Zimbabwe and Botswana - August 1997

CONTENTS

General Information
References
Itinerary (summary)
The Sites

Zimbabwe:
  - Lake Chivero (McIlwaine) Recreation Park
  - Gosho Park Nature Reserve
  - The Vumba Mountains
  - Gonarezhou National Park
  - Matopos (Matobo) Park
  - Hwange National Park
  - Victoria Falls

Botswana:
   - The Okavango River Delta
   - Moremi Wildlife Reserve
   - Chobe National Park

Daily Log

Systematic List of Birds
Systematic List of Mammals

GENERAL INFORMATION

In August 1997 I spent more than three weeks in Zimbabwe and Botswana with Frans Daemen, Staf Elzermans, Vital & Riet van Gorp, Wilfred Sterk and Eric Wille. During the last week Marleen Valkenborg joined us while we visited Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lake Kariba and Lake McIlwaine.

The main objective of the trip was to see as many birds as possible, but the great wonder of both countries is not just the birds, but a second, almost equal feature, the game.

ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe does not support as many species as Kenya or South Africa, but its modern infrastructure, plentiful mammals and avian specialities make it a worthy destination. Zimbabwe offers excellent birding, with the chance to see a few species which are rare and of restricted range. The Eastern Highlands (Vumba Mountains) on the border with Mozambique hold three near‑endemics, Swynnerton's Robin, Roberts' Prinia and Chirinda Apalis, and lots more besides.

Boulder Chat is most easily found in Zimbabwe and is practically an endemic.

BOTSWANA

Little-known, but among the last great wildlife strongholds on earth, Botswana offers fabulous game-watching, some special birds, and abundant photographic opportunities.

This sparsely populated, wild country is famous for the Okavango, a vast inland delta surrounded by the Kalahari Desert.

Although Botswana has no endemic bird species, there are several species in this water wilderness that are restricted to this habitat in southern Africa. This waterbird paradise supports such gems as Slaty Egret, Pel's Fishing-Owl, Wattled Crane and Coppery-tailed Coucal.

Botswana is an expensive country, but it is possible to travel round Botswana at a reasonable cost, by, for example, sharing a hired 4WD vehicle, camping and cooking your own food. We stayed at camps within prime wildlife habitat, travelling between them in Wilfred Sterk's landrovers.

FLIGHT AND VISA

We travelled to Zimbabwe via Antwerp, Amsterdam and Johannesburg. Our return-ticket (KLM) for the air journey cost us about ¦ 1420,--. The flights were almost punctual and troublefree.

Visas are not required for both countries. When you're leaving Zimbabwe, you have to pay 20 US$ departure tax.

Be sure to confirm your reservations for your return flight at least 72 hours before the flight.

MONEY

The official currency of Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Dollar (Z$). The Dollar fluctuated between 5.25 - 5.30 to the Guilder. The unit of currency in Botswana is the Pula. The exchange rate was about 1.75 Pula to the Guilder.

All major credit cards and traveller cheques are accepted. Changing money at any of the commercial banks is usually easy and often, but not always, quick.

ACCOMMODATION

Botswana:

There is little budget accommodation in Botswana, few official campsites, and essentially Botswana's hotels cater for business people - those with expensive accounts - and not for the medium to low budget visitor or tourist.

'Bush' camping, however, is easy, exciting, and free. Combining camping with a 4WD vehicle is really the only way to see many of Botswana's most spectacular places.

Zimbabwe:

Plenty of accommodation can be found in the tourist areas, and most national parks have excellent facilities. It is advisable to make advance reservations if visiting Hwange or Victoria Falls during the peak season (August and December). Most of the nights we slept in a chalet.

We had our own tents, only used at Gonarezhou National Park. There are communal shower and toilet blocks and barbecue stands in all the camps.

The rest camps within Hwange are well run with restaurants, cafeterias, shops and petrol stations. At night you are locked in the camps from 18.00 p.m. until 6.00 a.m.

Prices of accommodation:

White Horse Inn, Vumba Mountains                        700 Z$         - double room, including breakfast
Wise Owl Motel, Mutare                                             100 Rand     - double room, including breakfast
Bulawayo Caravan Park                                               136 Z$         - chalet for 2 persons
Gweta Rest Camp                                                          180 Pula      - double room
Audi Camp, Maun                                                        15 Pula       - campsite, per person
Campsites Moremi & Chobe    70 Pula                      - campsite and entrance fee per day
Chobe Safari Lodge                                                      430 Pula      - chalet with two double rooms & with one double room
Zambezi Rest Camp                                                      704 Z$         - chalet for 6 persons
Hwange NP, Main Camp                                              410 Z$         - chalet for 4 beds
Binga Rest Camp                                                           700 Z$         - 3 chalets for 8 persons

FOOD AND DRINK

Generally quite good, rather expensive at Botswana, although much cheaper in Zimbabwe.

Stay away from uncooked fruits and vegetables that you haven't peeled yourself, and don't use ice. It is best to avoid drinking the water unless you know it is boiled.

Restaurants are available in towns and some national parks (Hwange) in Zimbabwe, but not in Botswana, where there are no restaurants away from the main towns and the Okavango.

ENTRANCE FEES RESERVES AND NATIONAL PARKS

The entrance fees of national parks and game reserves in Botswana are very expensive, 70 Pula p.p. per day and the camping fees are 20 Pula p.p. per day.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Theft is really not a problem in Zimbabwe and Botswana unless you are careless. Both countries are very safe and the worst that the traveller is likely to encounter is a pickpocket in one of the major cities. Beware of muggers in Harare and Bulawayo. Eric Wille was almost robbed in the centre of Harare on the first day of our trip!

Vaccinations, consult your own doctor for up to date advice. Mosquitoes abound in the Okavango Delta and all precautions against malaria are a must. Nowadays with the Lariam Roche tablets (mefloquine) you only have to take one tablet a week.

Lock your car at all times, never leave valuables in open sight.

TAKE CARE: Many of the animals local to the camps in Botswana are very used to humans - and their food and litter! Baboons, elephants, hyenas and even lions can cause major problems for visitors - don't leave anything outside at night and never sleep even partially outside a tent. Make sure that your tent is fully zipped up. A few years ago, a friend of mine tried to sleep under the stars at Savuti one night and woke up to find himself face to face with a large hyena.

Never approach elephants, hippos, lions or other large animals too closely.

LANGUAGE

English is the official language in Botswana and Zimbabwe and is widely spoken nearly everywhere.

WEATHER

The weather was generally pleasant, sometimes hot and sunny. Since this is the Southern Hemisphere, mid‑winter is June/July and mid‑summer is December/January. The best time of the year to visit Zimbabwe is at the start of the wet season (October to November) and January to February, when the birds are breeding, although January is the wettest month.

The water levels in the Okavango usually reach their peak from May to August. At this time the delta may be fully flooded, but the surrounding plains are usually dry so many birds and mammals are concentrated in the Okavango area. Therefore October, when the waters have receded somewhat, is the best time to visit the delta, because from November onwards, when the rain begin in the surrounding plains, the birds and mammals usually disperse.

EQUIPMENT

A small tape recorder and the excellent bird call sets of South African birds by Guy Gibbon is quite useful for drawing in birds. Guy Gibbon's comprehensive set of pre‑recorded southern African bird calls is available at approximately $60 for a set of 6 cassettes.

The set may be ordered from Wild Sounds, Cross Street, Salthouse, Norfolk NR25 7XH, England, telefax: 44‑1263‑741100.

A good torch is a must. A telescope is useful at lakes and very useful for viewing canopy species especially from roadsides. Photography is NOT difficult, as birds are easy to approach and light conditions are good.

Clothing can be T‑shirt and short anywhere (during the daytime).

TRANSPORT AND ROADS

The roads and the services infrastructure within Zimbabwe make getting around easy.

It is very difficult to get around in Botswana without personal transport as public transport is virtually non‑existent and birding on foot is not allowed in most national parks.

In both countries, it's best to hire a car if you can afford it. For car rental, you will need a major credit card and a valid international driver's license. WARNING: In Gonarezhou NP (Zimbabwe) and at Moremi Wildlife Reserve and Chobe National Park in Botswana if you haven't a high clearance 4WD vehicle, don't even consider to visit this reserves!

Car hire, essential, was prebooked in Belgium with Wilfred Sterk. Wilfred, a Belgian, living eight months a year in Zimbabwe, has a few landrovers and can be contacted at the following address: Wilfred Sterk, Rekai Tangwena Avenue 5, Marondera, telephone 79/23087. We had to pay Wilfred 50 US$ per landrover per day, a very friendly price.

It is forbidden to alight from one's car away from specified areas in some national parks and game reserves.

This is no great disadvantage as we found most of the birds and animals most confiding, and the car provided a superb hide.

MAPS

I used the Globetrotter travel map to Zimbabwe, scale 1:1,100 000, which was okay but lacked the detail sometimes needed. For Botswana I used the map from the Botswana Tourism Department and the Shell Map of Chobe National Park.

NOMENCLATURE & TAXONOMY

In Africa there is much confusion regarding the English names for birds, and often each author, having their own preferences which results in the same species having up to 3 or 4 different names.

For instance:

Cossypha natalensis: Crimsonbreasted Shrike (Newman and Roberts), Crimsonbreasted Boubou (Chittenden), Crimson‑breasted Gonolek (Clements).

Pycnonotus nigricans: Redeyed Bulbul (Newman and Roberts), African Red-eyed Bulbul (Keith/Urban/Fry), Black-fronted Bulbul (Clements).

Pycnonotus barbatus: Blackeyed Bulbul (Newman and Roberts), Garden Bulbul (Howard & Moore), Common Bulbul (Clements), Yellow-vented Bulbul (Williams/Arlott)....ridiculous!

I have decided to follow the English names of James F. Clements (July 1991, Birds of the World, A Check List).

COMMON BIRDSPECIES

The following list of birds we saw frequently and if you spend any sort of time in the right habitats you will too:

Long‑tailed (Reed) Cormorant, African Darter, Egyptian Goose, Cattle Egret, Sacred Ibis, Black‑shouldered Kite, White‑backed Vulture, Bateleur, Red‑billed Francolin, Swainson's Spurfowl (Francolin), African Jacana, Three‑banded Plover, Blacksmith Plover, Crowned Lapwing, Double‑banded & Burchell's Sandgrouse, Laughing Dove, Ring-necked (Cape Turtle) Dove, Red‑eyed Dove, Namaqua Dove, Meyer's Parrot, Grey Go‑away‑bird (Lourie), African Palm‑Swift, Pied Kingfisher, Little Bee‑eater, Lilac‑breasted Roller, Rufous‑crowned (Purple) Roller, Green (Redbilled) Woodhoopoe, Red‑billed Hornbill, Southern Yellow‑billed Hornbill, Fork‑tailed Drongo, Pied Crow, Magpie (Longtailed) Shrike, White‑crowned Shrike, Black‑backed Puffback, Tropical Boubou, White Helmetshrike, Red‑shouldered Glossy‑Starling, Burchell's Glossy‑Starling, Meve's Glossy‑Starling, Wire‑tailed Swallow, Lesser Striped‑Swallow, Common (Blackeyed) Bulbul, African Yellow White-eye, Tawny‑flanked Prinia, Grey‑backed Camaroptera (Bleating Warbler), Arrow‑marked Babbler, Blue‑breasted Cordonblue (Blue Waxbill), White‑browed Sparrow‑Weaver, Red‑billed Quelea.

The list of birds mentioned in the sites which follows is purely taken at random from each days events highlighting some of the more interesting species. For a detailed report of species and numbers please refer to the systematic list at the end of this report.

USEFUL ADDRESSES

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management
P O Box 8151, Causeway
Harare

Reservations:
National Botanical Gardens, Harare
Telephone 4-70-6077 (reservations)

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management
140a Fife Street
P.O. Box 2283
Bulawayo
Telephone 63646

REFERENCES

BOOKS

-          HUGH CHITTENDEN. TOP BIRDING SPOTS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

-          James F. Clements. Birds of the World. A Check List.

-          Gordon Lindsay Maclean. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa.

-          Chris McIntyre & Simon Atkins. Guide to Namibia & Botswana.

-          Newman's Birds of Southern Africa, UPDATE.

-          Kenneth Newman. Birds of Botswana.

-          IAN SINCLAIR, PHIL HOCKEY & WARWICK TARBOTON, ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.

-          Ian Sinclair. Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa.

-          BIRDWATCH ZIMBABWE. DEREK SOLOMON AND JACKO WILLIAMS.

-          Chris and Tilde Stuart. Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa.

-          E.K. Urban, L.H. Brown, K.B. Newman. The Birds of Africa, volume I, Ostriches to Falcons.

-          E.K. Urban, C.H. Fry, S. Keith. The Birds of Africa, volume II (Gamebirds to Pigeons), volume III (Parrots to Woodpeckers), volume IV (Broadbills to Chats) and volume V (Thrushes to Puffback Flycatchers).

-          Michael Walters. Complete Checklist. Vogels van de Wereld.

-          Nigel Wheatley. Where to Watch Birds in Africa.

I brought two field guides, Newman's "Birds of South Africa" and Sinclair's "ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.", but referred mostly to Sinclair, in my opinion the best birding field guide for the southern African subregion.

We also took Hugh Chittenden's "Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa" and Derek Solomon's "Birdwatch Zimbabwe".

Both, especially the latter, were very useful but the country is changing rapidly and it is worth checking any facts given in either book, or in this report, if you can.

Nigel Wheatley's "Where to Watch Birds in Africa" is useful at the planning stage.

REPORTS AND ARTICLES

-          Pierre Adriaensen et al. Verslag van een natuurreis door Zimbabwe juli 1995.

-          Rob Bouwman. Zimbabwe 7 - 30 Juli 1995.

-          Erik Emanuelsson. Bird-Watching in Zimbabwe, a presentation of some localities.

-          Paul Gregory. Report on a Trip to Botswana & Zimbabwe August 1995.

-          Henk Hendriks. Zimbabwe '91. 19 July - 29 August 1991.

-          Henk Hendriks. Southern Africa (Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa), July 3 - August 18 1994.

-          Jon Hornbuckle. Eastern South Africa and Zimbabwe, 3rd February - 5th March 1997.

-          Clive Ireland/Trevor Ford. Report of a Bird-Watching Trip to the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and Zimbabwe, Augustus 15 - September 12, 1991.

-          Daan Planting. Zimbabwe, 21 July - 9 August 1992.

-          Eric Renman. Zimbabwe November 1989.

-          Dave Sargeant. Zimbabwe. A Birders Guide to Zimbabwe.

I found the detailed notes by Henk Hendriks & Rob Bouwman most useful, with additional information from the report by Jon Hornbuckle.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Many thanks to Frans Daemen, Vital van Gorp and Wilfred Sterk for all the pre-trip preparations and I am also indebted to Mark van Beirs for supplying excellent notes arising from his trips to Zimbabwe.

ITINERARY

We spent the bare minimum of time at the Vumba Mountains, Gonarezhou National Park and Chobe National Park.

Extra time would have been particularly useful at the Vumba Mountains.

ZIMBABWE

August 7         Chaam * Antwerp * Amsterdam
August 8         Johannesburg * Harare * Gosho Nature Reserve * White Horse Inn (Vumba Mountains)
August 9         White Horse Inn * Seldomseen * Vumba Botanical Gardens * Mutare
August 10       Mutare * Birchenough Bridge * Gonarezhou National Park
August 11       Gonarezhou National Park
August 12       Gonarezhou National Park * Tambuti Lodge * Zvishavane * Bulawayo
August 13       Bulawayo * Rhodes Matopos National Park * Bulawayo

BOTSWANA

August 14       Bulawayo * Francistown * Gweta
August 15       Gweta * Nxai Pan National Park * Maun
August 16       Okavango Delta
August 17       Okavango Delta * Maun
August 18       Maun * Moremi Wildlife Reserve
August 19       Moremi Wildlife Reserve
August 20       Moremi Wildlife Reserve * Chobe National Park (Savuti)
August 21       Chobe National Park * Kasane
August 22       Chobe National Park * Kasane * Kazungula * Victoria Falls

ZIMBABWE

August 23       Victoria Falls
August 24       Victoria Falls * Hwange National Park (Sinamatella Camp)
August 25       Hwange National Park (Main Camp)
August 26       Hwange National Park (Main Camp)
August 27       Hwange National Park * Lake Kariba (Binga)
August 28       Lake Kariba (Binga) * Gokwe * Lake Chivero Recreational Park
August 29       Lake Chivero Recreational Park * Harare * Johannesburg
August 30       Amsterdam * Antwerp * Chaam

THE SITES

Most of the sites are detailed in the guidebooks or trip reports, so I will restrict to a brief description and mention only the best, which are often the most important species.

