Namibia Herping
Herping namibia
Nestled along the Atlantic Ocean in southern Africa, Namibia contains over 200 million acres of ocean shoreline, woodland savanna, lush floodplain, and picturesque desert lined with stark mountain ranges. This country boasts an impressive list of reptiles of nearly 250 species, including 59 endemic species found nowhere else in the world. With over 40% of the country dedicated to conservation, Namibia’s landscape is divided into five major geographic regions: the Central Plateau, Namib Desert, Great Escarpment, Bushveld, and Kalahari Desert.
Our tour focuses on the arid regions of Namibia known for their high rate of reptilian endemism, but we will survey a wide range of habitats to encounter as many species as possible. The country’s unique arid landscapes are typically open and sparsely vegetated, making it easier and more rewarding to search for reptiles! Our trip will include night walks, night drives, and crepuscular herping, giving us the best change to find elusive nocturnal species.
Join our Herping Namibia tour and venture into the heart of this underrated African paradise where you will be immersed in its herpetological and natural wonders. We will come face-to-face and have excellent photographic opportunities with some of the planet’s most exotic and memorable reptile species–you don’t want to miss this.
Highlight and Target Birds
- We will target many endemic species of Namibia and the Namib Desert, including the stunning Namib Rock Agama, Meyer’s and Brain’s Blind Legless Skinks, Wedge-snouted Desert Lizard, Namib Giant Ground Gecko, Koch’s Barking Gecko, Namib Web-footed Gecko, Desert Mountain and Peringuey’s Adders, Namib Sand Snake, and Nama Padloper
- An impressive variety of snakes, including Puff Adder, Western Banded Spitting Cobra, Cape Cobra, Many-horned Adder, Beetz Tiger Snake, Zebra Cobra, South African Rock Python, Anchieta’s Dwarf Python, and the very range-restricted Namaqua Dwarf Adder
- Dozens of lizards and geckos such as Montane Thick-toed Gecko, Jordan’s and Karoo Girdled Lizards, African Rock Gecko, Giant Plated Lizard, and Namaqua Chameleon
KEY LOCATIONS
Namib Desert, Keetmanshoop area, Orange River, Lüderitz, Aus Mountains, Sossusvlei, Namib-Naukluft National Park, Deadvlei, Swakopmund, Erongo Mountains
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
- We will scour a wide range of unique habitats in search of Namibia’s impressive 250 reptile species, including 59 species endemic to this country. This will involve several night walks and drives to seek elusive nocturnal species!
- Our search for reptiles will take us to stunning dunes of the Namib Desert, breathtaking mountain ranges such the Naukluft and Erongo, and beautiful river valleys including the Fish River Canyon. These landscapes are sure to offer tremendous night skies, which will be sure to enjoy after dinners and during night excursions.
- Although our focus is on herpetofauna, we will surely keep an eye out for the other amazing wildlife that calls Namibia home. We have a chance of seeing species like oryx, zebra, flamingos, penguins, ostrich, giraffe, and much more!
More Details
Accommodations
River Crossing Lodge (1 night), Quiver Inn Guesthouse (1 night), Op My Stoep Lodge (1 night), Kratzplatz Accommodation (1 night), Klein-Aus Vista Desert Horse Inn (2 nights), Desert Quiver Camp (2 nights), Hotel Bambu (2 nights), Ameib Guesthouse (1 night)
Weather and climate
Summer in Namibia can be very hot, with temperatures up to and above 100°F/38°C, dropping to 55°F/13°C at night. High humidity is possible in the less-arid regions we visit during the tour.
Tour Details
Price: $4,673 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: $237
Included: In-country accommodations, ground transportation, meals from dinner on first day to breakfast on last day, English speaking guide, entrance fees.
Not Included: International and local airfare, visa fees, insurance fees, personal items such as alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, gift shop, laundry, tips, etc. are not included.
From: Windhoek (WDH)
Minimum Participants: 8
Participant Limit: 10
Activity Level: Medium
Deposit: 30% per-person deposit is required to reserve your spot on this tour (with your registration form).
Tour Leaders: James Adams and local herping guides
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Natural Selections Tours thanks Zeiss Optics in partnering with us to advance birding, ecotourism, and conservation. Zeiss Optics is a world leader in quality optics products and service, and we are proud to work together making our world a better place by seeing beyond, together!