BIRDING THE ZAMBEZI REGION
Birding is a fast-growing activity which gives people the opportunity of visiting new and unknown places.
The Zambezi region is a wetland paradise. Its abundance of water offers ideal conditions for a huge variety of birdlife. Four diverse habitats exist in the region consisting of woodlands, wetlands, savanna grass plains and Kalahari sandveld. The vast and magnificent floodplains offer unlimited scope for the broadest spectrum of birding and enjoying and experiencing nature in all its unspoilt beauty.
The Zambezi region has a potential of up to 492 species of birds of the 970 birds in Southern Africa with some exceptional and rare birds unique to the area.
The larger islands and backwaters of the Zambezi are often fringed with distinctive flooded woodlands of Waterberry and Syzigium Guinea and these are the best areas to see African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron and almost all species of kingfisher. Most of these areas are best visited by boat and guided walks are offered. Along the Zambezi close to Katima Mulilo there is also the only isolated population of the Yellow-throated Leadfloves in Southern Africa.
Reedbeds and flooded grasslands are good areas for Black & Coppery-tailed Coucals, Red-headed Quelea, Chirping and Luapula Cisticola, with some special birds such as Schalow’s Turaco, Copper Sunbird, Lesser Jacana, Rosy-throated Longclaw and the Western Banded Snake Eagle.
There are several breeding colonies of Southern Carmine Bee-eaters along the Zambezi River and also the Chobe river. The most well-known colony near the Island of Kalimbeza on the main river banks is reputed to be one of the biggest in Southern Africa with an estimated number birds of between 3,000 – 5,000 birds present between 22nd August until the 1st week in December when they disperse again. The winter migrating birds such as the African Skimmer and Rock Pratincoles arrive around the end of May to breed on the sand banks.
The water wonderland created in these floodplain areas by seasonal flooding, are a sight to behold. Once sun-baked, the lands adjacent to the rivers now covered with water teeming with fish, and all the fish-eating birds trying to catch as much fish as possible. When the river starts to recede after the floods, pans or Molapos are left behind, and as the clay soil is almost impervious, the water often stands until being replenished by the following year’s flood, with some exceptional birdlife to be seen throughout the year.
The Zambezi region gives you a wealth of natural wonders to admire and birding takes you there. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer natural beauty it holds – it has to be seen to be believed. We invite you all to come and share this small corner known as Namibia’s Emerald and experience the magnificence yourself. The Zambezi region has something for everyone.