ZIMBABWE

LAKE CHIVERO RECREATIONAL PARK

This 5500ha Park is situated on the central watershed, 30km west of Harare. The park encompasses the 14km long Lake Chivero (formerly known as Lake McIlwaine) which is Harare's main water supply. A game park of some 1600ha is situated on the south bank. The main habitat predominantly is miombo woodland with grassy vleis and granite koppies, which occupies approximately 50% of the Park. In the miombo woodland look for the specialities.

Special and interesting species:

Ostrich, Great White Pelican, African Green‑Pigeon, Klaas' Cuckoo, Bat‑like (Böhm's) Spinetail, Racket‑tailed Roller, Yellow‑fronted Tinkerbird, Whyte's Barbet, Crested Barbet, African Black‑headed Oriole, White‑breasted Cuckoo‑Shrike, Black Cuckoo‑Shrike, Brubru, Sulphur‑breasted (Orangebreasted) Bushshrike, Retz's (Redbilled) Helmetshrike, Groundscraper Thrush, Red‑winged Starling, Lesser Blue‑eared Glossy‑Starling, Red‑billed Oxpecker, Southern Black‑Flycatcher, White‑throated & White‑browed (Heuglin's) Robin‑Chat, Mocking Cliff‑Chat, Boulder Chat, Spotted Creeper, Stierling's Wren‑Warbler, African Yellow Warbler, Greencap Eremomela, Southern (Mashona) Hyliota, Miombo (Northern Grey) Tit, African (Grey) Penduline‑Tit, Southern Masked‑Weaver, Red‑headed Weaver, Western Violet‑backed, Scarlet‑chested & Miombo Sunbird, Golden‑breasted Bunting.

GOSHO PARK NATURE RESERVE

Gosho Park is named after Patrick Gosho who was the estate manager of Springvale for many years. Gosho is an excellent brachystegia (miombo) woodland site 75km from Harare on the Mutare road just past Marondera. Turn left just after Peterhouse School.

Special and interesting species:

African Scops‑Owl, Striped Kingfisher, Whyte's Barbet, White‑breasted Cuckoo‑Shrike, Brubru, Miombo Rock‑Thrush, Kurrichane Thrush, Boulder Chat, Spotted Creeper, Bar‑throated Apalis, Stierling's Wren‑Warbler, Greencap Eremomela, Southern (Mashona) Hyliota, Rufous‑bellied Tit, Southern Black Tit, Miombo (Northern Grey) Tit, Ashy Tit, Long‑billed & Wood Pipit, Miombo Sunbird, Streaky‑headed Seedeater, Black‑eared Seedeater, Cabanis' Bunting.

VUMBA MOUNTAINS

The Vumba Mountains, known as the 'mountains of the mist', lie south‑east of the city of Mutare. Two botanical reserves, the Bunga Forest and the Vumba Botanical Reserve, are the prime bird watching sites in the Vumba.

We visited the Vumba Botanical Gardens and the Seldomseen area.

Arrange in advance a session with Peter, a local bird guide, at the Seldomseen Field Study Centre, P.O. Box 812, Mutare.

Special and interesting species:

Long‑crested Eagle, Lemon (Cinnamon) Dove, Livingstone's Turaco, Woodland Kingfisher, Crowned & Silvery‑cheeked Hornbill, White‑eared Barbet, Yellow‑rumped Tinkerbird, Scaly‑throated Honeyguide, Green‑backed Honeyguide, White‑tailed Crested‑Flycatcher, Square‑tailed Drongo, White‑necked Raven, Olive Bushshrike, Black‑fronted Bushshrike, Gorgeous (Four‑coloured) Bushshrike, Cape Batis, Orange Ground‑Thrush, Spotted Ground‑Thrush, Olive Thrush, African Dusky Flycatcher, White‑starred Robin, Swynnerton's Robin, Cape Robin‑Chat, Eastern Sawwing, Stripe‑cheeked Bulbul, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul, Terrestrial Brownbul, Yellow‑streaked Bulbul, Singing Cisticola, Roberts' Prinia, Chirinda Apalis, African Scrub‑Warbler, Yellow‑throated Woodland‑Warbler, Red‑faced Crimson-wing, Rufous‑bellied Tit, Peters' (Redthroated) Twinspot, Yellow‑bellied Waxbill (East African Swee), Black‑and-white (Redbacked) Mannikin, Forest Weaver, Gurney's Sugarbird, Olive Sunbird, Amethyst (Black) Sunbird, Miombo Sunbird, Bronze Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird.

GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK

Gonarezhou means "The place of many elephants". This park is off the beaten path and is seldom visited by international tourists. Gonarezhou is 40km wide and forms a natural wildlife refuge with the game population of Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Mozambique plains bordering on Gonarezhou. This park, the second largest in Zimbabwe, extends over 500,000ha and has some of the most spectacular scenery in Zimbabwe.

Reservations for this park must be made with the Central Booking Office at Harare. The main campsite, at Chipinda Pools, is based on the Rundu River. Many of the roads are rough and you definitely need a 4WD here.

Birdlife is abundant here with over 400 species having been recorded.

Special and interesting species:

Rufous‑bellied Heron, Goliath Heron, Striated Heron, White‑backed Night‑Heron, Little Bittern, Hadada Ibis, Bat Hawk, Hooded Vulture, African Harrier‑Hawk (Gymnogene), Gabar Goshawk, African Goshawk, African Hawk‑Eagle, Martial Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Natal Francolin, Red‑crested Bustard, Water Thick‑knee, White‑headed Lapwing, African Pigeon, Brown‑necked (Cape) Parrot, Brown‑headed Parrot, Red‑faced Mousebird, Thick‑billed Cuckoo, Klaas' Cuckoo, Senegal & Burchell's Coucal, Pel's Fishing‑Owl, Square‑tailed Nightjar, Mottled & Bat‑like (Böhm's) Spinetail, Grey‑headed, Brown‑hooded, Striped & Giant Kingfisher, White‑fronted Bee-eater, Crowned Hornbill, Southern Ground‑Hornbill, Yellow‑fronted Tinkerbird, Black‑collared Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, African Golden‑Oriole, African Black‑headed Oriole, Brown‑crowned (Threestreaked) Tchagra, Sulphur‑breasted Bushshrike, Retz's Helmetshrike, Black‑throated Wattle‑eye (Wattle-eyed Flycatcher), Pale (Mousecoloured) Flycatcher, Red‑backed Scrub‑Robin, White‑headed Black-Chat (Arnot's Chat), Plain (Brownthroated) Martin, Pearl‑breasted & Mosque Swallow, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul, Eastern (Yellowspotted) Nicator, Piping Cisticola (Neddicky), Greencap Eremomela, Monotonous & Sabota Lark, Green‑winged Pytilia (Melba Finch), African (Bluebilled) Firefinch.

MATOPOS (MATOBO) NATIONAL PARK

The park is situated 50km south of Bulawayo in southern Zimbabwe. The park is famous for its rock art. Hundred of kopjes supporting thousands of precariously balanced rocks gives Matopos one of the most unusual landscapes in Africa, but in the park is also miombo woodland and grassland. Boulder Chat, Mocking Cliff‑Chat and the localised Latakoo Lark occur here.

Cecil Rhodes was buried on a huge rock kopje called "View of the World" from which one has sensational panoramas of the rocky barren countryside.

The park is divided into two sections, a general recreational area and a game reserve. Matopos has the highest concentration of Verreaux's Eagles in the world.

Special and interesting species:

Black‑chested & Brown Snake‑Eagle, Verreaux's (Black) Eagle, African Hawk‑Eagle, Crowned Hawk‑Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Natal Francolin, Wattled Lapwing, Speckled Pigeon, Red‑faced Mousebird, Purple‑crested Turaco, Cape Eagle‑Owl, Mottled Swift, Freckled Nightjar, Yellow‑fronted Tinkerbird, Black‑collared Barbet, Brown‑crowned (Threestreaked) Tchagra, Retz's Helmetshrike, Cape Batis, White‑throated Robin‑Chat, Olive Thrush, Miombo Rock‑Thrush, Mariqua Flycatcher, Southern Black-Flycatcher, Familiar Chat, Mocking Cliff‑Chat, Boulder Chat, Rock Martin, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul, Lazy, Tinkling & Piping Cisticola, Bar‑throated Apalis, Yellow‑bellied & Burnt‑neck Eremomela, Southern Black‑Tit, Latakoo Lark, Green‑winged Pytilia (Melba Finch), Jameson's Firefinch, Yellow Bishop, Miombo Sunbird, Streaky‑headed Seedeater, Cape Bunting.

HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park and famous for its large herds of Elephant. The park ranges from semidesert in the south to a plateau in the north. The northern part of Hwange is mudstone and basalt, and the southern part is Kalahari sand veld. There are no rivers and only a few streams in the north of the park, but boreholes (wells) provide sources of water year-round for wildlife. During the dry season these permanent waterholes (pans) provide an excellent stage for tourists to view wildlife performing day-to-day scenes of survival.

Vehicles must keep to the roads and visitors are not allowed to leave their vehicle except at the hides, game‑viewing platforms and fenced-in picnic sites.

Three camps with self‑catering chalets, petrol, basic supplies and restaurant facilities, are positioned in the centre, at the eastern and the western edges of the park. All three, Sinamatella, Main and Robin's, are well signposted from the main road.

Mandavu Dam in the Sinamatella area is worth a visit and a number of wading birds can be seen here and also African Skimmer. The whole park is worth birding, but I found the area in the vicinity of Main Camp, the most productive.

Special and interesting species:

Ostrich, Hottentot Teal, Southern Pochard, Black, Woolly‑necked & Saddle‑billed Stork, Cape Griffon (Vulture), Lappet‑faced & White‑headed Vulture, Black‑chested & Brown Snake‑Eagle, African Harrier‑Hawk (Gymnogene), Bateleur, Lizard Buzzard, African Hawk‑Eagle, Martial Eagle, Secretary‑bird, Dickinson's Kestrel, Coqui & Crested Francolin, Swainson's Spurfowl (Francolin), Grey Crowned‑Crane, Kori Bustard, Black‑bellied Bustard, Water Thick‑knee, Double‑banded & Three‑banded Courser, White‑headed Lapwing, African Skimmer, Double‑banded & Burchell's Sandgrouse, Senegal Coucal, Barn Owl, African Scops‑Owl, White‑faced Scops‑Owl, Spotted Eagle‑Owl, African Wood‑Owl, African (Black) & Horus Swift, Rufous‑cheeked & Freckled Nightjar, Racket‑tailed Roller, Bradfield's Hornbill, Southern Ground‑Hornbill, Bennett's Woodpecker, African Golden‑Oriole, (Southern) White‑crowned Shrike, Brubru, Sulphur‑breasted Bushshrike, Retz's Helmetshrike, Groundscraper Thrush, Yellow‑billed & Red‑billed Oxpecker, Pale (Mousecoloured) & Mariqua Flycatcher, Red‑backed Scrub‑Robin, Capped Wheatear, White‑headed Black‑Chat (Arnot's Chat), Rufous‑chested (Redbreasted) Swallow, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul, Terrestrial Brownbul, Tinkling Cisticola, Angola Babbler, Southern Pied Babbler, Southern Black‑Tit, Flappet & Fawn‑coloured Lark, Chestnut‑backed Sparrow‑Lark, Jameson's Firefinch, Violet‑eared Waxbill, African (Grassveld) Pipit, Buffy Pipit, Red‑headed Weaver, Southern Yellow‑rumped Seedeater (Blackthroated Canary), Shaft‑tailed Whydah, Scaly Weaver (Scaly‑feathered Finch), Holub's Golden‑Weaver, White‑breasted Sunbird, Golden‑breasted Bunting.

VICTORIA FALLS

"The Smoke that Thunders" is the local name for the superb natural spectacle that we know as the Victoria Falls. Apart from the scenic splendour of the falls there are some very special birds here including the Taita Falcon, one of the rarest birds of prey in the world. The "Taita Falcon" Cliff can be reached by following the Victoria Falls Hotel, however the last year the bird has not be seen here. It seems that egg collecters have chased away the resident pair of falcons!

The Zambezi River upstream from the falls is also one of the most reliable sites in Africa for African Finfoot. Within Victoria Falls NP a paved walkway runs along the opposite edge of the gorge into which the water plunges 100m below.

Special and interesting species:

Rufous‑bellied Heron, Striated Heron, White‑backed Night‑Heron, Hadada Ibis, Bat Hawk, Hooded Vulture, Gabar Goshawk, Black Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Taita Falcon, African Finfoot, Water Thick‑knee, Rock Pratincole, White‑headed Lapwing, African (Black) Swift, Half‑collared & Brown‑hooded Kingfisher, Common Scimitar‑bill, Trumpeter Hornbill, Black‑collared Barbet, Golden‑tailed & Cardinal Woodpecker, Black Cuckoo‑Shrike, Sulphur‑breasted & Grey‑headed Bushshrike, Miombo Rock‑Thrush, Violet‑backed (Plumcoloured) Starling, Collared Palm‑Thrush, Bearded Scrub‑Robin, Rock Martin, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul, Terrestrial Brownbul, Bar‑throated & Yellow‑breasted Apalis, Lesser Swamp‑Warbler, African (Marsh) Reed‑Warbler, Green‑winged Pytilia (Melba Finch), Golden‑backed Pytilia, Lesser Masked Weaver, Spectacled Weaver, Holub's Golden‑Weaver, Collared Sunbird.

BOTSWANA

OKAVANGO RIVER DELTA

The only surviving inland delta in the world. Fed by rains in the Angola highlands, this large river never reaches the sea. Instead, it floods a vast basin in the Kalahari Desert to create a wonderland of papyrus swamps, quiet backwaters, and wooded islands. Only 4% of what flows in flows out through Maun. It takes some 6 months for the floodwaters from Angola to reach Maun. Maun, a dusty sprawling town at the southeastern tip of the delta is the safari centre of the country's most important tourist region. It's possible to spend a fortune here, but equally it's possible to visit the Okavango for a reasonable amount, as we did. Maun is the place from where to organize your delta trip and buy supplies. There are banks, garages, supermarkets, and several tour agents for the camps in the Delta. We organized our mokoro trip at Audi Camp.

If Pel's Fishing‑Owl is a 'have to see' on your trip, you have to go to the Okavango River Delta, in one of the world's most pristine swamps. An excellent way to experience the Okavango is by mokoro (dugout canoe), as we did. Travelling by mokoro allows you to become a part of the environment. On the first wooded island we stopped, we had excellent views of a Pel's Fishing-Owl in a tree, while eating a fish.

One of the delta's oldest camps, Shakawe Fishing Camp, is fairly easy to visit when you are in Namibia (Caprivi Strip).

Last year when I was in Namibia I visited this birding hot spot. Shakawe, about 30km south in Botswana from Popa Falls (Caprivi Strip) in Namibia is the first village in Botswana.

It takes 15 minutes to cross the border as you have to fill in forms on both sides, but's straight forward. The Shakawe Fishing Camp (Lodge) on the banks of the Okavango, is run by Barry and Elaine Price and is an excellent place to stay, with a remnant of mature forest in the grounds. There is also a campsite near the lodge.

An evening boat trip on the river with Duncan Pritchard or Elaine Price is a must and you will surely see White‑backed Night‑Heron and Pel's Fishing‑Owl. A daytime boat trip is highly recommended for viewing waterbirds and bee‑eaters.

Special and interesting species:

White‑backed Duck, African Pygmy‑Goose, Squacco Heron, Rufous‑bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Dwarf Bittern, White‑backed Night‑Heron, African Spoonbill, Bat Hawk, African Marsh‑Harrier, Pale Chanting‑Goshawk, Wahlberg's Eagle, African Cuckoo‑Falcon (Cuckoo Hawk), (Southern) Banded Snake‑Eagle, Secretary‑bird, Dickinson's Kestrel, Red‑necked Falcon, Lesser Jacana, Greater Painted‑Snipe, Collared Pratincole, Meyer's Parrot, Double‑banded Sandgrouse, African Green‑Pigeon, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana, Water Thick‑knee (Dikkop), African Skimmer, Coppery‑tailed Coucal, Senegal Coucal, Pel's Fishing‑Owl, Marsh Owl, African Wood‑Owl, African Barred Owlet (Barred Owl), Fiery‑necked Nightjar, Woodland, Half‑collared & Giant Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee‑eater, Common Scimitar‑bill, Pied & Black‑collared Barbet, Greater & Green‑backed Honeyguide, Brubru, Retz's Helmetshrike, White‑headed Black‑Chat (Arnot's Chat), Black Cuckoo-Shrike, Gabon (Swamp) Boubou, (Orange-) Sulphur‑breasted Bushshrike, Groundscraper Thrush, Burchell's Glossy‑starling, Grey Tit‑Flycatcher, Winding (Blackbacked) & Chirping Cisticola, Yellow‑breasted Apalis, Greater & Lesser Swamp‑Warbler, Angola (Whiterumped) & Southern Pied‑Babbler, Green‑winged Pytilia (Melba Finch), Brown & Jameson's Firefinch, Cape Wagtail, Buffy Pipit, White‑breasted & Mariqua Sunbird, Southern Brown‑throated Weaver, Fan‑tailed Widowbird.

