WILDLIFE OF BOTSWANA
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Small Antelopes / Other Herbivores
Impala, common reedbuck, bushbuck, steenbok, duiker, warthog
Botswana's smaller antelopes and herbivores are often overlooked on a safari, but many are lovely and interesting animals, well worth spending time with.

The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is perhaps the most beautiful of all the African antelopes and, in Botswana, it is certainly one of the most common species.  They have been unfortunately referred to as the "McDonalds" of the bush, as they are on almost every predator's menu.

The common reedbuck (Redunca arundinum) inhabits lagoon reed beds and floodplains with tall grasses for hiding.  They are not commonly seen and have a patchy distribution in Botswana.

Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) are a lovely antelope inhabiting dense forests and riverine bush.  It is primarily nocturnal and most often seen in the late afternoon or early morning.  They are similar in appearance to the white-tailed deer of North America, but are smaller.

The steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) is one of Botswana's dwarf antelopes, standing less than 2 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing only 30 pounds.  It is an elegant creature and is widespread throughout Botswana in almost all habitats.  It's size make it unmistakable except perhaps for the duiker.

The warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) is often described as an ugly animal, but this animal has "spunk" and an abundance of character and is a delightful safari animal to watch.  Whether sleeping, wallowing in mud, digging for tubers and attending to their cute piglets, they really are a fun animal and should not be overlooked.

Small Carnivores
Jackals, small cats, foxes, honey badger
Botswana is home to a large variety of small carnivores.  Some of these species are quite common and are seen on most safaris to Botswana, while others are rarely seen except during nights drives or in specific regions.

There are two species of jackal which live in Botswana, the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) and its cousin, the slightly larger side-striped jackal (Canis adustus).  Both species are very successful, owing to their varied diet, which includes just about anything edible.

The smaller cats of Botswana include the serval (Felis serval), the caracal (Felis caracal), the African wild cat (Felis lybica) and the small spotted cat (Felis nigripes).  None of these cats is seen as regularly as the large cats and most are seen more often at night.

Other mainly carnivorous animals, which may be encountered on a Botswana safari are the bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), the cape fox, and the honey badger (Mellivora capensis).

More Small Carnivores
Civet, aardwolf, genets, mongooses, suricate (meerkat), aardvark
The African civet (Civettictis civetta) is a small, racoon-like, nocturnal animal which feeds on snakes, rodents, insects and other small creatures.  It is in the same mammalian family as the genets and mongooses.

The Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) is a timid and nocturnal animal which feeds primarily on termites.  They are similar in appearance to a hyena, with a lovely gold coat and black markings.

There are two species of genet in Botswana: the large-spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) and the small-spotted genet (Genetta genetta).  Genets have long, slender bodies and are found on the ground and in trees.  They are nocturnal, cat-like creatures with a varied diet.

There are many species of mongoose which may be seen while on a safari in Botswana.  The most commonly seen are the banded mongoose (Mungos mungo), the slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea) and the dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula).  Other mongoose species which are seen, but less frequently, include the white-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), the yellow mongoose (Cynictis penicillata), Selous' mongoose (Paracynictis selousi), the water mongoose (Atilax paludinosus), and the large grey mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon).  Most mongooses are terrestrial, feed mainly on insects, and are diurnal.  The dwarf and banded mongooses lead very social lives in cooperative packs, while the others are mainly solitary.

Suricates (Suricata suricatta), also known as meerkats, are a highly sociable member of the mongoose family, with large, highly structured family units.  Meerkats inhabit the driest and most open regions of all mongooses.  Like many other mongoose species, they are insectivorous diggers.

The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a very unique looking animal, with a long pig-like snout, long, tubular ears, a heavy thin tail and almost no hair on most of its body.  They are specialist feeders, excavating termite colonies with their massive front claws, and then eating their fill.  They live in excavated burrows and are mainly nocturnal.

Primates
Chacma baboon, vervet monkey, lesser bushbaby
Botswana's primates are limited to just three species (other than homo sapiens): the chacma baboon, the vervet monkey and the lesser bushbaby.

The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is Botswana's largest primate (other than man). They are also one the most entertaining animals to sit and watch while on safari as they are very intelligent and human-like in many of their behaviors.

The vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) is a common primate in Botswana.  They live in areas with adequate forest and sleep high in the trees at night.  Like the baboon, they have learned how to steal food from man and can sometimes be a nuisance at safari camps.

The lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) is a tiny, nocturnal primate with large eyes.  It spends most of its time in the tree and feeds mainly on tree sap and insects.  In spite of their diminutive size, bushbabies are commonly seen on night safari drives.  They are fairly easy to locate as the spotlight reflects off their eyes.

Reptiles
Nile crocodile, water monitor, rock monitor, southern African python
Botswana's reptiles include the crocodile, two marge monitor lizards, and many species of snakes and other lizards.  Here we discuss the largest of the reptiles, including one snake species.

The nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is Botswana's largest reptile and one of the earth's longest surviving animals.  The crocodile is also one of the few animals on earth that consider humans to be a common prey species.

The water monitor (Varanus niloticus) is a large, predatory, semi-aquatic lizard commonly seen in Botswana's rivers and pans, especially in the Okavango Delta.  They are excellent swimmers and are fond of eating crocodile eggs.

The rock monitor (Varanus albigularis) is basically a dry land version of the water monitor.  They live in tunnels or disused animal burrows and they climb trees quite well.  They feed on invertebrates and any animal small enough to swallow.

The southern African python (Python natalensis) is a very large constrictor, growing to lengths of 16 feet and weighing up to 120 pounds.  They are extremely powerful and prey upon small antelopes, monkeys, monitors and even crocodiles.  They are not poisonous, but can inflict a very serious bite.