BOTSWANA

S PECI E S CH ECK LI S
T
InCLudES VICTORIA FALLS/LIVIngSTOnE
 AFR IC A VE GE TAT IO N M A P

BIOMES
dESERT
(namib; Sahara; danakil)

SEMI-dESERT
(Karoo; Sahel; Chalbi)

ARId SAVAnnAH
(Kalahari; Masai Steppe; Ogaden)

gRASSLAnd
(Highveld; Abyssinian)
SEYCHELLES
MEdITERRAnEAn SCRuB / FYnBOS

EAST AFRICAn COASTAL FOREST & SCRuB

dRY WOOdLAnd
(including Mopane)

MOIST WOOdLAnd
(including Miombo)

TROPICAL RAInFOREST
(Congo Basin; upper guinea)

AFRO-MOnTAnE FOREST & gRASSLAnd

(drakensberg; nyika; Albertine Rift;
Abyssinian Highlands)

gRAnITIC IndIAn OCEAn ISLAndS

(Seychelles)

Wilderness Safaris
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the wonderful wildlife of southern
Africa.

The idea of this booklet is to enable you, as a Wilderness Safaris guest, to keep a detailed record of the mammals,
birds, reptiles and amphibians that that you observed during your travels. It also serves as a compact record of
your African journey for future reference and enjoyment that hopefully sparks interest in other wildlife spheres
whether in your home country or abroad.

Although always exciting to see, especially for the first-time Africa visitor, once you move beyond the clich of the
Big Five you will soon realise that our wilderness areas offer much more. Africas large mammals are certainly a
big attraction that one never tires of, but its often the smaller mammals, diverse birdlife and incredible reptiles
that draw one back again and again for another unparalleled visit. Seeing a breeding herd of elephant for instance
will always be special but there is a certain thrill in seeing a sitatunga, a serval or a Pels fishing-owl to name
but a few.

As a globally discerning traveller, look beyond the obvious, and challenge yourself to learn as much about the
wildlife and ecosystems through which you will travel on your safari.

Enjoy your journey!

BOTSWANA BIODIVERSITY OVERVIEW

Botswanas most renowned conservation area is undoubtedly the Okavango delta a green and blue wetland
rightly considered Africas most incredible wildlife sanctuary and the largest inland delta system in the world
15 000 km2 of verdant channels, lagoons, swamps and islands. This dynamic waterworld contrasts with the
cathedral mopane woodlands of the Linyanti and Selinda region to the north of the delta, while to the south lies
the Kalahari desert. This desert is rarely lifeless and harbours mythical destinations such as deception Valley in
the Central Kalahari.

While the emphasis of a Botswana safari is often on the large mammals (and rightly so with 75 larger mammal
species), there are many other facets of the local fauna to be enjoyed; 593 bird species have been recorded
and the diversity and density of waterbirds found in the Okavango delta is simply staggering. The country also
supports equally impressive reptile diversity and, as the Okavango is so well watered, amphibians are abundant.

The ancient fossil riverbeds and associated pans of the Central Kalahari are the playground of desert-adapted
wildlife including a wide range of ungulates and predators. The Kalahari as a whole, with its striking contrast to
the Okavango and Linyanti Regions, adds significantly to Botswanas already overwhelming diversity.

LIVINGSTONE (VICTORIA FALLS) BIODIVERSITY OVERVIEW

As many of our Botswana safaris also include the Livingstone/Victoria Falls area, this region has been added to
the Botswana Species Checklist.

Zambias Mosi-oa-Tunya national Park, a short distance from the Victoria Falls, comprises mopane and teak
woodlands with luxuriant riverine forest along the banks of the Zambezi River. On the Zimbabwe side, Zambezi
national Park protects similar habitat types with a rich riverine fringe and woodlands dominated by Zambezi teak
and mopane.

Visitors to the Victoria Falls can either stay on the Zambian or Zimbabwean side of the Falls for most of the year
there is little practical difference, although the Zimbabwe side features better viewing during the driest months of
October through december.
1 iillddeerrnneessss
SSaaffaarrii
OUR BOTSWANA CONCESSIONS
MOMBO CONCESSION
45 000 hectares, located on Chief s
Island, Moremi game Reserve, central
Okavango. In the interior, mopane woodland is
interspersed with belts of Kalahari sand and VUMBURA PLAINS
acacia. Towards the edges of the island,
regular seasonal flooding creates shallow DUBA PLAINS LITTLE VUMBURA

floodplains dotted with wild date palm

islands and riverine forest. Mombo harbours
prolific concentrations of general game
KWETSANI
such as giraffe, zebra, warthog, red lechwe,
LITTLE MOMBO
tsessebe, wildebeest, kudu, elephant, buffalo
and impala. Abundant predator
JACANA MOMBO
TUBU TREE
sightings include lion, spotted hyaena and JAO
leopard. Chief s Island is also home to the SEBA

only white and black rhino found in the ABU XIGERA

Okavango delta. The birding, a result of

diverse habitats, is equally attractive.
CAMPS: MOMBO CAMP, LITTLE MOMBO CAMP

KWEDI CONCESSION
90 000 hectares, situated in duba Plains and
Vumbura areas, northern Okavango. The
western area, notably large duba Island, has
open, seasonally inundated floodplains and
small palm islands; the eastern parts include VUMBURA PLAINS
a diverse mosaic of habitats from permanent
swamp to seasonal floodplains, acacia LITTLE VUMBURA
woodlands, and mopane and Kalahari appleleaf DUBA PLAINS

stands. The duba area is known for its large

herds of buffalo and prides of lion, as well as
unusual small carnivores such as aardwolf,
KWETSANI
bat-eared fox and side-striped jackal. Vumbura, LITTLE MOMBO

in contrast, features a wider range, from red BU

JACANA MOMBO
TREE JAO
lechwe to sable, good populations of elephant,
SEBA
hippo and giraffe, and large predators: lion,
XIGERA
spotted hyaena, leopard, wild dog and cheetah. ABU
CHITABE
Birdlife is abundant Okavango specials such
as rosy-throated longclaw, black coucal and CHIT
long-toed lapwing are present.
CAMPS: duBA PLAInS, VuMBuRA PLAInS, LITTLE VuMBuRA CAMP

Wilderness Safaris 2
JAO CONCESSION
60 000 hectares, close to the Panhandle in
the deltas north-west. The vegetation varies
from the Jao Flats in the east to Hunda Island,
VUMBURA PLAINS
covered in acacia and mopane woodland and
the largest dry area locally during the annual
LITTLE VUMBURA
floods. Around the Flats, spectacular herds DUBA PLAINS

of red lechwe are followed by their predators

lion and leopard. Other game includes
wildebeest, impala, tsessebe, giraffe, elephant,
KWETSANI
hippo and crocodile, spotted-necked otter and LITTLE MOMBO

occasional sitatunga. The drier west harbours TUBU

JACANA
MOMBO
TREE
similar species, with greater concentrations of JAO

zebra and wildebeest. Birding is exceptional: SEBA

XIGERA
Vulnerable wattled crane, slaty egret, rosy- ABU

throated longclaw, Pels fishing-owl, and lesser

jacana are found on the eastern side, with the
western drier areas hosting crimson-breasted
shrike, dickinsons kestrel and Meyers parrot.
CAMPS: JAO CAMP, JACAnA CAMP,
KWETSAnI CAMP, TuBu TREE CAMP

XIGERA CONCESSION
6 000 hectares, in the heart of the delta.
VUMBURA PLAINS
Situated on one of the Okavangos key
waterways, it is surrounded by picturesque LITTLE VUMBURA
DUBA PLAINS
papyrus swamps and wooded islands and is
renowned for the highest density of the elusive
sitatunga antelope in the delta. not known
for big game, mammal sightings do include KWETSANI

red lechwe, spotted-necked otter, vervet LITTLE MOMBO

monkey, elephant, impala and tsessebe, UBU

JACANA MOMBO
with TREE JAO

predators such as leopard, spotted hyaena, and SEBA

occasionally lion. This concession is a delight ABU XIGERA

for birdwatchers, many of the key swamp- CHITABE

dwelling specialists being present, notably

CH
Pels Fishing- Owl, African skimmer, brown
firefinch, greater swamp warbler, wattled
crane, African pygmy goose, Luapula cisticola
and lesser jacana. Common species include a
variety of kingfishers and other waterbirds.
CAMPS: XIgERA CAMP
3 Wilderness Safaris
 VUMBURA PLAINS
ABU CONCESSION
173 000 hectares, in the south-west of the
LITTLE VUMBURA
delta. This scenically splendid concession DUBA PLAINS

varies from seasonally inundated floodplains,

channels and palm islands in the north-east to
the dryer Kalahari Sandveld Tongue in the KWETSANI
west. Here, trees like Kalahari appleleaf and LITTLE MOMBO

silver terminalia

dominate, adding much contrast to this unique TUBU JACANA MOMBO

TREE
area. Big game is plentiful and includes frequent JAO
SEBA
sightings of giraffe, buffalo, elephant, red
lechwe, blue wildebeest, tsessebe, impala, ABU XIGERA

zebra, hippo and warthog. dominant carnivores

include lion and spotted hyaena with occasional
leopard and wild dog. For bird enthusiasts,
some 380 different species can be found.
CAMPS: ABu CAMP, SEBA CAMP

