Spitskoppe

The Spitskoppe has often been referred to as the Matterhorn of Namibia. These are actually a series of granitic inselbergs within the Namib desert. It is an attractive area with the Herero Chat being the main special to be seen. The area can be very good for birding at times of good rainfall but this is sporadic and cannot be guaranteed.

Specials
Herero Chat, Rüppell's Korhaan, White-tailed Shrike and Monteiro's Hornbill. Other species normally encountered include Stark's Lark, Lark-like Bunting, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler, Bokmakierie, Lanner Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Augur Buzzard, Greater Kestrel, Martial Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle and Black-chested Snake-Eagle. After good rainfall Ludwig's Bustard, Burchell's Courser and many Rüppell's Korhaan may be encountered.

Habitat
The habitat around the Spitskoppe is made up primarily of scattered acacia scrub with vegetated washes. Other areas have granite boulders and outcrops, the pogmatitec within these have been formerly mined for semi-precious minerals such as tourmaline, aquamarine, topaz and smoky quartz.

Birding
1. Bird the area around Spitzkoppe for the Herero Chat., which is found amongst the small acacia trees. It is a large area to search, so allow some time for this one.

2. Gray's Lark is found on the gravel plains west of the Spitskoppe, on the way to Hentjies Bay.

3. The small washes here as well as the hilly areas with sparse vegetation also support Karoo Eremomela.

General
There are no facilities except for a camping area where the community charge a nominal fee for entrance to the area, and to ensure a clean camp site. Although the closest town to the Spitskoppe is Usakos,  there are presently no facilities there either. Swakopmund is approximately 165 km away, and one would obviously need an early start to get to the area and do some birding.

Steve Brain 2001.
The Namibian Naturalist
Tel: +264-(0)-61-227077
Fax: +264-(0)-61-227088
E-mail: rockrun@iafrica.com.na