botswana - wilderness- · pdf file123456758890hoh628 2 our botswana concessions chitabe...

SPECIES CHECKLISTBOTSWANAInCLudES VICTORIA FALLS/LIVIngSTOnE

AFRICA VEGE TATION MAP

SEYCHELLES

BIOMES

dESERT (namib; Sahara; danakil)

SEMI-dESERT (Karoo; Sahel; Chalbi)

ARId SAVAnnAH (Kalahari; Masai Steppe; Ogaden)

gRASSLAnd (Highveld; Abyssinian)

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

1 Wilderness Safaris

INTRODUCTIONWelcome 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 cliché of the ‘Big Five’ you will soon realise that our wilderness areas offer much more. Africa’s large mammals are certainly a big attraction that one never tires of, but it’s 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 Pel’s 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 OVERVIEWBotswana’s most renowned conservation area is undoubtedly the Okavango delta – a green and blue wetland rightly considered Africa’s 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 Botswana’s already overwhelming diversity.

LIVINGSTONE (VICTORIA FALLS) BIODIVERSITY OVERVIEWAs many of our Botswana safaris also include the Livingstone/Victoria Falls area, this region has been added to the Botswana Species Checklist.

Zambia’s 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.

Wilderness Safaris

2Wilderness Safaris

OUR BOTSWANA CONCESSIONS

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURADUBA PLAINS

MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

LITTLE MOMBO

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

MOMBOLITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBO CONCESSION45 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 acacia. Towards the edges of the island, regular seasonal flooding creates shallow floodplains dotted with wild date palm islands and riverine forest. Mombo harbours prolific concentrations of general game such as giraffe, zebra, warthog, red lechwe, tsessebe, wildebeest, kudu, elephant, buffalo and impala. Abundant predator sightings include lion, spotted hyaena and leopard. Chief’s Island is also home to the only white and black rhino found in the Okavango delta. The birding, a result of diverse habitats, is equally attractive.CAMPS: MOMBO CAMP, LITTLE MOMBO CAMP

KWEDI CONCESSION90 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 a diverse mosaic of habitats from permanent swamp to seasonal floodplains, acacia woodlands, and mopane and Kalahari appleleaf 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, bat-eared fox and side-striped jackal. Vumbura, in contrast, features a wider range, from red lechwe to sable, good populations of elephant, hippo and giraffe, and large predators: lion, spotted hyaena, leopard, wild dog and cheetah. Birdlife is abundant – Okavango specials such as rosy-throated longclaw, black coucal and long-toed lapwing are present.

CAMPS: duBA PLAInS, VuMBuRA PLAInS, LITTLE VuMBuRA CAMP



CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBOLITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

LITTLE MOMBO

JAO CONCESSION60 000 hectares, close to the Panhandle in the delta’s north-west. The vegetation varies from the Jao Flats in the east to Hunda Island, covered in acacia and mopane woodland and the largest dry area locally during the annual floods. Around the Flats, spectacular herds of red lechwe are followed by their predators – lion and leopard. Other game includes wildebeest, impala, tsessebe, giraffe, elephant, hippo and crocodile, spotted-necked otter and occasional sitatunga. The drier west harbours similar species, with greater concentrations of zebra and wildebeest. Birding is exceptional: Vulnerable wattled crane, slaty egret, rosy-throated longclaw, Pel’s fishing-owl, and lesser jacana are found on the eastern side, with the western drier areas hosting crimson-breasted shrike, dickinson’s kestrel and Meyer’s parrot.CAMPS: JAO CAMP, JACAnA CAMP, KWETSAnI CAMP, TuBu TREE CAMP

XIGERA CONCESSION6 000 hectares, in the heart of the delta. Situated on one of the Okavango’s key waterways, it is surrounded by picturesque 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 red lechwe, spotted-necked otter, vervet monkey, elephant, impala and tsessebe, with predators such as leopard, spotted hyaena, and occasionally lion. This concession is a delight for birdwatchers, many of the key swamp-dwelling specialists being present, notably Pel’s 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

4Wilderness Safaris


CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBOLITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBOLITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

ABU CONCESSION173 000 hectares, in the south-west of the delta. This scenically splendid concession varies from seasonally inundated floodplains, channels and palm islands in the north-east to the dryer Kalahari ‘Sandveld Tongue’ in the west. Here, trees like Kalahari appleleaf and silver terminalia dominate, adding much contrast to this unique area. Big game is plentiful and includes frequent sightings of giraffe, buffalo, elephant, red lechwe, blue wildebeest, tsessebe, impala, 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 (125 000 hectares) and adjoining Selinda (135 000 hectares) concessions border Chobe national Park’s 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 Channel) and the Selinda Spillway that connects the Linyanti and Okavango systems. The area 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 of cheetah and wild dog. Birding too is unique here including Arnot’s chat, brilliant flocks of southern carmine bee-eaters (seasonal) and red-necked falcon.

LINYANTI AND SELINDA CONCESSIONS

CAMPS: KIngS POOL, duMATAu CAMP, SAVuTI CAMP, ZARAFA CAMP, SELIndA CAMP



BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBOLITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

ChITABE CONCESSION28 000 hectares, in the south-east of the delta. This concession is separated from the Moremi game Reserve by the gomoti Channel. This eastern half of the concession is characterised by grassy floodplains, which separate the Channel from acacia and mopane woodland. The western half has as its boundary the Santantadibe River with a variety of typical Okavango habitats – seasonal palm-dotted floodplains, wooded islands, tranquil waterways and dry woodland – 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, Bennet’s woodpecker, greater painted snipe, southern ground hornbill and pink-backed pelican.CAMPS: CHITABE CAMP, CHITABE LEdIBA

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

BANOKA BUSH CAMP

VUMBURA PLAINS


MOMBOLITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMA TAU

ZARAFA

SELINDA

KhWAI CONCESSION180 000 hectares, in the north-eastern corner of the Okavango delta adjoining the Moremi game Reserve. The Khwai area has a wide range of habitats: a blend of woodlands, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large animals such as hippo, crocodile, buffalo and red lechwe. Riverine woodland, dominated by camelthorn, knobthorn and appleleaf, provides sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. The floodplains offer common species such as kudu, tsessebe, Burchell’s zebra and blue wildebeest. Away from the river, there is a mix of acacia and leadwood trees that abuts into mopane woodland. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena. Birdlife is just as varied, with 450 species present, including wattled crane and saddle-billed stork, together with numerous raptors.CAMPS: BAnOKA BuSH CAMP