LINYANTI AND SELINDA CONCESSIONS

Linyanti (125 000 hectares) and adjoining
Selinda (135 000 hectares) concessions border
Chobe national Parks western boundary. Most
of this wildlife-rich area consists of mopane
woodland with floodplains and riparian forest.
Linyanti is bisected by an ancient watercourse
the Savute Channel which provides a year-
round water source, while Selinda has the
Zibadianja Lagoon (the source of the Savute KINGS POOL

Channel) and the Selinda Spillway that connects SELINDA DUMATAU

the Linyanti and Okavango systems. The area ZARAFA SAVUTI

is famed for herds of elephant that reach high
densities in the drier winter months. Other
species are also abundant zebra, wildebeest,
impala, giraffe, red lechwe, reedbuck, kudu
and rarer species such as sable and roan. In
addition to lion, spotted hyaena and leopard,
the area also plays host to healthy populations
VUMBURA PLAINS
of cheetah and wild dog. Birding too is unique
here including Arnots chat, brilliant flocks of
LITTLE VUMBURA
southern carmine bDeUeBA-ePaLAtIeNSrs BANOKA
(seasonal) and

red-necked falcon. BUSH CAMP

CAMPS: KIngS POOL, duMATAu CAMP, SAVuTI CAMP, ZARAFA CAMP, SELIndA CAMP
 KWETSANI
Wilderness Safaris MOMBO
TUBU TREE JACANA
LITTLE MOMBO 4
JAO
 OUR BOTSWANA CONCESSIONS VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

ChITABE CONCESSION
DUBA PLAINS

28 000 hectares, in the south-east of the delta. BANOKA

BUSH CAMP
This concession is separated from the Moremi
game Reserve by the gomoti Channel. This
K W E TS A N I
eastern half of th e c o n c e ssion is
characterised by LITTLE MOMBO
grassyTUflBUoToRdEEplains,
whJAiCcAhNAseparMaOtMeBtOhe Channel
JAO
from acacia and mopane woodland. The western
half has as its boundary
SEBA
the Santantadibe River
XIGERA
with a variety of typical Okavango habitats
ABU
seasonal palm-dotted floodplains, wooded CHITABE

islands, tranquil waterways and dry woodland

CHITABE LEDIBA
ensuring a year-round variety of wildlife and
bird species. It is this diversity and a mix of
Okavango and Kalahari habitats that allows
good concentrations of all the larger predators
lion, leopard, spotted hyaena, cheetah and
wild dog as well as herbivores like giraffe,
buffalo, lechwe, tsessebe, impala and elephant.
Birdwatching is equally excellent, including
black coucal, African barred owlet, Bennets KINGS POOL
woodpecker, greater painted snipe, southern
SELINDA DUMA TAU
ground hornbill and pink-backed pelican.
SAVUTI
CAMPS: CHITABE CAMP, CHITABE LEdIBA ZARAFA

KhWAI CONCESSION species nOKA BuSH

present, CAMP
180 000 hectares, in the north-eastern corner
of the Okavango delta adjoining the Moremi including
game Reserve. The Khwai area has a wide wattled
range of habitats: a blend of woodlands, crane and
V U M B UR A
floodplain, wetland and grasslands . T h e n saddle-
PL A I N S
a r r o w Khwai Channel is home to large billed
animals such stork,
LITTLE VUMBURA
as hippo, crocodiDleUB, A bPLuAfINfaS lo and red together
lechwe. with
Riverine woodland, dominated by camelthorn, numerous
knobthorn and appleleaf, provides sanctuary raptors.
to birds, primates
KWETSANI
and leopard. The floodplains C
offer common species such as A
LkITuTdLEuM,OtMsBeOssebe, M
JACANA
TU BU T R E E
B u r c h ellsJAOzebra MOMB
and blue wildebeest. P
Away from S
the river, there is a mix of acacia and leadwood :
trees that SaEbBAuts into mopanXeIGEwRAoodland. B
Larger predators inABcUlude lion, wild dog and A
spotted
hyaena. Birdlife is just as varied, with 450
 CHITABE
BANOKA
BUSH CAMP
CHITABE LEDIBA

5 Wilderness Safaris
OUR BOTSWANA CONCESSIONS
CENTRAL KALAhARI GAME RESERVE
In the northern plains of the Central Kalahari
game Reserve, sweeping vistas and acacia
savannah mosaics direct the landscape and
hold significant populations of large predators
such as lion, cheetah and brown hyaena. KALAHARI PLAINS CAMP

Herbivore aggregations include impressive

herds of springbok and gemsbok as well as red
hartebeest, wildebeest and eland. The plains
game populations move seasonally between
CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE
dune and valley: in summer, the verdant (CKGR)
flatlands are a thriving wildlife mosaic, whilst in
winter a series of ecologically-placed waterholes
enhance game viewing. Over 220 bird species
include significant populations of regionally
threatened and arid-west endemic species
including memorable species like crimson-
breasted shrike, violet-eared waxbill, double-
banded courser and southern pied babbler.
CAMPS: KALAHARI PLAInS CAMP

ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE
VICTORIA FALLS (LIVINGSTONE) ZAMBIA
One of the Seven natural Wonders of the
World, Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi- THE RIVER CLUB

oa-Tunya
MOSI-OA-TUNYA
the Smoke that Thunders a name that NATIONAL PARK
accurately depicts the plume of spray, visible TOKA LEYA LIVINGSTONE
for some distance, caused by the cascading
waters of the Zambezi River. This is an area
ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK
of spectacular scenic beauty: from the Falls
themselves to the broad, picturesque course
of the Zambezi River upstream. Wildlife also ZIMBABWE
abounds in the area, particularly during the dry
season, and can be viewed while boating on the
river or on game drives in the Mosi-oa-Tunya
VICTORIA FALLS
national Park upstream of the Falls.
CAMPS: TOKA LEYA CAMP, THE RIVER CLuB

Wilderness Safaris 6
QUICK BIRD FAMILY INDEX
Apalis..................................................................25
Avocet ................................................................20
Babblers.............................................................25
Barbets...............................................................16
Batises................................................................23
Bee-eaters ........................................................17
Bishops ..............................................................27
Bitterns ..............................................................22
Boubous ............................................................23
Bulbuls, Greenbuls, Brownbuls ..................24
Buntings ............................................................28
Bustards.............................................................19
Buttonquail ......................................................16
Buzzards ............................................................21
Canaries.............................................................28
Camaroptera ...................................................25
Chats ..................................................................25
Cisticolas (incl. Neddicky)...........................22
Cormorants ......................................................22
Coucals ..............................................................17
Coot ....................................................................19
Coursers.............................................................20
Crakes ................................................................19
Cranes ................................................................19
Crombecs..........................................................24
Crows/Raven ...................................................23
Cuckoos.............................................................17
Cuckooshrikes .................................................24
Darter.................................................................22
Doves .................................................................19
Drongo...............................................................23
Ducks/Geese....................................................16
Eagles .................................................................21
Egrets .................................................................22
Eremomelas .....................................................25
Falcons...............................................................22
Finches...............................................................27
Firefinches ........................................................27
Finfoot ...............................................................19
Flamingos .........................................................22
Flufftails ............................................................19
Flycatchers/Monarch............................ 23, 25
Francolins/Spurfowls ....................................16
Gallinule ............................................................19
Grebe..................................................................22
Greenshank ......................................................19
Go-away-Bird ..................................................18
Godwit...............................................................19 Redshank...........................................................19
Goshawks .........................................................21
Guineafowl.......................................................16
Gulls....................................................................20
Hamerkop.........................................................22
Harriers..............................................................21
Hawks ................................................................21
Helmetshrikes .................................................23
Herons ...............................................................22
Hobby ................................................................22
Honeyguides/Honeybirds ...........................16
Hoopoes............................................................17
Hornbills............................................................17
Indigobirds........................................................27
Ibises...................................................................22
Jacanas...............................................................20
Kestrels ..............................................................22
Kingfishers........................................................17
Kites....................................................................21
Korhaans ...........................................................19
Larks ...................................................................25
Mannikin ...........................................................27
Martins ..............................................................24
Moorhen ...........................................................19
Mousebirds.......................................................17
Nightingale ......................................................25
Nightjars ...........................................................18
Orioles ...............................................................23
Osprey ...............................................................20
Ostrich...............................................................16
Owls ...................................................................18
Oxpeckers.........................................................26
Parrots................................................................18
Pelicans..............................................................23
Penduline-tits..................................................24
Petronia .............................................................27
Pigeons ..............................................................19
Pipits/Longclaw ..............................................27
Plovers/Lapwings ...........................................2
0
Pratincoles........................................................20
Prinias.................................................................25
Pytilia .................................................................27
Quails.................................................................16
Quailfinch.........................................................27
Quelea ...............................................................27
Rail ......................................................................19
Raptors ..............................................................21
7 Wilderness Safaris
Robins ................................................................25
Rollers ................................................................17
Ruff .....................................................................20
Sandgrouse.......................................................19
Sandpiper..........................................................19
Scrub-robins.....................................................26
Secretarybird ...................................................21
Shorebirds.........................................................19
Shrikes/Bushshrikes/Brubru/Puffback.....2
3Skimmer............................................................20
Snipe...................................................................19
Sparrows ...........................................................27
Sparrowhawks.................................................21
Sparrowlarks ....................................................25
Spoonbill ...........................................................22
Starlings ............................................................26
Stilt .....................................................................20
Stint ....................................................................20
Storks/Openbill ..............................................23
Sunbirds.............................................................26
Swallows ...........................................................24
Swamphen........................................................19
Swifts/Spinetails ............................................18
Tchagras ............................................................23
Terns ...................................................................20
Thick-knees ......................................................20
Thrushes............................................................25
Tit-babbler........................................................25
Tits ......................................................................24
Trogons ..............................................................17
Turacos ..............................................................18
Turnstone..........................................................20
Vultures .............................................................21
Waders...............................................................19
Wagtails ............................................................27
Warblers............................................................24
Waxbills.............................................................27
Weavers.............................................................26
Wheatear..........................................................26
White-eyes.......................................................25
Widowbird........................................................26
Whydahs...........................................................27
Wood-Hoopoes ..............................................17
Woodpeckers...................................................16
TIPS FOR WILDLIFE VIEWING

