The Naturalist Collection

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The Naturalist Collection

Namibian Family-owned Tour Operator
Wildlife | Birding | Botany | Herping | Photography
Exploring Africa Through the Eyes of Naturalists

The Braine's are known for their extensive experience in all things natural hence "The Naturalist Collection" T/A Batis Birding Safaris -

Desert Day Tours offers as the name suggests, Desert Day Tours based in Swakopmund, Namibia. These include the Eco Dune Tour or "Living Desert Tour" as well as excursions to the Moonlandscape, Welwitschia, Spitzkoppe and Brandberg. The Namibian Naturalist offe

rs guided and self-drive tours to Namibia specializing in Wildlife, Herpetology, Entomology, Botany and/or Photography. Batis Birding Safaris specializes in ornithology and offers tours to Namibia, Angola, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia and Ghana. Braine Photography is made up of the Braine brothers - Sean and Dayne. Besides an impressive portfolio of their many adventures, they lead local and international expeditions, host various workshops and exhibitions.

11/05/2026

Steve and Louise Braine recently visited the intimate Trails Camp at Onguma Private Game Reserve on an educational visit — and returned absolutely inspired by the experience.

From exceptional guiding and beautifully appointed tents to outstanding food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, every detail reflected genuine care and understated luxury.

What stood out most was the sense of immersion in nature: a camp that feels exclusive, authentic, and deeply connected to the surrounding wilderness.

Personally experiencing the properties we recommend remains one of the most important aspects of what we do at The Naturalist Collection, and Onguma Trails Camp left a lasting impression.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire Onguma Safari Camps team for the warm hospitality and unforgettable stay.

30/04/2026

Namaqua chameleon hatchlings are born fully independent and ready to survive on their own. Still, they might need a little help from braine every now and then to get out of the road. 🚙

28/04/2026

Last week we took to the dunes with a small army of kids from the Voortrekkers (scouts). 🗺️

Chantelle takes the group out on walks 2-3 times a year to learn and explore. This time she thought to combine it with a big clean up, and the group of 50 kids came back with 17 FULL bags of garbage from the area around Rossmund.

A bit shocked with the sheer volume, but we had a lot of fun out there! Thank you Chantelle for leading this initiative with great enthusiasm as always! 🫶

14/04/2026

Mad about snakes? We are too.

Namibia’s deserts are home to some of the world’s most extraordinary reptile adaptations, offering herpers the chance to see species found nowhere else on Earth. Iconic desert specialists like Peringuey’s Adders, Namib web-footed Geckos, and Namaqua Chameleons thrive in this unique environment. Combined with safe access, low human disturbance, and expert guiding, Namibia is unmatched as a destination for serious herpers seeking both endemic species and unforgettable field experiences.

We've planned a specialised Herping tour across Namibia with all that's left to do is secure your spot!

📅 01.02.2027 - 12.02.2027

07/04/2026

Your best friend in the bush 🪶

👉🏼 Packed with fascinating facts and exceptional photography.
👉🏼 All birds recorded in Namibia, grouped for easy identification.
👉🏼 Names in English, German and Afrikaans, alongside scientific names.
👉🏼 Distribution maps, brief status notes, and intuitive symbols indicating s*x, residency, and migratory behaviour.
👉🏼 A quick index, checklist, and seasonal chart for use in the field.
👉🏼 Insightful biome descriptions to help readers understand Namibia’s bird habitats.

Got your copy?

02/04/2026

These guys, called the aye-aye, are pretty funny looking… and they have a bad reputation.

Some people native to Madagascar consider the aye-aye to be an omen of ill luck or a harbinger of evil, and will even kill them on sight because of superstitions like if it points its narrow middle finger at someone, they are marked for death. Such hunting, along with habitat destruction, have made the aye-aye critically endangered.

The aye-aye, with its ability to detect and rip out grubs from trees, fills the ecological niche of a woodpecker. it uses a specialized, slender middle finger to tap on trees and extract beetle larvae, a technique called "percussive foraging".

Unlike other primates, aye-ayes have continuously growing incisors like those of a rodent. These ever-growing incisors help the aye-ayes chew through wood, bark and nuts and even concrete if they're bored.

The aye-aye is one of the more vulnerable lemurs. Its bad rap with the locals, along with the destruction of rain forests, has helped land the aye-aye onto the list of the world's 25 most endangered primates.

Seeing one in the wild is truly a lucky sight! If you want to try yours, join us in Madagascar this October - we know our way around.

31/03/2026

Golden hour like never before.🧡

Anyone who has travelled to Namibia knows the magic.

Haven't been so lucky yet? We're headed on a 13 day Last Minute Guided Special with in June. Book now and experience everything the iconic landscapes, wildlife and birding this country has to offer.

Photos by

26/03/2026

Madagascar is a must-see destination for any naturalist. It's unique to anywhere else, and is a living, breathing ecosystem that is impacted by the choices we make as travellers.

Tourism here can be a force for good. It creates meaningful employment for park rangers, local guides, artisans, and small, community-run businesses. It supports conservation efforts and funds environmental education.

When travel came to a halt during the pandemic, the impact was immediate. With fewer visitors, many protected areas saw a rise in illegal deforestation and resource use. It was a stark reminder: responsible tourism doesn’t just showcase Madagascar, it's a big part of what helps protect it.

Madagascar rewards those who slow down, notice and respect the details, the plants underfoot, the calls in the forest, the people, and the landscapes.

Travel well, and your presence becomes part of the protection. We are heading on a group set departure this October with (11-27 October 2026) and have a few spots left! View the full itinerary and tour costs in our story highlights.

Address

Unit 5, Patrick Lungadha Street
Swakopmund
9000

Website

http://www.thenaturalistcollection.com/

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