6Wilderness Safaris


KALAHARI PLAINS CAMP

CENTRAL KALAHARI GAME RESERVE (CKGR)

CENTRAL KALAhARI GAME RESERVEIn 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. Herbivore aggregations include impressive herds of springbok and gemsbok as well as red hartebeest, wildebeest and eland. The plains game populations move seasonally between dune and valley: in summer, the verdant 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

VICTORIA FALLS (LIVINGSTONE)One of the Seven natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya – “the Smoke that Thunders” – a name that accurately depicts the plume of spray, visible for some distance, caused by the cascading waters of the Zambezi River. This is an area of spectacular scenic beauty: from the Falls themselves to the broad, picturesque course of the Zambezi River upstream. Wildlife also 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 national Park upstream of the Falls. CAMPS: TOKA LEYA CAMP, THE RIVER CLuB

THE RIVER CLUB

TOKA LEYA

ZAMBIA

ZIMBABWE

ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

MOSI-OA-TUNYANATIONAL PARK

VICTORIA FALLS

LIVINGSTONE

ZAMBIA/ZIMBABWE


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

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 ...........................................20

Pratincoles ........................................................20

Prinias.................................................................25

Pytilia .................................................................27

Quails .................................................................16

Quailfinch .........................................................27

Quelea ...............................................................27

Rail ......................................................................19

Raptors ..............................................................21

Redshank ...........................................................19

Robins ................................................................25

Rollers ................................................................17

Ruff .....................................................................20

Sandgrouse.......................................................19

Sandpiper ..........................................................19

Scrub-robins.....................................................26

Secretarybird ...................................................21

Shorebirds .........................................................19

Shrikes/Bushshrikes/Brubru/Puffback .....23

Skimmer ............................................................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

8Wilderness Safaris

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 [email protected] with “new Species Record” in the subject line.


RECOMMENDED FIELD GUIDES

SMIThERS’ MAMMALS OF SOUThERN AFRICA: A FIELD GUIDEPeter Apps. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781868725502Concise, informative guide on the mammal species found in southern Africa.

ThE KINGDON POCKET GUIDE TO AFRICAN MAMMALSJonathan Kingdon. Princeton University Press. ISBN: 9780713669817Compact 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 EDITIONIan Sinclair; Phil Hockey; Warwick Tarboton. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 978 1 77007 925 0The all-in-one guide to the birds of southern Africa.

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ThE FROGS OF SOUThERN AFRICAVincent Carruthers and Louis Du Preez. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781770074460This guide offers the most authoritative and comprehensive treatment of frogs of the region.

A GUIDE TO ThE REPTILES OF SOUThERN AFRICAJohan Marais and Graham Alexander. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781770073869This 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

10Wilderness Safaris

Honey Badger Cape Buffalo

SITaTunga

CHeeTaH

VerVeT MonKey

CoMMon WarTHog


MAMMALS

Botswana is one of Africa’s 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 Africa’s 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

SurICaTe (MeerKaT)

Banded MongooSe

oryX/SprIngBoK Herd


MAMMALS OF BOTSWANA

SHREWS SORICOMORPHA

Swamp Musk Shrew Crocidura mariquensis v v v v v v v v vLesser Red Musk Shrew Crocidura hirta v v v v v v v v v vReddish-grey Musk Shrew Crocidura cyanea vgreater dwarf Shrew Suncus lixus vELEPHAnT SHREWS MACROSCELIdEA

Short-snouted Elephant-shrew Elephantulus brachyrhynchus vBATS CHIROPTERA

Peters’s Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus crypturus v v v v v v v v vMauritian Tomb Bat Taphozous mauritianus v v v v v v v v v vSundevall’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros caffer vCommerson’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros commersoni v v v v v vEgyptian Slit-faced Bat Nycteris thebaica v v v v v v v v v vHildebrandt’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus hildebrandti vRuppell’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus fumigatus v v vdarling’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus darlingi v vdent’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus denti v v v v v v vRusty Bat Pipistrellus rusticus v v v v vCape Serotine Bat Neoromicia capensis v v v v v v v v v vBanana Bat Neoromicia nanus v v v v v v v v vRuppell’s Bat Pipistrellus rueppellii v v v v vButterfly Bat Glauconycteris variegata v v v vBotswana Long-eared Bat Laephotis botswanae v v v vSchleiffen’s Bat Nycticeius schleiffenii v v v v v v v vYellow House Bat Scotophilus dinganii v vLesser Yellow House Bat Scotophilus borbonicus v vEgyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca v v v v v v v v v vAngolan Free-tailed Bat Tadarida condylura v v v vMidas Free-tailed Bat Tadarida midas v vLittle Free-tailed Bat Tadarida pumila v v v v v v v v vSchreiber’s Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus schreibersii v v v v v v v v vPRIMATES PRIMATES

Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus v v v v v v v v v vVervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops v v v v v v v v v vLesser Bushbaby Galago moholi v v v v v v v vPAngOLInS PHOLIdOTA

Pangolin Smutsia temminckii v v v v v v v v vHARES LAgOMORPHA

Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis v v v v v v v v v v vROdEnTS, SquIRRELS And gERBILS ROdEnTIA

*South African ground Squirrel Xerus inauris v vTree (Smith’s Bush) Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi v v v v v v v v v vWoodland dormouse Graphiurus murinus v v v v v v v v v v vSpringhare Pedetes capensis v v v v v v v v v vdamara Molerat Cryptomys damarensis v v v v v v v v v vPorcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis v v v v v v v v v vgreater Cane Rat Thryonomys swinderianus v v v v v v v v v