Binoculars are essential particularly for observing birds and smaller mammal species. When larger animals
are spotted at a distance, binoculars will enhance the enjoyment of those particular sightings.

Patience is a good virtue for wildlife viewing. Spend a little more time at each sighting and quietly observe
fascinating behavioural traits coming to the fore.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to be out looking for wildlife. This is the golden hour for
photography and animal activity peaks, with nocturnal species (e.g., leopard) often still active.

during the heat of the day many animals will drink at waterholes (e.g., elephant, zebra), making this a good
time to be there.

night drives (where available) can also be rewarding for nocturnal mammals such as genets, bushbabies,
white-tailed mongoose and brown hyaena.

Best months for birdwatching are december to April when resident birds are most active and intra-African and
Palaearctic migratory species are in the subregion.

hOW TO USE ThESE ChECKLISTS

The checklist presented does not cover the entire country, but rather is a comprehensive list for
our concessions.

The oval circle indicates that the species is present for a given locality.

The detailed species lists have been grouped taxonomically by family and by Wilderness Safaris concessions
in Botswana and the Livingstone (Victoria Falls) area.

A number of species are migratory (e.g., birds) or may hibernate (e.g., snakes and frogs) during the southern
African winter, so they may not be seen during your visit.

Endemic/near-Endemic species and subspecies are highlighted with an asterisk.

The botanical diversity of Botswana is significant and beyond the practical realms of this checklist, and has
thus been omitted. The guides on your trip are knowledgeable in the local flora, will have the necessary field
guides, and will certainly point out any trees, shrubs and flowers that may be of interest or in bloom on your
safari.

All new records will be gratefully received (supporting image a bonus); please email crt@wilderness.co.za
with new Species Record in the subject line.

Wilderness Safaris 8
RECOMMENDED FIELD GUIDES

SMIThERS MAMMALS OF SOUThERN AFRICA: A FIELD GUIDE

Peter Apps. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781868725502
Concise, informative guide on the mammal species found in southern Africa.

ThE KINGDON POCKET GUIDE TO AFRICAN MAMMALS

Jonathan Kingdon. Princeton University Press. ISBN: 9780713669817
Compact and beautifully illustrated, it is ideal for use in the field, while its coverage is the most comprehensive
for any book of its size.

SASOL BIRDS OF SOUThERN AFRICA 4th EDITION

Ian Sinclair; Phil Hockey; Warwick Tarboton. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 978 1 77007 925 0
The all-in-one guide to the birds of southern Africa.

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ThE FROGS OF SOUThERN AFRICA

Vincent Carruthers and Louis Du Preez. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781770074460
This guide offers the most authoritative and comprehensive treatment of frogs of the region.

A GUIDE TO ThE REPTILES OF SOUThERN AFRICA

Johan Marais and Graham Alexander. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781770073869
This well-illustrated guide introduces the 517 species currently described in the region, arranged into three main
groups: snakes and lizards, crocodiles, and shelled reptiles.

ChECKLIST KEY
BOTS Botswana
LIn/SEL Linyanti and Selinda Concession
KWE Kwedi Concession
MOM Mombo Concession
XIg Xigera Concession
JAO Jao Concession
ABu Abu Concession
CHIT Chitabe Concession
KHW Khwai Concession
CKgR Central Kalahari Concession
LIV Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

* Southern African endemic or near-endemic species

9 Wilderness Safaris
 Honey Badger Cape Buffalo

SITaTunga

CHeeTaH

VerVeT MonKey

CoMMon WarTHog

Wilderness Safaris 10
MAMMALS

Botswana is one of Africas success stories, in which vast tracts of wilderness found here are formally conserved:
45% of the country has been set aside as national parks and wildlife reserves. This sets the stage for one of the
top mammal viewing destinations in Africa. 147 species of mammals have been recorded.

The Okavango delta is home to aquatic-specialist antelope like red lechwe and sitatunga and supports a high
density of mammals. Elephant and buffalo occur here in large herds, as do tsessebe. White and black rhino, once
extinct in northern Botswana, have been reintroduced to the central regions of Moremi game Reserve. Botswana
also hosts one of Africas largest wild dog populations, a critically endangered carnivore, as well as lion,
cheetah, spotted hyaena and leopard. In Botswana the chances of seeing rare species such as the elusive
pangolin, honey badger or aardwolf are also relatively good. In contrast, the Central Kalahari hosts a very
different montage of mammals, such as gemsbok, springbok, meerkat, brown hyaena, bat-eared and Cape fox.
Roan and sable antelope prefer the broad-leafed woodland mosaic of the Linyanti and areas north of the
Okavango.

The Mosi-oa-Tunya national Park near Victoria Falls offers excellent sightings of buffalo, giraffe, zebra,
wildebeest, impala and even white rhino. Elephant can also often be seen swimming across the Zambezi River
here.

afrICan WIld dog SaBle

Banded MongooSe

SurICaTe (MeerKaT)

