Birding Safari Archives - Under One Botswana Sky Blog

What to expect during a summer safari on the Chobe River

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 09:16:54 +0000

Although Botswana is a year-round safari destination, every shifting season offers its own set of spectacular highlights.

Summer lures diverse birds to our vast skies, fresh foliage unfurls from its winter slumber, and there is an unprecedented eruption of mammal, insect and reptile life during this captivating time of year.

From November to April, Botswana celebrates rainfall, lush bushveld, and thriving wildlife. The water level of the Chobe River slowly starts to rise again, peaking in May, and the shore boasts a verdant backdrop brimming with life. This is summer in Botswana, our gorgeous green season!

Here’s what to expect on a summer safari in the Chobe National Park.

Experience the circle of life

While wildlife may be easier to spot during the dry season because the grass is shorter and game congregates at the last water sources, summer in Botswana is the best time of year to ‘ooooh’ and ‘aaaaah’ at all the bountiful baby animals.

Plains game are well-fed on the plentiful vegetation and in peak condition to tend to their young. Impalas drop their lambs that congregate in bustling nurseries and this calving season extends to many other species, such as wildebeest, warthog, zebra, buffalo and more.

Although undeniably cute, we must remember that the Chobe National Park is not Disneyland. Predators prowl in the wake of these newborns (often with their own little ones in tow), hoping for an easy meal.

Document a photographic paradise

In summer, the rains mainly occur as short afternoon showers and seldom spoil your safari experience (however, always pack a raincoat and waterproof dry bag for electronics, just in case!). Stunning emerald grasslands and abundant wildflowers create outstanding landscapes and backdrops for your animal subjects. Not to mention the epic drama of an impending downpour!

A theatre of cloud cover creates fantastic texture for colourful sunsets at this time of year, plus longer light hours with the sun dipping below the horizon at around 19h00.

Savour the small stuff

It might not be to everyone’s liking, but a summer safari exhibits the full scope of wildlife in Botswana, from arachnids and adders to platannas and butterflies. Insects and frogs dominate the summer safari soundtrack filling the Chobe National Park with a chorus of clicks, squeals and bubbling songs. These creatures also deepen the nature experience and illustrate the wider ecological web at work. After all, who will pollinate the towering riverine trees that the leopards love to loll about without the little insects?

Set out on a beautiful boat safari

The water levels across the Okavango Delta are at their lowest during summer, and water activities can be limited, but further north, the Chobe River offers year-round boating safaris.

Watch hippos and crocodiles basking in the summer sun and admire the myriad of other species that call the Chobe River home.

Fall in love with bird watching

Chobe Safari Lodge might be the easiest place to become a bird watcher!

Whether cruising the water or strolling our indigenous gardens, there are fantastic bird photography opportunities and many easy-to-identify species.

Starting in November, migrant birds flock to the Chobe River from Asia, Europe and other parts of Africa. The cuckoo calls ring through the branches, vibrant feathers fill the skies and eagle-eyed predators patrol the waterways.

Also read: Birding expert shares top 10 birds to tick off at Chobe Safari Lodge

It is an extraordinary affair of kaleidoscopic plumage and raucous mating calls that bring a unique energy to this premier wilderness area. The sandy riverbanks and surrounding vegetation become home to many busy birds. A thrilling way to get up close to water bird species, such as the African jacana, African skimmer or plentiful ducks, geese, herons and egrets, is by cruising along the Chobe River.

Don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars and pick up a species checklist when staying at Chobe Safari Lodge.

Where should I stay for a summer safari in Botswana?

Set on the banks of the elephant-rich Chobe River, Chobe Safari Lodge occupies the best riverfront position in Kasane. Chobe Bush Lodge shares a boundary with the Chobe National Park in Kasane and lies within walking distance of the Chobe riverfront and Chobe Safari Lodge. Baboons, warthogs and mongooses may be seen at any time at our wonderfully wild accommodation!

