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List of All Mammals Seen in Namibia and South Africa,
Not including the numerous rodents and other small mammals, a total of forty
species were recorded. The following list details all the sightings from both
Namibia and South Africa. It will come as no surprise that the vast bulk of
species were recorded only, or in their best numbers, at Etosha National Park,
one of Africa's premier wildlife localities.
Chacma Baboon
Most common in central parts of Namibia. Troops numbering up to 40 animals were
frequently seen on the roadside between Windhoek and Rehoboth, as well as twice
near Okahandja and on single occasions near Tsumeb and on the road to the International
Airport. In addition, about 35 were seen at Daan Viljoen on both visits, at
least 60 in the Caprivi Game Park and, on my last visit, four at Avis Dam. Does
not occur at Etosha National Park.
In South Africa, a troop of 18 blocked the road near Cape Point, while a single male was noted at De Hoop.
Vervet Monkey
An inhabitant of the riverine woodlands of the far north of Namibia, a single
was seen by the River Zambezi at Katima Mamila and 35 were at Ruacana Falls
(spending half their time thieving from the campsite!).
Cape Hare
Not many seen - just two at Sossusvlei in Namibia and at least five per day
at De Hoop and three at Brandvlei, both in South Africa.
Ground Squirrel
Very common in western parts of Etosha, including throughout the Okaukuejo Camp,
where they steal from tents! Also several seen at Sossusvlei and at least ten
in the desert between Sossusvlei to Walvis Bay.
Tree Squirrel
At Ruacana Falls, at least 15 Tree Squirrels inhabited the riverside trees,
whilst in the Caprivi, a single was noted at Rundu and about five a day at Katima
Mamila.
Grey Squirrel
An introduced species, fairly common in Cape Town suburbs, including Gardens,
Constantia and Kirstenbosch.
Spotted Hyena
At Etosha, two pairs were seen near Okerfontain, another near Goas and singles
at Halali waterhole (at night), near Halali and at Chudop. In addition, several
were calling around the Lion kill during the night at Namutoni.
Lion
Impressive numbers at Etosha. A pride of two males, three females and six immatures
were seen on consecutive days at Okondeka waterhole. Elsewhere, a male visited
Okaukuejo waterhole at night, a male and five females were found at dawn near
Batia and, most spectacular, a pride consisting a male and ten females brought
down a Zebra just metres from Namutoni Camp.
Bat-eared Fox
At Etosha, a pair cavorted on the plains north of Okaukuejo, near Leeubron.
Black-backed Jackal
About ten were seen per day throughout Etosha, otherwise the only animals were
a family at Sossusvlei and pairs at Cape Cross and Walvis Bay.
Yellow Mongoose
With the exception of a couple on the Hoffmeyr Walk in Windhoek, all other records
were singles in South Africa - at Veldriff, Kirstenbosch, De Hoop, in the Overburg
and at Bontebok N.P.
Slender Mongoose
Two singles were seen near Okaukuejo in Etosha and one on both visits to Daan
Viljoen.
Banded Mongoose
Only seen at Etosha - two at Okaukuejo and a family of seven at Namutoni Camp.
Warthog
Commonest in eastern parts of Etosha, pairs or family groups at Kalkheuwel,
Chudop, Fischer's Pan, Namutoni Camp, etc. Elsewhere, occasional pairs were
seen on the roadside in the Okahandja area and at Daan Viljoen.
Rock Hyrax (Dassie)
Common in many mountainous and rocky parts of the two countries, including in
Namibia throughout the Windhoek area (especially on the Hoffmeyr Walk), at Aus
and in the Karasburg region, plus in South Africa at Springbok, Eland's Bay,
Table Mountain and Lion's Head, along with the Cape Peninsula.
African Elephant
Etosha's population stands at about 1500 animals, thus they are commonly seen.
The best places were Okaukuejo (frequent herds of up to 30), Goas (about 40),
Halali (up to 15 throughout the night) and Kalkheuwel (about 25). Away from
Etosha, a herd of 15 were also seen in the Caprivi Game Park and several were
heard alongside the River Zambezi at Ngepi during the night.
Black Rhinoceros
Only seen during the night at the floodlit waterholes in Etosha - four each
night at Okaukuejo Camp and a single at Halali Camp.
Hippopotamus
Widespread in the northern rivers of Namibia. A single was noted on the River
Cunene at Ruacana Falls, up to eight daily on the Zambezi at Katima Mamila and
several herds along the Okavango between Popa Falls and Mahango, including up
to 28 daily at Ngepi.
Giraffe
Approximately 2000 Giraffe inhabit Etosha and are commonly seen throughout the
park. Otherwise, three were also seen at Daan Viljoen.
Burchell's Zebra
With a population of about 6000, Burchell's Zebras are one of the most abundant
animals at Etosha, seen in good numbers in all parts of the park.