MOREMI WILDLIFE RESERVE

Moremi is the most diversified of the parks we visited in terms of wildlife and scenery. Located in the northeastern part of the Okavango Delta contains over 2500 square kilometres of permanent swamps, islands, flood plains, forest and dry land.

Moremi is open year‑round; however some areas may be temporarily closed due to heavy rains. 4WD vehicles or necessary. The South Gate is about 100km north of Maun.

Moremi is renowned for its animals, rather than its birds (Nigel Wheatley's 'Where to watch birds in Africa'), but

Moremi is definitely worth a visit for a birdwatcher and it was the best place we visited during the whole trip!

Special and interesting species:

Pink‑backed Pelican, African Pygmy‑Goose, Yellow‑billed Duck, Rufous‑bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Striated Heron, Dwarf Bittern, African Spoonbill, African Openbill, Woolly‑necked Stork, Cape Griffon, African Marsh‑Harrier, Pale Chanting‑Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, African Cuckoo‑Falcon (Cuckoo Hawk), (Western) Banded Snake‑Eagle, Greater Kestrel, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana, Water Thick‑knee (Dikkop), Double‑banded & Burchell's Sandgrouse, African Skimmer, Coppery‑tailed Coucal, Barn Owl, African Scops‑Owl, Verreaux's Eagle‑Owl, Pel's Fishing‑Owl, African Wood‑Owl, Pearl‑spotted Owlet, African Barred Owlet (Barred Owl), Common Scimitar‑bill, Southern Ground‑Hornbill, Greater Honeyguide, Crimson‑breasted Gonolek, African Black‑headed Oriole, Gabon (Swamp) Boubou, Kalahari Scrub‑Robin, White‑headed Black‑Chat (Arnot's Chat), Grey‑rumped & Rufous‑chested Swallow, Southern Black‑Tit, Cape Wagtail, Chirping Cisticola, Greater Swamp‑Warbler, Brown & Jameson's Firefinch, Golden‑breasted Bunting.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Chobe is fabled as wild country, an expanse of bush and wilderness teeming with game. The grassy floodplains and mopane woodland alongside the Chobe River in this big park east of the Okavango, support a similar avifauna to that found in the virtually adjacent Hwange NP in Zimbabwe. The northern part of the park adjoining the Chobe River is becoming increasingly popular with visitors and is accessible by ordinary vehicles.

The bulk of the park involves some very rough 4WD driving between the campsites. Chobe's sandy tracks do require 4WD experience and confidence. There are four public campsites within the park: Serondela, Tjinga, Linyanti and Savuti. Of these, Serondela can be visited from Kasane with a normal 2WD saloon car, as can the adjacent game viewing drives by the riverside. The other camps require a 4WD vehicle and all require you to be self sufficient in food and fuel, though water is usually available.

Please take note that there is NO FUEL available between Maun and Kasane (a distance of about 400km). Provide for game drives and keep in mind that comsumption is higher in difficult terrains.

We stayed at Savuti, the public fairly heavily used campsite in the heart of Chobe NP and is one of Botswana's most famous game areas. The campsite has nightly visits from hyenas, which can even carry away a full rucksack at high speed - despite being pursued. Don't leave anything outside. Also don't bring along any citrus fruit - elephants will find this particularly attractive bounty.

Game viewing and birdwatching by boat along the Chobe River at Kasane is spectacular. These trips can be arranged at Chobe Safari Lodge and Chobe Chilwero Lodge.

Special and interesting species:

African Pygmy‑Goose, Purple Heron, Rufous‑bellied Heron, Slaty Egret, Striated Heron, Marabou Stork, African Openbill, Bat Hawk, Cape Griffon, African Marsh‑Harrier, Pale Chanting‑Goshawk, Shikra, Little Sparrowhawk, African Cuckoo‑Falcon (Cuckoo Hawk), (Southern) Banded Snake‑Eagle, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Martial Eagle, Secretary‑bird, Greater Kestrel, Taita Falcon, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana, Water & Spotted Thick‑knee (Dikkop), Small Buttonquail, Kori, Red‑crested & White‑quilled Bustard, Double‑banded Courser, Collared Pratincole, Long‑toed & Wattled Lapwing, African Skimmer, Gray‑headed Gull, Double‑banded & Burchell's Sandgrouse, African Green‑Pigeon, Pied Cuckoo, Coppery‑tailed Coucal, Senegal & Black Coucal, Barn Owl, Verreaux's Eagle‑Owl, Pel's Fishing‑Owl, Pearl‑spotted Owlet, African Barred Owlet (Barred Owl), Fiery‑necked Nightjar, Brown‑hooded Kingfisher, Striped Kingfisher, Southern Carmine Bee‑eater, Broad‑billed Roller, Bradfield's Hornbill, Southern Ground‑Hornbill, Black‑crowned Tchagra, Crimson‑breasted Gonolek, (Grey‑headed Bushshrike, Yellow‑billed & Red‑billed Oxpecker, Mariqua Flycatcher, Southern Black‑Flycatcher, White‑browed Robin‑Chat (Heuglin's Robin), Red‑backed Scrub‑Robin, White‑headed Black‑Chat (Arnot's Chat), Gabon (Swamp) Boubou, Banded Martin, Grey‑rumped & Rufous‑chested Swallow, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul, Southern Black‑Tit, Cape Wagtail, Red‑faced & Winding Cisticola, Monotonous & Sabota Lark, Chestnut‑backed Sparrow‑Lark, Rosy‑throated Longclaw, Violet‑eared Waxbill, Cape Wagtail, African & Buffy Pipit, Angola (Whiterumped) & Southern Pied‑Babbler, Brown Firefinch, Thick‑billed Weaver.

DAILY LOG

Thursday/Friday 7/8th August

Our trip started with a KLM flight from Antwerp to Amsterdam and via Johannesburg to Harare. The flight touched down at Harare at 9.15 a.m. local time (no time difference with the Netherlands).

Wilfred was waiting for us at the airport and the early morning arrival enabled a quick transfer to the Paw Paw Lodge and to the centre of Harare, where Eric almost got robbed.

Leaving Harare behind we headed in Wilfred's landrovers to Gosho Park Nature Reserve, an area of pristine Miombo woodland, where we had a first flavouring of Miombo endemics. A small bird party produced Whyte's Barbet, Spotted Creeper, Stierling's Wren‑Warbler, Southern (Mashona) Hyliota, Miombo Tit and Ashy Tit.

Other birds we encountered were Long‑billed Pipit, Black‑eared Seedeater, Miombo Sunbird and Cabanis' Bunting. Not a bad start, and one that set the pace for the rest of our trip.

The remainder of the day we spent driving to the eastern districts of Zimbabwe. It was a long drive and it was already dark when we arrived at the luxurious White Horse Inn in the Vumba Mountains. The owner of the Inn reminded us very much of Basil from the tv-series Fawlty Towers!

Saturday 9th August

Early next morning saw us in the cool mountain forests bordering Mozambique. We made a stroll near the Inn and added Lemon (Cinnamon) Dove, Livingstone's Turaco, Silvery-cheeked & Crowned Hornbill, White‑eared Barbet, Ashy (Bluegrey) Flycatcher and Peters' (Redthroated) Twinspot to our fast growing list.

Next it was off to the Seldomseen Field Study Centre, where we met Peter, our local guide. In the company of him we made a morning stroll on the forest trails surrounding Seldomseen. Peter knew every squeak and whistle in the forest.

Here, among other species, we found Black‑fronted Bushshrike, Four‑coloured (Gorgeous) Bushshrike, Cape Batis, Olive Thrush, White‑starred Robin, Stripe‑cheeked Bulbul, Chirinda Apalis and Malachite & Olive Sunbird.

In the steamy jungle we also found an Orange Ground‑Thrush, which showed itself briefly after much coaxing with a tape. Our efforts in locating the localized Gurney's Sugarbird failed miserably.

The whole afternoon we spent in the Vumba Botanical Gardens, a beautifully landscaped garden based around a series of small streams. Working the mountain forests was most of the time not easy, but with the help of our superb guide we eventually managed to locate Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow‑rumped Tinkerbird, Scaly‑throated Honeyguide, Olive Bushshrike, Swynnerton's Robin, Eastern Sawwing, Yellow‑streaked Greenbul, Roberts' Prinia, Rufous‑bellied Tit (a scarce bird here according to Peter), Yellow‑bellied Waxbill (East African Swee) and Amethyst Sunbird. We spent the night in the Wise Owl Motel at Mutare.

Sunday 10th August

In the early morning we heard the mournful call of the Grey‑headed Bushshrike and then saw this handsome heavy‑billed shrike on the roof of our motel room. From Mutare we headed south, reaching Gonarezhou National Park after a long drive.

One thing that struck me right away, and which became more and more obvious as time went by, was the incredible amount of burning that had taken place. I was shocked to hear that as much as 80% of the fires were uncontrolled in Gonarezhou. The roads in Gonarezhou were diabolical and although the distance from the gate to the Rundu River was only 75 km, it was 4pm before we arrived at the Parks HQ and were very astonished to find here a 2WD salooncar. Hereafter we spent some time in the Rundu River area and when we tried to cross the river we spent the rest of the afternoon up to our axles in the sand. Amongst the birds we encountered at Gonarezhou were African Hawk‑Eagle, Square‑tailed (Mozambique) Nightjar, Brown‑necked (Cape) Parrot and White‑breasted Sunbird. We arrived after dark at the Gota bush camp, on the south bank of the Rundu River.

Monday 11th August

The following day involved an early start as we were attempting to visit a large part of Gonarezhou.

It was a long, hot and dusty drive and we did not see many birds. Amongst the birds we noted were Gabar Goshawk, African Hawk‑Eagle, Martial Eagle on the nest, Peregrine Falcon, Natal Francolin, White‑headed Lapwing, Burchell's Coucal, Brown‑hooded Kingfisher, Lesser Honeyguide, Red‑backed Scrub‑Robin, Piping Cisticola (Neddicky) and Sabota Lark.

The 'big game' element of birding in big game country was not altogether absent, but elephant, proved to be rather elusive. This drive made me rather wary of mopane, too many leaves and not enough birds. At the Rundu River we had good views of a White‑backed Night-Heron.

When we arrived at the Chipinda Pools campsite we were all very thirsty and dusty.

Tuesday 12th August

After a comfortable night with the hippos of the Rundu River we made a pre‑breakfast stroll along the river and it turned out to be very productive. It was obvious that the dry, dusty conditions at Gonarezhou had taken their toll of birds in the park, and that many of them had found the camp a good source of food. On this stroll we saw such good birds as Klaas' Cuckoo, Yellow‑fronted Tinkerbird, Black‑collared Barbet, Black‑throated Wattle‑eye, Yellow‑bellied Greenbul and Village Indigobird.

Today was largely a travelling day as we headed for Bulawayo in south‑western Zimbabwe. We made a stop at the Tambuti Lodge, a comfortable accommodation on the banks of the Chiredzi River, a short distance from Gonarezhou. We made a short walk in the bush around the hotel and added African Black‑headed Oriole, Sulphur‑breasted Bushshrike and Southern Black‑Flycatcher to our list.

In the late afternoon we arrived at the caravan park of Bulawayo, where we made an evening walk in the nearby city park.

Wednesday 13th August

The well‑known Matopos National Park, within an hour of the city, was our destination the following morning. We spent all day here and the prize birds gradually gave themselves up. First came the Boulder Chat, a lifer for all of us. Amongst the many other birds we saw today were a party of noisy Retz's Helmetshrikes near Cecil Rhodes' grave, Familiar Chat, Mocking Cliff‑Chat (needed some persuasion with the tape), Rock Martin, Yellow‑bellied Eremomela, Latakoo Lark, Jameson's Firefinch, Cape Bunting and of course the Verreaux's Eagles. Accompanied by a rather drunk national park ranger in the game reserve, we walked near three White Rhinos and a baby.

As we passed through the park, a few other mammals such as, Four‑toed Elephant Shrew, Bushbuck and Klipspringer were seen near the roadside, while later still we had an attractive pair of Lanner Falcons.

Thursday 14th August

Another travelling day and now to Botswana. We made a stop at Francistown to stock up on food and to change money, before driving into the Kalahari. On our long journey west through the vast semi‑desert of the Kalahari we made many roadstops between Nata and Gweta and found amongst many others White‑quilled Bustard, Southern Anteater‑Chat, Desert Cisticola, Black‑chested Prinia, Shaft‑tailed Whydah, Rufous‑naped Lark, Red‑capped Lark, African Pipit, Scaly Weaver and Cinnamon‑breasted (Rock) Bunting. We checked into the luxurious Gweta Rest Camp, a delightful stop on the route between Nata and Maun. After a dive in the swimming pool we were ready for a meal with ice cold beer. Vital forgot his photo equipment in the bar, when he went to bed. The next morning we let him sweat, before we told him that we had his equipment.

Friday 15th August

After a night in this 'camp', we were prepared for the next leg of the trip which would take us west into the Okavango Delta. The journey was straightforward, on tarmac all the way. Some birding stops along the highway turned up our first Burchell's Sandgrouse, Pied Barbet, Cape Crow, Mariqua Flycatcher, Kalahari Scrub‑Robin, Rufous‑vented Warbler (Titbabbler), Flappet & Fawn‑coloured Lark and Southern Yellow‑rumped Seedeater (Blackthroated Canary).

Eventually we reached Maun, a dusty and sprawling town and gateway to the Okavango Delta.

We had lunch at the famous old establishment, Riley's Hotel, founded by Harry Riley and much too expensive for us.

While eating in the lovely garden we added Gabon (Swamp) Boubou and Rattling Cisticola to our list.

We put up our tents at the very dusty and cheap Audi Camp, 14 km north of Maun.

Saturday 16th August

After a short drive in a truck to the Delta we were being poled in four mokoros (wooden dugouts) into the delta.

Sitting centimetres from the waterline, thoughts of angry Hippos or hungry Crocodiles overturning the boat crossed my mind, but soon passed away with assurances from our guides and the peacefulness of this pristine environment.

After a few hours we made a stop at an island and here we began to explore the delta. A wealth of birds here included Rufous‑bellied Heron, White‑backed Duck, African Pygmy‑Goose, Squacco Heron, African Spoonbill, Greater Painted‑Snipe, Coppery‑tailed Coucal, Greater Honeyguide, Chirping Cisticola, Greater & Lesser Swamp‑Warbler, Cape Wagtail and Buffy Pipit. After a picnic under a sunny sky Vital, Frans and Staf explored a nearby group of trees and 10 minutes later Vital returned to the picnic site with a white head .... he had just seen a Pel's Fishing‑Owl and the owl had shit him on his head! I have never laughed so loudly in my life, when he told us his story. The rest of the group joined Vital and we again found the owl (with a fish in its claws) and had terrific close‑up views of this very hard to find bird.

For every great birding day, every lifer ticked, there are thirsty, hot slogs, multiple mosquito bites, and boredom, but this was definitely not one of these days.

The rest of the day we spent poling between the outer and less interesting reedbeds. In the late afternoon we arrived at an peninsula and here we put up our tents. Amongst the birds we encountered here were African Marsh Owl, Bradfield's Hornbill and Brown Firefinch. We did not sleep very well, because only 1000 metres from our peninsula was a big bushfire.

Sunday 17th August

The wild yelp of the fish eagle was our daily alarm clock in the delta. Before our departure with the mokoros we made a not very successful 'game' walk in the neighbourhood of our camp, however we did see Lappet‑faced Vulture, Secretary-bird, a pair of Red‑necked Falcons and Groundscraper Thrush. The rest of the day we spent lazily in the canoes in de delta. Amongst the birds we saw were Marabou Stork, Collared Pratincole, Senegal Coucal and Winding Cisticola.