Established in 1959, decades of hosting adventurers and safari-lovers ensure this remains an ideal expedition base for iconic game viewing by boat, game drives or visits to Victoria Falls.

Book directly online now.

The post What to expect during a summer safari on the Chobe River appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Rare Feathered Friend Visits Chobe Bush Lodge

admin — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 13:37:05 +0000

There has been much excitement around Chobe Bush Lodge recently, as a pair of red-throated twinspots was sighted in the area, a rare occurance as they are normally found in Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands and Mozambique.

Also known as Peter’s twinspot, the red-throated twinspot (Hypargos niveoguttatus) is a small bird about the size of a house sparrow – its height at 13 cms and weight just 15 grams. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and small inverterbrates, like flies and worms. You will usually find them in woodlands, grasslands and riverine areas in pairs or flocks, rather than as single birds.

The male of the species will, like most birds, have plumage and colours that are different to that of the female. These birds are monogamous unless its mate dies, at which point it will search for a new mate. The nest among the branches of a tree or shrub and lay about three white eggs.

Male red-throated twinspot

Female red-throated twinspot

Sightings like these are always special for everyone but in particular the avid birders. Even without rare sightings like these lovely red-throated twinspots, Chobe National Park is an excellent birding safari destination throughout the year. The Chobe River provides ideal conditions for an impressive diversity of water birds, like the African darter, slaty egret and squacco heron, and then, from November to April, Chobe really shows off as a birding safari destination the migrant species in full breeding plumage make their stopover in the park.

An easy way to get up close to these feathered beauties is on a private boat cruise. Whether a professional photographer or developing a burgeoning interest in the craft, the boat will afford you the opportunity to get some great shots, particularly since the birds are relatively indifferent to the boats. Staying at either Chobe Bush Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge, puts you right where the action is on the river!

Contact us to book your birding safari in Chobe National Park.

The post Rare Feathered Friend Visits Chobe Bush Lodge appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.

Summer Birding Safari in Chobe National Park

admin — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:50:22 +0000

A birding safari in Botswana’s warm and wet summer months is a wonderful affair of colourful plumage and raucous mating calls that bring a special energy to the skies over one of the country’s premier wilderness areas, Chobe National Park.

While the dry winter season might be the time for excellent animal sightings, November to April is the period best-suited for avid birders and twitchers to pack their binoculars, cameras and bird books (or apps) for a birding safari in Botswana.

Squacco heron

Chobe National Park is blessed with the mighty Chobe River, a reliable water source that forms the country’s northern border with Namibia. As one year comes to an end and another begins, the sandy riverbanks and surrounding vegetation become a festival of migratory and resident bird species, both aquatic and terrestrial, that come to breed and raise their young in this natural paradise.

Water birds of Chobe

African jacana

There have been an impressive 450 migratory and native bird species recorded within Chobe, making this one of the top places for a birding safari in Southern Africa. One of the most thrilling ways to get up close to water bird species is by cruising along the Chobe River, where you can see the African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) or ‘Jesus Bird’, slaty egret (Egretta vinaceigula) and Southern carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicoides). People often remark that many of the birds on the riverbanks are generally unconcerned by the passing boat, which makes for fantastic photography opportunities.

Terrestrial birds of Chobe

Kori bustard

While walking safaris are not permitted in Chobe National Park, the traditional game drive will allow you to tick off some of those birding specials, like the Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix), thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) and, if you are lucky, even the elusive Pel’s fishing owl (Scotopelia peli). While on a birding safari, it will be hard to miss Africa’s heaviest flying bird, the kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) along with the Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) or ‘Undertaker Bird’. The marabou stork is also considered a ‘wading bird’ so you can also find it in wet habitats.

Marabou stork

As Chobe National Park is considered one of the most bird-abundant regions of Botswana – if not in the whole of Southern Africa – a birding safari based out of Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Bush Lodge is not to be missed!

Chat to us about planning and booking your birding safari during the upcoming summer months in Chobe National Park.

The post Summer Birding Safari in Chobe National Park appeared first on Under One Botswana Sky Blog.