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MAMMALS OF BOTSWANA


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Woosnam’s Broad-headed Mouse Zelotomys woosnami v v v vSouth African Pouched Mouse Saccostomus campestris v v v v v v v v vFat Mouse Steatomys pratensis v v v v v v v v vTiny Fat Mouse Steatomys parvus vgrey Climbing Mouse Dendromus melanotis v v v v v v v v v vBrant’s Climbing Mouse Dendromus mesomelas v v v v v v v*Cape Short-tailed gerbil Desmodillus auricularis v v v v*Hairy-footed gerbil Gerbillurus paeba v v v v v vBushveld gerbil Gerbilliscus leucogaster v v v v v v v v v*Highveld gerbil Gerbilliscus brantsii v v v v v v v v v vRed Rock Rat Aethomys chrysophilus v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Marsh Rat Dasymus incomtus v v v v v vFour-striped (grass) Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio v vSingle-striped Mouse Lemniscomys rosalia v v v v v v v v v v vdesert Pygmy Mouse Mus indutus v v v v vPygmy Mouse Mus minutoides v vAcacia Rat Thallomys paedulcus v v v v v v v v v vgroove-toothed Swamp Rat Pelomys fallax v v v v v v v v vMultimammate Mouse Mastomys coucha v v v v v v v v vAngoni Vlei Rat Otomys angoniensis v v vCARnIVORES CARnIVORA

*Cape Fox Vulpes chama v vBat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis v v v v v v v vBlack-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas v v v v v v v v v vSide-striped Jackal Canis adustus v v v v v v v v vWild dog Lycaon pictus v v v v v v v v v vCape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis v v v v v v v v v vSpotted-necked Otter Lutra maculicollis v v v v v v v v vHoney Badger Mellivora capensis v v v v v v v v v vStriped Weasel Poecilogale albinucha vStriped Polecat Ictonyx striatus v v v v v v v v vBanded Mongoose Mungos mungo v v v v v v v v v vSelous’s Mongoose Paracynictis selousi v v v v v v v v vLarge grey (Egyptian) Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon v v v v v v v vSlender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea v v v v v v v v v v vMarsh (Water) Mongoose Atilax paludinosus v v v v v v v v vdwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula v v v v v v v v v vWhite-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda vYellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata v v v v v v v*Suricate Suricata suricatta v vSmall-spotted genet Genetta genetta v v v v vLarge-spotted genet Genetta tigrina v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Civet Civettictis civetta v v v v v v v v vSpotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta v v v v v v v v v vBrown Hyaena Hyaena brunnea v vAardwolf Proteles cristatus v v v v v v v vAfrican Wild Cat Felis lybica v v v v v v v v v v


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Small Spotted Cat Felis nigripes v v vServal Leptailurus serval v v v v v v v v vCaracal Caracal caracal v v v v v v v v v vCheetah Acinonyx jubatus v v v v v v v v vLion Panthera leo v v v v v v v v v vLeopard Panthera pardus v v v v v v v v v vAARdVARK TuBuLIdEnTATA

Aardvark Orycteropus afer v v v v v v v v v vELEPHAnTS PROBOSCIdEA

African Elephant Loxodonta africana v v v v v v v v v v vOdd-TOEd unguLATES PERISSOdACTYLA

Plains (Burchell’s) Zebra Equus quagga burchellii v v v v v v v v v vBlack Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis v vWhite Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum v v vWARTHOg ARTIOdACTYLA: SuIFORMES

Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus v v v v v v v v v vBushpig Potamochoerus porcus v vHIPPOPOTAMuS ARTIOdACTYLA: WHIPPOMORPHA

Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius v v v v v v v v v vgIRAFFE, BuFFALO, AnTELOPE ARTIOdACTYLA: RuMInAnTIA

Southern giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis v v v v v v v v v v vCape Buffalo Syncerus caffer caffer v v v v v v v v v vEland Taurotragus oryx v v vgreater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros v v v v v v v v v vSitatunga Tragelaphus spekei v v v v v v v v vBushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus v v v v v v v v vRoan Hippotragus equinus v v v vSable Hippotragus niger v v v vgemsbok Oryx gazella v vCommon Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus v v v v v v v v vRed Lechwe Kobus leche v v v v v v v v vSouthern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum v v v v v v v v vBlue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus taurinus v v v v v v v v v v vRed Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama v vTsessebe Damaliscus lunatus v v v v v v v v vCommon Impala Aepyceros melampus melampus v v v v v v v v v vSpringbok Antidorcas marsuplialis v vSteenbok Raphicerus campestris v v v v v v v v v v vCommon (grey) duiker Sylvicapra grimmia v v v v v v v v v


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 Pel’s 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 Arnot’s chat, Bradfield’s 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, Schalow’s turaco and rock pratincole.

CrIMSon-BreaSTed SHrIKe

WaTTled Crane

afrICan SKIMMer

SCaly-feaTHered fInCH

SlaTy egreT

* Please refer to page 7 for the handy alphabetical quick bird family index


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OSTRICHES STRuTHIOnIdAE

Common Ostrich Struthio camelus v v v v v v v v vFOWL And ALLIES PHASIAnIdAE

Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui v v vCrested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena v v v v v v v v v vShelley’s Francolin Scleroptila shelleyi v*Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus v v v v v v v v v vnatal Spurfowl Pternistes natalensis vSwainson’s Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii v v v v v v v v v vCommon quail Coturnix coturnix v v v v v v vHarlequin quail Coturnix delegorguei v v v v v v v v vBlue quail Coturnix adansonii vguInEAFOWL nuMIdIdAE

Helmeted guineafowl Numida meleagris v v v v v v v v vCrested guineafowl Guttera edouardi vduCKS And gEESE AnATIdAE

Fulvous duck Dendrocygna bicolor v v v v v v v v v vWhite-faced duck Dendrocygna viduata v v v v v v v v v vWhite-backed duck Thalassornis leuconotus v v v v v v vEgyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiaca v v v v v v v v v vSpur-winged goose Plectropterus gambensis v v v v v v v v v vKnob-billed duck Sarkidiornis melanotos v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus v v v v v v v v v vCape Teal Anas capensis vAfrican Black duck Anas sparsa vYellow-billed duck Anas undulata v v v v v v v v v vCape Shoveller Anas smithii vRed-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha v v v v v v v v vHottentot Teal Anas hottentota v v v v v v v v vSouthern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma v v v v v v v vBuTTOnquAIL TuRnICIdAE

Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus v v v v v v v v v v vHOnEYguIdES And HOnEYBIRdS IndICATORIdAE

greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator v v v v v v v v v vLesser Honeyguide Indicator minor v v v v v v v v v vBrown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus v v vWOOdPECKERS PICIdAE

