ORNITHOLIDAYS' TOUR TO BOTSWANA Moremi & Chobe ...

Leader: Brent Reed 

ORNITHOLIDAYS’ TOUR TO BOTSWANA 

Moremi & Chobe Camping Tour 

18 October – 02 November 2008

19 October, 2008 – Moremi Game Reserve 

Overcast and cool. 25C 

ORNITHOLIDAYS’ TOUR TO BOTSWANA 

Moremi & Chobe Camping Tour 

18 October – 02 November 

A Personal Diary 

It was a frustrating start to the trip for the four travellers who unbeknownst to me were fretting away in 

Johannesburg whilst I was making my way by road to the Moremi Game Reserve where I was 

expecting to collect the party at the Xakanaxa Airstrip at midday. It was a cool, cloudy Sunday morning 

and having plenty of time on my hands I managed to get in a little birding en-route. The Mopane 

(Colophospermum mopane) woodlands produced the usual bird parties with Golden-breasted Bunting 

(Emberiza flaviventris), Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor), Southern Black Tit (Parus niger), 

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) and the ubiquitous Fork-tailed Drongos (Dicrurus adsimilis) 

which are seen everywhere in virtually every habitat. 

Back to our intrepid travellers who were still waiting for their Air Botswana flight to get off the ground 

in Johannesburg. As it turned out there were three Air Botswana flights cancelled that day, our 

unfortunate friends managed to get to Gaberone and no further. After more frustrating delays it 

eventually became apparent that they would not be getting to Maun that day and had to spend the night 

at a hotel in Gaberone (Gabs) instead. 

20 October, 2008 – Moremi Game Reserve 

Clear sunny skies with daytime temperatures peaking around 36C 

I woke up to the sound of monkeys chattering madly in the 

trees above my tent, clearly something was up. Not having 

anything else to do I jumped into the cruiser and headed off 

in the direction that the monkeys were looking. After about 

15 minutes of driving back and forth, stopping and waiting 

for more information from the monkeys, eventually I spotted 

the hooves of a recently deceased impala sticking out from 

under a candle-pod acacia on the edge of the floodplain about 

100m from our camp. The Leopard which had caused the 

impala‟s demise was so well hidden that even from a few 

metres away I had to use my binoculars to be certain he was 

Yellow Canary (Serinus flaviventris) 

actually there. Julia, Sally, John and Gloria were still in Gabs 

at this time. Air Botswana have a faultless safety record but 

schedules don‟t seem to mean too much to them, however delays spanning 24 hours are almost unheard 

of. Eventually our intrepid travellers managed to board the plane bound for Maun and shortly after their 

arrival in the dusty frontier town they were met by Mike, my father, and shown to the charter plane 

which would ferry them into Moremi. My morning‟s birding was happily interrupted by a radio call 

from my father informing me that the guests had boarded their charter flight and were now on their way 

to Moremi. The only bird worth mentioning in as far as we did not see it again on the safari was a lone 

Caspian Plover (Charadrius asiaticus) seen on the Fourth Bridge floodplains. 

It was hot and bright at the Xakanaxa airstrip where the trusty little Cessna 206 touched down with the 

travel-weary gang on board. We had a quiet drive back to camp where we got everything packed into 

the tents before setting off for the afternoon drive. 

Ornitholidays' Tour to Botswana 18 October to 02 November 2008 Page 1

Our first drive would prove to be one of our best for mammal sightings. Driving the upper floodplains 

of the Bodumatau/Fourth Bridge area we came across a Cheetah with two very young cubs that had 

been discovered by another safari vehicle, initially I had assumed that the vehicles were watching a 

Lion as another guide had told us that there was a big male sighted in the area that morning. It was a 

very pleasant surprise to come around the corner and find a mother Cheetah with two cubs so young 

they were still sporting the silvery mane of hair which makes them resemble little honey badgers. We 

ended our afternoon in the open plains at the top of the Bodumatau area where we had a flight of 16 

Black Egrets (Egretta ardesiaca) saluting us at the end of the day followed by the real bonus of two 

pairs of Marsh Owls (Asio capensis) which flew right by us as we sipped on our sun-downer drinks. 

The group was able to catch a glimpse of the Leopard hidden in the bush in front of the camp that I had 

seen earlier that morning. Our first evening in camp as a group was fairly noisy with a number of lions 

calling as well as a Hippo later at night which Sally heard munching grass in the vicinity of the camp. 

21 October – Moremi Game Reserve 

Overcast and warm in the morning getting hotter in the afternoon with 

temperatures peaking around 34C. A reasonably quiet morning started 

off with distant thunder and lightning which heralded the early rains but 

later dissipated leaving only a humid memory. 

We had a very large bull Elephant during our coffee break at Jessie‟s 

Pools which appeared soundlessly out the mopane behind us as we 

watched a variety of herons and egrets around the fringes of the tranquil 

water. A pair of African Hawk-eagles (Hieraaetus spilogaster) treated 

us to some good views as they hunted along the edge of a woodland 

whilst the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) squawked madly 

from their cover under the Croton bushes. 

