Wildlife & Game Reserves of Namibia

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Wildlife
Large game species of wildlife found in Namibia include elephant, rhino, giraffe and buffalo, as well as lion, leopard and cheetah. There are eight endemic mammal species - the black faced impala, gerbils and bats - while the Namib Desert is well know for endemic dune-dwellers, of which there are 30 endemic species.

Endangered mammals are wild dog, black rhino, lion, puku, oribi and waterbuck. There are over 20 species of antelope ranging from the largest, the eland, to the smallest the Damara dik-dik.

A wealth of small mammals, including mongoose and jackal, occur throughout the country, as well as the less common Antbear and honey badger.

Birds
Over 630 of the 887 bird species listed for southern Africa have been recorded in Namibia. Of these, about 500 species breed locally, while the others are migrants. Eleven species are endemic and special endemics are the Herero chat, Rockrunner, Monteiro's hornbill and Damara tern.

Game Reserves
Namibia's national reserves and game parks are owned and managed by the Government. The main parks are:

Etosha National Park
It is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Of the 114 mammals species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala. Etosha's elephants are reputed to be of the largest in Africa, the tallest ones measuring up to 4 m at the shoulder.
Etosha's animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities.

Mahango Game Reserve (Caprivi)
Situated east of Rundu and borders on the perennial Okavango River with an area of over 244km². It is characterised by riverine forests, a broad flood plain and large herds of elephant. the park does not have overnight facilities

Caprivi Game Park
Situated to the east of Mahango Game Reserve, the Caprivi is sanctuary to a variety of game species like elephant, roan and kudu. A 4-wheel drive is essential as the terrain is sandy. No overnight facilities exist in the park.

Khaudum Game Reserve
Situated north of Tsumeb, it protects the northern Kalahari sandveld biome and harbours several big game and bird species.

The Skeleton Coast Park
Extends from the Ugab River in the south for 500km to the Kunene River in the north and covers an area of 16 400km². The attraction is it landscape, its aura of mystery and wildlife.

Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Situated approximately 130km north of Swakopmund, the park was proclaimed to protect up to 23 colonies of Cape Fur seals.

National West Coast Recreation Area
This is a 200km stretch of coastline north of Swakopmund, between the Swakop and Ugab rivers, is renowned for its outstanding angling potential.

Waterberg Plateau Park
Rising some 200m above a surrounding sea of bush and savannah, the 405km² Waterberg Plateau Park near Otjiwarongo, is home to some 25 game and 200 bird species.

Hardap Game Reserve
The reserve, near Marienthal, covers an area of 250km² and offers excellent game viewing opportunities.

Namib-Naukluft Park
Is a vast wilderness of 50 000km² containing features like Sossusvlei, Sesriem, Naukluft Mountains and Sandwich Harbour.

Fishriver Canyon Park
The park comprised of the Ai-Ais Hot Springs Resort, the Fishriver Canyon and the Huns Mountains.

Daan Viljoen
Close to Windhoek and although small, the park supports a healthy game population and is also a good spot for bird-watching.