In the late afternoon our boat trip ended and we headed back to Audi Camp.

Monday 18th August

After some shopping we left Maun and headed north to the Moremi Wildlife Reserve in the Okavango Delta.

The drive proved less of an ordeal than we thought it would be. Our first roadside stop produced superb views of Little Sparrowhawk. A few hours later we were at Moremi. Grey Go‑away‑bird, Magpie (Longtailed) Shrike and Fork‑tailed Drongo were everywhere and although we saw many birds we did not see any new ones.

We made our camp at the North Gate and were very much aware of the thieving monkeys. Our campsite at the North Gate was set up next to a river. A couple of interesting sightings in the camp included Pearl‑spotted Owl, Crimson‑breasted Gonolek (Shrike), Kurrichane Thrush and dozens of Double‑banded and Burchell's Sandgrouses coming to drink just before dusk. At dusk I successfully taped out African Scops‑Owl and African Barred Owlet (Barred Owl).

Tuesday 19th August

We spent all day at Moremi. This was 'classic' Africa with large concentrations of game, several large herds of Elephants, dozing prides of Lions, ever alert Black‑backed Jackals and wallowing Hippos.

A Slaty Egret was a surprise, as were the 12 Wattled Cranes.

Other highlights included African Openbill, Woolly‑necked Stork, Cape Griffon, Pale Chanting‑Goshawk, Greater Kestrel, Southern Ground‑Hornbill, Verreaux's Eagle‑Owl, Yellow‑billed Oxpecker, Rufous‑chested Swallow and perhaps best of all, a few very obliging White-headed Black‑Chats (Arnot's Chat), which gave fantastic views.

In addition to the birding, which was superb, Moremi was also great for game‑viewing. We enjoyed excellent sightings of Honey Badger, Burchell's Zebra, Buffalo, Kudu, Waterbuck, Lechwe, Blue Wildebeest, Impala, Tsessebe and several other mammal species. In the evening we had the company of several Hippos around our campfire and the Lions were very close.

Wednesday 20th August

Having achieved our objectives at Moremi we set off for Chobe National Park. The drive into Chobe took us across some of the worst roads I have ever driven on in an almost desert‑like landscape. Our journey to Chobe was prolonged by several unscheduled stops. Three times we were with our jeeps up to our axles in the sand. The birdspecies we saw en route were almost the same ones we had seen at Moremi. Southern Yellow‑billed and Red‑billed Hornbills were competing for our attention, while the ubiquitous Lilac‑breasted Roller was everywhere and we were fortunate enough to find four Cheetahs en route in Chobe. Other species seen included Martial Eagle, Greater Kestrel, Kori Bustard, Chestnut‑backed Sparrow‑Lark, Monotonous Lark and Violet‑eared Waxbill. Eventually we reached the Savuti campsite, where many Bradfield's Hornbills frequented the surrounding area. Our evening supper was livened up by a visiting Elephant. At midnight I awoke when a bunch of Hyenas were 'playing' around my tent.

Thursday 21st August

At dawn the following day we set off to drive through Chobe to Kasane. Much of the trip was through mopane woodland and the birdlife here was similar to birds seen the previous days. On our way through the park we encountered many groups of Elephants and sometimes were not very pleased to see us. We stopped for a well deserved drink in Kachekabwe, a rather rundown village. Moving on we journeyed north and here we saw the best bird of the trip, a Taita Falcon! We had excellent telescope views of this rare species and wondered what it was doing here.

Far away we saw some rocky outcrops, but there were certainly no high cliffs. An unexpected bonus! Five minutes later we saw our only Banded Snake‑Eagle of the whole trip.

The last 60km was easy, because the construction of the brand‑new tarmac road from Ngoma Bridge to Kasane was just finished. We arrived at 14.00 o'clock at the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, gateway to Namibia's Caprivi Strip.

After camping in the bush in Botswana it made a pleasant change to stay in a comfortable chalet along the Chobe River.

Once settled into our chalet and fully rested, we could sit at the bar and enjoy the sight of the beautiful White‑browed Robin‑Chats.

During the late afternoon we made a drive to nearby Chobe NP. On our drive along the Chobe River we saw many birds and most noteworthy of these birds were African Spoonbill, Black Kite, Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Kittlitz's Plover, Wattled Lapwing and Buffy Pipit.

Friday 22nd August

A river trip on the Chobe River around Sidudu Island had us watching small groups of African Skimmers at close range.

We avoided the many Hippos with great dexterity and managed very close encounters with the milder Slaty Egret.

We continued our river trip and noted many watersidebirds which included Purple Heron, Rufous‑bellied Heron, Marsh Sandpiper, Collared Pratincole, Long‑toed Lapwing, Gray‑headed Gull and Southern Carmine Bee‑eater. Other wildlife we saw here were Crocodile and Monitor Lizard.

From Kasane it's an easy 75 km or so to Victoria Falls, via the interesting road Kazungula - Victoria Falls.

We made a few roadside stops in the miombo woodland and amongst the birds we encountered were Lizard Buzzard, Miombo Rock‑Thrush and Stierling's Wren‑Warbler.

In the late afternoon we arrived at the Victoria Falls Town Council Rest Camp and Caravan Park. Sitting outside our chalet at dusk enjoying a much needed cold beer, we watched a Bat Hawk make a few low passes over our heads.

Saturday 23rd Augustus

In the morning we were joined by Marleen Valkenborg who was waiting for us at the camp. Then we made a boat trip on the Zambezi River. In the two hours we spent on the boat we had marvellous views of our target bird the African Finfoot and also saw Rufous‑bellied Heron, African Reed‑Warbler and Spotted‑necked Otter, however we searched in vain for Lesser Jacana.

Hereafter we set off in the bright sunshine to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls. As well as being a dramatic place in their own right, the falls are also excellent for birds and we saw Abdim's Stork, African Swift, Rock Pratincole, Trumpeter Hornbill, Golden‑tailed Woodpecker, Bearded Scrub‑Robin, Terrestrial Brownbul, Bar‑throated Apalis and Collared Sunbird. We did not find the Taita Falcon.

Sunday 24th August

We started early on our last day at Victoria Falls. I played the tape near our chalet and lured a pair of Collared Palm‑Thrushes into view, the undoubted highlight of the day.

Before breakfast we also spent some time birding along the edge of the Zambezi River that creates the amazing Victoria Falls, finding Bat Hawk, Black Goshawk, Cardinal Woodpecker, Black Cuckoo‑Shrike, Grey‑headed Bushshrike, Violet‑backed (Plumcoloured) Starling and much more besides.

Leaving Victoria Falls behind we set off for Hwange National Park, entering the eastern side at Robin's Camp, again a long and dusty drive.

As we passed through Hwange many mammals such as Scrub Hare, Dwarf Mongoose, Elephant, Hippo, Greater Kudu, Waterbuck etc. were seen near the roadside, while later still we had Saddle‑billed Stork and Southern Yellow‑rumped Seedeater. In the late afternoon we arrived at Sinamatella Camp where we had hired two chalets. Sinamatella with its chalets set in natural woodland on the top of a escarpment was a delightful place to stay with a very relaxing atmosphere and really good food.

Monday 25th August

Next morning found us at the Mandavu Dam not far from Sinamatella. We spent a few hours here and amongst the more interesting species we noted were African Spoonbill, African Openbill, Saddle‑billed Stork, Black‑winged Stilt, African Skimmer and a pair of Bennett's Woodpeckers. By midmorning we were back for lunch at Sinamatella and saw several Yellow-spotted Rock Dassies sunning themselves on boulders. We then spent some time sitting with the telescope outside the restaurant, which perched on the small escarpment, resulted in phenomenal views across the park.

From Sinamatella we moved on to Main Camp. In the afternoon we visited several waterholes. The time spent at the artificial waterholes was not too exciting, however we could make excellent pictures of drinking mammals. Staf and Vital certainly did their best for the Fuji and Kodak film sales. The birding at Hwange was not very productive and we only picked up two lifers: Three‑banded Courser and Dickinson's Kestrel. At last, 14 years after my first visit to Kenya, I ticked off this species! It is unmistakable when seen, its elegant, slender grey body offset by dark upperwings, and almost white head and neck.

Other good birds we saw were White‑headed Vulture, Coqui Francolin, Grey‑crowned Crane, Green (Redbilled) Woodhoopoe, Southern Pied‑Babbler and Golden‑breasted Bunting. Game animals of course were conspicuous and included several hundred Elephants, Burchell's Zebra, Blue Wildebeest and good numbers of Warthogs.

We checked in at Main Camp and were scolded by a park employee, because we were standing upright in our jeeps!?

We made a night drive and a Springhare, a cross between a rabbit and a wallaby, bounced along in front of the jeep and we spotted quite a few Busbabies. We were very fortunate to see an African Wild Cat and we also picked up a White‑faced Scops‑Owl not far from the camp. I should mention that four in the back of a landrover gets quite crowded by the end of the night drive.

Tuesday 26th August

From our base at Main Camp we explored the surrounding areas for bird and mammals, and concentrated on the areas near the waterholes. After so many days in the same habitat we did not see many new birds, but amongst the birds we noted were Black‑bellied Bustard, Little Stint, Racket-tailed Roller, Bradfield's Hornbill, African Golden‑Oriole, Capped Wheatear, Tinkling Cisticola and Jameson's Firefinch. We had good views of Side‑striped Jackal, a difficult to find mammal and during the nightdrive we added Small‑spotted Genet to our mammal list. As we returned to the camp there were already Hyenas waiting for us at the gate.

Wednesday 27th Augustus

This morning we still spent a few hours in the nearby woodland, but except for a few hungry Lions we did not see anything special. The next stage of our trip involved a long drive to Lake Kariba. We continued our journey northwards stopping briefly to look in a mountainous area where we added White-throated Swallow to our list.

At mid‑afternoon we arrived at Lake Kariba, one of the largest man‑made lakes on earth, where we checked into the Binga Rest Camp. The hot water pools with its sulphurous air at the camp were a welcome relief from the heat and dust.

In the camp the main attraction was Eastern (Yellowspotted) Nicator. I enjoy verandah birding and while drinking a beer in the garden, this splendid bird performed very well for us.

An afternoon boat trip on Lake Kariba marked the end of the day. The trip was more memorable for spectacular scenery than birds, although we did see Black‑crowned Night‑Heron. 

Thursday 28th August

After a comfortable night at our chalet we had a pre‑breakfast stroll near Lake Kariba and amongst the birds we noted were Brown‑necked Parrot, White‑browed Coucal, Woodland Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Croaking Cisticola, Red‑billed Firefinch and Wood Pipit.

The trip was now drawing to a close and our final destination was Lake Chivero (McIlwaine) near Harare.

It was already dark, when we arrived at the hotel near the shoreline of the lake.

Friday/Saturday 29th/30rd August

Our final morning of birding was spent in the miombo woodland near the lake and we saw a good selection of birds including Klaas' Cuckoo, Bat‑like Spinetail, Black Cuckoo‑Shrike, Lesser Blue‑eared Glossy‑Starling, White‑throated Robin‑Chat, African Yellow Warbler, Southern (Mashona) Hyliota, Spotted Creeper, Miombo Tit and African (Grey) Penduline‑Tit.

Hereafter we headed to Harare. We said goodbye to Wilfred and Marleen and returned via Johannesburg to Amsterdam with our very smooth KLM flight.

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The final total for the three weeks trip was 388 species of birds. I finished the trip with 37 lifers. In addition to all these birds no less than 50 species of mammal were seen on the trip. Perhaps the most memorable sight of the entire three weeks was the bewildered look in the eyes of Vital when Pel's Fishing‑Owl had shit on his head.

My five best birds of the trip? Easy. Slaty Egret, Dickinson's Kestrel, Taita Falcon, African Finfoot and Swynnerton's Robin, lifers all of course.

Chaam, 16 October 1997,

If you need any help or further information, contact me at the following address and I'll try and help if I can!

Jan Vermeulen
Bredaseweg 14
4861 AH Chaam
The Netherlands
Telephone:      (031) - 161 - 491327
E-mail:             jem.vermeulen@wxs.nl

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF BIRDS

This list follows the taxonomy, names and sequence of James F. Clements (July 1991, Birds of the World, A Check List and Supplements No. 1, 2, 3 & 4).

This specific treatment follows Dr. Charles Sibley and Dr. Burt L. Monroe, Jr (1990, Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World, Yale University Press).

Species in brackets are the English names in "Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa" by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton, but only mentioned when these differ substantially from the Clements Check List.

The Dutch names follow the translated "Complete Checklist of Birds of the World" (Complete Checklist van Vogels van de Wereld) of Michael Walters.

Numbers quoted are estimates of the minimum numbers seen.

The following abbreviations are used:

(Z)             =  Zimbabwe
(B)             =  Botswana
WR           =  Wildlife Reserve
NP             =  National Park
NR             =  Nature Reserve
100+         =  at least 100 birds

 1.          OSTRICH, Struthio camelus, Struisvogel

              20+ en route Nata - Maun (B), a few at Hwange NP (Z), 30+ at Lake Chivero Recreational Park (Z).

 2.          LITTLE GREBE (DABCHICK), Tachybaptus ruficollis, Dodaars

              Up to 20+ a day on pools and rivers in both countries.

 3.          LONG‑TAILED CORMORANT (REED CORMORANT), Phalacrocorax africanus, Afrikaanse Dwergaalscholver

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

 4.          GREAT CORMORANT (WHITEBREASTED CORMORANT), Phalacrocorax carbo, Aalscholver

              Seen in small numbers in suitable habitat.

 5.          AFRICAN DARTER, Anhinga rufa, Afrikaanse Slangenhalsvogel

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

 6.          GREAT WHITE PELICAN (EASTERN WHITE PELICAN), Pelecanus onocrotalus, Roze Pelikaan

              3 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

 7.          PINK‑BACKED PELICAN, Pelecanus rufescens, Kleine Pelikaan

              4 at Moremi WR (B).

 8.          WHITE‑FACED WHISTLING‑DUCK (WHITEFACED DUCK), Dendrocygna viduata, Witwangfluiteend

              Seen in good numbers on pools and rivers.

 9.          WHITE‑BACKED DUCK, Thalassornis leuconotus, Witrugeend

              6 in the Okavango Delta near Maun (B).

10.         EGYPTIAN GOOSE, Alopochen aegyptiacus, Nijlgans

              A common and widespread species.

11.         SPUR‑WINGED GOOSE, Plectropterus gambensis, Spoorwiekgans

              Small numbers in both countries.

12.         COMB DUCK (KNOBBILLED DUCK), Sarkidiornis melanotos, Knobbeleend

              Small numbers at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B).

13.         AFRICAN PYGMY‑GOOSE, Nettapus auritus, Afrikaanse Dwergeend

              6 in the Okavango Delta near Maun (B), 10+ at Moremi WR (B).

14.         YELLOW‑BILLED DUCK, Anas undulata, Geelsnaveleend

              12 at Moremi WR (B).

15.         RED‑BILLED DUCK (REDBILLED TEAL), Anas erythrorhyncha, Roodsnavelpijlstaart

              Up to 25+ on lakes and pools in both countries.

16.         HOTTENTOT TEAL, Anas hottentota, Hottentottaling

              2 at Hwange NP (Z).

17.         SOUTHERN POCHARD, Netta erythrophthalma, Bruine Krooneend

              3 at Hwange NP (Z).

18.         SLATY EGRET, Egretta vinaceigula, Sharpes Reiger

              1 at Moremi WR (B) and 4 along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B)

19.         LITTLE EGRET, Egretta garzetta, Kleine Zilverreiger

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 in the Okavango Delta (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B).

20.         INTERMEDIATE EGRET (YELLOWBILLED EGRET), Mesophoyx intermedia, Middelste Zilverreiger

              Single ones at Gonarezhou NP (Z), the Okavango Delta (B) and Moremi WR (B), a few at Chobe NP (B) and Hwange NP (Z).

21.         GREY HERON, Ardea cinerea, Blauwe Reiger

              Widespread in small numbers.

22.         BLACK‑HEADED HERON, Ardea melanocephala, Zwartkopreiger

              Small numbers in Bulawayo (Z), 1 at Lake Kariba (Z).

23.         GOLIATH HERON, Ardea goliath, Reuzenreiger

              Single ones at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Lake Kariba (Z), 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

24.         PURPLE HERON, Ardea purpurea, Purperreiger

              12 along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B).

25.         GREAT EGRET, Ardea alba, Grote Zilverreiger

              Widespread in small numbers.

26.         CATTLE EGRET, Bubulcus ibis, Koereiger

              A common appearance in both countries.

