Maun Birding Tour

BIRDING TOURS from MAUN

There are number of birding tours which can be organised from the Sedia Riverside Hotel in Maun.

TOUR No. 1

A guided walk along the seasonal Thamalakane River which traverses Maun.

The river normally has water from late July / August till the following March or April, though the arrival and drying up of the flood varies every year.

The most rewarding birding time is between November and April.

Specials include Hartlaub’s Babbler, Slaty Egret, Swamp Boubou, Lesser Jacana, African Mourning Dove, Pygmy Goose and, following good rains (late December to April / May), there is a chance to see the very elusive Striped Crake in the flooded grassland along the Thamalakane river near Sedia Riverside Hotel.

There is an outside chance of encountering River Warbler in riverine thickets from January to March.

A host of other aquatic species, e.g. herons, egrets, ducks, dabchicks may be seen on this stretch of the river.

The fringing bushes and trees attract an abundance of dry land species.

AVERAGE DURATION OF THIS BIRDING TOUR US $ 20.00 per person (minimum two persons)

TOUR No. 2

A tour on foot into the Maun Game Sanctuary which Borders the Thamalakane River and has varied broadleaved, acacia and palm woodland. Along the river side of the sanctuary many of the species mentioned in Bird Tour No. 1above may be spotted and there is rich birding in the woodland, including red-necked Falcons, red-billed Helmet Shrikes, and crimson-breasted Boubous. Bat Hawks have been ticked here.

There are several antelope species (including Red Lechwe), giraffes, zebras and warthogs in the sanctuary.

AVERAGE DURATION OF THIS TOUR 3 HOURS

(Transport to the sanctuary and return to Sedia Riverside Hotel included.)

US $30.00 per person (minimum two persons)

TOUR No.3

A birding tour further afield, to the Boteti River area south of Maun.

Birders are transported there by open safari vehicle and are driven to various points along the river where they can bird from the vehicle and on foot.

This river, the continuation of the Thamalakane, is seasonal and dry, or reduced to pools, from about late April / May to mid August.

The birding there, especially from November to May, is spectacular and Slaty Egrets, Rufous-bellied herons, Pygmy Geese, Lesser Jacanas, Purple and Lesser Gallinules, lesser Moorhens Swamp Boubous, Red-winged Pratincoles are just some of the sought-after birds which are often ticked there. Storks, ducks, herons, ibises, spoonbills and pelicans are regularly attracted to the river and its pools. There is rich woodland birding adjacent to the river.

AVERAGE DURATION OF THIS TOUR 4 Hours

US $ 40.00 per person (minimum two persons)