Bennett’s Woodpecker Campethera bennettii v v v v v v v v v vgolden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni v v v v v v v v v vCardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens v v v v v v v v v vBearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus v v v v v v v v v vOlive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus vAFRICAn 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 vBlack-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus v v v v v v v v v vCrested 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 vCrowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus v*Bradfield’s Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi v v v v v v v v v vAfrican grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus v v v v v v v v v vTrumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator vgROund HORnBILLS BuCORVIdAE

Southern ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri v v v v v v v v v vHOOPOES uPuPIdAE

African Hoopoe Upupa africana v v v v v v v v v v vWOOd-HOOPOES PHOEnICuLIdAE

green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus v v v v v v v v v vCommon Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas v v v v v v v v v v vTROgOnS TROgOnIdAE

narina Trogon Apaloderma narina v v v v vROLLERS CORACIIdAE

European Roller Coracias garrulus v v v v v v v v v v vLilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus v v v v v v v v v v vRacket-tailed Roller Coracias spatulatus v v vPurple Roller Coracias naevius v v v v v v v v v vBroad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus v v v v v v v v vKIngFISHERS ALCEdInIdAE

Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata vMalachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta v v v v v v v v v vgrey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala v v v v v v v v v vWoodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis v v v v v v v v v vBrown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris v v v v v v v v v vStriped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti v v v v v v v v v vgiant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus v v v v v v v v v vPied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis v v v v v v v v v vBEE-EATERS MEROPIdAE

White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides v v v v v v v v v vLittle Bee-eater Merops pusillus v v v v v v v v v vSwallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus v v v v v v v v v v vBlue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus v v v v v v v v v vOlive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus vEuropean Bee-eater Merops apiaster v v v v v v v v v v vSouthern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides v v v v v v v v v vMOuSEBIRdS COLIIdAE

Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus v v v v v v v v v v vCuCKOOS And COuCALS CuCuLIdAE

Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus v v v v v v v v v v vLevaillant’s Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii v v v v v v v v v v vgreat Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius v v v v v v v v v v vThick-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 vBlack Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus v v v v v v v v v vCommon Cuckoo Cuculus canorus v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Cuckoo Cuculus gularis v v v v v v v v v vKlaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus v v vdiderick Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius v v v v v v v v v v vBlack Coucal Centropus grillii v v v v v v v v vCoppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus v v v v v v v v v vSenegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis v v v v v v v v v vWhite-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus v v v v v v v v v vPARROTS And LOVEBIRdS PSITTACIdAE

grey-headed Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis vMeyer’s Parrot Poicephalus meyeri v v v v v v v v v vSWIFTS And SPInETAILS APOdIdAE

Böhm’s Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi v vAfrican Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus v v v v v v v v v vAlpine Swift Tachymarptis melba v v vMottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis vCommon Swift Apus apus v v v v v v vAfrican Black Swift Apus barbatus vLittle Swift Apus affinis vHorus Swift Apus horus vWhite-rumped Swift Apus caffer vTuRACOS And gO-AWAY-BIRdS MuSOPHAgIdAE

Schalow’s Turaco Tauraco schalowi v v vgrey go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor v v v v v v v v v v vBARn OWLS TYTOnIdAE

Barn Owl Tyto alba v v v v v v v vOWLS STRIgIdAE

African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis v v v v v v v v v vSouthern White-faced Scops-Owl Ptilopsis granti v v v v v v v v v vSpotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus v v v v v v vVerreaux’s Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus v v v v v v v v v vPel’s Fishing-Owl Scotopelia peli v v v v v v v v vAfrican Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii v v v v v vPearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum v v v v v v v v vAfrican Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense v v v v v v v vMarsh Owl Asio capensis v v v v v v v vnIgHTJARS CAPRIMuLgIdAE

Fiery-necked nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis v v v v v v v v v vFreckled nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma vSwamp nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis v v v v v v vSquare-tailed nightjar Caprimulgus fossii v v v v v v v vRufous-cheeked nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena v v v v vEuropean nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus v v v v v vPennant-winged nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius v v v


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PIgEOnS And dOVES COLuMBIdAE

Rock dove Columba livia vLaughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis v v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Mourning dove Streptopelia decipiens v v v v v v v v vCape Turtle-dove Streptopelia capicola v v v v v v v v v v vRed-eyed dove Streptopelia semitorquata v v v v v v v v v vEmerald-spotted Wood-dove Turtur chalcospilos v v v v v v v v v vnamaqua dove Oena capensis v v v v v v v v v vAfrican green-Pigeon Treron calvus v v v v v v v v v vBuSTARdS And KORHAAnS OTIdIdAE

denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami v v vKori 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 vBlack-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster v v v v v vCRAnES gRuIdAE

grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum v v v vWattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus v v v v v v v v vFInFOOTS HELIORnITHIdAE

African Finfoot Podica senegalensis vRAILS, CRAKES And COOTS RALLIdAE

African Rail Rallus caerulescens v v v v vAfrican Crake Crecopsis egregia v v v v v v v v v vCorn Crake Crex crex v v v vBlack Crake Amaurornis flavirostris v v v v v v v v v vBaillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla v v v vAfrican Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis v v v v v vAllen’s gallinule Porphyrio alleni v v v v v v v v vCommon Moorhen Gallinula chloropus v v v v v v v v v vLesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata v v v v v v v v v vRed-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata vFLuFFTAILS SAROTHRuRIdAE

Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa v v vSAndgROuSE PTEROCLIdIdAE

*namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua v v v v*double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus v v v v v v v v v v*Burchell’s Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli v v v v v v v vWAdERS,SAndPIPERS And SnIPES SCOLOPACIdAE

great Snipe Gallinago media v v v vAfrican Snipe Gallinago nigripennis v v v v v v vBlack-tailed godwit Limosa limosa v v v v vBar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica vCommon Redshank Tringa totanus v v vMarsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis v v v v v v v v vCommon greenshank Tringa nebularia v v v v v v v v v v vgreen Sandpiper Tringa ochropus vWood 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 vRuddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres v v v v vSanderling Calidris alba vLittle Stint Calidris minuta v v v v vPectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos v vCurlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea v v v vRuff Philomachus pugnax v v v v v v v v v vPAInTEd-SnIPES ROSTRATuLIdAE

greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis v v v v v v v v vJACAnAS JACAnIdAE