The morning also brought our first real close-up of Wattled Cranes 

(Grus carunculatus) which we viewed in perfect light as they foraged 

along the sedge line of another vast Xakanaxa floodplain. Often cited as 

Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) Africa‟s fastest antelope, the Tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) made its 

first appearance on our mammal list with a small herd not far from our 

camp. Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) and Burchell‟s Zebra (Equus quagga burchelii) were also 

seen around the Third Bridge area during our search for the mother Cheetah and her cubs which we had 

seen the previous day. 

After brunch in camp, those not indulging in a siesta did 

some camp birding and turned up, amongst others, 

Diderick Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius), Yellowbreasted 

Apalis (Apalis flavida), Black-collared Barbet 

(Lybius torquatus), Swamp Boubou (Laniarius bicolor) 

and African Yellow White-eye (Zosterops sengalensis). 

The afternoon brought massive deep-purple towers of 

cumulus cloud from the east but no rain resulted from the 

build-up and we had to settle for distant views of a few 

spectacular bolts of lightning. 

Our afternoon drive took us to the Xakanaxa boat station Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) 

where we boarded a 16 foot aluminium boat for our 

exploration of the Xakanaxa Lediba (Setswana for lagoon), one of the permanent waterways of the 

Okavango Delta. We managed to get excellent face to face views of birds on a small heronry including 

Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus), Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis), Black-crowned Night- 

Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Reed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus), African Darter (Anhinga 

rufa) and Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea). The heronries are perched on top of clusters of Water Fig 

(Ficus verruculosa), an aquatic species of fig which abounds in the larger lagoons of the Okavango 

Delta. These green islands form the perfect refuge for nesting birds as they are safe from all terrestrial 


predators with the exception of snakes and it would be a very bold snake that makes an appearance in 

these colonies of watchful parents with their generally dagger-like bills. Whilst we viewed the heronry, 

two bull Elephants emerged from an adjacent channel and we were able to float alongside these grey 

giants as they fed and relaxed in the cool delta waters. 

We arrived back at the boat station about 30 minutes before sunset and headed off to one of my 

favourite sites for the Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) along a section of woodland overlooking a 

large area of Miscanthus grass. On our way to the Bat Hawk site we passed through a flock of feeding 

Southern Carmine Bee-eaters (Merops rubicoides) which sailed back and forth right over our heads. 

The festival of carmine and blue colour was accompanied by the castanet-like clicking of over a 

hundred little beaks snapping shut on flying prey. Although we dipped on the Bat Hawk we did get 

some good views of a Grey Penduline-tit (Anthroscopus caroli) going in and out of its very unusual 

nest, these tiny little birds are often difficult to get onto but the fact that this one was nesting meant we 

had no trouble getting great scope views. A bird which I was surprised to miss here was the Whitebrowed 

Coucal (Centropus superciliosus) which is normally fairly reliable at this site and had been very 

vocal and visible on my last visit. After sundowners spent still scanning for the elusive Bat Hawk we 

returned to camp and managed to pick up Verreaux‟s Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus) and the tiny African 

Barred Owlet (Glaucidium capense). 

Back at camp the Swamp Nightjar (Caprimulgus natalensis) provided the backing vocals to another 

delicious meal prepared by Chris and his team in their bush kitchen. 

22 October – Moremi Game Reserve to Khwai Concession Area 

The weather today was a typical October day in Botswana, a hot sunny morning and midday followed 

by building clouds and humidity in the latter part of the afternoon, the mercury topped out around 38 

degrees today! 

Moving day! It was time to say goodbye to our little camp in Fourth Bridge and head east for our next 

camp along the Khwai river just outside the Moremi. We were awoken by the echoing roar of Lions just 

a few hundred metres from our camp, along with the half-light of dawn and the chorus of robins and 

francolins it made for memorable rising. The Batswana (citizens of Botswana) have a greeting in their 

language, Setswana, which goes, O tsogile sentle? (Did you wake up well?) to which the reply in this 

case would be Ee ke tsogile sentle! (Yes, I woke up well!). 

Gloria reported that she had seen a Spotted Hyena 

(Crocuta crocuta) in camp during the night and after 

a quick scout around I found the tracks of two 

hyenas. Their presence in camp was confirmed by 

Chris, Lops and Moses in the kitchen where the 

hyenas had spent the majority of their time trying to 

locate scraps left over from our dinner. During 

breakfast the Vervet Monkeys (Cercopithicus 

aethiops) moved into the Jackalberry tree (Diospyros 

mespilliformis) above our breakfast table and one 

individual very rudely began unleashing faecal 

Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) 

bombs which meant we had to scatter in disarray 

with our coffee and cereal in hand. The camp staff 

quickly moved the table and no harm was done. A great mixed herd of Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes 

taurinus) and Burchell‟s Zebra were seen on the plains adjacent to the mopane woodlands on the 

Acacia Pan road. Our drive took us through a long stretch of mopane where the usual suspects were 

seen in amongst bird parties, these included White-crested Helmet-Shrike (Prionops plumatus), 

Arnott‟s Chat (Myrmecocichla arnoti), Brubru (Nilaus afer), Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (Merops 

hirundineus) and a frustrating Striped Kingfisher (Halcyon chelicuti) which called and called but must 

was never seen. I eventually concluded that it must have been calling from a hole and having a laugh at 

our expense. A binocular scan of a muddy expanse in the mopane where we were looking for Greater 

