One of the main highlights inside Etosha was the floodlit waterhole at Okaukuejo. In the two consecutive nights I stayed in one of the chalets (the only way to view the waterhole at night) I was treated to superb views of several Black Rhinos coming down to drink, and also witnessed various 'communications' between the animals.
As I neared Botswana there was thankfully lots of water fed from the mighty Okavango, and this produced a different array of species, mainly Antelopes including many new ones, and of course where there's water, you get many Hippos and Crocodiles.
The rest of the trip before and after the above was mainly dominated by the smaller mammals, all of which are listed below.
- Bushveld Sengi
One seen at Daan Viljoen Game Park near the restaurant.
- Baboon
Only seen in hilly and rocky areas, but were numerous when seen.
- Vervet Monkey
Small numbers encountered in Mahango Game Reserve.
- Lesser Bushbaby
Two superb Bushbabies were found at night in Waterberg Plateau NP, found by listening for rustling in the acacia branches above.
- Scrub Hare
A couple throughout but generally scarce.
- Southern African Ground Squirrel
Very common in Etosha NP and sparsely vegetated flatlands in central Namibia.
- Tree Squirrel
A couple seen at Xaro Lodge, Botswana in broadleaved habitat.
- Dassie Rat
Two found at Erongo Mountains NP, but were very shy and avoided the camera.
- Four-striped Grass Mouse
One found in surrounding hillside near to Vineyard Country Lodge, Windhoek.
- Black-tailed Tree Rat
One at the restaurant at Daan Viljoen NP.
- Cape Fox
One at the campsite in Daan Viljoen NP.
- Bat-eared Fox
A party of three on the night drive in Etosha NP.
- Black-backed Jackal
Common In Etosha NP, with a minimum of six around the Okaukuejo Waterhole one evening.
- Banded Mongoose
The commonest mongoose seen.
- Slender Mongoose
Only one found, this being at Roy's Camp.
- Yellow Mongoose
A couple seen in Etosha NP only.
-Spotted Hyena
Surprisingly only three seen in Etosha NP, one being at night and heard to call.
- Aardwolf
One found in Etosha NP in the western sector in the first hour of daylight.
- Lion
Sixteen individuals encountered. Very memorable!
Numerous in Etosha NP and Mahango Game Reserve. One at Xaro Lodge.
- Rock Hyrax
Common at Waterberg Plateau.
- Plains Zebra
Very common in Etosha NP.
- Black Rhino
A maximum count of seven Black Rhinos at Okaukuejo Camp after dark. Two seen during the day sleeping and a couple seen on a night drive.
- Warthog
Common along roadsides in the north.
- Hippo
Common in the Okavango.
- Giraffe
Common in Etosha NP.
- Buffalo
Only seen at Mahango Game Reserve in small numbers.
- Greater Kudu
Regularly seen in Etosha NP, but very few Bucks.
- Bushbuck
Only seen in Mahango Game Reserve, including one barking at me for a while.
- Roan Antelope
Only one seen at Mahango Game Reserve.
- Sable Antelope
A superb male seen in Mahango Game Reserve.
- Gemsbok
Common in Etosha NP.
- Lechwe
Common at Mahango Game Reserve, with the males showing off their unique horns, although they never came close.
- Blue Wildebeest
Common in Etosha NP.
- Red Hartebeest
Only small numbers encountered in Etosha NP.
- (Black-faced) Impala
This unique looking Impala were seen in large herds in Etosha NP.
- Springbok
Common throughout.
- Klipspringer
A small group seen at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve and were considered of wild origin based upon their 'goat-like' climbing skills enabling them to escape the reserve's compound.
- Steenbok
Fairly common throughout.
- Crocodile
Common along the Okavango.
- Cape Fur Seal
A very large colony at Pelican Point near Walvis Bay.
- Bottle-nosed Dolphin
A couple of pods off from Walvis Bay.