27.         SQUACCO HERON, Ardeola ralloides, Ralreiger

              Several in the Okavango Delta (B), fairly common at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B).

28.         RUFOUS‑BELLIED HERON, Ardeola rufiventris, Roodbuikreiger

              4 in the Okavango Delta (B), 3 along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B).

29.         STRIATED HERON (GREENBACKED HERON), Butorides striatus, Mangrovereiger

              3 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), small numbers at Moremi WR (B), Chobe NP (B) and at Victoria Falls (Z).

30.         BLACK‑CROWNED NIGHT‑HERON, Nycticorax nycticorax, Kwak

              Single sightings along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B) and at Lake Kariba (Z).

31.         WHITE‑BACKED NIGHT‑HERON, Nycticorax leuconotus, Witrugkwak

              A splendid observation in the Runde River at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

32.         HAMERKOP, Scopus umbretta, Hamerkop

              Observed in small numbers throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

33.         HADADA IBIS, Bostrychia hagedash, Hadada‑ibis

              20+ at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 at Moremi WR (B) and a few at Victoria Falls (Z).

34.         SACRED IBIS, Threskiornis aethiopicus, Heilige Ibis

              A common and widespread species.

35.         AFRICAN SPOONBILL, Platalea alba, Afrikaanse Lepelaar

              1 at the Okavango Delta (B), rather common at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B), small numbers at the  Manduva Dam in Hwange NP (Z).

36.         YELLOW‑BILLED STORK, Mycteria ibis, Afrikaanse Nimmerzat

              Fairly common at Gonarezhou NP (Z), the Okavango Delta (B) and Chobe NP (B).

37.         AFRICAN OPENBILL (OPENBILLED STORK), Anastomus lamelligerus, Afrikaanse Gaper

              5 at Moremi WR (B), common at Chobe NP (B), small numbers at the Manduva Dam in Hwange NP (Z).

38.         BLACK STORK, Ciconia nigra, Zwarte Ooievaar

              2 at Hwange NP (Z).

39.         ABDIM'S STORK, Ciconia abdimii, Abdims Ooievaar

              3 at Victoria Falls (Z).

40.         WOOLLY‑NECKED STORK, Ciconia episcopus, Bisschopsooievaar

              2 at Moremi WR (B) and 1 at Hwange NP (Z).

41.         WHITE STORK, Ciconia ciconia, Ooievaar

              6 en route from Kadoma - Harare (Z).

42.         SADDLE‑BILLED STORK, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, Zadelbekooievaar

              4 at Hwange NP (Z).

43.         MARABOU STORK, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, Afrikaanse Maraboe

              2 at the Okavango Delta (B), 3 at Moremi WR (B), 30+ at Chobe NP (B), 20+ at Hwange NP (Z).

44.         BAT HAWK, Macheiramphus alcinus, Vleermuiswouw

              Splendid observations of 2 birds at Victoria Falls (Z). Seen at the Zambesi Rest Camp and also near the Falls.

45.         BLACK‑SHOULDERED KITE, Elanus caeruleus, Grijze Wouw

              A common and widespread species.

46.         BLACK KITE, Milvus migrans, Zwarte Wouw

              Surprisingly scarce. A few at Chobe NP (B), Victoria Falls (Z), Lake Kariba (Z) and Lake McIlwaine (Z), 20+ at Hwange NP (Z).

47.         AFRICAN FISH‑EAGLE, Haliaeetus vocifer, Afrikaanse Zeearend

              A rather common and widespread species.

48.         HOODED VULTURE, Necrosyrtes monachus, Kapgier

              2 near Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 at Moremi WR (B), 6 at Victoria Falls (Z).

49.         WHITE‑BACKED VULTURE, Gyps africanus, Witruggier

              A common and widespread species.

50.         CAPE GRIFFON (CAPE VULTURE), Gyps coprotheres, Kaapse Gier

              2 at Moremi WR (B).

51.         LAPPET‑FACED VULTURE, Torgos tracheliotus, Oorgier

              Single ones in the Okavango Delta (B), Moremi WR (B) and Hwange NP (Z).

52.         WHITE‑HEADED VULTURE, Trigonoceps occipitalis, Witkopgier

              3 at Hwange NP (Z).

53.         BLACK‑CHESTED SNAKE‑EAGLE, Circaetus pectoralis, Zwartborstslangenarend

              1 in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 1 at Matopos NP (Z), 3 at Hwange NP (Z) and 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

54.         BROWN SNAKE‑EAGLE, Circaetus cinereus, Bruine Slangenarend

              1 at Matopos NP (Z), 3 at Hwange NP (Z) and 1 at Lake Kariba (Z).

55.         (WESTERN) BANDED SNAKE‑EAGLE, Circaetus cinerascens, Kleine Grijze Slangenarend

              A splendid observation at Chobe NP (B).

56.         BATELEUR, Terathopius ecaudatus, Bateleur

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe.

57.         AFRICAN MARSH‑HARRIER, Circus ranivorus, Afrikaanse Bruine Kiekendief

              Fairly common in the Okavango Delta (B), small numbers at Moremi WR (B).

58.         AFRICAN HARRIER‑HAWK (GYMNOGENE), Polyboroides typus, Kaalkopkiekendief

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), single ones en route Gweta - Maun (B) and en route Hwange - Binga (Z).

59.         LIZARD BUZZARD, Kaupifalco monogrammicus, Hagedisbuizerd

              Single ones en route  Kazungula - Victoria Falls (Z) and en route Hwange - Binga (Z).

60.         DARK CHANTING‑GOSHAWK, Melierax metabates, Donkere Zanghavik

              1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 near Gweta (B), small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

61.         PALE CHANTING‑GOSHAWK, Melierax canorus, Zanghavik

              1 in the Okavango Delta (B) and 1 at Moremi WR (B).

62.         GABAR GOSHAWK, Melierax gabar, Gabarhavik

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 4 near Nxai Pan NP (B), 2 at Moremi WR (B), singles at Victoria Falls (Z) and Hwange NP (Z).

63.         AFRICAN GOSHAWK, Accipiter tachiro, Afrikaanse Havik

              1 in the Vumba Mountains (Z) and 1 at Tambuti Lodge near Gonarezhou NP (Z).

64.         SHIKRA (LITTLE BANDED GOSHAWK), Accipiter badius, Shikra

              1 at Moremi WR (B) and 2 at Chobe NP (B).

65.         LITTLE SPARROWHAWK, Accipiter minullus, Oost-Afrikaanse Dwergsperwer

              A single sighting at Moremi WR (B).

66.         OVAMPO SPARROWHAWK, Accipiter ovampensis, Ovambosperwer

              2 at Chobe NP (B).

67.         BLACK GOSHAWK (BLACK SPARROWHAWK), Accipiter melanoleucus, Zwarte Havik

              A single sighting at Victoria Falls (Z).

68.         TAWNY EAGLE, Aquila rapax, Taankleurige Arend

              Fairly common in the reserves, but thinly distributed elsewhere.

69.         WAHLBERG'S EAGLE, Aquila wahlbergi, Wahlbergs Arend

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B) and 1 at Moremi WR (B).

70.         VERREAUX'S EAGLE (BLACK EAGLE), Aquila verreauxii, Zwarte Arend

              8 at Matopos NP (Z).

71.         AFRICAN HAWK‑EAGLE, Hieraaetus spilogaster, Afrikaanse Havikarend

              1 in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 3 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 4 at Matopos NP (Z), 3 at Moremi WR (B) and 3 at Hwange NP (Z).

72.         MARTIAL EAGLE, Polemaetus bellicosus, Vechtarend

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), single ones at Chobe NP (B) and Hwange NP (Z).

73.         LONG‑CRESTED EAGLE, Lophaetus occipitalis, Afrikaanse Zwarte Kuifarend

              2 in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

74.         CROWNED HAWK‑EAGLE (CROWNED EAGLE), Stephanoaetus coronatus, Kroonarend

              A pair in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 2 at Matopos NP (Z).

75.         SECRETARY‑BIRD, Sagittarius serpentarius, Secretarisvogel

              3 in the Okavango Delta (B), 3 at Moremi WR (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B) and 6 at Hwange NP (Z).

76.         EURASIAN KESTREL (ROCK KESTREL), Falco tinnunculus, Torenvalk

              A single sighting in the Okavango Delta (B).

77.         GREATER KESTREL, Falco rupicoloides, Grote Torenvalk

              3 in the vicinity of Nxai Pan NP (B), singles at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B).

78.         DICKINSON'S KESTREL, Falco dickinsoni, Dickinsons Torenvalk

              2 at Hwange NP (Z).

79.         RED‑NECKED FALCON, Falco chicquera, Roodkopsmelleken

              A pair in the Okavango Delta (B).

80.         LANNER FALCON, Falco biarmicus, Lannervalk

              2 at Matopos NP (Z) and 1 en route Kazungula - Victoria Falls (Z).

81.         PEREGRINE FALCON, Falco peregrinus, Slechtvalk

              A single bird at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

82.         TAITA FALCON, Falco fasciinucha, Taitavalk

              A real surprise! Seen in the north of Chobe NP (B), not far from Kasane.

83.         HELMETED GUINEAFOWL, Numida meleagris, Helmparelhoen

              A very common and widespread species.

84.         COQUI FRANCOLIN, Francolinus coqui, Coquifrankolijn

              2 at Hwange NP (Z).

85.         CRESTED FRANCOLIN, Francolinus sephaena, Kuiffrankolijn

              2 at Chobe NP (B), fairly common at Hwange NP (Z).

86.         NATAL FRANCOLIN, Francolinus natalensis, Natalfrankolijn

              Small numbers at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Matopos NP (Z).

87.         RED‑BILLED FRANCOLIN, Francolinus adspersus, Roodsnavelfrankolijn

              Abundant in Botswana, common in western Zimbabwe.

88.         SWAINSON'S SPURFOWL (SWAINSON'S FRANCOLIN), Francolinus swainsonii, Swainsons Frankolijn

              Common in Botswana and western Zimbabwe.

89.         BLACK CRAKE, Amaurornis flavirostra, Zwart Porseleinhoen

              Seen regularly in suitable habitat.

90.         COMMON MOORHEN, Gallinula chloropus, Waterhoen

              4 at a pool near Gokwe (Z).

91.         AFRICAN FINFOOT, Podica senegalensis, Watertrapper

              3 during the boat trip on the Zambesi River at Victoria Falls (Z).

92.         WATTLED CRANE, Grus carunculatus, Lelkraanvogel

              12 at Moremi WR (B).

93.         GREY CROWNED‑CRANE (SOUTHERN CROWNED CRANE), Balearica regulorum, Grijze Kroonkraan

              2 pairs at Hwange NP (Z).

94.         KORI BUSTARD, Ardeotis kori, Koritrap

              6 at Chobe NP (B).

95.         RED‑CRESTED BUSTARD, Eupodotis ruficrista, Zuid-Afrikaanse Kuiftrap

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), a few near Nxai Pan NP (B) and 2 at Chobe NP (B).

96.         WHITE‑QUILLED BUSTARD (NORTHERN BLACK KORHAAN), Eupodotis afraoides, Botswanatrap

              Fairly common en route from Nata - Maun (B).

97.         BLACK‑BELLIED BUSTARD, Eupodotis melanogaster, Zwartbuiktrap

              Small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

98.         AFRICAN JACANA, Actophilornis africanus, Lelieloper

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

99.         GREATER PAINTED‑SNIPE (PAINTED SNIPE), Rostratula benghalensis, Goudsnip

              5 in the Okavango Delta (B).

100.       MARSH SANDPIPER, Tringa stagnatilis, Poelruiter

              A single bird along the Chobe River near Kasane in Chobe NP (B).

101.       COMMON GREENSHANK, Tringa nebularia, Groenpootruiter

              Seen almost daily in small numbers in suitable habitat.

102.       WOOD SANDPIPER, Tringa glareola, Bosruiter

              Seen almost daily in small numbers in Botswana and western Zimbabwe.

103.       COMMON SANDPIPER, Tringa hypoleucos, Oeverloper

              1 at Matopos NP (Z), a few in the Okavango Delta (B), Moremi WR (B), Chobe NP (B) and Hwange NP (Z).

104.       LITTLE STINT, Calidris minuta, Kleine Strandloper

              A single sighting at Hwange NP (Z).

105.       RUFF, Philomachus pugnax, Kemphaan

              3 at Moremi WR (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B) and several at Hwange NP (Z).

106.       WATER THICK‑KNEE (WATER DIKKOP), Burhinus vermiculatus, Watergriel

              3 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 at Victoria Falls (Z) and 4 at Hwange NP (Z).

107.       BLACK‑WINGED STILT, Himantopus himantopus, Steltkluut

              2 at Moremi WR (B), 3 at Chobe NP (B) and 20+ at the Mandavu Dam in Hwange NP (Z).

108.       DOUBLE‑BANDED COURSER, Rhinoptilus africanus, Dubbelbandrenvogel

              1 en route Nata - Gweta (B) and 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

109.       THREE‑BANDED COURSER, Rhinoptilus cinctus, Driebandrenvogel

              3 at Hwange NP (Z).

110.       COLLARED PRATINCOLE (REDWINGED PRATINCOLE), Glareola pratincola, Vorkstaartplevier

              6 in the Okavango Delta (B), common along the Chobe River near Kasane in Chobe NP (B).

111.       ROCK PRATINCOLE, Glareola nuchalis, Rotsvorkstaartplevier

              2 at Victoria Falls (Z).

112.       KITTLITZ'S PLOVER, Charadrius pecuarius, Herdersplevier

              Several at Chobe NP (B) and at Hwange NP (Z).

113.       THREE‑BANDED PLOVER, Charadrius tricollaris, Driebandplevier

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

114.       LONG‑TOED LAPWING (LONGTOED PLOVER), Vanellus crassirostris, Langteenkievit

              15+ along the Chobe River near Kasane in Chobe NP (B).

115.       BLACKSMITH PLOVER, Vanellus armatus, Smidsplevier

              A very common and widespread species.

116.       WHITE‑HEADED LAPWING (WHITECROWNED PLOVER), Vanellus albiceps, Witkruinkievit

              10+ Gonarezhou NP (Z), 10+ at Victoria Falls (Z), 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

117.       WATTLED LAPWING (WATTLED PLOVER), Vanellus senegallus, Lelkievit

              2 at Matopos NP (Z), a few near Nxai Pan NP (B), 3 at Chobe NP (B) and 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

118.       CROWNED LAPWING (CROWNED PLOVER), Vanellus coronatus, Diadeemkievit

              A common and widespread species.

119.       GRAY‑HEADED GULL, Larus cirrocephalus, Grijskopmeeuw

              4 along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B).

120.       AFRICAN SKIMMER, Rhynchops flavirostris, Afrikaanse Schaarbek

              10+ along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B), 11 at the Mandavu Dam in Hwange NP (Z).

121.       DOUBLE‑BANDED SANDGROUSE, Pterocles bicinctus, Dubbelbandzandhoen

              Common in the Okavango Delta (B) and Moremi WR (B), small numbers at Chobe NP (B) and Hwange NP (Z).

122.       BURCHELL'S SANDGROUSE, Pterocles burchelli, Bont Zandhoen

              2 near Nxai Pan NP (B), common at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B).

123.       ROCK DOVE, Columba livia, Rotsduif

              Fairly common around villages and towns.

124.       SPECKLED PIGEON (ROCK PIGEON), Columba guinea, Gespikkelde Duif

              2 at Matopos NP (Z).

125.       AFRICAN PIGEON (RAMERON PIGEON), Columba arquatrix, Olijfduif

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

126.       LEMON DOVE (CINNAMON DOVE), Columba larvata, Kaneeltortel

              3 at the Vumba Mountains.

127.       LAUGHING DOVE, Streptopelia senegalensis, Palmtortel

              A very common and widespread species.

128.       AFRICAN MOURNING DOVE, Streptopelia decipiens, Treurtortel

              A fairly common and widespread species.

129.       RING‑NECKED DOVE (CAPE TURTLE DOVE), Streptopelia capicola, Kaapse Tortel

              Abundant in both countries.

130.       RED‑EYED DOVE, Streptopelia semitorquata, Roodoogtortel

              A very common and widespread species.

131.       EMERALD‑SPOTTED WOOD‑DOVE (GREENSPOTTED DOVE), Turtur chalcospilos, Smaragdvlekduif

              A fairly common and widespread species.

132.       TAMBOURINE DOVE, Turtur tympanistria, Tamboerijnduif

              Small numbers at the Vumba Mountains and at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

133.       NAMAQUA DOVE, Oena capensis, Maskerduif

              A rather common and widespread species.