Painted-Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) produced a pride of nine Lions instead. We drove around to 


have a closer look and found a pride consisting of four adult females and some sub-adults, there were 

no males present and the Lions were doing what Lions are wont to do during the day, sleeping. Another 

scan for the snipes came up empty and we made our way onwards and eastwards towards the Khwai 

region. One of our stops produced two male Bennet‟s Woodpeckers (Campethera bennetti) chasing 

each other around the trunk of an old mopane and calling vigorously until the weaker of the two 

eventually gave up and turned tail for less contested territory. We left the park via the bridge over the 

River Khwai which demarcates the northern boundary of the Moremi Game Reserve. Not far outside 

the park on an area known as Lechwe Plains we turned up a lone Temminck's Courser (Cursorius 

temminckii). Once outside the park and into the concession area we stopped alongside the river for 

lunch and a bit of a snooze. Chris had outdone himself with our picnic and soon we were lost in a 

satiated and somnolent trance along the Khwai River with only storks and Elephants for company. 

Our drive onward to our camp produced a sought-after Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius) which 

Gloria commented “looks like Audrey Hepburn in Capri pants” and it did rather as it strutted along the 

moist Cyperus sedge-lines. This was rather unusual habitat for this stately bird which in Botswana is 

normally found in large semi-arid grasslands and not along rivers. We also found a number of Whitebacked 

Vultures (Gyps africanus) on nests in the tall Knobthorn trees (Acacia nigrescens) which are 

very common in the Khwai region. After arriving in our camp at Sable Alley we had time to get our 

things organised and spend some time gazing over the Sable Alley channel which is a small backwater 

which pushes up from the Khwai River in years of high flood. 

We went out again just before sunset to another site 

which sometimes produces the Bat Hawk but once 

again we were to dip on this species. On the way to 

our sundowner spot we manage to add Rufous-bellied 

Heron (Ardeola rufiventris) and Slaty Egret (Egretta 

vinaceigula), two Okavango specials, to our growing 

list. Once we stopped for sundowners we were 

treated to an amazing sighting of a clan of hyenas 

who trotted out of the bush and came to drink from a 

small pool about 20 feet from where we were 

standing. They came one by one, then two, then three 

Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris) 

until there were nine hyenas scattered between the 

pool and a stretch of the river a little further away. They paid us absolutely no notice and things were 

fairly peaceful until suddenly one of the hyenas decided that one of their number had not paid her due 

respect and then pandemonium broke out as the clan picked on first one then another member. The 

howling, screeching, laughing, yipping medley of calls that resonated along the river was almost 

overwhelming. John managed to record some of the sound on his MP3 recorder although it was difficult 

to capture the full spine-tingling atmosphere of the feet striking earth as they charged back and forth 

along the river howling and baying as they went. Sally desperately tried to make herself one with the 

vehicle during this outburst and despite my assurances that we were perfectly safe at the vehicle Sally 

remained sceptical. After a few minutes the mayhem ceased, the hyenas melted back into the bush from 

whence they had come and peace returned to the river. Sally gave a wry smile and took another swig of 

fortifying gin & tonic. Our night drive back to camp was quiet but we did manage to get another very 

good look at Verreaux‟s Eagle Owl and had a wonderful sighting of Southern White-faced Scops-Owl 

(Ptilopsis granti). 

23 October – Khwai Concession Area 

Cumulus continued to build but there was not much humidity and this made the 35+ degrees bearable, 

the occasional cloud offering relief from the searing sun. 


Gabar Goshawk (Melierax gabar) 

Lions greeted the dawn once again, this time from 

the west of our camp. We could hear their deep, 

throaty roaring reverberating through our tents as the 

staff poured warm water into the stand basins 

outside our canvas castles. Breakfast was 

accompanied by a pair of Little Sparrowhawks 

(Accipiter minullus) mobbing a couple of Vervet 

monkeys in the leadwood trees (Combertum 

imberbe) above our camp. In the distance we could 

hear the hooting of a pair of Verreaux‟s Eagle Owls 

and all around the camp was the constant wakkawakka 

calling of the Red-billed Hornbills (Tockus 

erythrorhynchus). 

First up on our morning drive was a pair of Bearded Woodpeckers (Dendropicus namaquus), the male 

was following the female with clear intentions but the female was having none of it and kept on eluding 

his best efforts to waylay her. We stopped for tea at a bend on the Khwai River where a pod of Hippo 

make their home. Here we were entertained by the snorting and chortling of these unlikely beasts whilst 

we picked out Water Thick-knees (Burhinus vermiculatus) which were cleverly disguised as lumps of 

elephant dung amongst a field of the same. Etymologically these birds have had a rough time of it, their 

current name of Thick-knee replaces the old name, Dikkop, an Afrikaans word meaning „thick head‟ – 

from thick heads to thick knees. We left our fat hippos and thick knees and were several minutes down 

the road when Gloria enquired as to the whereabouts of my spotting scope – I had left it back at Hippo 

Hollow. We made a smooth but urgent U-turn and headed back to the tea spot where thankfully it still 

stood atop the tripod as yet unmolested by the wildlife. We had an urgent appointment this morning, the 

missing Pimms was due to land at the Khwai airstrip on A2-FMD (or Alpha 2 – Fox Mike Delta), a 

Cessna 206 which had been dispatched from Maun carrying this precious cargo. On our way to the 

airstrip we met another guide from Wilderness Safaris who told us they had seen Wild Dogs (Lycaon 

pictus) not far from the airstrip. We headed over towards the airstrip where the dogs had been seen and 

were lucky to find the dogs lying quite a way from the road under a large Toothbrush bush (Diospyros 

lyciodes), one of the pack of seven had gone to the river to drink and it was thanks to him that we saw 

where the rest of the pack were lying flat out on the ground. Whilst watching the dogs we were visited 

by a Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor) and a Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni). 

