seals to Hippopotamus, as well as an exciting range of charismatic African big game including White and Black Rhinoceros, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Oryx, and African Buffalo.

The spectacular and dramatic scenery, quality mammal viewing, and exceptional birding provides for unmatched photo opportunities making this a photographic adventure not to be missed!

Highlights

  • Exploring Etosha National Park. Starkly scenic and holding a vast array of big game and dry country birds. One of Africa’s most famous protected areas.
  • Visting Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
  • Spending time on the water in small, motorised boats exploring the channels and backwaters of the magnificent Okavango Panhandle
  • Seeing and photographing many of Namibia’s endemic and near-endemic birds including Dune Lark, Rockrunner, Bare-cheeked Babbler, White-tailed Shrike, Ruppell’s Parrot, Violet Wood Hoopoe, Carp’s Tit, Ruppell’s Korhaan, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, and Herero Chat
  • Enjoy opportunities to photograph many iconic species of mammals such as Lion, African Elephant, White and Black Rhinoceros, Oryx, Giraffe, and even Cheetah and Leopard in completely different surroundings to East or South Africa in Etosha.
  • Experience the sheer expanse of the Namib Desert and see one of the oldest living plants on Earth, the famous Welwitschia


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

6 & 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels and mobility capabilities. Can be tiring due to long drives, climatic conditions. Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.

Accommodation

Comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Undemanding. Most key species offer good visuals in open conditions. Birding is from roadside, forest edge & open habitats.

Photographic Opportunities

Good to excellent.

What our clients say about us

Julian Parsons
RH & LH - NBZ 2022

We had a great time on the Namibia, etc. tour. Julian Parsons is a terrific guide, not just for birds (with which he is superb) but other dimensions of natural history, such as mammals, herps, plants, and geology. And he is a fine and thoughtful traveling companion, exceptionally helpful at every step of the way. We would be keen to go on Rockjumper trips with him as our guide, specifically, on future forays.

Heinz Ortmann
JH & JH - Namibia 2018

Heinz Ortmann is a great guide, organizer and traveling companion.

Julian Parsons
PN, Namibia 2023

Julian was a true pleasure to tour with. His calm and easygoing style were much appreciated. We love a guide with a sense of humor! His knowledge of the animals and birds and where to find them was excellent. Although we dipped on the Southern Carmine Bee-eater spectacle the first night, we still saw wonderful sights. He found the perfect place our second night on the river. The spectacle was amazing! He got all our biggest targets including Pels Fishing Owl and White-faced Owl and an African Wildcat! We had to give him two demerits as he dipped on the Honey Badger and the Pangolinsigh

Heinz Ortmann
PO - Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe

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.

André Bernon
SC, Namibia

Andre Bernon was a great leader, with great vision and bird finding skills. He also had excellent people skills, both with the participants and the various third parties that we dealt with. He maintained good humour and an even disposition throughout.

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