Cape Mountain Zebra
Restricted to the southern part of Cape Province, this rare, highly localised
animal is relatively easy to see at two of its prime localities - a total of
11 were seen at De Hoop and four at Bontebok N.P.
Hartmann's Mountain Zebra
Conspecific with the above animal, this zebra inhabits wild mountainous parts
of the interior of Namibia. Best seen at Daan Viljoen, where 13 were noted on
the first visit and six on the next.
Blue Wildebeest
Etosha is the chief locality to see Wildebeests - about 2600 occur in the park
and are common throughout. Elsewhere, up to 30 were seen both visits to Daan
Viljoen.
Red Hartebeest
In addition to five at Bontebok N.P. in South Africa, the species was common
throughout Etosha and was also noted at Daan Viljoen (eight on first visit,
five on second).
Bontebok
Formally close to extinction, this endemic to the southern Cape is now abundant
at both De Hoop and Bontebok N.P., additional to which five were also seen near
the Cape of Good Hope.
Common Duiker
A single animal was seen whilst transiting Caprivi Game Park.
Springbok
With 20,000 inhabiting Etosha, Springboks are the most abundant large animal
in the reserve and huge numbers were seen daily throughout the park. In addition,
several were seen at Sossusvlei and at least 20 in the Solitaire region. Furthermore,
two were at Daan Viljoen and small numbers were occasionally noted alongside
roads, particularly in the Windhoek area and the south.
Klipspringer
This dainty mountain antelope was seen both in Namibia and South Africa - three
at Spitskoppe and a single at Sir Lowry's Pass.
Steenbok
In addition to small numbers daily at Etosha, a single of this tiny antelope
was also seen at Daan Viljoen.
Common Impala
In the region, this Impala is confined to the Caprivi Strip and the only sighting
was a herd of six near the River Kwando in the Caprivi Game Park.
Black-faced Impala
This distinctive sub-species is endemic to north-east Namibia and is readily
seen at Etosha. A minimum of 700 Black-faced Impalas occur in the park and were
commonly seen from Goas eastward, sometimes in very large flocks.
Grey Rhebok
A herd of six were found at Bontebok National Park
Gemsbok (Oryx)
A total of about 4000 Gemsbok are estimated to inhabit Etosha and are common
through the park. Elsewhere, up to 15 were seen at Daan Viljoen on both visits,
as well as singles at Sossusvlei and in the Namib Desert near Solitaire.
Kudu
Etosha supports about 2000 animals and this large antelope was commonly seen
across the park, usually singly or in small herds. Away from Etosha, up to eight
were noted at Daan Viljoen on both visits and singles on the roadside near Otjiwarongo
and Windhoek.
Bushbuck
One was seen in the forest at Grootvadersbosch.
Eland
Only around 250 occur at Etosha, but nevertheless three herds were seen at their
favoured waterholes - about 30 at Batia, 25 at Kalkheuwel and five at Chudop.
In addition, about 25 were seen on my first visit to Daan Viljoen, with another
four on my next trip. In South Africa, herds of at least 30 were noted at De
Hoop on both days.
Cape Fur Seal
Commonly seen in small to moderate numbers off all western seaboards from the
Cape of Good Hope up to northern Namibia, including Lambert's Bay, Luderitz
and Walvis Bay. However, the true spectacle is at Cape Cross, where an estimated
20,000 are hauled out on the beach in a massive, noisy and smelly breeding colony.
Heaviside's Dolphin
Small numbers, usually pairs or groups of three or four, were frequently noted
in the seas off Luderitz and Walvis Bay, at the latter location also entering
the bay itself.
Southern Right Whale
The calving months bring these whales into the shallow sheltered waters along
the southern coast of the Cape. Good numbers were seen in both October and November
- two at Fish Hoek (seen from a train), a minimum of six at the Cape of Good
Hope, eight at Hermaness (giving fantastic views just metres off the rocky promontory)
and four at De Hoop.
Bryde's Whale
This smaller whale is less common in the coastal waters, but a single was seen
cruising beneath the Cape of Good Hope.
List of Select Reptiles Seen
in Namibia and South Africa
This list is far from complete, not including numerous small lizards seen daily,
nor the Geckoes common in Windhoek. Neither, regrettably, were most snakes identified
and thus they are also not included.
Angulate Tortoise
In South Africa, several were seen at Eierkop, three in the Overburg
farmland, two at De Hoop and a single near the Cape of Good Hope.
Crocodile
Two were seen in the River Cunene at Ruacana Falls and a big single in the Okavango
River at Ngepi.
Monitor Lizards
These giant dragonic lizards were common along the river and in the campsite
at Ruacana Falls (at least 20) and at Popa Falls (about four).
Chameleon
One was found in a tree in Ngepi Camp.
Boomslang Snake
One was encountered in bushland on the old golf course at Rundu. Another entered
the campsite and slithered directly into the bar at Ngepi Camp.
Horned Viper
Almost trodden on, a single was found and then photographed at Brandvlei.
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