Late November and early December is the peak of the migrant season in northern Botswana and the Caprivi, and with early rains you can be lucky to see some rare birds. This 20-day road trip leaves Beaufort West and crosses the Karoo and Kalahari into Botswana, then follows the Chobe and Zambezi rivers through Kasane, Katima Mulilo and Divundu before returning along the Okavango Panhandle. Highlights include boat trips on the Chobe River and a full day on the water at Drotsky Cabins looking for Pel’s Fishing Owl, a visit to the Southern Carmine Bee-eater colony on the Zambezi, and birding at lodges chosen over years of running this route. The tour is led by the Claassen team, who have been guiding birders for years. Comfortable lodge accommodation.

Target Bird Species

Pel’s Fishing Owl • Rufous-bellied Heron • Slaty Egret • Wattled Crane • Southern Carmine Bee-eater • Pennant-winged Nightjar • Lesser Jacana • Long-toed Lapwing • Western Banded Snake Eagle • Luapula Cisticola • Saddle-billed Stork • Southern Ground Hornbill • Souza’s Shrike • Arnot’s Chat • Southern Pied Babbler • Amur Falcon

Download bird checklist

Route map

Itinerary

Day 1	Leave Beaufort West early for Kimberley, stopping on the Karoo and Kalahari roads for Karoo Korhaan, Blue Crane, Martial Eagle and Sociable Weaver.
Day 2	Drive through the Kalahari from Kimberley to Mafikeng, looking for Abdim’s Stork around Hartswater and Red-billed Spurfowl near Mafikeng.
Day 3	Cross into Botswana and make the long drive from Mafikeng to Tantebane Lodge near Francistown, stopping for Southern White-crowned Shrike, Purple Roller and Swallow-tailed Bee-eater.
Day 4	Stay at Tantebane Lodge, a game farm where you can look for Marico Sunbird, Dark Chanting Goshawk and Boulder Chat.
Day 5	Take a short drive to Woodlands Lodge on the Tati River for Magpie Shrike, White-throated Robin-Chat and Orange-breasted Bush-shrike, with time for a swim.
Day 6	Drive north from Francistown to Nata on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans, with a game drive at the Nata Sanctuary and a sundowner on the pan.
Day 7	Travel through eastern Botswana from Nata to Kasane on the Chobe River, with a chance of Steppe Eagle, Ground Hornbill and Yellow-throated Sandgrouse on the way.
Day 8	Spend the day at Kasane with a morning boat trip on the Chobe River and an afternoon game drive in Chobe Game Reserve.
Day 9	Stay another day at Kasane, with the choice of a Victoria Falls visit in Zimbabwe, another boat trip or a game drive.
Day 10	Drive a short way from Kasane to Muchenje on the edge of the Chobe floodplain, which is rich in birds and game.
Day 11	Start with a morning walk with a local guide at Muchenje, then cross into Namibia to Katima Mulilo on the Zambezi, where we look for Pennant-winged Nightjar at night.
Day 12	Spend the day at Katima Mulilo on the Zambezi for Slaty Egret and Rufous-bellied Heron, and visit the Southern Carmine Bee-eater colony.
Day 13	Drive from Katima Mulilo to Divundu on the Kavango River, birding the road and lodge garden for Arnot’s Chat and Holub’s Golden Weaver.
Day 14	Spend the day birding around Divundu for Rufous-bellied Tit, Grey-headed Parrot, Souza’s Shrike and Black-faced Babbler.
Day 15	Visit Mahango Game Reserve on the way from Divundu back into Botswana to Drotsky Cabins, where we look for owls and Bearded Woodpecker.
Day 16	Spend the whole day on a private boat at Drotsky Cabins searching the river for Pel’s Fishing Owl, Wattled Crane and Lesser Jacana.
Day 17	Drive along the western side of the Panhandle and across the Kalahari to Kang, for Southern Pied Babbler and Great Sparrow.
Day 18	Continue through the Kalahari from Kang to Mafikeng, stopping for any birds not yet seen before the border.
Day 19	Drive from Mafikeng to Mokala National Park for more Kalahari birds, including Orange River Francolin.
Day 20	Cross the Karoo from Mokala to Beaufort West, enjoying the last Karoo birds.

Included

• Transport in 4×4 double-cab bakkies or a minibus from Beaufort West and back
• Fuel
• Lodge accommodation
• Guiding
• Entrance fees
• The boat trip and game drive in Kasane
• The full-day boat trip at Drotsky Cabins
• Breakfast and dinner

Not included

• Travel to Beaufort West
• The night and dinner before departure
• Lunches
• Drinks and refreshments
• The Tantebane game drive (P140)
• The Zambezi boat trip (N$350)
• Any activities not listed
• Personal expenses & Laundry
• Tips
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees
• Vaccinations and health certificates

Tour Price

From ZAR45 500 pp sharing
Single Supplement ZAR8 600
Prices are estimates and may change.