African Jacana Actophilornis africanus v v v v v v v v v vLesser Jacana Microparra capensis v v v v v v v v vTHICK-KnEES BuRHInIdAE

Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus v v v v v v v v v vSpotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis v v v v v v v v v vSTILTS And AVOCETS RECuRVIROSTRIdAE

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus v v v v v v v v v vPied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta v v v v v v v vPLOVERS And LAPWIngS CHARAdRIIdAE

grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola v v vCommon Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula v v v v vKittlitz’s Plover Charadrius pecuarius v v v v v v v vThree-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris v v v v v v v v v vChestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus v v vWhite-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus vCaspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus v v vLong-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris v v v v v v v v v vBlacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus v v v v v v v v v v vWhite-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps vAfrican Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus v v v v v v v v vCrowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus v v v v v v v v v v vCOuRSERS And PRATInCOLES gLAREOLIdAE

double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus v v vBronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus v v v v v vThree-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus v v v vTemminck’s Courser Cursorius temminckii v v v v v v v vCollared Pratincole Glareola pratincola v v v v v v v v v vBlack-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni v v v v vRock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis vguLLS, TERnS And SKIMMERS LARIdAE

African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris v v v v v v vLesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus v v vgrey-headed gull Larus cirrocephalus v v v v vWhiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida v v v v v v v v vWhite-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus v v v v v v vOSPREYS 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 vEuropean Honey-Buzzard Pernis apivorus v v v v v vBat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus v v v v v v v v v vBlack-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus v v v v v v v v v v vBlack Kite Milvus migrans v v v v v v v v v v vYellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius v v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer v v v v v v v v v vPalm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis v vHooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus v v v v v v v v v v vWhite-backed Vulture Gyps africanus v v v v v v v v v v vCape Vulture Gyps coprotheres v v vLappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus v v v v v v v v v v vWhite-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis v v v v v v v v vBlack-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis v v v v v v v v v vBrown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus v v v v v v v v v v vWestern Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens v v v v v v v vBateleur Terathopius ecaudatus v v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus v v v v v v v v vPallid Harrier Circus macrourus v v v v v vMontagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus v v v vAfrican Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus v v v v v v v v v vLizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus v v v v v v v v v vdark Chanting goshawk Melierax metabates v v v v*Southern Pale Chanting goshawk Melierax canorus v vgabar goshawk Melierax gabar v v v v v v v v v v vAfrican goshawk Accipiter tachiro vShikra Accipiter badius v v v v v v v v v v vLittle Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus v v v v v v v vOvambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis v v v v v vBlack Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus vSteppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus v v v v v v v v v v vAugur Buzzard Buteo augur v v vSteppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis v v v v v v v v v vTawny Eagle Aquila rapax v v v v v v v v v v vLesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina v v v v v v v v v vVerreauxs’ Eagle Aquila verreauxii vAfrican Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster v v v v v v v v vAyres’s Hawk-Eagle Aquila ayresii v v v v v vBooted Eagle Aquila pennatus v v vWahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi v v v v v v v v vMartial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus v v v v v v v v v vLong-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis v v v v v v vAfrican Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus vSECRETARYBIRd 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 vRock Kestrel Falco rupicolus vgreater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides v v v vdickinson’s Kestrel Falco dickinsoni v v v v v v v vRed-necked Falcon Falco chicquera v v v v v v v v v vRed-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus v v v v v vAmur Falcon Falco amurensis v v v v v v vSooty Falcon Falco concolor vEurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Hobby Falco cuvierii v v vLanner Falcon Falco biarmicus v v v v v v vPeregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus v v vTaita Falcon Falco fasciinucha vgREBES POdICIPEdIdAE

Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis v v v v v v v v v vdARTERS AnHIngIdAE

African darter Anhinga rufa v v v v v v v v v vCORMORAnTS PHALACROCORACIdAE

Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus v v v v v v v v v vWhite-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus v v v v v v vEgRETS, HEROnS And BITTERnS ARdEIdAE

*Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula v v v v v v v v v vBlack Heron Egretta ardesiaca v v v v v v v v v vLittle Egret Egretta garzetta v v v v v v v v v vYellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia v v v v v v v v v vgreat (White) Egret Egretta alba v v v v v v v v v vgrey Heron Ardea cinerea v v v v v v v v v vBlack-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala v v v v v v v v v vgoliath Heron Ardea goliath v v v v v v v v vPurple Heron Ardea purpurea v v v v v v v v v vCattle Egret Bubulcus ibis v v v v v v v v v v vSquacco Heron Ardeola ralloides v v v v v v v v v vRufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris v v v v v v v v v vgreen-backed Heron Butorides striata v v v v v v v v v vBlack-crowned night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax v v v v v v v v v vWhite-backed night-Heron Gorsachius leuconotus v v v v vLittle Bittern Ixobrychus minutus v v v v v v v vdwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii v v v v v v v v v vHAMERKOP SCOPIdAE

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta v v v v v v v v v vFLAMIngOS PHOEnICOPTERIdAE

greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber v v vLesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor vIBISES And SPOOnBILLS THRESKIORnITHIdAE

glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus v v v v v v v v v vHadeda 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 vAfrican Spoonbill Platalea alba v v v v v v v v v vPELICAnS PELECAnIdAE

great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus v v v v v v v vPink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens v v v v v v v vSTORKS CICOnIIdAE

Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis v v v v v v v v v vAfrican Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus v v v v v v v v v vBlack Stork Ciconia nigra v v vAbdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii v v v v v v v v v v vWoolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus v v v v v v v v v vWhite Stork Ciconia ciconia v v v v v v v v v v vSaddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis v v v v v v v v v vMarabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus v v v v v v v v v v vORIOLES ORIOLIdAE

Eurasian golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus v v v v v v v v v vAfrican golden Oriole Oriolus auratus v v v v v v v v v vBlack-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus v v v v v v v v v vdROngOS dICRuRIdAE

Fork-tailed drongo Dicrurus adsimilis v v v v v v v v v v vMOnARCHS MOnARCHIdAE

African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis v v v v v v v v v vBuSHSHRIKES, BOuBOuS & TCHAgRAS MALACOnOTIdAE

