With more than 400 species recorded, Nkasa Rupara National Park (formerly Mamili National Park) forms part of Namibia’s best birding area. The year-round marshes here create habitat for a large variety of species, and migrants are abundant in the wet summer months, from November to April. Some interesting species to look out for are breeding pairs of wattled cranes, Denham’s bustard, coppery-tailed coucal and rosy-throated longclaw.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- African pygmy goose
- Allen’s gallinule
- Bearded scrub robin
- Black coucal
- Black-winged pratincole
- Bradfield’s hornbill
- Brown firefinch
- Collared palm-thrush
- Collared pratincole
- Coppery-tailed coucal
- Denham’s bustard
- Grey-backed cisticola
- Lesser jacana
- Long-toed lapwing
- Rosy-throated longclaw
- Rufous-bellied heron
- Slaty egret
- Southern carmine bee-eater
- Swamp boubou
- Three-banded courser
- Wattled crane
- Western banded snake eagle
- White-headed lapwing
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching in Nkasa Rupara is excellent throughout the year but at its prime during the Wet season (November to April), with the coming of summer migrants. However, at this time, the majority of the park often floods and becomes virtually impassable. A visit during the Dry season (May to October) is more practical and better for general wildlife viewing.