Hobatere

We spent the morning birding around the grounds of Immanuelle Lodge before heading off on the long drive to Hobatere. As it was our first day we had to make very frequent stops to look at birds and mammals and we eventually arrived with about 30 minutes of light left – just enough time to visit the waterhole. After dinner we went on a 90 minute night drive.

Getting up at first light, I chose to take a dip in the swimming pool but found it difficult to enjoy as there were so many birds around in the plants, bushes and trees.

Immanuel Lodge gave us an excellent introduction to the commoner birds of Namibia with good views of Monteiro’s Hornbill, Acacia Pied Barbet, Kalahari Scrub-robin, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Long-billed Crombec, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Barred Wren-babbler, Chat and Marico Flycatchers, Pririt Batis, Ashy Tit, Scarlet-chested and Marique Sunbirds, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Bru-bru, Black-faced Waxbill, Violet-eared Waxbill and the first of many White-browed Sparrow-weaver. An African Dormouse was also seen.

The long drive to Hobatere produced Lappet-faced Vulture, Black-headed Snake-eagle, Brown Snake-eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, lots of Pale Chanting Goshawks, a Little Sparrowhawk, Ruppell’s Parrot at the crossroads at Kamanjab, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, a party of Southern Pied Babblers, Damara Hornbill, Pearl-breasted Swallow and Chat Flycatcher.

Chacma Baboons were seen along the B1 and Warthogs were frequent between Outjo and Kamanjab. Giraffe and Slender Mongoose were also seen.

It was a 17km drive into Hobatere was on an unpaved road through wooded areas with several stops for birds. We managed a brief look round before dinner seeing Brown Snake-eagle, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Groundscraper Thrush, Meve’s Starling and close views of Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra.

The night drive was excellent with a guide and driver using high powered lamps to spot eye-shine and movement. They avoided the antelope species as they can be spooked by the lights. We had our first Kori Bustard, Spotted Thick-knee, Crowned Lapwing and Rufous-cheeked Nightjar. Our driver stopped and showed us one sitting in the track in the headlights. We were all asked to keep our torch lights on the bird and he got down and slowly approached the bird, stretching out his hand and slowly inching closer. A sudden dart and the bird was in the hand giving amazing views.  Added to this we had great views of two Bat-eared Fox, a Small-spotted Genet, several Black-backed Jackals, four African Wildcats, a Lioness, a Scrub Hare, a Chameleon and brief views of South African Porcupine. A brilliant evening.