Kalahari – Upington and surrounds

About the Birding

Although the town itself is quite built up, birding the outskirts along the Orange River can be quite rewarding. There are a number of resorts on the banks of the river one could enter, or stay over in. The Eiland Holiday Resort is one such example, and is located just next to the main bridge in town.

Here thick riverine bush and the reeded river banks often hold Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Brubru, Acacia Pied Barbet, Ashy Tit, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Karoo Thrush, Namaqua Warbler closer to the river’s edge and along the water one can find Giant and Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, African Darter and Hamerkop amongst numerous other waterbirds. Driving around town or working the campgrounds at night could turn up Spotted Thick-Knee, Western Barn Owl, Spotted Eagle-Owl or Pearl-spotted Owlet.

Another place worth overnighting and birding nearby is Spitskop Nature Reserve (Kalahari Monate Lodge), this privately owned reserve with camping, chalet accommodation and mountain biking is situated only 13km north of Upington along the R360 and is on route to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The reserve is over 5500ha in size, with more than half of that accessible to the public. The road network is good and with over 35km of gravel roads and a number of hiking trails that pass through pristine Kalahari grassveld and rocky ridges, the birding here can be quite rewarding. It’s here that one can look for Double-banded Courser on open or gravel plain, Capped Wheatear, Chat Flycatcher and become acquainted with larks, as Fawn-coloured Lark, Karoo Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Eastern Clapper Lark, Karoo Long-billed Lark, Large-billed Lark and Red-capped Lark and both Grey-backed Sparrowlark and Black-eared Sparrowlark all occur here. Other key species include Pygmy Falcon, Kori Bustard, Northern Black Korhaan and Gabar Goshawks are regular, while Abdim’s Storks move into the area in summer.

Key species:

Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Ashy Tit, Black-chested Prinia, Namaqua Warbler, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Acacia Pied Barbet, Abdim’s Stork, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Brubru

About the Birding Site

Located on the banks of the mighty Orange River, the town of Upington is the major centre of the north-western region of the Northern Cape and is the gateway into southern Namibia and a number of key Kalahari birding destinations.

Key species:

Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Ashy Tit, Black-chested Prinia, Namaqua Warbler, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Acacia Pied Barbet, Abdim’s Stork, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Brubru

Other Related Information

Access and facilities:
Upington is a large town and will contain fuel and all other necessary shops, banks and general requirements.

Upington is within striking distance of a number of birding sites, which include:

  • Augrabies National Park
  • Poffadder
  • Witsand
  • Spitzkop Nature Reserve
  • Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Other related information:

Important information:

  • Although this is a low risk malaria area, consult your doctor/chemist.

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There are a number of private Bed & Breakfasts and lodges surrounding Upington, which are all available through online booking sites. There are no BirdLife Recommended Accommodations listed for this area.

Local guide information:
There are no community bird guides available for this site. However, there are a number of Birder Friendly Tour Operators that can supply guides or guided tours for this site, Unearth Safaris.

Text prepared by:
Justin Rhys Nicolau (Unearth Safaris)

Key species:

Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Ashy Tit, Black-chested Prinia, Namaqua Warbler, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Acacia Pied Barbet, Abdim’s Stork, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Brubru

Contact details:

Kalahari Monate Lodge
Tel: +27 (0)82 445 8324 or
+27 (0)81 281 3113
Email: Kalahari.monate@gmail.com