Norfolk Birders

Paul and I arranged a birding trip into the Okavango Delta using Aardvark Safaris travelling with them up the Chobe River and then we birded in Zimbabwe and Zambia using a local guide who showed us the delights of the Zambesi River and Victoria Falls.We used a variety of transport including light aircraft , jeeps and mekoros (dug-out canoes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Light Aircraft used to fly into the delta                                         Jeep on Kalahari Sand                                                        Birding by Mekoro

 

Botswana is a very expensive country to bird in as the government have a policy of 'high value - low volume' strategy to minimise the effect of tourism on its wildlife and resources. We decided to cut the cost by having a mobile safari instead of using luxury lodges.

 

Our 'mobile' tent

The Okavango Delta is the largest inland delta in the world and floods on an annual basis bringing a vast amount of water to the region.

Okavango Delta                                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

African Jacana                                                                              African Spoonbill                                                         Crested Francolin

Of course it is impossible to just birdwatch as the animals are fantastic too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elephants by the Chobe River at sunset                                                                                                                               Leopard

After our trip by Jeep up the Chobe River we crossed into Zimbabwe and booked into a hotel. This was pure luxury after our mobile safari tents! Tourismin in Zimbabwe was at an all time low and we had Victoria Falls almost to ourselves.

 

 

 

Pearl-spotted Owlet                                                                            Grey Heron and Sacred Ibis

Statue of David Livingstone in Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls taken from Zambia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-shouldered Kite                                           Grey Hornbill                                      Maribou Stork

Our guide, Chris Pollard took us on his platform boat to a river island in the Zambesi River to see Pel's Fishing Owl. We managed to see two birds who were too quick for us to photograph. The only evidence I have are two feathers!

 

 

 

Chris Pollard                                                                                                       Pel's Fishing Owl feathers

Chris Paul and I crossed into Zambia over the bridge from Zimbabwe. From the bridge we watched some lunatics bungee jumping into the gorge and river below. Certainly not for the faint hearted!

 

 

 

Bridge connecting Zimbabwe to Zambia used by bungee jumpers!                                                       Crested Barbet

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