Namibia Mammals

Note: Names and taxonomical order of the land mammals follow that of ‘ The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals', additional names are given in parenthesis and are likely to appear other popular field guides.

Baboons & Monkeys Cercopithecidae

Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus

Small troops of this baboon were seen during the tour, with highest numbers in Daan Viljoen and the Waterberg.

Hares & Rabbits Leporidae

Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis

A few were seen in Etosha National Park .

Squirrels Sciuridae

South African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris

These delightful creatures were seen on the second day en route to Walvis Bay, with good numbers in the Okaukuejo area and camp in Etosha.

Smith's Bush (Tree) Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi

First recorded in Halali Camp in Etosha, they were later seen from the Okavango Panhandle.

Dassie Rat Petromuridae

Dassie Rat Petromus typicus

We saw this species very well at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Rats & Mice Cricetidae & Muridae

Four-striped Grass Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio

Seen at our picnic site in the Spitzkoppe Community Reserve.

Tree Rat Thallomys paedulcus

A single animal was observed in a large Acacia tree in Okaukuejo camp. These creatures are nocturnal and arboreal species which live their entire life in one tree.

Dogs & Allies Canidae

Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas

Seen throughout Etosha National Park, where they are plentiful.

Mongooses Herpestidae

Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo

A family party was found in the Okaukuejo area of Etosha.

Yellow Mongoose Cynictus penicillata

Seen a few times during the first half of the trip, with high numbers in Etosha National Park.

Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula

A family party of 10 was seen in the camp at Waterberg Plateau National Park, taking food from one of the guests at a chalet.

Suricate (Meerkat) Suricata suricatta

This cute species was only seen in the grasslands en route to Walvis Bay.

Hyaenas Hyaenidae

Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta

This super predator/scavenger was seen on a number of occasions in Etosha National Park with a great sighting north of Namutoni camp.

Cats Felidae

Lion Panthera leo

We saw lions on three days in Etosha National Park, with the highlight being a female roaring and drinking at the waterhole in Namutoni camp.

Hyraxes Procavidae

Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis

Seen first at Daan Viljoen, with high numbers recorded at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Elephants Elephantidae

African Elephant Loxodonta africana

One of the highlights of the trip was watching a breeding herd of approximately 18 of these creatures bathe and play at a waterhole east of Namutoni. They ended the show by crossing the road close to our vehicle.

Zebras Equidae

Burchell's Zebra Equus burchellii

Seen every day in Etosha National Park in good numbers.

Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus zebra zebra

A herd of nine animals were seen well in Daan Viljoen Game Reserve.

Rhinoceroses Rhinocerotidae

Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis

On our first night in Etosha, four animals came down to the waterhole in Okaukuejo Camp to drink. These animals repeated this activity the following night.

Hippopotomuses Hippopotamidae

Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious

Recorded in the Okavango River with highest numbers of 15+ at Mahangu Safari Lodge.

Pigs Suidae

Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus

Seen in Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, Etosha National Park and Mahango Game Reserve.

Giraffes Giraffidae

Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis

First seen at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve and regularly in Etosha National Park, it was also recorded in Mahango Game Reserve.

Bovids & Horned Ungulates Bovidae

Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis

Seen on most days during the first week of the trip, with good numbers in Etosha National Park.

Steenbok Raphicerus campestris

First encountered en route to Walvis Bay, it was then seen fairly regularly in Etosha National Park.

Damara (Kirk's) Dik-Dik Madoqua kirkii

Good numbers (10+) of these antelope were seen on the Dik-dik drive south of Namutoni Camp in Etosha National Park.

Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus

I was fortunate to see a few of these antelope when out on the afternoon reconnaissance walk I did on my own after we arrived at Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros

These magnificent animals were found in Daan Viljoen, with good numbers in Etosha and in Mahango Game Reserve.

Eland Taurotragus oryx

A few of these massive animals, in fact the largest antelope in the world, were recorded in Daan Viljoen Game Reserve and en route to Etosha.

Common Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus

We had brief glimpses of these animals at Xaro Lodge and a sighting from the boat at Mahangu Safari Lodge.

Southern (Common) Reedbuck Redunca arundinum

Recorded on the banks of the Okavango River during our stay at Mahangu Safari Lodge.

Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus

This beautiful antelope was recorded from Mahangu Safari Lodge during a boat cruise.

Red Lechwe Kobus leche

Small numbers were seen on the floodplains of the Okavango River in Mahango Game Reserve.

Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus

A small herd of this pretty antelope was seen in the Terminalia scrub in Mahango Game Reserve.

Gemsbok Oryx gazelle

First seen in Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, it was also seen en route to Walvis Bay and regularly in Etosha National Park with a very large herd in the Fischer's Pan area north of Namutoni.

Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus

We found this species at Tandala Ridge during a lunch stop.

Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus

Initially found at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, it was then seen on a daily basis during our stay in Etosha National Park and in Mahango Game Reserve.

Black-faced Impala Aepyceros melampus petersi

In Etosha National Park we saw good numbers of the Black-faced Impala, which is a localized sub-species.

Impala Aepyceros melampus melampus

Mahango Game Reserve produced good numbers of this antelope.

Fur Seals Otariidae

South African Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus

A few of these aquatic mammals were seen along the coast between Walvis Bay & Swakopmund.

 

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