134.       AFRICAN GREEN‑PIGEON, Treron calva, Afrikaanse Papegaaiduif

              Singles in the Okavango Delta (B) and Moremi WR (B), 4 at Chobe NP (B) and 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

135.       BROWN‑NECKED PARROT (CAPE PARROT), Poicephalus robustus, Kaapse Papegaai

              4 at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and 8 near Lake Kariba (Z).

136.       MEYER'S PARROT, Poicephalus meyeri, Meyers Papegaai

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

137.       BROWN‑HEADED PARROT, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus, Bruinkoppapegaai

              Fairly common at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

138.       SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD, Colius striatus, Bruine Muisvogel

              Fairly common at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

139.       RED‑FACED MOUSEBIRD, Urocolius indicus, Roodwangmuisvogel

              Small numbers at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 25+ en route Gweta - Maun (B), 10+ at Chobe NP (B).

140.       LIVINGSTONE'S TURACO (LIVINGSTONE'S LOURIE), Tauraco livingstonii, Livingstones Toerako

              7 in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

141.       GREY GO‑AWAY‑BIRD (GREY LOURIE), Corythaixoides concolor, Vale Toerako

              A common and widespread species.

142.       KLAAS' CUCKOO, Chrysococcyx klaas, Klaas' Koekoek

              Single ones at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

143.       COPPERY‑TAILED COUCAL, Centropus cupreicaudus, Koperstaartspoorkoekoek

              Up to 5 a day in the Okavango Delta (B) and Moremi WR (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B).

144.       SENEGAL COUCAL, Centropus senegalensis, Senegalese Spoorkoekoek

              Singles at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and in the Okavango Delta (B), 4 at Chobe NP (B) and a few at Hwange NP (Z).

145.       WHITE‑BROWED COUCAL, Centropus superciliosus, Wenkbrauwspoorkoekoek

              A single one at Lake Kariba (Z).

146.       BURCHELL'S COUCAL, Centropus burchelli, Burchells Spoorkoekoek

              A single bird at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

147.       BARN OWL, Tyto alba, Kerkuil

              Single ones at Moremi WR (B), the Chobe Safari Lodge (B), Hwange NP (Z) and near Lake Kariba (Z).

148.       AFRICAN SCOPS‑OWL, Otus senegalensis, Afrikaanse Dwergooruil

              1 heard at Gosho Park NR, 3 seen at Moremi WR (B) and 2 heard at Sinamatella Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

149.       WHITE‑FACED SCOPS‑OWL (WHITEFACED OWL), Otus leucotis, Witwangdwergooruil

              A single sighting during a nightdrive outside Hwange NP near Main Camp (Z).

150.       VERREAUX'S EAGLE‑OWL (GIANT EAGLE OWL), Bubo lacteus, Verreaux' Oehoe

              1 found dead at Nxai Pan NP (B), 3 (including nest with young ones) at Moremi WR (B).

151.       PEL'S FISHING‑OWL, Scotopelia peli, Pels Visuil

              A superb daytime sighting in the Okavango Delta (B).

152.       AFRICAN WOOD‑OWL, Strix woodfordii, Afrikaanse Bosuil

              1 bird found dead at Hwange NP (Z).

153.       PEARL‑SPOTTED OWLET, Glaucidium perlatum, Geparelde Dwerguil

              2 at Moremi WR (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B) and also 2 at Main Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

154.       AFRICAN BARRED OWLET (BARRED OWL), Glaucidium capense, Kaapse Dwerguil

              2 at Moremi WR (B) and 1 at Chobe NP (B).

155.       MARSH OWL, Asio capensis, Afrikaanse Velduil

              Fairly common in the Okavango Delta (B).

156.       SQUARE‑TAILED NIGHTJAR (MOZAMBIQUE NIGHTJAR), Caprimulgus fossii, Gabonnachtzwaluw

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

157.       BAT‑LIKE SPINETAIL (BÖHM'S SPINETAIL), Neafrapus boehmi, Böhms Gierzwaluw

              100+ at Lake McIlwaine GR (Z).

158.       AFRICAN PALM‑SWIFT, Cypsiurus parvus, Afrikaanse Palmgierzwaluw

              A very common and widespread species.

159.       AFRICAN SWIFT (BLACK SWIFT), Apus barbatus, Kaapse Gierzwaluw

              Several at Victoria Falls (Z) and 2 en route  Hwange - Binga (Z).

160.       LITTLE SWIFT, Apus affinis, Huisgierzwaluw

              25+ at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

161.       HORUS SWIFT, Apus horus, Horusgierzwaluw

              A few at Hwange NP (Z).

162.       MALACHITE KINGFISHER, Alcedo cristata, Malachietijsvogel

              2 at the Okavango Delta (B), 1 along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B), 4 at Victoria Falls (Z), 2 at Hwange NP (Z) and 2 at Lake Kariba (Z).

163.       GREY‑HEADED KINGFISHER, Halcyon leucocephala, Grijskopijsvogel

              A single sighting at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

164.       WOODLAND KINGFISHER, Halcyon senegalensis, Senegalijsvogel

              Singles at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z) and at Binga Rest Camp near Lake Kariba (Z).

165.       BROWN‑HOODED KINGFISHER, Halcyon albiventris, Bruinkapijsvogel

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 near Bulawayo (Z), 2 at the Chobe Safari Lodge (B) at Kasane, 1 at Victoria Falls (Z) and 1 at Binga Rest Camp near Lake Kariba (Z).

166.       STRIPED KINGFISHER, Halcyon chelicuti, Gestreepte IJsvogel

              Single ones at Gosho Park NR and Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 at Chobe NP (B), 7 at Hwange NP (Z) and 1 at Binga Rest Camp near Lake Kariba (Z).

167.       GIANT KINGFISHER, Megaceryle maxima, Afrikaanse Reuzenijsvogel

              Singles at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and at Binga Rest Camp near Lake Kariba (Z).

168.       PIED KINGFISHER, Ceryle rudis, Bonte IJsvogel

              A common and widespread species.

169.       WHITE‑FRONTED BEE‑EATER, Merops bullockoides, Witkapbijeneter

              Fairly common at Gonarezhou NP (Z), a few at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B).

170.       LITTLE BEE‑EATER, Merops pusillus, Dwergbijeneter

              A common and widespread species.

171.       SWALLOW‑TAILED BEE‑EATER, Merops hirundineus, Zwaluwstaartbijeneter

              Commonly observed in Botswana and western Zimbabwe.

172.       SOUTHERN CARMINE BEE‑EATER, Merops nubicoides, Zuidelijke Karmijnrode Bijeneter

              15+ along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B).

173.       LILAC‑BREASTED ROLLER, Coracias caudata, Vorkstaartscharrelaar

              A very common and widespread species.

174.       RACKET‑TAILED ROLLER, Coracias spatulata, Vlagstaartscharrelaar

              3 at Hwange NP near Main Camp (Z).

175.       RUFOUS‑CROWNED ROLLER (PURPLE ROLLER), Coracias noevia, Roodkruinscharrelaar

              Commonly observed in Botswana and western Zimbabwe.

176.       AFRICAN HOOPOE, Upupa africana, Afrikaanse Hop

              Small numbers in both countries.

177.       GREEN WOODHOOPOE (REDBILLED WOODHOOPOE), Phoeniculus purpureus, Groene Kakelaar

              A common and widespread species.

178.       COMMON (GREATER) SCIMITAR‑BILL, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas, Zuid-Afrikaanse Boomhop

              Small numbers en route  Gweta - Maun (B), 2 at the Okavango Delta (B), 1 at Moremi WR (B), a few at Victoria Falls (Z).

179.       RED‑BILLED HORNBILL, Tockus erythrorhynchus, Roodsnaveltok

              Abundant in Botswana, very common in Zimbabwe.

180.       SOUTHERN YELLOW‑BILLED HORNBILL, Tockus leucomelas, Geelsnaveltok

              Abundant in Botswana, very common in Zimbabwe.

181.       CROWNED HORNBILL, Tockus alboterminatus, Kuiftok

              1 at the Vumba Mountains (Z) and 4 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

182.       BRADFIELD'S HORNBILL, Tockus bradfieldi, Bradfields Tok

              Fairly common in Botswana with up to 10+ at Savuti in Chobe NP (B), 20+ at Main Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

183.       AFRICAN GREY HORNBILL, Tockus nasutus, Grijze Tok

              Rather common in both countries.

184.       SILVERY‑CHEEKED HORNBILL, Ceratogymna brevis, Zilveroorneushoornvogel

              10+ at the Vumba Mountains (Z), 10+ at Victoria Falls (Z).

185.       TRUMPETER HORNBILL, Ceratogymna bucinator, Trompetneushoornvogel

              10+ at Victoria Falls (Z).

186.       SOUTHERN GROUND‑HORNBILL, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Zuidelijke Hoornraaf

              A few at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 9 at Moremi WR (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B) and 5 at Hwange NP (Z).

187.       WHITE‑EARED BARBET, Stactolaema leucotis, Witoorbaardvogel

              25+ at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

188.       WHYTE'S BARBET, Stactolaema whytii, Whytes Baardvogel

              4 at Gosho Park NR (Z).

189.       (GOLDEN-) YELLOW‑RUMPED TINKERBIRD (-BARBET), Pogoniulus bilineatus, Geelstuitketellapper

              A single sighting at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

190.       YELLOW‑FRONTED TINKERBIRD (TINKER BARBET), Pogoniulus chrysoconus, Geelvoorhoofdketellapper

              Singles at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Matopos NP (Z), 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

191.       PIED BARBET (ACACIA PIED BARBET), Tricholaema leucomelas, Kaapse Baardvogel

              1 en route Gweta - Maun (B), 2 in the Okavango Delta (B).

192.       BLACK‑COLLARED BARBET, Lybius torquatus, Zwarthalsbaardvogel

              1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 3 at Matopos NP (Z), 2 in the Okavango Delta (B), 20+ at Victoria Falls (Z).

193.       CRESTED BARBET, Trachyphonus vaillantii, Kuifbaardvogel

              Small numbers in both countries.

194.       SCALY‑THROATED HONEYGUIDE, Indicator variegatus, Schubkeelhoningspeurder

              A single sighting at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

195.       GREATER HONEYGUIDE, Indicator indicator, Grote Honingspeurder

              3 in the Okavango Delta (B), 1 at Moremi WR (B).

196.       LESSER HONEYGUIDE, Indicator minor, Kleine Honingspeurder

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

197.       BENNETT'S WOODPECKER, Campethera bennettii, Bennetts Specht

              A pair giving superb views at Mandavu Dam in Hwange NP (Z).

198.       GOLDEN‑TAILED WOODPECKER, Campethera abingoni, Goudstaartspecht

              A single bird at Victoria Falls (Z).

199.       CARDINAL WOODPECKER, Dendropicos fuscescens, Kardinaalspecht

              Single ones in the Okavango Delta (B), Chobe NP (B) and Victoria Falls (Z), 3 at Hwange NP (Z).

200.       BEARDED WOODPECKER, Dendropicos namaquus, Baardspecht

              8 at Moremi WR (B) and 2 at Chobe NP (B).

201.       WHITE‑TAILED CRESTED‑FLYCATCHER (FLYCATCHER), Trochocercus albonatus, Bergkuifmonarch

              Fairly common at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

202.       SQUARE‑TAILED DRONGO, Dicrurus ludwigii, Rechtstaartdrongo

              8 at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

203.       FORK‑TAILED DRONGO, Dicrurus adsimilis, Fluweeldrongo

              A common and widespread species.

204.       CAPE CROW (BLACK CROW), Corvus capensis, Kaapse Roek

              10+ en route from Gweta to Maun (B).

205.       PIED CROW, Corvus albus, Schildraaf

              A common and widespread species, especially near towns and villages.

206.       WHITE‑NECKED RAVEN, Corvus albicollis, Witnekraaf

              4 at the Vumba Mountains (Z), a few at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Matopos NP (Z) and en route  Bulawayo - Gweta.

207.       AFRICAN GOLDEN‑ORIOLE, Oriolus auratus, Afrikaanse Wielewaal

              Single sightings at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and at Hwange NP (Z).

208.       AFRICAN BLACK‑HEADED ORIOLE, Oriolus larvatus, Maskerwielewaal

              2 at the Tambuti Lodge near Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 at Moremi WR (B) and 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

209.       BLACK CUCKOO‑SHRIKE, Campephaga flava, Kaapse Rupsvogel

              Single ones at Victoria Falls (Z) and Lake McIlwaine (Z).

210.       COMMON FISCAL (FISCAL SHRIKE), Lanius collaris, Gekraagde Klauwier

              Common in eastern and Southern Zimbabwe.

211.       MAGPIE SHRIKE (LONGTAILED SHRIKE), Corvinella melanoleuca, Eksterklauwier

              A common and widespread species.

212.       (SOUTHERN) WHITE‑CROWNED SHRIKE, Eurocephalus anguitimens, Witkruinklauwier

              A common and widespread species.

213.       BRUBRU, Nilaus afer, Broebroe

              3 at Gosho Park NR (Z), 2 in the Okavango Delta (B), 1 at Hwange NP (Z) and 1 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

214.       BLACK‑BACKED PUFFBACK (PUFFBACK), Dryoscopus cubla, Poederdonsklauwier

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

215.       BLACK‑CROWNED TCHAGRA, Tchagra senegala, Zwartkruintsjagra

              2 at Matopos NP (Z), 2 in the Okavango Delta (B), 4 at Chobe NP (B) and 1 at Hwange NP (Z).

216.       BROWN‑CROWNED TCHAGRA (THREESTREAKED TCHAGRA), Tchagra australis, Bruinkoptsjagra

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 at Matopos NP (Z), 2 in the Okavango Delta (B) and 6 at Hwange NP (Z).

217.       TROPICAL BOUBOU, Laniarius aethiopicus, Ethiopische Fiskaal

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

218.       GABON BOUBOU (SWAMP BOUBOU), Laniarius bicolor, Moerasfiskaal

              4 at Maun (B), a few in the Okavango Delta (B) and 5 at Moremi WR (B).

219.       CRIMSON‑BREASTED GONOLEK (SHRIKE), Laniarius atroccoccineus, Burchells Fiskaal

              Up to 5 a day in western Zimbabwe and in Botswana.

220.       (ORANGE-) SULPHUR‑BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE, Telophorus sulfureopectus, Oranje Bosklauwier

              1 at the Tambuti Lodge near Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 in the Okavango Delta (B), 3 at Victoria Falls (Z), 1 at Hwange NP (Z) and also 1 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

221.       OLIVE BUSHSHRIKE, Telophorus olivaceus, Olijfgroene Bosklauwier

              2 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

222.       BLACK‑FRONTED BUSHSHRIKE, Telophorus nigrifrons, Reichenows Bosklauwier

              1 at Seldomseen and 2 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

223.       (GORGEOUS) FOUR‑COLOURED BUSHSHRIKE, Telophorus quadricolor, Vierkleurige Bosklauwier

              Heard and only briefly seen at Seldomseen in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

224.       GREY‑HEADED BUSHSHRIKE, Malaconotus blanchoti, Spookklauwier

              2 at Mutare (Z), 1 at Chobe NP (B), 2 at Victoria Falls (Z) and 1 at Lake Kariba (Z).

225.       WHITE HELMETSHRIKE, Prionops plumatus, Helmklauwier

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

226.       RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (REDBILLED HELMETSHRIKE), Prionops retzii, Retz' Klauwier

              6 at Matopos NP (Z), 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

227.       CAPE BATIS, Batis capensis, Bruinflankvliegenvanger

              2 at Seldomseen and 3 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 2 at Matopos NP (Z).

228.       CHINSPOT BATIS, Batis molitor, Witflankvliegenvanger

              Seen in small numbers at most sites visited.

229.       BLACK‑THROATED WATTLE‑EYE (WATTLE‑EYED FLYCATCHER), Platysteira peltata, Zwartkeellelvliegenvanger

              2 at the Chipinda Pools in Gonarezhou NP (Z).

230.       MIOMBO ROCK‑THRUSH, Monticola angolensis, Miomborotslijster

              A pair near Victoria Falls (Z).

231.       ORANGE GROUND‑THRUSH, Zoothera gurneyi, Gurneys Lijster

              Heard and only briefly seen at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

232.       GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH, Psophocichla litsipsirupa, Acacialijster

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B), 4 at Hwange NP (Z) and 1 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

233.       OLIVE THRUSH (SOUTHERN OLIVE THRUSH), Turdus olivaceus, Kaapse Lijster

              2 at Seldomseen and 1 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 2 at Matopos NP (Z).