Back at camp over brunch we mused how lucky Sally was to have seen Wild Dogs on her first visit to 

Botswana, Julia had to travel with us ten times before eventually setting eyes on these nomadic beasties. 

Our afternoon drive afforded some excellent views of a Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) feeding 

a fledgling in the sedge line along the river. Around this time we also realised that the Pimms had been 

flown in but no lemonade – another radio call to the office was made to arrange for a case of lemonade 

to be flown in the following morning. Across the river we saw what was to be our first and only Steppe 

Buzzard (Buteo vulpinus) for the safari, this pioneering individual seemed to be patiently waiting for a 

termite emergence which, judging by the isolated showers falling around us, would not be far off. We 

managed to escape the majority of the rain and were only subjected to a light drizzle just as we left 

camp. 

Just before our stop for sundowners we came across a couple of hyena pups outside a den on one of the 

back roads through the western mopane. Our night drive produced none of the Bronze-winged Coursers 

(Rhinoptilus chalcopterus) which we had hoped for in the mopane but we did get several views of 

flying nightjars but not good enough views to positively identify, Caprimulgus spp. Once again the 

Verreaux‟s Eagle Owl perched out in the open with his melancholy gaze hooded by those ridiculous 

pink eyelids that only a bird as sombre and stately as an owl could get away with. We also had a 

sighting of a Serval. Scattered showers in the afternoon had charged the air with the incomparable scent 

of a dusty landscape freshly washed and a light breeze washed over us as we watched the stars emerge 

from behind the clouds. 


24 October 2008 – Khwai Concession Area 

Dawn was fresh and clean as a result of yesterday‟s rain but the humidity started to climb as the 

morning sun sucked the moisture up from the shallow puddles. The sky remained partly cloudy with the 

temperature levelling off at around 37 degrees. 

Almost predictably we awoke to the sound of Lions roaring in the east and not long after we left camp 

we picked up the tracks of three females. We followed their tracks to large open floodplain surrounded 

by Umbrella Thorn (Acacia tortillis) and here things became very confusing. The Lionesses had met up 

with another two females, several cubs and sub-adults and there were also tracks of one large male 

Lion. Obviously there had been a very fond and energetic reunions as the tracks milled about and 

crossed over, backtracked and then headed into the dense grass and towards a woodland dominated by 

Rain trees (Philonoptera violaceae). Opting to circle round rather than bundu bashing after them we 

were happily rewarded with part of the pride lying right by the side of the road. At first we thought we 

had found the four adult females until we saw that one of the females was sporting a rather large set of 

testicles which led us then to realise that the male was short of mane but nothing else. We never did find 

the rest of that pride as the remainder of our morning was taken up with cuckoos and a productive walk 

through the riverine woodland. Our first walk produced Levaillant's Cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii), 

Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus), Dideric Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius) and African Cuckoo 

(Cuculus gularis) all of which were seen well which is extremely unusual for this gang of parasites 

which are usually found only by their call and then with difficulty. We also had excellent views of 

Retz‟s Helmetshrike (Prionops retzii), Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus), Red-headed Weaver 

(Anaplectes rubriceps) and Black-backed Puffback (Dryoscopus cubla). Driving along to our next 

walking site, Julia spotted another tiny Malachite Kingfisher along the river whilst we were moving – 

good eyes Julia! On our second walk we picked up Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens), 

Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus) and heard the Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera 

abingoni) which obstinately refused to show himself. As we neared the river we had good in-flight 

views of Black-chested Snake-Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) and Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) which was 

cruising the tree-line to the considerable distress of the resident squirrels, francolins and guineafowl. As 

we emerged from the woodland a pair of Wattled Cranes (Grus carunculatus) wandered through the 

shallows of the river with a juvenile so busy feeding that they scarcely paid us any attention at all. Not 

much further downstream were a pair of Southern Ground Hornbills (Bucorvis leadbeateri) also 

foraging alongside the river with their youngster in tow. On our drive back to camp we saw a further 

four separate Dideric Cuckoos made up of three males and one female. 

Our afternoon drive was comparatively quiet but it did produce White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer) 

which is unusual for this area as well as more good views of African Hawk-Eagle (Hieraaetus 

spilogaster). A curious baby Giraffe still sporting his infant punk hairstyle afforded us some excellent 

views just before sunset. We skipped on the night drive as the sky was flashing electric warnings of a 

better-than-average chance of getting drenched should we stay out too late. The sounds of distant and 

then not-so-distant thunder followed us back to camp where all the noise and lightning turned out to be 

much ado about nothing, the fury of the storms having been spent elsewhere. 

25 October 2008 – Khwai to Savuti (Zwe-Zwe Pan) 

A cool morning broke into a brutally hot afternoon with the mercury almost certainly kissing the bottom 

of 40°C. 