Brubru Nilaus afer v v v v v v v v v v vBlack-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla v v v v v v v v v vBlack-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus v v v v v v v v v vBrown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis v v v v v v v v v v vTropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus vSwamp 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 vOrange-breasted Bush-Shrike Telophorus sulfureopectus v v v v v v v v v vgrey-headed Bush-Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti v v v v v v vSHRIKES LAnIIdAE

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio v v v v v v v v v v vLesser grey Shrike Lanius minor v v v v v v v v v v vCommon Fiscal Lanius collaris v v vMagpie 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 vHELMETSHRIKES PRIOnOPIdAE

White-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus v v v v v v v v vRetz’s Helmet-Shrike Prionops retzii v v v v v v vWATTLE-EYES And BATISES PLATYSTEIRIdAE

Chinspot Batis Batis molitor v v v v v v v v v v*Pririt Batis Batis pririt v vCROWS And RAVEnS CORVIdAE

Cape Crow Corvus capensis v vPied Crow Corvus albus v v v v v v


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White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis vCuCKOOSHRIKES CAMPEPHAgIdAE

White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis v v v vBlack Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava v v v v v v v v v vPEnduLInE TITS REMIZIdAE

*Cape Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus minutus v v vgrey Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus coroli v v v v v v vTITS PARIdAE

*Southern Black Tit Parus niger v v v v v v v v v v*Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens v vSWALLOWS And MARTInS HIRundInIdAE

Sand Martin Riparia riparia v v v v v v v v v v vBrown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola v v v v vBanded Martin Riparia cincta v v v v v v vgrey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga v v v v v v v vBarn Swallow Hirundo rustica v v v v v v v v v v vWhite-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis v v v vWire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii v v v v v v vPearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata v v v v v v v v vgreater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata vLesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica v v v v v v v v v vRed-breasted Swallow Hirundo semirufa v v v v v v v v v vMosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis v v vRock Martin Hirundo fuligula vCommon House-Martin Delichon urbicum vBuLBuLS 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 vYellow-bellied greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris v v v v vTerrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris v v v v v v v vgRASS WARBLERS And CROMBECS MACROSPHEnIdAE

Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens v v v v v v v v v vREEd WARBLERS And ALLIES ACROCEPHALIdAE

River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis vLittle Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala v v v v v v vSedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus vEurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus vAfrican Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus v v v v v vMarsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris v vgreat Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus v v v v v vgreater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens v v v v vLesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris v v v v v vOlive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum v v v vIcterine Warbler Hippolais icterina v v v v v v v v v v vLEAF 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 vCommon Whitethroat Sylvia communis v v v v v v*Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Sylvia subcaeruleum v v v v v v v vBABBLERS TIMALIIdAE

Hartlaub’s Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii v v v v v v v v v*Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor v v v v v v vArrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii v v v v v v v v v vWHITE-EYES ZOSTEROPIdAE

African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis v v v v v v vCISTICOLAS And ALLIES CISTICOLIdAE

Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops vLazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans vRattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana v v v v v v v vTinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus v v vLuapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula v v v v v v vChirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens v v v v v vneddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla v v v v v vZitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis v v v v v v v v vdesert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus v v v v v v vTawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava v v v v v v v v v v*Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans v v v vgrey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata v v v v v v v v v*Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus v v vStierling’s Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi v vYellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida v v v v v v v v v vYellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis v v v v v vgreen-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops v v v vBurnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis v v v v v vLARKS ALAudIdAE

Monotonous Lark Mirafra passerina vRufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana v v v v v v v vFlappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea v v v v*Eastern Clapper Lark Mirafra fasciolata v v*Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota v v v v vFawn-coloured Lark Calendulauda africanoides v v v v vdusky Lark Pinarocorys nigricans v v v v v*Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata v vChestnut-backed Sparrowlark Eremopterix leucotis v v v v v v*grey-backed Sparrowlark Eremopterix verticalis v v v v v vRed-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea v v v v v v vTHRuSHES TuRdIdAE

groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa v v v v v v v v v vKurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus v v v v v v vROBInS, CHATS And OLd WORLd FLYCATCHERS MuSCICAPIdAE

White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini v v v v v v v vRed-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis v


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Collared Palm-Thrush Cichladusa arquata v v v vEastern Bearded Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata vWhite-browed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys v v v v v v v v v v*Kalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena v v v v vAfrican Stonechat Saxicola torquatus v v v v v v vCapped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata v v v v v v vFamiliar Chat Cercomela familiaris v*Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora v v v vArnot’s Chat Myrmecocichla arnoti v v v v vMocking Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris vPale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus v v v*Chat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus v v*Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis v v v v v v vSouthern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina v v v v v v v vSpotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata v v v v v v v v v v vAshy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens v v v v v v v v v vgrey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus v v v v v v v v v vThrush nightingale Luscinia luscinia vSTARLIngS STuRnIdAE

Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio vMiombo Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis elisabeth v*Cape glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens v v v v v v v v v vgreater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus v v v v v v v v v*Burchell’s Starling Lamprotornis australis v v v v v v v v v*Meves’s Starling Lamprotornis mevesii v v v v v v v v vViolet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster v v v v v v v v v vWattled Starling Creatophora cinerea v v v v v v v v v v vOXPECKERS BuPHAgIdAE

Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus v v v v v v v v v vRed-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus v v v v v v v v v vSunBIRdS nECTARInIIdAE

Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina vScarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis v v v v v v v vCollared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris v v v v v vVariable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus vWhite-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala v v v v v v v v v vCopper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus vMarico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis v v v v v v v v vPurple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus vWEAVERS 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 vLesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius v v v v v v v v v v vSpectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis v v v vgolden Weaver Ploceus xanthops v v v v v v v v v vSouthern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus v v v v vSouthern 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 vRed-headed Weaver Anaplectes melanotis v v v v v v v vRed-billed quelea Quelea quelea v v v v v v v v v v vYellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer v v v v vSouthern Red Bishop Euplectes orix v v v v v vYellow Bishop Euplectes capensis vFan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris v v v v v v vWhite-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus v v v vThick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons v v v vWAXBILLS And ALLIES ESTRILdIdAE

Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava v v v vAfrican quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis v v v v v v v v v vCut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata vBlack-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos v v v v v v v vCommon Waxbill Estrilda astrild v v v v v v v v*Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina v v v v v vBlue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis v v v v v v v v v v vRed-throated Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus vgreen-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba v v v v v v v v vOrange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra v*Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala v vRed-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala v v v v v v v v v vBrown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula v v v v v v v vJameson’s Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia v v v v v v v v v vBronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus v v vMagpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides vIndIgOBIRdS And WHYdAHS VIduIdAE

Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura v v v v v v v v v vBroad-tailed Paradise-Whydah Vidua obtusa vLong-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 vVillage Indigobird Vidua chalybeata v v v v v v v v v vPurple Indigobird Vidua purpurascens v v v v v v v v vCuckoo Finch Anomalospiza imberbis vOLd WORLd SPARROWS PASSERIdAE

northern grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus vSouthern grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus v v v v v v v v v v vYellow-throated Petronia Petronia superciliaris v v v vWhite-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali v v v v v v v vWAgTAILS, LOngCLAWS And PIPITS MOTACILLIdAE

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp v v v v v v v v v vCape Wagtail Motacilla capensis v v v v v vYellow Wagtail Motacilla flava v v v v v vRosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae v v v vAfrican Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus v v v v v v v v v v vStriped Pipit Anthus lineiventris vPlain-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 vCAnARIES And SEEdEATERS FRIngILLIdAE

Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambicus v v v v v v v v vBlack-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis v v v v*Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris v vBunTIngS EMBERIZIdAE

*Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani v v v vCinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi vgolden-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


REPTILES

Botswana’s 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 vSerrated (Kalahari) Tent Tortoise Psammobates oculiferus v vSpeke’s Hinged Tortoise Kinixys spekii v v v v vTERRAPInS PELOMEduSIdAE, TRIOnYCHIdAE

Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa v v v v v v v vPan Hinged Terrapin Pelusios subniger v v v v v v v*Okavango Hinged Terrapin Pelusios bechuanicus v v v v v vMashona Hinged Terrapin Pelusios rhodesianus v v vBLInd SnAKES TYPHLOPIdAE

Schlegel’s Beaked Blind Snake Rhinotyphlops schlegelii v v v v v v v vTHREAd SnAKES LEPTOTYPHLOPIdAE

Peters’ Thread Snake Leptotyphlops scutifrons v v v v v v vPYTHOnS PYTHOnIdAE

*Southern African Python Python natalensis v v v v v v v v v vAFRICAn BuRROWIng SnAKES ATRACTASPIdIdAE

Southern (Bibron’s) Burrowing Asp Atractaspis bibronii v v v v v v v v v vCommon Purple-glossed Snake Amblyodipsas polylepis v v v v v*Kalahari Purple-glossed Snake Amblyodipsas ventrimaculata v v v v v v v v vBicoloured quill-snouted Snake Xenocalamus bicolor v vElongate quill-snouted Snake Xenocalamus mechowii v v v v v v v vTYPICAL SnAKES COLuBRIdAE

Brown House Snake Lamprophis fuliginosus v v v v v vCape Wolf Snake Lycophidion capense v v v vMole Snake Pseudaspis cana v v v v v v v v vOlive Marsh Snake Natriciteres olivacea v v v v v v v v v vEastern Striped Swamp Snake Limnophis bangweolicus v v v v v v v v v v*Two-striped Shovelsnout Prosymna bivittata v vAngola Shovelsnout Prosymna angolensis v vEastern Bark Snake Hemirhagerrhis nototaenia v v v vLined Olympic Snake Dromophis lineatus vStriped Skaapsteker Psammophylax tritaeniatus v v v v v v vgrey-bellied grass Snake (Skaapsteker) Psammophylax variabilis vCape (Fork-marked) Sand Snake Psammophis leightoni v vJalla’s Sand Snake Psammophis jallae v vStripe-bellied Sand Snake Psammophis subtaeniatus v v v v v v v v v vdwarf Sand Snake Psammophis angolensis v v v v v v v vOlive grass Snake Psammophis mossambicus v v v v v v v v v vSemiornate Snake Meizodon semiornatus vSpotted Bush Snake Philothamnus semivariegatus v v v v v v v v v vgreen Water Snake Philothamnus hoplogaster vOrnate green Snake Philothamnus ornatus v v v v vWestern green Snake Philothamnus angolensis v v v v v vCommon Egg Eater Dasypeltis scabra v v v v v v v v v v vHerald Snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia v v v vBarotse Water Snake Crotaphopeltis barotseensis v v v vEastern 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 vVine Snake Thelotornis capensis oatesii v v v v vCOBRAS, MAMBAS And ALLIES ELAPIdAE

*Shield-nose Cobra Aspidelaps scutatus v v v v v vAngolan garter Snake Elapsoidea semiannulata v v vBoulenger’s garter Snake Elapsoidea boulengeri v v v vSundervall’s garter Snake Elapsoidea sunderwallii fitzsimonsi v v v v vSnouted Cobra Naja annulifera anchietae v v v v v v v v*Cape Cobra Naja nivea v vMozambique Spitting Cobra Naja mossambica v v v v v v v v v vBlack Mamba Dendroaspis polylepsis v v v v v v v v v v vVIPERS VIPERIdAE

Common (Rhombic) night Adder Causus rhombeatus v v v v v v v v vSnouted night Adder Causus defilippii vPuff Adder Bitis arietans v v v v v v v v v v* Horned Adder Bitis caudalis v vWORM-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*Anchieta’s 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 vBlunt-tailed Worm Lizard Dalophia pistillum v v v v v vLong-tailed Worm Lizard Dalophia longicauda vSKInKS SCInCIdAE

*Striped Legless Skink Typhlosaurus lineatus lineatus v v*Kalahari Burrowing Skink Typhlacontias rohani v v v v v vSundevall’s Writhing Skink Lygosoma sundevallii v v v v v v vCape Skink Trachylepsis capensis v vStriped Skink Mabuya striata v v v v v v v v vVariable 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 vSAnd LIZARdS And RELATEd SPECIES LACERTIdAE

