swamp nightjar
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Swamp nightjars (Caprimulgus natalensis) can adapt to moist or dry grasslands that are next to swamps, lagoons, vleis, rivers and other notable water bodies, hence the name. Floodplains and grasslands associated with lala palms are another favoured habitat area. They roost on the ground under cover and are active at dawn and dusk, particularly at night. Sitting on roads and perched from posts and bare shrubs is a feature of swamp nightjars.
Distribution: North-east Namibia in the Caprivi notably the Chobe River, Victoria Falls, Zambezi River.
Diet: Butterflies and beetles and flying insects.
Description: Typical nightjars with little or no distinctive characteristics.
Breeding: Females lay 2 eggs with chicks cared for by both adults. Eggs are laid on bare sand or clay, flattened grass or in fairly short, dense grassland.
Size: 23cm. Weight: 65g.
Welwitschia Self Drive
3 Days - Get away to Swakopmund on the coast - includes sandboarding on the Namib Dunes as well as a dolphin cruise
Acacia Self Drive
8 Days - Combines a visit to Etosha National Park, with some time at Swakopmund and then the dunes at Sossusvlei
Marula Self Dive
9 Days - Southern Namibia: Fish River, Luderitz, Sossusvlei with some self catering accommodation.
Camelthorn Self Drive
10 Days - The classic northern and central Namibia trip. Includes Waterberg Plateau, Etosha National Park, rock art in Damaraland, Cape Cross & Swakopmund and ends with two night near the dunes at Sossusvlei.
Jackalberry Self Drive
10 Days - A combination of Namibia & Botswana. Highlights include game viewing in the Etosha Park & a trip in a traditional dug out canoe in the Okavango Delta Panhandle.
Quiver tree Self Drive
14 Days - Two weeks worth of travel allow you to visit everything that is included in the Camelthorn Self Drive but add the vast expanses of southern Namibia to your itinerary, Additional stops include Luderitz, the Fish River Canyon and a night in the Kalahari Desert
Makalani Self Drive
20 Days - This includes Waterberg, Etosha, a visit to the densely populated Owamboland region on the Angolan border, Kaokoland and the nomadic Himba People, rock art and desert elephants in Damaraland, Swakopmund, Sossusvlei, Luderitz, the Fish River and Kalahari.