oryX/SprIngBoK Herd

COMMOn nAME
SHREWS
Swamp Musk Shrew
Lesser Red Musk Shrew
Reddish-grey Musk Shrew
greater dwarf Shrew
ELEPHAnT SHREWS
Short-snouted Elephant-shrew
BATS
Peterss Epauletted Fruit Bat
Mauritian Tomb Bat
Sundevalls Leaf-nosed Bat
Commersons Leaf-nosed Bat
Egyptian Slit-faced Bat
Hildebrandts Horseshoe Bat
Ruppells Horseshoe Bat
darlings Horseshoe Bat
dents Horseshoe Bat
Rusty Bat
Cape Serotine Bat
Banana Bat
Ruppells Bat
Butterfly Bat
Botswana Long-eared Bat
Schleiffens Bat
Yellow House Bat
Lesser Yellow House Bat
Egyptian Free-tailed Bat
Angolan Free-tailed Bat
Midas Free-tailed Bat
Little Free-tailed Bat
Schreibers Long-fingered Bat
PRIMATES
Chacma Baboon
Vervet Monkey
Lesser Bushbaby
PAngOLInS
Pangolin
HARES
Scrub Hare
ROdEnTS, SquIRRELS And gERBILS
*South African ground Squirrel
Tree (Smiths Bush) Squirrel
Woodland dormouse
Springhare
damara Molerat
Porcupine
greater Cane Rat
Wilderness Safaris
11 Wilderness Safaris
SCIEnTIFIC nAME
SORICOMORPHA
Crocidura mariquensis
Crocidura hirta
Crocidura cyanea
Suncus lixus
MACROSCELIdEA
Elephantulus brachyrhynchus
CHIROPTERA
Epomophorus crypturus
Taphozous mauritianus
Hipposideros caffer
Hipposideros commersoni
Nycteris thebaica
Rhinolophus hildebrandti
Rhinolophus fumigatus
Rhinolophus darlingi
Rhinolophus denti
Pipistrellus rusticus
Neoromicia capensis
Neoromicia nanus
Pipistrellus rueppellii
Glauconycteris variegata
Laephotis botswanae
Nycticeius schleiffenii
Scotophilus dinganii
Scotophilus borbonicus
Tadarida aegyptiaca
Tadarida condylura
Tadarida midas
Tadarida pumila
Miniopterus schreibersii
PRIMATES
Papio ursinus
Cercopithecus aethiops
Galago moholi
PHOLIdOTA
Smutsia temminckii
LAgOMORPHA
Lepus saxatilis
ROdEnTIA
Xerus inauris
Paraxerus cepapi
Graphiurus murinus
Pedetes capensis
Cryptomys damarensis
Hystrix africaeaustralis
Thryonomys swinderianus
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Woosnams Broad-headed Zelotomys woosnami
South African Pouched Saccostomus campestris
Fat Mouse Steatomys pratensis
Tiny Fat Mouse Steatomys parvus
grey Climbing Mouse Dendromus melanotis
Brants Climbing Mouse Dendromus mesomelas
*Cape Short-tailed gerbil Desmodillus auricularis
*Hairy-footed gerbil Gerbillurus paeba
Bushveld gerbil Gerbilliscus leucogaster
*Highveld gerbil Gerbilliscus brantsii
Red Rock Rat Aethomys chrysophilus
African Marsh Rat Dasymus incomtus
Four-striped (grass) Rhabdomys pumilio
Single-striped Mouse Lemniscomys rosalia
desert Pygmy Mouse Mus indutus
Pygmy Mouse Mus minutoides
Acacia Rat Thallomys paedulcus
groove-toothed Swamp Pelomys fallax
Multimammate Mouse Mastomys coucha
Angoni Vlei Rat Otomys angoniensis
CARnIVORES CARnIVORA
*Cape Fox Vulpes chama
Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis
Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas
Side-striped Jackal Canis adustus
Wild dog Lycaon pictus
Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
Spotted-necked Otter Lutra maculicollis
Honey Badger Mellivora capensis
Striped Weasel Poecilogale albinucha
Striped Polecat Ictonyx striatus
Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo
Selouss Mongoose Paracynictis selousi
Large grey (Egyptian) Herpestes ichneumon
Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea
Marsh (Water) Mongoose Atilax paludinosus
dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula
White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda
Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
*Suricate Suricata suricatta
Small-spotted genet Genetta genetta
Large-spotted genet Genetta tigrina
African Civet Civettictis civetta
Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
Brown Hyaena Hyaena brunnea
Aardwolf Proteles cristatus
African Wild Cat Felis lybica
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Small Spotted Cat Felis nigripes
Serval Leptailurus serval
Caracal Caracal caracal
Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus
Lion Panthera leo
Leopard Panthera pardus
AARdVARK TuBuLIdEnTATA
Aardvark Orycteropus afer
ELEPHAnTS PROBOSCIdEA
African Elephant Loxodonta africana
Odd-TOEd unguLATES PERISSOdACTYLA
Plains (Burchells) Zebra Equus quagga burchellii
Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis
White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum
WARTHOg ARTIOdACTYLA: SuIFORMES
Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus
HIPPOPOTAMuS ARTIOdACTYLA: WHIPPOMORPHA
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius
gIRAFFE, BuFFALO, AnTELOPE ARTIOdACTYLA: RuMInAnTIA
Southern giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis
Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer caffer
Eland Taurotragus oryx
greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekei
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Roan Hippotragus equinus
Sable Hippotragus niger
gemsbok Oryx gazella
Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Red Lechwe Kobus leche
Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus taurinus
Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama
Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus
Common Impala Aepyceros melampus melampus
Springbok Antidorcas marsuplialis
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
Common (grey) duiker Sylvicapra grimmia

Wilderness Safaris 14
BIRDS

Thanks to its mosaic of habitat types, Botswana is a superb birding locale with incredible diversity of 593 species.
At the forefront must be the Okavango delta, which has the richest avifauna of 464 species and is home to the
hallowed Pels fishing-owl, African skimmer and important populations of endangered bird species such as
southern ground hornbill and wattled crane. More conspicuous and commonly seen are papyrus swamp specialists
like coppery-tailed coucal, brown firefinch, greater swamp warbler, chirping cisticola, swamp nightjar and western
banded snake-eagle. Further, Botswana has two near-endemic species: the slaty egret, which has approximately
85% of its population restricted to the delta, and the short-clawed lark, which has more than 90% of its global
population in south-eastern Botswana.

In the mopane woodlands of the Linyanti, the likes of Arnots chat, Bradfields hornbill and coqui francolin can
be found. The Central Kalahari offers a bird community more akin to the arid west regions of the subregion and
thus has a higher rate of endemism and is not to be missed on a comprehensive Botswana birding safari. Species
here include violet-eared waxbill, shaft-tailed whydah, barred wren-warbler, northern black korhaan, double-
banded courser, secretarybird, ostrich, crimson-breasted shrike, Kalahari scrub-robin, kori bustard, Lanner
falcon and namaqua sandgrouse.

The Zambezi River where it intersects with the Mosi-oa-Tunya national Park is good for African finfoot, half-
collared kingfisher, Schalows turaco and rock pratincole.

* Please refer to page 7 for the handy alphabetical quick bird family index
CrIMSon-BreaSTed SHrIKe SCaly-feaTHered fInCH

SlaTy egreT
WaTTled Crane

afrICan SKIMMer

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OSTRICHES STRuTHIOnIdAE
Common Ostrich Struthio camelus v v v v v v v v v
FOWL And ALLIES PHASIAnIdAE
Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui v v v
Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena v v v v v v v v v v
Shelleys Francolin Scleroptila shelleyi v
*Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus v v v v v v v v v v
natal Spurfowl Pternistes natalensis v
Swainsons Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii v v v v v v v v v v
Common quail Coturnix coturnix v v v v v v v
Harlequin quail Coturnix delegorguei v v v v v v v v v
Blue quail Coturnix adansonii v
guInEAFOWL nuMIdIdAE
Helmeted guineafowl Numida meleagris v v v v v v v v v
Crested guineafowl Guttera edouardi v
duCKS And gEESE AnATIdAE
Fulvous duck Dendrocygna bicolor v v v v v v v v v v
White-faced duck Dendrocygna viduata v v v v v v v v v v
White-backed duck Thalassornis leuconotus v v v v v v v
Egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiaca v v v v v v v v v v
Spur-winged goose Plectropterus gambensis v v v v v v v v v v
Knob-billed duck Sarkidiornis melanotos v v v v v v v v v v
African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus v v v v v v v v v v
Cape Teal Anas capensis v
African Black duck Anas sparsa v
Yellow-billed duck Anas undulata v v v v v v v v v v
Cape Shoveller Anas smithii v
Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha v v v v v v v v v
Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota v v v v v v v v v
Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma v v v v v v v v
BuTTOnquAIL TuRnICIdAE
Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus v v v v v v v v v v v
HOnEYguIdES And HOnEYBIRdS IndICATORIdAE
greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator v v v v v v v v v v
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor v v v v v v v v v v
Brown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus v v v
WOOdPECKERS PICIdAE
Bennetts Woodpecker Campethera bennettii v v v v v v v v v v
golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni v v v v v v v v v v
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens v v v v v v v v v v
Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus v v v v v v v v v v
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus v
AFRICAn BARBETS LYBIIdAE
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus v v v v v v v v v v
*Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas v v v v v v v v
Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus v v v v v v v v v v
Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii v v v v v v v v v v
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HORnBILLS BuCEROTIdAE
Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus v v v v v v v v v v
*Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas v v v v v v v v v v v
 Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus v
*Bradfields Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi v v v v v v v v v v
African grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus v v v v v v v v v v
Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator v
gROund HORnBILLS BuCORVIdAE
Southern ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri v v v v v v v v v v
HOOPOES uPuPIdAE
African Hoopoe Upupa africana v v v v v v v v v v v
WOOd-HOOPOES PHOEnICuLIdAE
green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus v v v v v v v v v v
Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas v v v v v v v v v v v
TROgOnS TROgOnIdAE
narina Trogon Apaloderma narina v v v v v
ROLLERS CORACIIdAE
European Roller Coracias garrulus v v v v v v v v v v v
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus v v v v v v v v v v v
Racket-tailed Roller Coracias spatulatus v v v
Purple Roller Coracias naevius v v v v v v v v v v
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus v v v v v v v v v
KIngFISHERS ALCEdInIdAE
Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata v
Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata v v v v v v v v v v
African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta v v v v v v v v v v
grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala v v v v v v v v v v
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v
Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris v v v v v v v v v v
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti v v v v v v v v v v
giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus v v v v v v v v v v
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis v v v v v v v v v v
BEE-EATERS MEROPIdAE
White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides v v v v v v v v v v
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus v v v v v v v v v v
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus v v v v v v v v v v v
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus v v v v v v v v v v
Olive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus v
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster v v v v v v v v v v v
Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides v v v v v v v v v v
MOuSEBIRdS COLIIdAE
Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus v v v v v v v v v v v
CuCKOOS And COuCALS CuCuLIdAE
Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus v v v v v v v v v v v
Levaillants Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii v v v v v v v v v v v
great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius v v v v v v v v v v v
Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti v v v
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Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius v v v v v v v v v v

Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus v v v v v v v v v v
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus v v v v v v v v v v
African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis v v v v v v v v v v
Klaass Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas v v v v v v v v v v
African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus v v v
diderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius v v v v v v v v v v v
Black Coucal Centropus grillii v v v v v v v v v
Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus v v v v v v v v v v
Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus v v v v v v v v v v
PARROTS And LOVEBIRdS PSITTACIdAE
grey-headed Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis v
Meyers Parrot Poicephalus meyeri v v v v v v v v v v
SWIFTS And SPInETAILS APOdIdAE
Bhms Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi v v
African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus v v v v v v v v v v
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba v v v
Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis v
Common Swift Apus apus v v v v v v v
African Black Swift Apus barbatus v
Little Swift Apus affinis v
Horus Swift Apus horus v
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer v
TuRACOS And gO-AWAY-BIRdS MuSOPHAgIdAE
Schalows Turaco Tauraco schalowi v v v
grey go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor v v v v v v v v v v v
BARn OWLS TYTOnIdAE
Barn Owl Tyto alba v v v v v v v v
OWLS STRIgIdAE
African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v
Southern White-faced Scops-Owl Ptilopsis granti v v v v v v v v v v
Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus v v v v v v v
Verreauxs Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus v v v v v v v v v v
Pels Fishing-Owl Scotopelia peli v v v v v v v v v
African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii v v v v v v
Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum v v v v v v v v v
African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense v v v v v v v v
Marsh Owl Asio capensis v v v v v v v v
nIgHTJARS CAPRIMuLgIdAE
Fiery-necked nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis v v v v v v v v v v
Freckled nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma v
Swamp nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis v v v v v v v
Square-tailed nightjar Caprimulgus fossii v v v v v v v v
Rufous-cheeked nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena v v v v v
European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus v v v v v v
Pennant-winged nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius v v v
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PIgEOnS And dOVES COLuMBIdAE

Rock dove Columba livia v
Laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v v
African Mourning dove Streptopelia decipiens v v v v v v v v v
Cape Turtle-dove Streptopelia capicola v v v v v v v v v v v
Red-eyed dove Streptopelia semitorquata v v v v v v v v v v
Emerald-spotted Wood-dove Turtur chalcospilos v v v v v v v v v v
namaqua dove Oena capensis v v v v v v v v v v
African green-Pigeon Treron calvus v v v v v v v v v v
 BuSTARdS And KORHAAnS OTIdIdAE
denhams Bustard Neotis denhami v v v
Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori v v v v v v v
*Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista v v v v v v v v
*northern Black Korhaan Afrotis afraoides v v
Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster v v v v v v
CRAnES gRuIdAE
grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum v v v v
Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus v v v v v v v v v
FInFOOTS HELIORnITHIdAE
African Finfoot Podica senegalensis v
RAILS, CRAKES And COOTS RALLIdAE
African Rail Rallus caerulescens v v v v v
African Crake Crecopsis egregia v v v v v v v v v v
Corn Crake Crex crex v v v v
Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris v v v v v v v v v v
Baillons Crake Porzana pusilla v v v v
African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis v v v v v v
Allens gallinule Porphyrio alleni v v v v v v v v v
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus v v v v v v v v v v
Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata v v v v v v v v v v
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata v
FLuFFTAILS SAROTHRuRIdAE
Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa v v v
SAndgROuSE PTEROCLIdIdAE
*namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua v v v v
*double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus v v v v v v v v v v
*Burchells Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli v v v v v v v v
WAdERS,SAndPIPERS And SnIPES SCOLOPACIdAE
great Snipe Gallinago media v v v v
African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis v v v v v v v
Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa v v v v v
Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica v
Common Redshank Tringa totanus v v v
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis v v v v v v v v v
Common greenshank Tringa nebularia v v v v v v v v v v v
green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus v
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola v v v v v v v v v v v
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Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos v v v v v v v v v

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres v v v v v
Sanderling Calidris alba v
Little Stint Calidris minuta v v v v v
Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos v v
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea v v v v
Ruff Philomachus pugnax v v v v v v v v v v
PAInTEd-SnIPES ROSTRATuLIdAE
greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis v v v v v v v v v
JACAnAS JACAnIdAE
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus v v v v v v v v v v
Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis v v v v v v v v v
THICK-KnEES BuRHInIdAE
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus v v v v v v v v v v
Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis v v v v v v v v v v
STILTS And AVOCETS RECuRVIROSTRIdAE
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus v v v v v v v v v v
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta v v v v v v v v
PLOVERS And LAPWIngS CHARAdRIIdAE
grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola v v v
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula v v v v v
Kittlitzs Plover Charadrius pecuarius v v v v v v v v
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris v v v v v v v v v v
Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus v v v
White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus v
Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus v v v
Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris v v v v v v v v v v
Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus v v v v v v v v v v v
White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps v
African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus v v v v v v v v v
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus v v v v v v v v v v v
COuRSERS And PRATInCOLES gLAREOLIdAE
double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus v v v
Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus v v v v v v
Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus v v v v
Temmincks Courser Cursorius temminckii v v v v v v v v
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola v v v v v v v v v v
Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni v v v v v
Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis v
guLLS, TERnS And SKIMMERS LARIdAE
African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris v v v v v v v
Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus v v v
grey-headed gull Larus cirrocephalus v v v v v
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida v v v v v v v v v
White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus v v v v v v v
OSPREYS PAndIOnIdAE
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus v v v v
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KITES, HAWKS And EAgLES ACCIPITRIdAE

African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides v v v v v
European Honey-Buzzard Pernis apivorus v v v v v v
Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus v v v v v v v v v v
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus v v v v v v v v v v v
Black Kite Milvus migrans v v v v v v v v v v v
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius v v v v v v v v v v v
African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer v v v v v v v v v v
Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis v v
Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus v v v v v v v v v v v
White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus v v v v v v v v v v v
Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres v v v
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus v v v v v v v v v v v
White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis v v v v v v v v v
Black-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis v v v v v v v v v v
 Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus v v v v v v v v v v v
Western Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens v v v v v v v v
Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus v v v v v v v v v v v
African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus v v v v v v v v v
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus v v v v v v
Montagus Harrier Circus pygargus v v v v
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus v v v v v v v v v v
Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus v v v v v v v v v v
dark Chanting goshawk Melierax metabates v v v v
*Southern Pale Chanting goshawk Melierax canorus v v
gabar goshawk Melierax gabar v v v v v v v v v v v
African goshawk Accipiter tachiro v
Shikra Accipiter badius v v v v v v v v v v v
Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus v v v v v v v v
Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis v v v v v v
Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus v
Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus v v v v v v v v v v v
Augur Buzzard Buteo augur v v v
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis v v v v v v v v v v
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax v v v v v v v v v v v
Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina v v v v v v v v v v
Verreauxs Eagle Aquila verreauxii v
African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster v v v v v v v v v
Ayress Hawk-Eagle Aquila ayresii v v v v v v
Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus v v v
Wahlbergs Eagle Aquila wahlbergi v v v v v v v v v
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus v v v v v v v v v v
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis v v v v v v v
African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus v
SECRETARYBIRd SAgITTARIIdAE
Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius v v v v v v v v

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KESTRELS And FALCOnS FALCOnIdAE