234.       KURRICHANE THRUSH, Turdus libonyanus, Kurrichanelijster

              4 at Gosho Park NR (Z), 10+ en route Gonarezhou NP (Z) - Bulawayo and small numbers in Bulawayo City Park, 3 at Moremi WR (B).

235.       RED‑WINGED STARLING, Onychognathus morio, Roodvleugelspreeuw

              2 at the Vumba Mountains (Z), a few at Matopos NP (Z), 20+ at Victoria Falls (Z), small numbers at Hwange NP (Z) and Lake McIlwaine (Z).

236.       RED‑SHOULDERED GLOSSY‑STARLING, Lamprotornis nitens, Roodschouderglansspreeuw

              Commonly observed in Botswana and western Zimbabwe.

237.       GREATER BLUE‑EARED GLOSSY‑STARLING, Lamprotornis chalybaeus, Groenstaartglansspreeuw

              Small numbers almost daily in Botswana, several at Hwange NP (Z).

238.       LESSER BLUE‑EARED GLOSSY‑STARLING, Lamprotornis chloropterus, Blauwoorglansspreeuw

              Several at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

239.       BURCHELL'S GLOSSY‑STARLING (BURCHELL'S STARLING), Lamprotornis australis, Grote Glansspreeuw

              Commonly observed in Botswana and western Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

240.       (LONGTAILED) MEVE'S GLOSSY‑STARLING, Lamprotornis mevesii, Meves Langstaartglansspreeuw

              Commonly observed in Botswana and western Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

241.       VIOLET‑BACKED STARLING (PLUMCOLOURED STARLING), Cinnyricinclus leucogaster, Amethistspreeuw

              A pair at Victoria Falls (Z).

242.       WATTLED STARLING, Creatophora cinerea, Lelspreeuw

              Seen almost daily in small numbers.

243.       YELLOW‑BILLED OXPECKER, Buphagus africanus, Geelsnavelossenpikker

              Small numbers at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B), fairly common at Hwange NP (Z).

244.       RED‑BILLED OXPECKER, Buphagus erythrorhynchus, Roodsnavelossenpikker

              Small numbers at Chobe NP (B) and Hwange NP (Z), a few  near Lake McIlwaine (Z).

245.       PALE FLYCATCHER (MOUSECOLOURED FLYCATCHER), Bradornis pallidus, Vale Vliegenvanger

              A few at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Hwange NP (Z).

246.       MARIQUA FLYCATCHER (MARICO FLYCATCHER), Bradornis mariquensis, Maricovliegenvanger

              4 at Matopos NP (Z), common en route Gweta - Maun (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B) and several at Hwange NP (Z).

247.       SOUTHERN BLACK‑FLYCATCHER, Melaenornis pammelaina, Kaapse Drongovliegenvanger

              2 at the Tambuti Lodge (Z), 3 at Matopos NP (Z), small numbers at Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B), 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

248.       AFRICAN DUSKY FLYCATCHER, Muscicapa adusta, Kaapse Vliegenvanger

              Fairly common in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

249.       ASHY FLYCATCHER (BLUEGREY FLYCATCHER), Muscicapa caerulescens, Blauwgrijze Vliegenvanger

              3 at the Whitehorse Inn in the Vumba Mountains.

250.       WHITE‑STARRED ROBIN (STARRED ROBIN), Pogonocichla stellata, Sterrepaapje

              A single bird at Seldomseen in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

251.       SWYNNERTON'S ROBIN, Swynnertonia swynnertoni, Swynnertons Sterrepaapje

              2 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains.

252.       CAPE ROBIN‑CHAT (CAPE ROBIN), Cossypha caffra, Kaapse Lawaaimaker

              3 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains.

253.       (AFRICAN) WHITE‑THROATED ROBIN‑CHAT, Cossypha humeralis, Witkeellawaaimaker

              A single sighting at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

254.       WHITE‑BROWED ROBIN‑CHAT (HEUGLIN'S ROBIN), Cossypha heuglini, Witbrauwlawaaimaker

              2 at Bulawayo City Park (Z), 2 at Maun (B), 6 at the Chobe Safari Lodge (B) and 1 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

255.       COLLARED PALM‑THRUSH, Cichladusa arquata, Zambesipalmlijster

              A pair at Victoria Falls Rest Camp (Z).

256.       BEARDED SCRUB‑ROBIN (EASTERN BEARDED ROBIN), Cercotrichas quadrivirgata, Streepkopwaaierstaart

              A single sighting at Victoria Falls (Z).

257.       RED‑BACKED SCRUB‑ROBIN (WHITEBROWED ROBIN), Cercotrichas leucophrys, Witbrauwwaaierstaart

              5 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 en route Gweta - Maun (B), 1 at Chobe NP (B) and 1 at Hwange NP (Z).

258.       KALAHARI SCRUB‑ROBIN (KALAHARI ROBIN), Cercotrichas paena, Kalahariwaaierstaart

              10+ near Nxai Pan NP (B) and 1 at Moremi WR (B).

259.       COMMON STONECHAT, Saxicola torquata, Roodborsttapuit

              Small numbers en route Harare - Vumba Mountains (Z) and  Mutare - Gonarezhou NP (Z), 4 in the Okavango Delta (B), a few at Chobe NP (B) and at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

260.       CAPPED WHEATEAR, Oenanthe pileata, Aardtapuit

              4 en route Harare - Vumba Mountains (Z), common en route Nata - Gweta (B), up to 6 a day at Hwange NP (Z).

261.       FAMILIAR CHAT, Cercomela familiaris, Roodstaartspekvreter

              10+ at Matopos NP (Z), small numbers en route Nata - Gweta - Maun (B).

262.       SOUTHERN ANTEATER‑CHAT, Myrmecocichla formicivora, Kaapse Miertapuit

              Fairly common in the Kalahari en route Nata - Gweta - Maun (B).

263.       WHITE‑HEADED BLACK‑CHAT (ARNOT'S CHAT), Myrmecocichla arnotti, Arnotts Miertapuit

              15 at Moremi WR (B) and 3 at Chobe NP (B).

264.       MOCKING CLIFF‑CHAT (MOCKING CHAT), Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris, Roodbuikkliftapuit

              5 at Matopos NP (Z).

265.       BOULDER CHAT, Pinarornis plumosus, Steenspringer

              6 at Matopos NP (Z).

266.       SPOTTED CREEPER, Salpornis spilonotus, Gevlekte Boomkruiper

              4 at Gosho Park NR (Z) and 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

267.       PLAIN MARTIN (BROWNTHROATED MARTIN), Riparia paludicola, Vale Oeverzwaluw

              Several at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

268.       BANDED MARTIN, Riparia cincta, Witbrauwzwaluw

              Small numbers at Chobe NP (B).

269.       GREY‑RUMPED SWALLOW, Hirundo griseopyga, Grijsstuitzwaluw

              6 at Moremi WR (B) and 5 at Chobe NP (B).

270.       ROCK MARTIN, Hirundo fuligula, Kaapse Rotszwaluw

              A few at Matopos NP (Z) and fairly common at Victoria Falls (Z).

271.       WHITE‑THROATED SWALLOW, Hirundo albigularis, Witkeelzwaluw

              6 en route from Hwange - Lake Kariba (Z).

272.       WIRE‑TAILED SWALLOW, Hirundo smithii, Roodkruinzwaluw

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

273.       PEARL‑BREASTED SWALLOW, Hirundo dimidiata, Parelborstzwaluw

              3 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

274.       LESSER STRIPED‑SWALLOW, Hirundo abyssinica, Savannezwaluw

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

275.       RUFOUS‑CHESTED SWALLOW (REDBREASTED SWALLOW), Hirundo semirufa, Roodborstzwaluw

              A few at Moremi WR (B), common at Hwange NP (Z) and small numbers in the Lake Kariba area (Z).

276.       MOSQUE SWALLOW, Hirundo senegalensis, Moskeezwaluw

              A single bird at Gonarezhou NP (Z), a few at Lake Kariba (Z).

277.       HOUSE MARTIN, Delichon urbica, Huiszwaluw

              A single sighting at Chobe NP (B).

278.       EASTERN SAWWING, Psalidoprocne orientalis, Oostelijke Kamzwaluw

              20+ at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains.

279.       COMMON BULBUL (BLACKEYED BULBUL), Pycnonotus barbatus, Grauwe Buulbuul

              A very common and widespread species.

280.       BLACK‑FRONTED BULBUL (REDEYED BULBUL), Pycnonotus nigricans, Maskerbuulbuul

              Common in central Botswana.

281.       STRIPE‑CHEEKED BULBUL, Andropadus milanjensis, Streepwangbuulbuul

              1 at Seldomseen and 3 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

282.       YELLOW‑BELLIED GREENBUL (YELLOWBELLIED BULBUL), Chlorocichla flaviventris, Geelborstbuulbuul

              1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 at Matopos NP (Z), 2 at the Chobe Safari Lodge (B), 9 at Victoria Falls (Z), 6 at Hwange NP (Z) and 1 near Lake Kariba (Z).

283.       TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (TERRESTRIAL BULBUL), Phyllastrephus terrestris, Kaapse Loofbuulbuul

              1 at Seldomseen in the Vumba Mountains (Z), a few at Victoria Falls (Z) and 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

284.       YELLOW‑STREAKED GREENBUL (BULBUL), Phyllastrephus flavostriatus, Gestreepte Loofbuulbuul

              7 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

285.       EASTERN NICATOR (YELLOWSPOTTED NICATOR), Nicator gularis, Bruinkopnicator

              A single sighting at the Binga Rest Camp near Lake Kariba (Z).

286.       AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE‑EYE, Zosterops senegalensis, Afrikaanse Brilvogel

              A common and widespread species.

287.       SINGING CISTICOLA, Cisticola cantans, Witbrauwgraszanger

              A single bird at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

288.       RATTLING CISTICOLA, Cisticola chinianus, Ratelgraszanger

              Fairly common at Maun (B).

289.       WINDING CISTICOLA (BLACKBACKED CISTICOLA), Cisticola galactotes, Zwartruggraszanger

              1 in the Okavango Delta (B), 2 at Chobe NP (B).

290.       CHIRPING CISTICOLA, Cisticola pipiens, Moerasgraszanger

              Small numbers in the Okavango Delta (B).

291.       TINKLING CISTICOLA (LEVAILLANT'S CISTICOLA), Cisticola tinniens, Valleigraszanger

              Single sightings at Matopos NP (Z) and Hwange NP (Z).

292.       CROAKING CISTICOLA, Cisticola natalensis, Natalgraszanger

              2 near Lake Kariba (Z).

293.       PIPING CISTICOLA (NEDDICKY), Cisticola fulvicapillus, Bruinkopgraszanger

              4 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

294.       ZITTING CISTICOLA (FANTAILED CISTICOLA), Cisticola juncidis, Graszanger

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B).

295.       DESERT CISTICOLA, Cisticola aridulus, Kalaharigraszanger

              Small numbers en route from Nata - Gweta (B).

296.       TAWNY‑FLANKED PRINIA, Prinia subflava, Roestflankprinia

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

297.       BLACK‑CHESTED PRINIA, Prinia flavicans, Zwartborstprinia

              2 in the Kalahari en route Nata - Gweta - Maun (B).

298.       ROBERTS' PRINIA, Prinia robertsi, Roberts Prinia

              A few at Seldomseen and the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

299.       BAR‑THROATED APALIS, Apalis thoracica, Halsbandapalis

              4 at Gosho Park NR (Z), common in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 2 at Matopos NP (Z), 1 at Victoria Falls (Z).

300.       YELLOW‑BREASTED APALIS, Apalis flavida, Geelborstapalis

              6 in the Okavango Delta (B), 2 at Victoria Falls (Z).

301.       CHIRINDA APALIS, Apalis chirindensis, Chirinda‑apalis

              8 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

302.       GREY‑BACKED CAMAROPTERA (BLEATING WARBLER), Camaroptera brevicaudata, Blaatcamaroptera

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

303.       STIERLING'S WREN‑WARBLER (BARRED WARBLER), Calamonastes stierlingi, Kleine Savannezanger

              2 at Gosho Park NR (Z) and also 2 near Victoria Falls (Z).

304.       AFRICAN REED‑WARBLER (AFRICAN MARSH WARBLER), Acrocephalus baeticatus, Kortvleugelkarekiet

              3 during the boat trip on the Zambesi River at Victoria Falls (Z).

305.       GREATER SWAMP‑WARBLER, Acrocephalus rufescens, Papyrusrietzanger

              A few in the Okavango Delta (B).

306.       LESSER SWAMP‑WARBLER (CAPE REED WARBLER), Acrocephalus gracilirostris, Kaapse Rietzanger

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B).

307.       AFRICAN YELLOW WARBLER, Chloropeta natalensis, Gele Rietzanger

              A single sighting at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

308.       YELLOW‑BELLIED EREMOMELA, Eremomela icteropygialis, Geelbuikeremomela

              4 at Matopos NP (Z).

309.       GREENCAP EREMOMELA, Eremomela scotops, Groenkaperemomela

              6 at Gosho Park NR (Z), 1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and a few at Matopos NP (Z).

310.       CAPE CROMBEC (LONGBILLED CROMBEC), Sylvietta rufescens, Kaapse Krombek

              Seen in small numbers at most sites visited.

311.       YELLOW‑THROATED WOODLAND‑WARBLER (WARBLER), Phylloscopus ruficapilla, Roodkapboszanger

              A single sighting at Seldomseen in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

312.       SOUTHERN HYLIOTA (MASHONA HYLIOTA), Hyliota australis, Mashonahyliota

              3 at Gosho Park NR (Z) and 2 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

313.       RUFOUS‑VENTED WARBLER (TITBABBLER), Sylvia subcaeruleum, Kaapse Meeszanger

              A single sighting near Nxai Pan NP en route Gweta - Maun (BW).

314.       ANGOLA BABBLER (WHITERUMPED BABBLER), Turdoides hartlaubii, Hartlaubs Babbelaar

              Fairly common in central and northern Botswana, a few at Hwange NP (Z) and at Lake Kariba (Z).

315.       SOUTHERN PIED‑BABBLER, Turdoides bicolor, Eksterbabbelaar

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B), rather common at Hwange NP (Z).

316.       ARROW‑MARKED BABBLER, Turdoides jardineii, Pijlpuntbabbelaar

              A common and widespread species.

317.       SOUTHERN BLACK‑TIT, Parus niger, Roetmees

              5 at Gosho Park NR (Z), 1 at Matopos NP (Z), 3 at Moremi WR (B), 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

318.       RUFOUS‑BELLIED TIT, Parus rufiventris, Roestbuikmees

              A single sighting at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

319.       MIOMBO TIT (NORTHERN GREY TIT), Parus griseiventris, Miombomees

              2 at Gosho Park NR (Z) and 1 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

320.       ASHY TIT, Parus cinerascens, Acaciamees

              Single sightings at Gosho Park NR (Z) and en route Gweta - Maun (B).

321.       AFRICAN PENDULINE‑TIT (GREY PENDULINE TIT), Anthoscopus caroli, Acaciakapokmees

              A single bird at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

322.       MONOTONOUS LARK, Mirafra passerina, Musleeuwerik

              A few at Chobe NP (B).

323.       LATAKOO LARK (MELODIOUS LARK), Mirafra cheniana, Spotleeuwerik

              A single sighting at Matopos (Matobo) NP.

324.       RUFOUS‑NAPED LARK, Mirafra africana, Roodnekleeuwerik

              Small numbers in the Kalahari en route Nata - Gweta - Maun (B).

325.       FLAPPET LARK, Mirafra rufocinnamomea, Ratelleeuwerik

              A few en route Gweta - Maun near Nxai Pan NP (B).

326.       FAWN‑COLOURED LARK, Mirafra africanoides, Savanneleeuwerik

              A few en route Gweta - Maun near Nxai Pan NP (B).

327.       SABOTA LARK, Mirafra sabota, Sabotaleeuwerik

              10+ at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

328.       CHESTNUT‑BACKED SPARROW‑LARK (FINCHLARK), Eremopterix leucotis, Bruinrugvinkleeuwerik

              Common at Chobe NP (B), fairly common in the Lake Kariba area (Z).

329.       RED‑CAPPED LARK, Calandrella cinerea, Roodkapleeuwerik

              A few en route Nata - Gweta (B).

330.       HOUSE SPARROW, Passer domesticus, Huismus

              Commonly observed near settlements.