Our drive this morning would take us a 80km north into the Chobe National Park and up to Savuti and 

then a further 40km east to the remote Zwe Zwe pan area. The initial part of the drive along the Khwai 

was reasonably uneventful but we were soon to remedy that! We turned north off the Khwai River and 

began lumbering over the Makhwikhwe sand ridge which formed the western shore of the vast paleolake 

which covered much of central and northern Botswana. On the other side of the sand ridge we 

entered the mopane belt where a small flock of Golden-breasted Buntings (Emberiza flaviventris) kept 

us busy trying to lock onto them as they flitted from one impossible viewing position to another. 

Shortly after this, just as we were rounding a bend I heard the familiar scratching, scolding call of a 


Burchell‟s Starling (Lamprotornis australis) about 40 metres behind us. I reversed back to see what the 

commotion was about and there, crossing the road was a beautiful banded-phase Snouted Cobra (Naja 

annulifera). I jumped out of the vehicle to have a closer look and hopefully give the creature pause so 

that we could get some photographs but the serpent had other ideas and making a swift U-turn he 

headed straight under the vehicle. My heart sank as I saw him enter the undercarriage – this was going 

to be tricky. After evacuating our now somewhat perturbed birdwatchers from the vehicle I clambered 

under the vehicle to ascertain how I was going to coax it out of there. Not easily, was the soon apparent 

answer. The cobra had wedged himself above the diesel tank and no amount of prodding, poking or 

pulling would budge him. He did at one stage stick his head out between the cab and load body but then 

decided he preferred the darkness and security of his diesel tank recess. Having exhausted the extraction 

options we stuffed blankets down to block the gap between the cab and load body and drove off in the 

hope that the slender stowaway would drop off unharmed somewhere along the way. We never did see 

that snake again. 

We crossed through the Mababe gate and officially into the Chobe National Park where I explained to 

the wildlife officers that I might be harbouring a snake from outside of the park and would they like to 

take it out before I entered. Strangely enough the wildlife officers displayed no interest in removing, 

attempting to remove or being present during an attempt to remove the serpent, in fact they suggested 

that we skip the usual signing-in formalities and proceed directly to Savuti where they assured me their 

colleagues would be happy to assist. We crossed then into the mighty Chobe National Park which 

occupies over 10,000 square kilometres of pristine wilderness and is home to an estimated 100,000 

Elephants and over 470 species of birds. After a few kilometres we broke through the mopane and onto 

the south-western edge of the Mababe Depression. It was here that Johan Wahlberg, for whom the 

Wahlberg‟s Eagle is named, ended his days when he was run through by a „rogue‟ bull Elephant that he 

had been hunting and thus his career as a hunter, naturalist and collector ended abruptly on an ivory 

skewer. 

We stopped for brunch under a Shepherd‟s Tree (Boscia albitrunca) which offered welcome shade from 

a sun that was already starting to get a little toasty. Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor) and White-browed 

Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) were amongst the visitors to our temporary dining area. A 

Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmacis) also made a very swift fly-by and levelled out so low overhead that 

the air could be heard vibrating over his flight feathers as he came out of a steep dive. After lunch it was 

back on the long road to Savuti where we picked up a goodly mixture of birds on the way including 

Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum), Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegala), White-bellied 

Sunbird (Cinnyris tanatala), Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) and our first Red-crested Korhaan 

(Eupodotis ruficrista) which was whistling a happy, piercing tune in the sandy Kalahari Apple-leaf 

(Lonchocarpus nelsii) scrub. Just as the soporific rhythm of the land cruiser was lulling everyone to 

sleep with their lunch-filled bellies we passed a scrubby Shepherd‟s Tree (Boscia albitrunca) with an 

unusual grey patch in the middle, the grey patch turned out to be a Lesser Bushbaby (Galago moholi) 

which tried desperately to ignore us and the fact that his hiding place had been found out. 

Over the sand ridge the vegetation changes again as we begin approaching the Savuti Hills which, apart 

from the sand ridge, provide the only relief on an otherwise pan flat landscape. Originally of volcanic 

origin, the hills are sheer on the eastern side where they were pounded by aeons of waves pushed in by 

the easterly winds rushing over the inland sea while the western sides slope gently and speak of a more 

placid geological history. We stopped for a leg stretch at an enormous Baobab (Adansonia digitata) and 

had a brief, tantalizing glimpse of something that looked every bit like a Common Redstart 

(Phoenicurus phoenicurus) but was off and away before we had a decent look. Further on we arrived at 

Pump Pan which was the first artificial waterhole to be constructed in the Savuti area, unfortunately the 

only thing of interest there was a dead elephant that had apparently taken a tumble into the cloying mud 

and had been unable to escape. A quick stop at Harvey‟s Pools did not produce the Double-banded 

Courser (Rhinoptilus africanus) which we were hoping for and so it was onwards to Zwe-Zwe. 

European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) and African Hawk-eagle were amongst the birds we saw on the 

way along with a female Yellow-throated Sandgrouse (Pterocles gutturalis) which sat placidly in the 

road allowing us to take our time to misidentify it. Horus Swifts (Apus horus) were amongst the day‟s 

surprise birds as they are not regularly recorded in Botswana. Other birds which pitched up closer to 


camp were the Red-breasted Swallow (Hirundo semirufa) and Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) of 

which we were lucky enough to see both races (nipalensis and orientalis). 