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni v v v v v
Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus v
greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides v v v v
dickinsons Kestrel Falco dickinsoni v v v v v v v v
Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera v v v v v v v v v v
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus v v v v v v
Amur Falcon Falco amurensis v v v v v v v
Sooty Falcon Falco concolor v
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo v v v v v v v v v v
African Hobby Falco cuvierii v v v
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus v v v v v v v
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus v v v
Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha v
gREBES POdICIPEdIdAE
Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis v v v v v v v v v v
dARTERS AnHIngIdAE
African darter Anhinga rufa v v v v v v v v v v
CORMORAnTS PHALACROCORACIdAE
Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus v v v v v v v v v v
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus v v v v v v v
EgRETS, HEROnS And BITTERnS ARdEIdAE
*Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula v v v v v v v v v v
Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca v v v v v v v v v v
Little Egret Egretta garzetta v v v v v v v v v v
Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia v v v v v v v v v v
great (White) Egret Egretta alba v v v v v v v v v v
grey Heron Ardea cinerea v v v v v v v v v v
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala v v v v v v v v v v
goliath Heron Ardea goliath v v v v v v v v v
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea v v v v v v v v v v
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis v v v v v v v v v v v
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides v v v v v v v v v v
Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris v v v v v v v v v v
green-backed Heron Butorides striata v v v v v v v v v v
Black-crowned night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax v v v v v v v v v v
White-backed night-Heron Gorsachius leuconotus v v v v v
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus v v v v v v v v
dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii v v v v v v v v v v
HAMERKOP SCOPIdAE
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta v v v v v v v v v v
FLAMIngOS PHOEnICOPTERIdAE
greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber v v v
Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor v
IBISES And SPOOnBILLS THRESKIORnITHIdAE
glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus v v v v v v v v v v
Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash v v v v v v v v v v
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African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus v v v v v v v v v v
African Spoonbill Platalea alba v v v v v v v v v v
PELICAnS PELECAnIdAE
great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus v v v v v v v v
Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens v v v v v v v v
STORKS CICOnIIdAE
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis v v v v v v v v v v
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus v v v v v v v v v v
Black Stork Ciconia nigra v v v
Abdims Stork Ciconia abdimii v v v v v v v v v v v
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus v v v v v v v v v v
White Stork Ciconia ciconia v v v v v v v v v v v
Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus v v v v v v v v v v v
ORIOLES ORIOLIdAE
Eurasian golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus v v v v v v v v v v
African golden Oriole Oriolus auratus v v v v v v v v v v
Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus v v v v v v v v v v
dROngOS dICRuRIdAE
Fork-tailed drongo Dicrurus adsimilis v v v v v v v v v v v
MOnARCHS MOnARCHIdAE
 African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis v v v v v v v v v v
BuSHSHRIKES, BOuBOuS & TCHAgRAS MALACOnOTIdAE
Brubru Nilaus afer v v v v v v v v v v v
Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla v v v v v v v v v v
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus v v v v v v v v v v
Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis v v v v v v v v v v v
Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus v
Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor v v v v v v v v v
*Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus v v v v v v v v v v
Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike Telophorus sulfureopectus v v v v v v v v v v
grey-headed Bush-Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti v v v v v v v
SHRIKES LAnIIdAE
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio v v v v v v v v v v v
Lesser grey Shrike Lanius minor v v v v v v v v v v v
Common Fiscal Lanius collaris v v v
Magpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca v v v v v v v v v v
*Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens v v v v v v v
HELMETSHRIKES PRIOnOPIdAE
White-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus v v v v v v v v v
Retzs Helmet-Shrike Prionops retzii v v v v v v v
WATTLE-EYES And BATISES PLATYSTEIRIdAE
Chinspot Batis Batis molitor v v v v v v v v v v
*Pririt Batis Batis pririt v v
CROWS And RAVEnS CORVIdAE
Cape Crow Corvus capensis v v
Pied Crow Corvus albus v v v v v v
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White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis v
CuCKOOSHRIKES CAMPEPHAgIdAE
White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis v v v v
Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava v v v v v v v v v v
PEnduLInE TITS REMIZIdAE
*Cape Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus minutus v v v
grey Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus coroli v v v v v v v
TITS PARIdAE
*Southern Black Tit Parus niger v v v v v v v v v v
*Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens v v
SWALLOWS And MARTInS HIRundInIdAE
Sand Martin Riparia riparia v v v v v v v v v v v
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola v v v v v
Banded Martin Riparia cincta v v v v v v v
grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga v v v v v v v v
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica v v v v v v v v v v v
White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis v v v v
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii v v v v v v v
Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata v v v v v v v v v
greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata v
Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica v v v v v v v v v v
Red-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa v v v v v v v v v v
Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis v v v
Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula v
Common House-Martin Delichon urbicum v
BuLBuLS And gREEnBuLS PYCnOnOTIdAE
dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor v v v v v v v v v v
*African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans v v v v v v v v v
Yellow-bellied greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris v v v v v
Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris v v v v v v v v
gRASS WARBLERS And CROMBECS MACROSPHEnIdAE
Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens v v v v v v v v v v
REEd WARBLERS And ALLIES ACROCEPHALIdAE
River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis v
Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala v v v v v v v
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus v
Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus v
African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus v v v v v v
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris v v
great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus v v v v v v
greater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens v v v v v
Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris v v v v v v
Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum v v v v
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina v v v v v v v v v v v
LEAF WARBLERS And ALLIES ACROCEPHALIdAE
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus v v v v v v v v v v v

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SYLVIId WARBLERS SYLVIIdAE
garden Warbler Sylvia borin v v v v v v v v v v
Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis v v v v v v
*Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Sylvia subcaeruleum v v v v v v v v
BABBLERS TIMALIIdAE
Hartlaubs Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii v v v v v v v v v
*Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor v v v v v v v
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii v v v v v v v v v v
WHITE-EYES ZOSTEROPIdAE
African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis v v v v v v v
CISTICOLAS And ALLIES CISTICOLIdAE
Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops v
Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans v
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana v v v v v v v v
Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus v v v
Luapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula v v v v v v v
Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens v v v v v v
neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla v v v v v v
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis v v v v v v v v v
desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus v v v v v v v
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava v v v v v v v v v v
*Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans v v v v
grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata v v v v v v v v v
*Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus v v v
Stierlings Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi v v
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida v v v v v v v v v v
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis v v v v v v
 green-capped Eremomela
Burnt-necked Eremomela
LARKS
Monotonous Lark
Rufous-naped Lark
Flappet Lark
*Eastern Clapper Lark
*Sabota Lark
Fawn-coloured Lark
dusky Lark
*Spike-heeled Lark
Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark
*grey-backed Sparrowlark
Red-capped Lark
THRuSHES
groundscraper Thrush
Kurrichane Thrush
ROBInS, CHATS And
OLd WORLd FLYCATCHERS
White-browed Robin-Chat
Red-capped Robin-Chat
Eremomela scotops v v v v
Eremomela usticollis v v v v v v
ALAudIdAE
Mirafra passerina v
Mirafra africana v v v v v v v v
Mirafra rufocinnamomea v v v v
Mirafra fasciolata v v
Calendulauda sabota v v v v v
Calendulauda africanoides v v v v v
Pinarocorys nigricans v v v v v
Chersomanes albofasciata v v
Eremopterix leucotis v v v v v v
Eremopterix verticalis v v v v v v
Calandrella cinerea v v v v v v v
TuRdIdAE
Psophocichla litsitsirupa v v v v v v v v v v
Turdus libonyanus v v v v v v v
MuSCICAPIdAE
Cossypha heuglini v v v v v v v v
Cossypha natalensis v
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Collared Palm-Thrush Cichladusa arquata v v v v
Eastern Bearded Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata v
White-browed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys v v v v v v v v v v
*Kalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena v v v v v
African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus v v v v v v v
Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata v v v v v v v
Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris v
*Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora v v v v
Arnots Chat Myrmecocichla arnoti v v v v v
Mocking Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris v
Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus v v v
*Chat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus v v
*Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis v v v v v v v
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina v v v v v v v v
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata v v v v v v v v v v v
Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens v v v v v v v v v v
grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus v v v v v v v v v v
Thrush nightingale Luscinia luscinia v
STARLIngS STuRnIdAE
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio v
Miombo Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis elisabeth v
*Cape glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens v v v v v v v v v v
greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus v v v v v v v v v
*Burchells Starling Lamprotornis australis v v v v v v v v v
*Mevess Starling Lamprotornis mevesii v v v v v v v v v
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster v v v v v v v v v v
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea v v v v v v v v v v v
OXPECKERS BuPHAgIdAE
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus v v v v v v v v v v
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus v v v v v v v v v v
SunBIRdS nECTARInIIdAE
Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina v
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis v v v v v v v v
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris v v v v v v
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus v
White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala v v v v v v v v v v
Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus v
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis v v v v v v v v v
Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus v
WEAVERS And WIdOWBIRdS PLOCEIdAE
Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger v v v v v v v v v
*Scaly-feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons v v v v v v v
Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius v v v v v v v v v v v
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis v v v v
golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops v v v v v v v v v v
Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus v v v v v
Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus v v v v v v v v v v v
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Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus v v v v v v v
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes melanotis v v v v v v v v
Red-billed quelea Quelea quelea v v v v v v v v v v v
Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer v v v v v
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix v v v v v v
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis v
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris v v v v v v v
White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus v v v v
Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons v v v v
WAXBILLS And ALLIES ESTRILdIdAE
Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava v v v v
African quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis v v v v v v v v v v
Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata v
Black-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos v v v v v v v v
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild v v v v v v v v
*Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina v v v v v v
Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis v v v v v v v v v v v
Red-throated Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus v
green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba v v v v v v v v v
Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra v
*Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala v v
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala v v v v v v v v v v
Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula v v v v v v v v
Jamesons Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia v v v v v v v v v v
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus v v v
Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides v
IndIgOBIRdS And WHYdAHS VIduIdAE
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura v v v v v v v v v v
Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah Vidua obtusa v
Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea v v v v v v v v v v
*Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia v v v v v v
Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata v v v v v v v v v v
Purple Indigobird Vidua purpurascens v v v v v v v v v
Cuckoo Finch Anomalospiza imberbis v
OLd WORLd SPARROWS PASSERIdAE
northern grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus v
Southern grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus v v v v v v v v v v v
Yellow-throated Petronia Petronia superciliaris v v v v
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali v v v v v v v v
WAgTAILS, LOngCLAWS And PIPITS MOTACILLIdAE
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp v v v v v v v v v v
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis v v v v v v
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava v v v v v v
Rosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae v v v v
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus v v v v v v v v v v v
Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris v
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys v v v v v v v
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Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis v v v v v v v v v
CAnARIES And SEEdEATERS FRIngILLIdAE
Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambicus v v v v v v v v v
Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis v v v v
*Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris v v
BunTIngS EMBERIZIdAE
*Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani v v v v
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi v
golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris v v v v v v v v v