Bushveld Lizard Heliobolus lugubris v v v v v v v v vCape Rough-scaled Lizard Ichnotropis capensis v v v v v v v v vCommon Rough-scaled Lizard Ichnotropis squamulosa v v v v v v v v*Spotted Sandveld Lizard Nucras intertexta v vnamaqua Sand Lizard Pedioplanis namaquensis v vPLATEd LIZARdS gERRHOSAuRIdAE

Yellow-throated Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus flavigularis v v vRough-scaled Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus major vKalahari Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus multilineatus auritus v v v v v v v v vBlack-lined Plated Lizard Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus v v v vMOnITORS VARAnIdAE

Rock (White-throated) Monitor Varanus albigularis v v v v vWater Monitor Varanus niloticus v v v v v v v v v v




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AgAMAS AgAMIdAE

ground Agama Agama aculeata aculeata v v vSouthern Tree Agama Acanthocercus atricollis v vCHAMELEOnS CHAMAELEOnIdAE

Flap-neck Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepsis v v v v v v v v v vgECKOS gEKKOnIdAE

*Kalahari ground gecko Colopus wahlbergii v v v v vCape dwarf gecko Lygodactylus capensis v v v v v v v v v v v* Chobe dwarf gecko Lygodactylus chobiensis v v v*Cape Thick-toed gecko Pachydactylus capensis v vTurner’s Thick-toed gecko Pachydactylus turneri v v v v v v v v v vSpeckled Thick-toed gecko Pachydactylus punctatus v v v v v v v v v vO’Shaughnessy’s Thick-toed gecko Pachydactylus oshaughnessyi v*Common Barking gecko Ptenopus garrulus garrulus v vCROCOdILES CROCOdYLIdAE

nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus v v v v v v v v v v

ground agaMa

SpoTTed BuSH SnaKe flap-neCK CHaMeleon


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 Boettger’s 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

SpeCKled-BellIed graSS frogangolan reed frog

gIanT Bullfrog


AMPhIBIANS OF BOTSWANA


BOTS

LIn

/SEL

KWE

MO

M

XIg

JAO

ABu

CHIT

KHW

CKg

R

LIV

TOAdS BuFOnIdAE

*Western Olive Toad Amietophrynus poweri v v v v v v v v vEastern Olive Toad Amietophrynus garmani vguttural Toad Amietophrynus gutturalis v v v v v v v v v v vKavango Pygmy Toad Poyntonophrynus kavangensis v v v v v vnorthern Pygmy Toad Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti vLemaire’s Toad Amietophrynus lemairii v v v v v v v v vFlat-backed Toad Amietophrynus maculatus v v v v v v v v v vRed Toad Schismaderma carens vSHOVEL-nOSEd FROgS HEMISOTIdAE

guinea Shovel-nosed Frog Hemisus guineensis v v vMottled Shovel-nosed Frog Hemisus marmoratus v v v v v v v v vREEd FROgS, KASSInAS HYPEROLIIdAE

Bocage’s Sharp-nosed Reed Frog Hyperolius bengueellensis v v v v v v v v v vSharp-nosed Reed Frog Hyperolius acuticeps vAngolan Reed Frog Hyperolius parallelus angolensis v v v v v v v v vMarginated Reed Frog Hyperolius marginatus vLong Reed Frog Hyperolius nasutus v v v v v v v v vBubbling Kassina Kassina senegalensis v v v v v v v v v vRAIn FROgS BREVICEPTIdAE

Bushveld Rain Frog Breviceps adspersus v v v v v vRuBBER FROgS MICROHYLIdAE

Banded Rubber Frog Phrynomantis bifasciatus v v v v v v v v v vPLATAnnAS (CLAWEd FROgS) PIPIdAE

Common Platanna Xenopus laevis v v vMüller’s Platanna Xenopus muelleri v v v v v v vPeters’ Platanna Xenopus petersii v v v v v v v vPuddLE FROgS PHRYnOBATRACHIdAE

dwarf Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus mababiensis v v v v v v v v v vSnoring Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus natalensis v v v v v v v v v vORnATE FROgS And gRASS FROgS PTYCHAdEnIdAE

Ornate Frog Hildebrandtia ornata vPlain grass Frog Ptychadena anchietae v v v v v v v v v vguibe’s grass Frog Ptychadena guibei v v v v v v vMascarene grass Frog Ptychadena mascareniensis v v v v v vBroad-banded grass Frog Ptychadena mossambica v v v v v vSharp-nosed grass Frog Ptychadena oxyrhynchus v v v v v vSpeckle-bellied grass Frog Ptychadena subpunctata v v v v vdwarf grass Frog Ptychadena taenioscelis v v v v v v vBuLLFROgS, CACOS And SAnd FROgS PYXICEPHALIdAE

giant Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus v v v v v v v v vAfrican Bullfrog Pyxicephalus edulis vTremelo Sand Frog Tomopterna cryptotis v v v v v v v v v vKnocking Sand Frog Tomopterna krugerensis v v v v v v v v v vRusset-backed Sand Frog Tomopterna marmorata v*Tandy’s Sand Frog Tomopterna tandyi v v v v v v v v


TRAVEL nOTES And HIgHLIgHTS


BOTS

LIn

/SEL

KWE

MO

M

XIg

JAO

ABu

CHIT

KHW

CKg

R

LIV

TRuE FROgS RAnIdAE

darling’s golden-backed Frog Hylarana darlingi vFOAM nEST FROgS RHACOPHORIdAE

Southern Foam nest Frog Chiromantis xerampelina v v v v v v v v v v

dAY 1

dAY 2

dAY 3

dAY 4

dAY 5

dAY 6

dAY 7

dAY 8


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. ConSerVaTIonConservation 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. CoMMunITyThe 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 (children’s camps; bursaries) and training, social benefits, capacity building and infrastructure development (e.g. schools, crèches, clinics). CulTureCulture 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 area’s traditional culture to guests and staff.

Copy: Martin Benadie and Chris Rochedesign: Mary-Anne Van der BylPhotographers: dana Allen, grant Atkinson, Martin Benadie, Caroline Culbert, Russel Friedman, derek de la Harpe, Lets Kamogelo, Marleen Le Roux and Mike Myers. ACKnOWLEdgEMEnTSWith 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: Pel’s 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.

WHITe rHInoCeroS

lIon

rufouS-BellIed Heron CHaCMa BaBoon SouTHern gIraffe

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

www.wilderness-safaris.com

www.wildernesstrust.com

www.childreninthewilderness.com

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