We eventually arrived in camp after a long, hot but eventful day. After settling down to sundowner 

drinks in camp we savoured both the drinks and the decreasing evening temperatures. Rufous-cheeked 

Nightjar (Caprimulgus rufigena) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba) provided the backing vocals for the 

evening. 

26 October 2008 – Zwe-Zwe Pan & Ngwezumba Valley 

We had a late start this morning with 06h30 rising call, we enjoyed breakfast in camp overlooking the 

waterhole where a journey of Giraffe had installed themselves for a morning drink. Everywhere we 

looked there were Yellow-billed Kites wheeling through the air, it seemed they were attempting to 

catch the thousands of Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) that were also visiting the waterhole. Taking 

our tea and coffee with us we installed ourselves on comfortable chairs with a view of the action in 

front of us. Half-an-hour here turned up Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (Emberiza tahapisi), Gabar 

Goshawk (Melierax gabar), Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus), Red-billed Teal (Anas erythrorhyncha), 

Burchell‟s Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli). After our armchair birding we boarded the vehicle for a 

drive to a waterhole which we had dubbed Stinky Pond because of the large amount of elephant dung 

surrounding the water. Stinky Pond proved to be a productive stop with great flocks of Red-billed 

Quelea which we estimated to number in the tens of thousands. Gathered here to dine upon the quelea 

were a pair of Lanner Falcon, a couple of Steppe Eagles which we watched catch no less than four 

quelea whilst we were there and later on a great view of a wind-stalling juvenile Black-chested Snake 

Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) checking out the action below. Whilst all of this was going on two male 

Kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) came strutting down to imbibe of the not-too-appetising water. 

After tea we drove east to Hippo Hollow where we found Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) 

and Grey-rumped Swallow (Pseudohirundo griseopyga) before returning to camp for brunch and some 

shelter from the swelter. Whilst everyone was having a siesta I watched a pair of White-headed 

Vultures (Trigonoceps occipitalis) soaring effortlessly high above our camp. 

Our afternoon drive took us east once more towards the Ngwezumba Valley where we finally located a 

single Temminck‟s Courser (Cursorius temminckii) on a short grassy plain. We also had our first decent 

views of a Mosque Swallow (Hirundo senegalensis) and the sparse shrubland alongside the road 

produced a couple of Fawn-coloured Larks (Calendulauda africanoides). In the Zambezi Teak (Baikea 

plurijuga) woodlands which signal the start of the fossilised dunes we found a pair of African Hawk- 

Eagles (Hieraaetus fasciatus) hunting but none of the expected „teak specials‟. Back at Hippo Hollow 

we turned up a very unusual Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus), we tried to get a digiscope image of 

the sandpiper but the fading light made it impossible to get a crisp shot. The resident Hippo was in a 

particularly foul mood this afternoon and there was much hippo-grunting followed by a spectacular 

show of teeth as he opened his mouth almost 180 degrees to register his displeasure at our presence. 

All this posturing did not stop us from enjoying a civilised gin & tonic as the sun set behind the pond. 

During the night hyena and jackal called as we sat around the fire and went over the birdlist for the day. 

A very large cicada came out of the dark like a Japanese Zero and went buzzing straight onto Gloria‟s 

shirt causing her to spill red wine on her best trousers. In the background we could hear a constant 

stream of Elephants moving through the waterhole. 

27 October 2008 – Zwe Zwe to Chobe River 

Our drive from Zwe-Zwe took us further along the Ngwesumba Valley and up into the northern Chobe 

National Park. As we entered the teak forests we found a small group of Violet-backed Starling 

(Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) which afforded us fairly good views in the sunlight. We stopped for lunch 

in the teak forest after searching for a waterhole which I remembered in the area but could not locate. 

On our way to Chobe Safari Lodge a male Lion walked across the road in front of our vehicle. We 

arrived at the lodge in the afternoon and whilst John and Gloria relaxed on the deck of the lodge, Sally, 

Julia and I went for a walk around the lodge gardens where we found a number of new species for the 

trip – Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus xanthopterus), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), Golden 


Weaver (Ploceus xanthops), White-browed Robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini) and an annoying flock of 

Red-faced Mousebirds (Urocolius indicus) which called constantly but were so deep in the canopy that 

we could not see them. 

On our drive to camp we saw the first of many herds of Cape Buffalo (Cyncerus cafer) and another new 

mammal for the trip, the Puku (Kobus vardonii) which only occurs along this 40km stretch of river in 

Southern Africa. 

28 October 2008 – Chobe River 

Our camp was close to the route taken by large numbers of elephants to go down to the river to drink 

and then return to the bush and at the Chobe River we saw a very large gathering of Elephants. There 

were two main highlights of the day - one was a very visible Bushbuck right beside us on the road 

above the river bank. Then as we were driving back to camp after sundowners, we came across a pack 

of Wild Dogs which crossed our path and appeared to be on a hunting trip. This was our second pack of 

dogs as we had also seen a pack by the River Khwai. We felt very lucky to see two packs of dogs in one 

holiday! 


