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Amazing two weeks in Namibia
Review of Living Desert Eco Dune Tour
For our latest trip to Africa, we wanted to focus not only on animals but also on plants. While searching for a safari tour that would accommodate our wishes, we found this family-owned company. We made arrangements with Berenike (she was always super kind, prompt in answering, and extremely efficient!), who helped to organize our two-week tour in September, guided by Steve Braine. We started in Windhoek and first headed south to Aus and Luderitz – desert flowering was downright spectacular, and Steve was awesome, finding and identifying various species of plants. Also, the Luderitz peninsula was incredible (albeit a bit windy ), and the boat tour was a nice opportunity to observe penguins and sea lions. Following the incredible south, we slowly made our way north, visited Sossusvlei, passing some incredible sights (in addition to Deadvlei) along the way. We spent a couple of days in Swakopmund, where we joined their Living Desert Tour (Arnold was amazing, finding us a couple of sidewinders, a chameleon, and several other lizards). Then, we went along the Skeleton Coast (made an obligatory stop to see welwitschias) and into Damaraland – in addition to a new set of incredible plants (especially pachypodium in flower), we enjoyed the company of elephants, giraffes, a myriad of birds, and smaller mammals. Toward the end of the journey, we visited Etosha, with its incredible wildlife (big and small) – we were especially thrilled to see honey badgers! Before the end, we also spent a night at Waterberg Plateau, where we focused on birds and butterflies.
This brief account merely scratches the surface of the flora and fauna we encountered, an experience made possible by Steve's unparalleled expertise. He is enthusiastic about the whole ecology of Namibia, such as (but not limited to) plants, butterflies, bugs, scorpions, birds, and mammals. Not to mention that he has the eyes of an eagle. You can probably find other good tour guides, but we are convinced that no one can match his spectrum of knowledge. In addition, he was a perfect companion, very thoughtful on our specific needs and requests. Our discussions with him were truly memorable, and we find ourselves missing those conversations.
We wholeheartedly endorse The Naturalist Collection team and Steve for their exceptional attention to detail, impeccable logistical planning, and unwavering friendliness. Their efforts transformed our journey into a captivating odyssey, crafting memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Our trip was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to their expertise, and we cannot recommend them highly enough!
Caprivi Birding 2023
Dear Berenike & Sean,
Got back to Johannesburg on Thursday afternoon late, tired but elated.
I speak on behalf of the group when I say to both of you from the organisational perspective and from the actual birding perspective what a fabulous trip we had. Nothing was too much trouble and the days rolled through seamlessly.
Sean, your birding passion and knowledge so vast and immense that I said to the best of the team one actually became lazy about looking at a bird when you were not present and trying to identify it, but to get for myself 20 lifers through, Sean, your knowledge of their preferred habitat was fantastic.
You are doing a fantastic job at Batis Birding. Keep it up and we wish you all the very best for the rest of the year and the festive season. Hopefully you can have a break and may your business go from strength to strength in 2024.
Last but not least, and certainly a trip that Sean brought up relating to the I do not know whether it was 5 nights or 5 days, starting in Walvis, please just send me an itinerary you have used for one of your trips. We would only do it in a year's time or early 2025.
Kind Regards,
Desert Day Tour
We had the most incredible experience with The Naturalist collections 'Desert Day Tours' and their extremely knowledgeable and professional guides. This was, without doubt, the absolute highlight of our Namibian holiday. If you do nothing else do this, and we're looking forward to going on one of their many highly recommended birding safaris. The Braine's are masters at sharing their vast knowledge with their clients. I could not possibly recommend this more highly. You will NOT be disappointed.
Steve Gildenhuys
Madagascar
We have just returned from a 19 day trip to Madagascar organised and crafted by the Batis Birding Team. The service and hours they put into crafting this very exciting and adventurous program was amazing. They carefully researched various wildlife(lemurs, Sifaka's etc) and birding options to give us the best possible exposure. And did they deliver, from organising flights, convenient stop-over accommodation in Johannesburg to all arrangements with a really reliable and fantastic ground operator in Madagascar. The Batis Birding Teams attention to detail and continual updating of the group was incredible and highly appreciated. Thanks Team Batis Birding.
Russell VThe Namibia Experience
A friend and I just returned from an 18-day wildlife/birding/photography tour to Namibia. We travelled through the Namib Desert, the coast around Swakopmund, Etosha National Park and ended up at different lodges in the Caprivi Strip, with several days birding on the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers. The whole trip was organized by Batis Birding, and guided by Sean Braine. Nicki, who did the organizing, was incredibly precise, prompt, flexible and helpful including sorting out details of accommodation before and after the 'official' trip. Sean was a brilliant guide. Having spent his whole childhood in the Namibian bush he is extremely knowledgeable about Namibia's birds and other wildlife. As a photographer himself, he knows precisely how to position a vehicle to get the best shot and how to use various lighting opportunities to optimal effect. He knows the country, and the birds, so well that he can find the species you are looking for with amazing regularity. With Sean, we found a pair of the elusive caracal, saw three aardwolf and managed to get great shots of great birds like Racket-tailed Roller, Schalow's Turaco, Black Heron, Red-necked Falcon and many others. Namibia is an awe-inspiring country, physically stunning and immensely varied. Batis Birding planned and executed an incredible trip for us, perfect in every respect. I/we would recommend them whole-heartedly as the best possible company to ensure you enjoy this remarkable location to the fullest.
KevInB1949Not just Birding but Everything Namibia
From my first contact, Berenike Behrens was instrumental in planning an 18-day guided Namibia safari, working out the itinerary I proposed, finding the best accommodations throughout, and often being able to confirm the specific units I requested. Our guide, Sean Braine, met us on our arrival at Hosea Kutako Airport and presented us with a detailed trip portfolio, including bird and mammal checklists. He pointed out mammals, birds, and plants while driving to the Kalahari. On our first night in the Namib, he used a UV light to reveal a tiny scorpion between the bricks of a walkway at our lodge. He found a Namib web-footed gecko at Sossusvlei and showed us the endemic dune lark. He located desert-adapted elephant and black rhino in Damaraland and showed us isolated rock engravings. He found Cinderella waxbills at Kunene River Lodge. In addition to a number of black rhinoceros, several with calves, he found a white rhinoceros in Etosha where we also saw a cheetah, an African wildcat, and honey badgers. I doubt that we could have found a driver/guide more familiar with Namibia and its wildlife than Sean Braine.
afriCATracks
