Perched on the banks of the Orange River, Upington is the major centre of the northwestern Cape. In this region, the river forms a verdant network, enclosing reed-fringed and now heavily cultivated islands that served as a 19th-century bandits’ stronghold of some disrepute. Die Eiland Holiday Resort, situated on the south side of town, offers good birding, representative of this section of the river. To reach it from the town centre, follow the signs to ‘Palm Avenue’ (the longest palm-lined road in the southern hemisphere), which is the first turn to the left after you cross the river on the N14/N10 to Groblershoop. Birding in the riverine thicket along the river is likely to turn up Kalahari elements such as Pearl-spotted Owl, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Ashy Tit, Red-eyed Bulbul and Brubru, together with the more characteristically southerly Namaqua Warbler, and the strikingly dark race of Olive Thrush (see he page on changing bird taxonomy). Keep a look out for Abdim’s Stork in the vicinity (summer).

The Spitzkop Nature Reserve, 13 km north of Upington, consists of open grassy country and is excellent for larks. Clapper (p.116*), Fawn-coloured and Spike-heeled Larks are all common here; other birds include Northern Black Korhaan, Pygmy Falcon, Chat Flycatcher and Anteating Chat.