We saw a large group of Sable Antelope crossing the main road. Their hooves clattered on the tarmac 

and they found it difficult to grip: one nearly fell over as it lost its footing. Driving into Kasane, there 

was a commotion as a Boomslang Snake crossed the road, being mobbed by several starlings. It slunk 

off into the undergrowth by the roadside. Back by the Chobe River, we had good views of a Blackbacked 

Jackal and watched large herds of Cape Buffalo moving down to the river to drink. 


The highlight today was an idyllic afternoon boat trip on the Chobe River. The boatman was very adept 

at getting us close to the wildlife - there was a large Crocodile on the bank and we went in very close so 

we could see right into his jaws! Once again, there were excellent sightings of Elephants, bathing in the 

river near our boat. 

The boatman was keen-eyed and we were able to find Lesser Jacana amongst the water lilies. Other 

good sightings were very close views of Slaty Egret, White-fronted Bee-eaters, and three different 

Kingfishers - Malachite, Giant and Pied. 

31 October 2008 – Chobe River - Gweta 

We left camp, having said goodbye to Chris, Lops and Moses who had looked after us so well. All 

Chris's meals had been excellent and varied, with good presentation. They were going to return directly 

to Maun while we drove to Kasane. We then had a long and very windy journey to Planet Baobab, near 

Gweta, where we had dinner and spent the night. 

01 November 2008 

After breakfast we drove to Maun. The only notable wildlife on the journey was several Ostriches 

picking over the verges by the side of the road. On arrival at Maun we were taken to the Letaka Safari 

offices where we had the opportunity of a wash and a drink. Then we sorted out our luggage and 

checked-in on-line for the Jo'burg London flight. Brent drove us to the airport where we had an 

enjoyable lunch at a restaurant over the road from the terminal building, before the delights of checking 

in for our flight to South Africa and our journey home. 

Acknowledgements 

Many thanks to John Nottage for providing the diary for 27 th October to 1 st November and the birdlist 

as Brent has mislaid his second note book and was unable to complete the report. 


Brent Reed 

Ornitholidays 

29 Straight Mile 

Romsey 

Hampshire 

SO51 9BB 

Tel: 01794 519445 

E-mail: info@ornitholidays.co.uk 

May 2009 


CHECKLIST OF SPECIES SEEN DURING THE TOUR 

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME 

Common Ostrich Struthio camelus 

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis 

Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 

African Darter Anhinga melanogaster 

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath 

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 

Great (White) Egret Egretta alba 

Little Egret Egretta garzetta 

Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia 

Black Heron (Egret) Egretta ardesiaca 

Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula 

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 

(Common) Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 

Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus 

Rufous-bellied Heron Butorides rufiventris 

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 

African Openbill (Openbilled Stork) Anastomus lamelligerus 

Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis 

Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus 

Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 

African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 

Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 

African Spoonbill Platalea alba 

White-faced Duck Dendrocygna viduata 

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 

Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha 

Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 

Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius 

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus 

(African) White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 

Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus 

Yellow-billed Kite Milvus parasiticus 

Black Kite Milvus migrans 

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus 

Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax 

Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 

Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina 

Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi 

African Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus 

Ayer‟s Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii 

Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus 

Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus 

Black-chested (Black-breasted) Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus 

Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus 

African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 

Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus 

Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus 

Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus 

Shikra (Little Banded Goshawk) Accipiter badius 

Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar 

Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates 

African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus 

Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 

Eurasian (European) Hobby Falco subbuteo 

Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena 


Red-billed Francolin Francolinus adspersus 

Swainson's Spurfowl (Francolin) Francolinus swainsonii 

Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris 

Wattled Crane Grus carunculata 

Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris 

African Purple Swamphen (Purple Gallinule) Porphyrio porphyrio 

Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori 

Red-crested Korhaan Eupodotis ruficrista 

African Jacana Actophilornis africanus 

Lesser Jacana Actophilornis melanogaster 

Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis 

Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 

Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 

White-crowned Lapwing (Plover) Vanellus albiceps 

Crowned Lapwing (Plover) Vanellus coronatus 

Blacksmith Lapwing (Plover) Vanellus armatus 

Long-toed Lapwing (Plover) Vanellus crassirostris 

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucus 

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 

Ruff Philomachus pugnax 

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 

Spotted Thick-knee (Dikkop) Burhinus capensis 

Water Thick-knee (Dikkop) Burhinus vermiculatus 

Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii 

Collared (Red-winged) Pratincole Glareola pratincola 

Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis 

Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus 

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus 

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 

African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris 

Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua 

Burchell's Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli 

Yellow-throated Sandgrouse Pterocles gutturalis 

Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus 

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columbia livia 

Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 

African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens 

Cape Turtle Dove Streptopelia capicola 

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 

Emerald-spotted (Greenspotted) Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos 

African Green-Pigeon Treron calva 

Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri 

Grey Go-away-bird (Lourie) Corythaixoides concolor 

African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis 

Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus 

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius 

Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus 

Diderick (Diederik) Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius 

Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus 

Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis 

Marsh Owl Asio capensis 

African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis 

Southern White-faced Scops-Owl Otus leucotis 

Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum 

African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense 

Verreaux‟s (Giant) Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus 

Square-tailed (Mozambique) Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii 


Common (European) Swift Apus apus 

White-rumped Swift Apus caffer 

Little Swift Apus affinis 

African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 

Giant Kingfisher Ceryle maxima 

Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 

Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris 

Grey-headed (Grey-hooded) Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala 

Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti 

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 

Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides 

White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides 

Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus 

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus 

Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata 

Purple Roller Coracias naevia 

Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus 

African Hoopoe Upupa africana 

Green (Redbilled) Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 

Common (Greater) Scimitarbill Phoeniculus cyanomelas 

African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus 

Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus 

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas 

Bradfield's Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi 

Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus cafer 

Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus 

Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii 

Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator 

Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor 

Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii 

Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni 

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 

Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus 

Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana 

Fawn-coloured Lark Mirafra africanoides 

Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark (Finchlark) Eremopterix leucotis 

Barn (European) Swallow Hirundo rustica 

White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis 

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 

Red-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa 

Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis 

Greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata 

Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula 

Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia 

Banded Martin Riparia cincta 

Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava 

Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis 

Black-headed (Eastern) Oriole Oriolus larvatus 

Pied Crow Corvus albus 

Southern Black Tit Parus niger 

Grey Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus caroli 

Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii 

Hartlaub‟s Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii 

Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor 

African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans 

Dark-caped (Blackeyed) Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus 

Terrestrial Brownbul (Bulbul) Phyllastrephus terrestris 

African Yellow-bellied Greenbul (Bulbul) Chlorocichla flaviventris 

Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus 

Groundscraper Thrush Turdus litsipsirupa 


Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata 

Arnott‟s (Arnot's) Chat Thamnolaea arnotti 

African (Common) Stonechat Saxicola torquata 

White-browed Robin-Chat (Heuglin's Robin) Cossypha heuglini 

White-browed Scrub-Robin (Robin) Erythropygia leucophrys 

Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Parisoma subcaeruleum 

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 

Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 

Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens 

Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata 

African (Barred) Wren-Warbler Camaroptera fasciolata 

Zitting (Fantailed) Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 

Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus 

Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana 

Luapula (Blackbacked) Cisticola Cisticola luapula 

Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens 

Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapillus 

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 

Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans 

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 

Ashy (Bluegrey) Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens 

Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina 

Marico Flycatcher Melaenornis mariquensis 

Pale (Mousecoloured) Flycatcher Melaenornis pallidus 

Chinspot Batis Batis molitor 

African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp 

Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis 

African (Grassveld) Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus 

Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys 

Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis 

Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor 

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 

Magpie (African Longtailed) Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca 

Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus 

Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor 

Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus 

Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla 

Brubru Nilaus afer 

Brown-crowned (Threestreaked) Tchagra Tchagra australis 

Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala 

White-crested (White) Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus 

Retz‟s (Redbilled) Helmet-Shrike Prionops retzii 

Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens 

Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea 

Violet-backed (Plumcoloured) Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 

Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis 

Meve‟s (Longtailed) Starling Lamprotornis mevesii 

Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens 

Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus 

Lesser Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus 

Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus 

Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus 

Copper (Coppery) Sunbird Nectarinia cuprea 

Marico Sunbird Nectarinia mariquensis 

White-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia talatala 

Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis 

Amethyst (African Black) Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina 

Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris 

Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger 

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali 

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus 


African Yellow-throated Petronia (Sparrow) Petronia superciliaris 

Scaly-feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons 

Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis 

Village (Spottedbacked) Weaver Ploceus cucullatus 

African Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus 

Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius 

Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus 

Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps 

Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea 

Green-winged Pytilia (Melba Finch) Pytilia melba 

Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia 

Red-billed Fire Finch Lagonosticta senegala 

Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis 

Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina 

Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 

Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia 

Long-tailed (Eastern) Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisea 

Yellow-fronted (Yelloweyed) Canary Serinus mozambicus 

Black-throated Canary Serinus atrogularis 

Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris 

Cinnamon-breasted (Rock) Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 

MAMMALS 

Lesser Bushbaby Galago moholi 

Black-faced Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops 

Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus 

Side-striped Jackal h Canis adustus 

Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas 

Hunting Dog Lycaon pictus 

Honey Badger Mellivora capensis 

Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula 

Slender Mongoose Galerella sanguinea 

Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo 

Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta 

Serval Felis serval 

African Wild Cat Felis lybica 

Lion Panthera leo 

Leopard Panthera pardus 

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus 

African Elephant Loxodonta africana 

Burchell's Zebra Equus burchellii 

Wart hog Phacochoerus aethiopicus 

Hippopotamus Hippotamus amphibius 

Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis 

Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 

Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros 

Cape Buffalo Synceros caffer 

Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus 

Red Lechwe Kobus leche 

Puku Kobus vardonii 

Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum 

Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus 

Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger 

Blue Wilbebeest Connochaetes taurinus 

Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus 

Steenbok Raphiceros campestris 

Impala Aepyceros melampus 

MopaneTree Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi 

Spring Hare Pedetes capensis 

Scrub Hare Lepus saxatillis 

Woodland Dormouse Graphiurus murinus 


OTHER ANIMALS 

Terrapin 

Nile Monitor Lizard 

Kalahari Ferrari 

Snouted Cobra Naja annulifera 

Boomslang 

Bold Text = endemic to Southern Africa 


Cheetah 

Lioness 

Elephant 

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl 

Hunting Dog 

Sable 

Cobra 

White-cheeked Bee-eaters 

Front cover and this page all photographs © John Nottage

ORNITHOLIDAYS' TOUR TO BOTSWANA Moremi & Chobe ...

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