WHITe-Headed VulTure long-Toed lapWIng

red-CreSTed KorHaan WHITe-BroWed roBIn-CHaT

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REPTILES

Botswanas generally dry and hot conditions are perfect for a varied reptilian fauna of over 130 species. These
range from the approximately 72 recorded snake species, most of which are non-venomous, to other fascinating
reptile groups that include skinks, sand lizards, geckos, chameleons and agamas. The Okavango delta itself
is home to over 70 reptile species alone, which includes sizeable populations of nile crocodile, water monitor,
Okavango hinged terrapin, and Barotse water snake.

Taxonomically, the reptiles in this checklist have been grouped and named according to A guide to the Reptiles of
Southern Africa by Johan Marais and graham Alexander.

leopard TorToISe nIle (WaTer) MonITor

BlaCK MaMBa

WeSTern green SnaKe

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TORTOISES TESTudInIdAE
Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis v v v v v v v v v v v
Serrated (Kalahari) Tent Tortoise Psammobates oculiferus v v
Spekes Hinged Tortoise Kinixys spekii v v v v v
TERRAPInS PELOMEduSIdAE, TRIOnYCHIdAE
Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa v v v v v v v v
Pan Hinged Terrapin Pelusios subniger v v v v v v v
*Okavango Hinged Terrapin Pelusios bechuanicus v v v v v v
Mashona Hinged Terrapin Pelusios rhodesianus v v v
BLInd SnAKES TYPHLOPIdAE
Schlegels Beaked Blind Snake Rhinotyphlops schlegelii v v v v v v v v
THREAd SnAKES LEPTOTYPHLOPIdAE
Peters Thread Snake Leptotyphlops scutifrons v v v v v v v
PYTHOnS PYTHOnIdAE
*Southern African Python Python natalensis v v v v v v v v v v
AFRICAn BuRROWIng SnAKES ATRACTASPIdIdAE
Southern (Bibrons) Burrowing Asp Atractaspis bibronii v v v v v v v v v v
Common Purple-glossed Snake Amblyodipsas polylepis v v v v v
*Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata v v v v v v v v v
Bicoloured quill-snouted Snake Xenocalamus bicolor v v
Elongate quill-snouted Snake Xenocalamus mechowii v v v v v v v v
TYPICAL SnAKES COLuBRIdAE
Brown House Snake Lamprophis fuliginosus v v v v v v
Cape Wolf Snake Lycophidion capense v v v v
Mole Snake Pseudaspis cana v v v v v v v v v
Olive Marsh Snake Natriciteres olivacea v v v v v v v v v v
Eastern Striped Swamp Snake Limnophis bangweolicus v v v v v v v v v v
*Two-striped Shovelsnout Prosymna bivittata v v
Angola Shovelsnout Prosymna angolensis v v
Eastern Bark Snake Hemirhagerrhis nototaenia v v v v
Lined Olympic Snake Dromophis lineatus v
Striped Skaapsteker Psammophylax tritaeniatus v v v v v v v
grey-bellied grass Snake (Skaapsteker) Psammophylax variabilis v
Cape (Fork-marked) Sand Snake Psammophis leightoni v v
Jallas Sand Snake Psammophis jallae v v
Stripe-bellied Sand Snake Psammophis subtaeniatus v v v v v v v v v v
dwarf Sand Snake Psammophis angolensis v v v v v v v v
Olive grass Snake Psammophis mossambicus v v v v v v v v v v
Semiornate Snake Meizodon semiornatus v
Spotted Bush Snake Philothamnus semivariegatus v v v v v v v v v v
green Water Snake Philothamnus hoplogaster v
Ornate green Snake Philothamnus ornatus v v v v v
Western green Snake Philothamnus angolensis v v v v v v
Common Egg Eater Dasypeltis scabra v v v v v v v v v v v
Herald Snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia v v v v
Barotse Water Snake Crotaphopeltis barotseensis v v v v
Eastern Tiger Snake Telescopus semiannulatus v v v v v v v v
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Boomslang Dispholidus typus v v v v v v v v v

Vine Snake Thelotornis capensis oatesii v v v v v
COBRAS, MAMBAS And ALLIES ELAPIdAE
*Shield-nose Cobra Aspidelaps scutatus v v v v v v
Angolan garter Snake Elapsoidea semiannulata v v v
Boulengers garter Snake Elapsoidea boulengeri v v v v
Sundervalls garter Snake Elapsoidea sunderwallii fitzsimonsi v v v v v
Snouted Cobra Naja annulifera anchietae v v v v v v v v
*Cape Cobra Naja nivea v v
Mozambique Spitting Cobra Naja mossambica v v v v v v v v v v
Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepsis v v v v v v v v v v v
VIPERS VIPERIdAE
Common (Rhombic) night Adder Causus rhombeatus v v v v v v v v v
Snouted night Adder Causus defilippii v
Puff Adder Bitis arietans v v v v v v v v v v
* Horned Adder Bitis caudalis v v
WORM-LIKE LIZARdS AMPHISBAEnIdAE
Kalahari Round-headed Worm Lizard Zygaspis quadrifrons v v v v v v v v
*Black Round-headed Worm Lizard Zygaspis nigra v
*Anchietas Spade-snouted Worm Lizard Monopeltis anchietae v v v v
*Kalahari Spade-snouted Worm Lizard Monopeltis leonhardi v v
*Slender Spade-snouted Worm Lizard Monopeltis sphenorhynchus v v v v v v
Blunt-tailed Worm Lizard Dalophia pistillum v v v v v v
Long-tailed Worm Lizard Dalophia longicauda v
SKInKS SCInCIdAE
*Striped Legless Skink Typhlosaurus lineatus lineatus v v
*Kalahari Burrowing Skink Typhlacontias rohani v v v v v v
Sundevalls Writhing Skink Lygosoma sundevallii v v v v v v v
Cape Skink Trachylepsis capensis v v
Striped Skink Mabuya striata v v v v v v v v v
Variable Skink Mabuya varia v v v v v v v
*Variegated Skink Mabuya variegata punctulata v v v v v v
*Spotted-neck Snake-eyed Skink Panaspis maculilabris v v v v v v
SAnd LIZARdS And RELATEd LACERTIdAE
SPECIES
Bushveld Lizard Heliobolus lugubris v v v v v v v v v
Cape Rough-scaled Lizard Ichnotropis capensis v v v v v v v v v
Common Rough-scaled Lizard Ichnotropis squamulosa v v v v v v v v
*Spotted Sandveld Lizard Nucras intertexta v v
namaqua Sand Lizard Pedioplanis namaquensis v v
PLATEd LIZARdS gERRHOSAuRIdAE
Yellow-throated Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus flavigularis v v v
Rough-scaled Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus major v
Kalahari Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus multilineatus auritus v v v v v v v v v
Black-lined Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus v v v v
MOnITORS VARAnIdAE
Rock (White-throated) Monitor Varanus albigularis v v v v v
Water Monitor Varanus niloticus v v v v v v v v v v
31 Wilderness Safaris
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AgAMAS
ground Agama
Southern Tree Agama
CHAMELEOnS
Flap-neck Chameleon
gECKOS
*Kalahari ground gecko
Cape dwarf gecko
* Chobe dwarf gecko
*Cape Thick-toed gecko
Turners Thick-toed gecko
Speckled Thick-toed gecko
OShaughnessys Thick-toed gecko
*Common Barking gecko
CROCOdILES
nile Crocodile
LIV
AgAMIdAE
Agama aculeata aculeata v v v
Acanthocercus atricollis v v
CHAMAELEOnIdAE
Chamaeleo dilepsis v v v v v v v v v v
gEKKOnIdAE
Colopus wahlbergii v v v v v
Lygodactylus capensis v v v v v v v v v v v
Lygodactylus chobiensis v v v
Pachydactylus capensis v v
Pachydactylus turneri v v v v v v v v v v
Pachydactylus punctatus v v v v v v v v v v
Pachydactylus oshaughnessyi v
Ptenopus garrulus garrulus v v
CROCOdYLIdAE
Crocodylus niloticus v v v v v v v v v v

ground agaMa

SpoTTed BuSH SnaKe flap-neCK CHaMeleon

Wilderness Safaris 32
AMPhIBIANS

The term amphibian comes from the greek: amphi double; bios life. This double life refers to the two
phases of life that characterise most amphibians. The first is the aquatic tadpole stage, and the second is
an adult terrestrial stage.

