We spent 17 days birding and wildlife watching in Namibia and the Okavango Panhandle in December 2006. We visited vast areas of pristine wilderness, from the ochre-coloured dunes of the Namib Desert to the lily-choked backwaters of the Okavango Delta and the flamingo-studded lagoons of the Skeleton Coast to the game-filled waterholes of Etosha National Park.
We used Rockjumper Birding Tours for our ground arrangements and were accompanied by one of their guides, Cuan Rush.
Despite the poor standard of accommodation in Etosha National Park, we really enjoyed our trip. We had many wonderful encounters with mammals and ended up with a bird species tally of 379. Looking at the birds we missed, we could easily have passed 400 species if we had been prepared to spend more time in the field. However bearing in mind the heat and travelling distances between the main sites, enough is enough.
You can see the full report and numerous photos at http://www.realbirder.com/NamibiaD.htm
I have just read your trip report with real envy David. I have only ever camped at Etosha so I can't comment on the accommodation but I do know how important an A/C is in that heat, which is why we went in July - not nearly so many birds then though. Your commentary is very comprehensive and useful for anyone wanting info, as well as being interesting, and you have some lovely photos - thanks. ! think your bird list is superb!