Spectacular colonies of bee-eaters nest along the regions permanent rivers in late winter. Photo by Josh Engel. 

Photo by Josh Engel.

These unruly-looking nests are a common site throughout the region. Photo by Josh Engel.

Known locally as Gemsbok, these beautiful antelope are an iconic animal of this arid region. Photo by Josh Engel. 

Photo by Josh Engel.

A common and beautiful parrot of southwest Africa. Photo by Josh Engel.

Photo by Josh Engel.

One of the region's rarer antelope. Photo by Josh Engel.

Photo by Josh Engel.

Waterholes in the dry season are reliable places to see as many as three species of sandgrouse in Namibia. Photo by Josh Engel.

The grasslands of Etosha National Park have many species typical of that habitat, including this iconic bird of the African savannah. 

The coastal lagoon at Walvis Bay is home to vast populations of birds, including both Lesser and Greater Flamingo. Photo by Josh Engel.

Photo by Josh Engel.

Few birds better symbolize the mountainous spine that runs down central Namibia than this boulder-loving francolin. Photo by Josh Engel.

A beautiful and widespread resident of southern Africa. Photo by Josh Engel.

A common animal of Namibia's Etosha Natioal Park. 

Photo by Josh Engel.

One of the most difficult Southern African endemics to find, some years they are absent, but other years they are numerous. Photo by Josh Engel.

Etosha National Park in Namibia is one of the best places in the world to see this endangered rhino. Photo by Josh Engel.

A typical endemic resident in the Kalahari Desert. Photo by Josh Engel.

Skimmers nest on sandbars in the Okavango River when the water is low during the dry season. Photo by Josh Engel.

Picnic lunches provide an opportunity to see campground birds--here we are looking at Damara Hornbill in riparian woods along the Aba Huab River. Photo by Josh Engel.

Huge baobob trees can be found in the Caprivi Strip and northern Botswana. Photo by Josh Engel.

The scenery is beautiful throughout this trip. Photo by Josh Engel.

Namibia in the dry season is a great time to see animals drinking at waterholes. Photo by Josh Engel.

A common sight in Etosha National Park. Photo by Josh Engel.

One of the more colorful Kalahari specialties. Photo by Fran Morel. 

Most of the hotels we stay in have pools; few of the views beat this one looking over the Okavango River (if you look closely, there's an elephant there, too). Photo by Josh Engel.