The Okavango and Linyanti regions of northern Botswana are known amphibian hotspots, due to the unique
hydrological features of these areas that include permanent streams, swamps and seasonal floodplains dictated
by annual flood regimes and summer rainfall. Around 40 species of amphibians have been recorded in Botswana,
a surprisingly high tally considering the general aridity of most of the country. It is no surprise however, that 33
species alone have been documented in the Okavango delta owing its variety of available niches. From the low
vantage that a mokoro trip offers, one often sees the likes of Angolan and long reed frog, both making wonderful
photographic subjects.

Following the summer rains, amphibians can also be found in the Central Kalahari, breeding in the brief pools
of standing water. This is the best time to see species like Boettgers caco and giant bullfrog, depending on the
amount of rainfall.

The amphibian checklist is conveniently categorised in the respective families and taxonomically follows A
Complete guide to the Frogs of Southern Africa by Vincent Carruthers and Louis du Preez.

guTTural Toad gIanT Bullfrog

angolan reed frog SpeCKled-BellIed graSS frog

33 Wilderness Safaris
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LIV
TOAdS BuFOnIdAE
*Western Olive Toad Amietophrynus poweri v v v v v v v v v
Eastern Olive Toad Amietophrynus garmani v
guttural Toad Amietophrynus gutturalis v v v v v v v v v v v
Kavango Pygmy Toad Poyntonophrynus kavangensis v v v v v v
northern Pygmy Toad Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti v
Lemaires Toad Amietophrynus lemairii v v v v v v v v v
Flat-backed Toad Amietophrynus maculatus v v v v v v v v v v
Red Toad Schismaderma carens v
SHOVEL-nOSEd FROgS HEMISOTIdAE
guinea Shovel-nosed Frog Hemisus guineensis v v v
Mottled Shovel-nosed Frog Hemisus marmoratus v v v v v v v v v
REEd FROgS, KASSInAS HYPEROLIIdAE
Bocages Sharp-nosed Reed Frog Hyperolius bengueellensis v v v v v v v v v v
Sharp-nosed Reed Frog Hyperolius acuticeps v
Angolan Reed Frog Hyperolius parallelus angolensis v v v v v v v v v
Marginated Reed Frog Hyperolius marginatus v
Long Reed Frog Hyperolius nasutus v v v v v v v v v
Bubbling Kassina Kassina senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v
RAIn FROgS BREVICEPTIdAE
Bushveld Rain Frog Breviceps adspersus v v v v v v
RuBBER FROgS MICROHYLIdAE
Banded Rubber Frog Phrynomantis bifasciatus v v v v v v v v v v
PLATAnnAS (CLAWEd FROgS) PIPIdAE
Common Platanna Xenopus laevis v v v
Mllers Platanna Xenopus muelleri v v v v v v v
Peters Platanna Xenopus petersii v v v v v v v v
PuddLE FROgS PHRYnOBATRACHIdAE
dwarf Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus mababiensis v v v v v v v v v v
Snoring Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus natalensis v v v v v v v v v v
ORnATE FROgS And gRASS FROgS PTYCHAdEnIdAE
Ornate Frog Hildebrandtia ornata v
Plain grass Frog Ptychadena anchietae v v v v v v v v v v
guibes grass Frog Ptychadena guibei v v v v v v v
Mascarene grass Frog Ptychadena mascareniensis v v v v v v
Broad-banded grass Frog Ptychadena mossambica v v v v v v
Sharp-nosed grass Frog Ptychadena oxyrhynchus v v v v v v
Speckle-bellied grass Frog Ptychadena subpunctata v v v v v
dwarf grass Frog Ptychadena taenioscelis v v v v v v v
BuLLFROgS, CACOS And SAnd FROgS PYXICEPHALIdAE
giant Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus v v v v v v v v v
African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus edulis v
Tremelo Sand Frog Tomopterna cryptotis v v v v v v v v v v
Knocking Sand Frog Tomopterna krugerensis v v v v v v v v v v
Russet-backed Sand Frog Tomopterna marmorata v
*Tandys Sand Frog Tomopterna tandyi v v v v v v v v

Wilderness Safaris 34
 XIg

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LIV
TRuE FROgS RAnIdAE
darlings golden-backed Frog Hylarana darlingi v
FOAM nEST FROgS RHACOPHORIdAE
Southern Foam nest Frog Chiromantis xerampelina v v v v v v v v v v

TRAVEL nOTES And HIgHLIgHTS

dAY 5
dAY 1

dAY 6
dAY 2

dAY 7
dAY 3

dAY 8
dAY 4

35 Wilderness Safaris
WILDERNESS SAFARIS SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY
Wilderness Safaris views its role in conservation in Africa as:

Ensuring sustainable protection of carbon sinks and biodiversity through the creation of viable
ecotourism businesses either within formally protected areas or on community or privately-owned
land without formal protection.
Ensuring that ecotourism remains the chosen alternative in an economic sense to less sustainable
industries such as mining, agriculture, farming, hydroelectric schemes and others that irrevocably
damage biodiversity, wilderness and ecosystem processes.
Creating a profitable, ethical and responsible business that others are able to imitate and implement
in regions where we are not active or cannot make a difference ourselves.

We understand this role as that of building sustainable conservation economies.

The Wilderness Safaris sustainability strategy is one that is neatly encapsulated by the 4Cs: Conservation,
Community, Culture and Commerce. Commerce is of course the C that underpins the sustainability of the business
and industry in general. The tenets of each of the remaining three Cs are elucidated briefly below.

ConSerVaTIon
Conservation is comprised of two equally important elements:

i) Environmental Management Systems concerns the management of our camp and office operations in the most
sustainable and environmentally sensitive way possible through the use of minimum standards, measurement,
efficiencies and mitigation, renewable energy technologies and education of our staff and guests to ensure the
lowest possible carbon footprint. Water usage, waste treatment and recycling, and construction and rehabilitation
of old lodge sites are all important additional aspects.
ii) Biodiversity Conservation covers the measurement and understanding of our biodiversity footprint and its
management, and where relevant the enhancement of indigenous species richness through reintroductions (of
absent indigenous species) and rehabilitation (through vegetation management and anti-poaching), as well as
research projects in short, the fulfilling of our obligations as custodians of more than 3 million hectares (8 million
acres) of wild areas in Africa.

CoMMunITy
The honest, mutually beneficial and dignified engagement of our rural community partners (staff, equity partners,
landlords, neighbours) in ways that ensure sustainability beyond the lifespan and aegis of our organisation and
which deliver a meaningful and life-changing share of the proceeds of responsible ecotourism to all stakeholders.
These mechanisms include community-centric employment, joint ventures (equity, revenue share, traversing
fees), education (childrens camps; bursaries) and training, social benefits, capacity building and infrastructure
development (e.g. schools, crches, clinics).

CulTure
Culture is a multifaceted element that governs respect for the culture of all employees as well as remote rural
communities surrounding the conservation areas. This is reflected in: a healthy social environment in camp; area
appropriate camp design, decor, entertainment and meals; respect for traditional rights within and surrounding
the conservation area; guest visits to traditional villages and homesteads; communication of the areas traditional
culture to guests and staff.

Wilderness Safaris 36
 lIon

WHITe rHInoCeroS

rufouS-BellIed Heron CHaCMa BaBoon SouTHern gIraffe

guInea SHoVel-noSed frog SouTHern CarMIne Bee-eaTer greaTer Kudu

Copy: Martin Benadie and Chris Roche

design: Mary-Anne Van der Byl
Photographers: dana Allen, grant Atkinson, Martin Benadie, Caroline Culbert, Russel Friedman, derek de la Harpe,
Lets Kamogelo, Marleen Le Roux and Mike Myers.

ACKnOWLEdgEMEnTS
With appreciation to all who have contributed to this species checklist, including all camp and Explorations guides, but
particularly: grant Atkinson, Martin Benadie, Victor Horatius, glynis Humphrey, Cathy Kays, david Kays, Martin Kays, dave Luck,
Moa Monwedi, Angela Morgan, Tony Reumerman, James Rawdon, Chris Roche, Brian Rode, Chantal Venter and James Weiss. If
we have left anyone out, this was unintentional. Please accept our sincere apologies.

COVER IMAgES (Top to Bottom)

Front: Pels Fishing-Owl, Serrated Tent Tortoise, Red Lechwe, African Pygmy-goose, Serval, Long Reed
Frog. Back: Hippopotamus, Tsessebe, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Aardwolf, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater.
 www.wilderness-safaris.com
www.wildernesstrust.com

www.childreninthewilderness.com

www.wilderness-the4cs.com

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