331.       CAPE SPARROW (SOUTHERN GREYHEADED SPARROW), Passer diffusus, Mozambiquemus

              A fairly common and widespread species.

332.       YELLOW‑THROATED PETRONIA, Petronia superciliaris, Kaapse Rotsmus

              A rather common apperance in Zimbabwe.

333.       GREEN‑WINGED PYTILIA (MELBA FINCH), Pytilia melba, Melba-astrild

              4 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 1 at Matopos NP (Z), 1 in the Okavango Delta (B), 1 at Victoria Falls (Z).

334.       PETERS' TWINSPOT (REDTHROATED TWINSPOT), Hypargos niveoguttatus, Rode Druppelastrild

              1 at the Whitehorse Inn and 2 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

335.       BROWN FIREFINCH, Lagonosticta nitidula, Bruine Amarant

              4 in the Okavango Delta (B).

336.       RED‑BILLED FIREFINCH, Lagonosticta senegala, Vuurvinkje

              Small numbers in the Okavango Delta (B), the Lake Kariba area and at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

337.       AFRICAN FIREFINCH (BLUEBILLED FIREFINCH), Lagonosticta rubricata, Donkerrode Amarant

              A few at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

338.       JAMESON'S FIREFINCH, Lagonosticta rhodopareia, Roze Amarant

              4 at Matopos NP (Z), a few in the Okavango Delta (B) and small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

339.       BLUE‑BREASTED CORDONBLUE (BLUE WAXBILL), Uraeginthus angolensis, Angolees Blauwfazantje

              A common and widespread species.

340.       VIOLET‑EARED WAXBILL, Uraeginthus granatina, Granaatastrild

              3 near Maun (B), 1 at Chobe NP (B), small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

341.       YELLOW‑BELLIED WAXBILL (EAST AFRICAN SWEE), Estrilda quartinia, Geelbuikastrild

              5 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z), 1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

342.       COMMON WAXBILL, Estrilda astrild, Sint-Helenafazantje

              15+ at the Vumba Mountains (Z), 10+ in the Okavango Delta (B) and 20+ at Hwange NP (Z).

343.       BRONZE MANNIKIN, Lonchura cucullata, Gewoon Ekstertje

              Fairly common in Zimbabwe.

344.       BLACK‑AND‑WHITE MANNIKIN (REDBACKED MANNIKIN), Lonchura bicolor, Glansekstertje

              15+ at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

345.       CUT‑THROAT (CUT‑THROAT FINCH), Amadina fasciata, Bandvink

              2 at Bulawayo City Park and 1 at Gweta (B).

346.       VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD (STEELBLUE WIDOWFINCH), Vidua chalybeata, Staalvink

              A single sighting at the Chipinda Pools in Gonarezhou NP (Z).

347.       SHAFT‑TAILED WHYDAH, Vidua regia, Koningswida

              A large group near Gweta (B).

348.       PIN‑TAILED WHYDAH, Vidua macroura, Dominikanerwida

              A few at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

349.       EASTERN PARADISE‑WHYDAH (PARADISE WHYDAH), Vidua paradisaea, Smalstaartparadijswida

              A single bird at Gweta (B).

350.       AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL, Motacilla aguimp, Afrikaanse Bonte Kwikstaart

              A fairly common and widespread species.

351.       CAPE WAGTAIL, Motacilla capensis, Kaapse Kwikstaart

              3 in the Okavango Delta (B), 1 at Moremi WR (B) and 2 at Chobe NP (B).

352.       WOOD PIPIT, Anthus nyassae, Bospieper

              A single sighting near Lake Kariba (Z). This species is not on the Clements Checklist!

353.       AFRICAN PIPIT (GRASSVELD PIPIT), Anthus cinnamomeus, Kaneelpieper

              A few en route Nata - Gweta (B), Moremi WR (B) and Chobe NP (B), up to 5 a day at Hwange NP (Z).

354.       PLAIN‑BACKED PIPIT, Anthus leucophrys, Bruinrugpieper

              A few en route in Chobe NP (B).

355.       BUFFY PIPIT, Anthus vaalensis, Vaalrivierpieper

              Up to 5 a day in the Okavango Delta (B) and northern Botswana, small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

356.       LONG‑BILLED PIPIT, Anthus similis, Langsnavelpieper

              2 at Gosho Park NR (Z).

357.       RED‑BILLED BUFFALO‑WEAVER, Bubalornis niger, Roodsnavelbufferwever

              Very common in Botswana, small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

358.       SCALY WEAVER (SCALYFEATHERED FINCH), Sporopipes squamifrons, Baarmanwever

              Rather common in the Kalahari en route Nata - Gweta - Maun (B).

359.       WHITE‑BROWED SPARROW‑WEAVER, Plocepasser mahali, Mahaliwever

              A common and widespread species.

360.       LESSER MASKED WEAVER, Ploceus intermedius, Kleine Textorwever

              Fairly common at Victoria Falls (Z).

361.       SPECTACLED WEAVER, Ploceus ocularis, Brilwever

              A single bird at Hwange NP (Z).

362.       HOLUB'S GOLDEN‑WEAVER (GOLDEN WEAVER), Ploceus xanthops, Saffraanwever

              1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), common at Gweta (B) and Maun (B), a few at Victoria Falls (Z) and at Hwange NP (Z).

363.       SOUTHERN MASKED‑WEAVER, Ploceus velatus, Maskerwever

              Rather common at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

364.       VILLAGE WEAVER (SPOTTEDBACKED WEAVER), Ploceus cucullatus, Grote Textorwever

              A few at Bulawayo (Z), small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

365.       FOREST WEAVER, Ploceus bicolor, Woudwever

              Small numbers at Seldomseen and at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

366.       RED‑HEADED WEAVER, Anaplectes rubriceps, Roodkopwevervogel

              3 at Bulawayo Caravan Park, a few at Hwange NP (Z) and Lake McIlwaine (Z).

367.       RED‑BILLED QUELEA, Quelea quelea, Roodbekwever

              An abundant species in both countries.

368.       YELLOW BISHOP (YELLOWRUMPED WIDOW), Euplectes capensis, Fluweelwidavink

              Several at Matopos NP (Z).

369.       COLLARED SUNBIRD, Anthreptes collaris, Halsbandhoningzuiger

              10+ at the Vumba Mountains (Z) and 8 at Victoria Falls (Z).

370.       OLIVE SUNBIRD, Nectarinia olivacea, Olijfgroene Honingzuiger

              1 at Seldomseen and 3 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

371.       AMETHYST SUNBIRD (BLACK SUNBIRD), Nectarinia amethystina, Amethisthoningzuiger

              8 at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

372.       SCARLET‑CHESTED SUNBIRD, Nectarinia senegalensis, Roodborsthoningzuiger

              15+ at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 2 at Hwange NP (Z), 1 at Lake Kariba (Z), a few at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

373.       VARIABLE SUNBIRD (YELLOWBELLIED SUNBIRD), Nectarinia venusta, Ornaathoningzuiger

              Fairly common at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

374.       WHITE‑BREASTED SUNBIRD (WHITEBELLIED SUNBIRD), Nectarinia talatala, Witbuikhoningzuiger

              Seen almost daily in Zimbabwe in small numbers, a few in the Okavango Delta (B).

375.       MIOMBO SUNBIRD (MIOMBO DOUBLECOLLARED SUNBIRD), Nectarinia manoensis, Miombohoningzuiger

              2 at Gosho Park NR (Z), 4 at the Vumba Mountains (Z), a few at Matopos NP (Z) and Lake McIlwaine (Z).

376.       BRONZE SUNBIRD, Nectarinia kilimensis, Bronshoningzuiger

              A single sighting at the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

377.       MALACHITE SUNBIRD, Nectarinia famosa, Emeraldhoningzuiger

              A single sighting at Seldomseen in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

378.       MARIQUA SUNBIRD (MARICO SUNBIRD), Nectarinia mariquensis, Maricohoningzuiger

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B).

379.       CAPE CANARY, Serinus canicollis, Geelkruinkanarie

              A few at Seldomseen and the Botanical Gardens in the Vumba Mountains (Z).

380.       SOUTHERN YELLOW‑RUMPED SEEDEATER (BLACKTHROATED CANARY), Serinus atrogularis, Zwartkeelkanarie

              6 en route from Gweta - Maun (B), 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

381.       YELLOW‑FRONTED CANARY (YELLOWEYED CANARY), Serinus mozambicus, Mozambiquesijs

              Rather common in Zimbabwe.

382.       BRIMSTONE CANARY (BULLY CANARY), Serinus sulphuratus, Zwavelkanarie

              1 at Gosho Park NR (Z), several at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

383.       STREAKY‑HEADED SEEDEATER (STREAKYHEADED CANARY), Serinus gularis, Streepkopkanarie

              2 at Gosho Park NR (Z), a few in the Vumba Mountains (Z), Gonarezhou NP (Z), Matopos NP (Z) and at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

384.       BLACK‑EARED SEEDEATER (BLACKEARED CANARY), Serinus mennelli, Zwartwangkanarie

              Only 4 birds seen at Gosho Park NR (Z).

385.       CINNAMON‑BREASTED BUNTING (ROCK BUNTING), Emberiza tahapisi, Zevenstrepengors

              A single sighting in the Kalahari en route from Nata - Gweta (B).

386.      CAPE BUNTING, Emberiza capensis, Kaapse Gors

              A single bird at Matopos NP (Z).

387.       GOLDEN‑BREASTED BUNTING, Emberiza flaviventris, Acaciagors

              4 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), a few en route from Gweta - Maun (B), 2 at Moremi WR (B), 3 at Hwange NP (Z).

388.       CABANIS' BUNTING, Emberiza cabanisi, Cabanis' Gors

              A single sighting at Gosho Park NR.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF MAMMALS

This list follows the sequence and scientific nomenclature of Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa.. Data are estimates of the minimum numbers seen.

The Dutch names follow "Elseviers Gids van de Afrikaanse Zoogdieren" of Haltenorth/Diller/Smeenk.

 1.          FOUR-TOED ELEPHANT SHREW, Rhynchocyon cimei, Olifantspitsmuis

              1 at Matopos NP (Z).

 2.          EGYPTIAN FRUIT-BAT, Rousettes aegyptiacus, Egypische Vruchtenvleermuis

              1 at Lake McIlwaine (Z).

 3.          CHACMA BABOON, Papio ursinus, Chacma Baviaan

              A fairly common and widespread species.

 4.          VERVET MONKEY, Cercopithecus aethiops, Groene Meerkat

              A fairly common and widespread species.

 5.          SAMANGO MONKEY, Cercopithecus mitis, Grijze Meerkat

              5 at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

 6.          LESSER BUSHBABY, Galago moholi, Kleine Galago

              1 at Moremi WR (B), 10+ during the nightdrive near Main Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

 7.          SUN SQUIRREL, Heliosciurus mutabilis, Zonne-eekhoorn

              2 at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

 8.          TREE SQUIRREL, Paraxerus cepapi, Geelpooteekhoorn

              A rather common and widespread species.

 9.          SCRUB HARE, Lepus saxatilis, Struikhaas

              4 at Hwange NP (Z).

10.         SPRINGHARE, Pedetes capensis, Springhaas

              9 during the nightdrive near Main Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

11.         SINGLE-STRIPED MOUSE, Lemniscomys rosalia, Eenstreepmuis

              1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

12.         BAT-EARED FOX, Otocyon megalotis, Grootoorvos

              2 in the Okavango Delta (B).

13.         BLACK-BACKED JACKAL, Canis mesomelas, Zadeljakhals

              2 at Moremi WR (B), 3 at Chobe NP (B), 3 at Hwange NP (Z).

14.         SIDE-STRIPED JACKAL, Canis adustus, Gestreepte Jakhals

              A single one at Hwange NP (Z).

15.         SPOTTED-NECKED OTTER, Lutra maculicollis, Gevlekte Otter

              A single sighting during the boat trip on the Zambesi River at Victoria Falls (Z).

16.         HONEY BADGER, Mellivora capensis, Honingdas

              A single one at Moremi WR (B).

17.         BANDED MONGOOSE, Mungos mungo, Zebramangoeste

              25+ at Chobe NP (B), fairly common at Hwange NP (Z).

18.         SLENDER MONGOOSE, Galerella sanguinea, Slanke Mangoeste

              1 at the Vumba Mountains (Z), 3 en route Nata - Gweta, 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

19.         DWARF MONGOOSE, Helogale parvula, Dwergmangoeste

              Small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

20.         WHITE-TAILED MONGOOSE, Ichneumia albicauda, Witstaartmangoeste

              Single sightings at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Hwange NP (Z).

21.         SURICATE, Suricata suricatta, Stokstaartje

              1 en route from Nata - Gweta (B).

22.         SMALL-SPOTTED GENET, Genetta genetta, Gewone Genet

              2 during the nightdrive near Main Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

23.         SPOTTED HYENA, Crocuta crocuta, Gevlekte Hyena

              3 at Gonarezhou NP (Z), 5 at Savuti Camp in Chobe NP (B), 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

24.         AFRICAN WILD CAT, Felis lybica, Afrikaanse Wilde Kat

              1 during the nightdrive near Main Camp in Hwange NP (Z).

25.         CHEETAH, Acinonyx jubatus, Cheetah (Jachtluipaard)

              4 at Chobe NP (B).

26.         LION, Panthera leo, Leeuw

              5 at Moremi WR (B), 6 at Chobe NP (B) and 8 at Hwange NP (Z).

27.         ELEPHANT, Loxodonta africana, Olifant

              Very common, especially at Chobe NP (B) and Moremi WR (B).

28.         ROCK DASSIE, Procavia capensis, Klipdas

              10+ at Matopos NP (Z), small numbers at Hwange NP (Z).

29.         YELLOW-SPOTTED ROCK DASSIE, Heterohyrax brucei, Geelvlekklipdas

              A few at Sinamatella Camp at Hwange NP (Z).

30.         BURCHELL'S ZEBRA, Equus burchellii, Burchells Zebra

              A common and widespread species.

31.         SQUARE-LIPPED (WHITE) RHINOCEROS, Ceratotherium simum, Witte Neushoorn

              7 at Matopos NP (Z).

32.         WARTHOG, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, Wrattenzwijn

              A common and widespread species.

33.         HIPPOPOTAMUS, Hippopotamus amphibius, Nijlpaard

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

34.         GIRAFFE, Giraffa camelopardalis, Giraffe

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

35.         BUFFALO, Syncerus caffer, Kaapse Buffel

              Commonly observed in suitable habitat.

36.         ELAND, Taurotragus oryx, Elandantilope

             8 at Lake McIlwaine GR (Z).

37.         (GREATER) KUDU, Tragelaphus strepsiceros, Grote Koedoe

              Commonly observed throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe in suitable habitat.

38.         NYALA, Tragelaphus angasii, Nyala

              2 at Gonarezhou NP (Z).

39.         BUSHBUCK, Tragelaphus scriptus, Bosbok

              Single ones at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and Matopos NP (Z), a few at Moremi WR (B), 1 at Chobe NP (B) and 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

40.         SABLE ANTELOPE, Hippotragus niger, Sabelantilope

              3 at Gosho Park NR (Z), 50+ at Chobe NP (B).

41.         WATERBUCK, Kobus ellipsiprymnus, Waterbok

              A rather common and widespread species.

42.         LECHWE, Kobus leche, Moerasantilope

              Common at Moremi WR (B), small numbers at Chobe NP (B).

43.         PUKU, Kobus vardonii, Poekoe

              10+ along the Chobe River at Chobe NP (B).

44.         BLUE WILDEBEEST, Connochaetes taurinus, Wildebeest (Gnoe)

              Rather common in suitable habitat.

45.         TSESSEBE, Damaliscus lunatus, Topi

              30+ at Moremi WR (B), 10+ at Chobe NP (B) and a few at Lake McIlwaine GR (Z).

46.         IMPALA, Aepyceros melampus, Impala

              A common and widespread species.

47.         KLIPSPRINGER, Oreotragus oreotragus, Klipspringer

              6 at Matopos NP (Z), 3 at Hwange NP (Z).

48.         STEENBOK, Raphicerus campestris, Steenantilope

              4 en route Nata - Gweta - Maun (B), 3 at Moremi WR (B), 6 at Hwange NP (Z).

49.         BLUE DUIKER, Philantomba monticola, Blauwe Duiker

              A single sighting at the Vumba Mountains (Z).

50.         COMMON DUIKER, Sylvicapra grimmia, Gewone Duiker (Savanneduiker)

              1 at Gonarezhou NP (Z) and 2 at Hwange NP (Z).

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