Species checklist

BOTSWANA

Africa vegetation map

SEYCHELLES

BiomesDESERT (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)

1

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.

2

Our Botswana concessions

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

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 home to the core nucleus of the Okavango Delta white and black rhino population. The birding, a result of diverse habitats, is equally attractive.Camps: Mombo, Little Mombo

Vumbura ConcessionThe Vumbura area comprises 60 000 hectares in the northern Okavango Delta. This concession includes a diverse mosaic of habitats from permanent swamp with small palm islands to seasonally inundated floodplains, acacia woodlands, and extensive mopane and Kalahari appleleaf stands. The area is known for its scenic beauty and diversity of wildlife. In addition to large herds of elephant and buffalo in seasonally varying degrees of concentration, majestic sable antelope are a highlight here and share the plains and woodlands with zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, impala, lechwe, kudu and giraffe. Healthy populations of lion, leopard and spotted hyaena occur, while wild dog are a particular feature and cheetah sightings occasional. Birdlife is abundant – Okavango specials such as rosy-throated longclaw, black coucal and long-toed lapwing are present.

Camps: Vumbura Plains, Little Vumbura

3

Our Botswana concessions

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

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, Jacana, Kwetsani, Tubu Tree, Little Tubu, Pelo

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.Camp: Xigera

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CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

XIGERA

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANI

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

PELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

CHITABE

CHITABE LEDIBA

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED

QOROKWE

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, Seba

The 125 000 hectare Linyanti Concession borders Chobe National Park’s western boundary. Most of this wildlife-rich area consists of mopane woodland with floodplains and riparian forest along the Linyanti Marsh. Linyanti is also bisected by an ancient, acclaimed watercourse – the Savute Channel – which provides a year-round water source and attraction for wildlife. The area is famed for herds of elephant that reach very high densities in the drier winter months. Other species are also abundant – Burchell’s zebra, blue wildebeest, waterbuck, impala, southern giraffe, red lechwe, reedbuck, kudu – and rarer species such as roan and sable. In addition to lion, spotted hyaena and leopard, the area also plays host to healthy populations of wild dog and occasional cheetah. Birding too is unique here including Arnot’s chat, brilliant flocks of southern carmine bee-eaters (seasonal) and red-necked falcon.Camps: DumaTau, Kings Pool, Linyanti Tented, Savuti

Linyanti Concession

Our Botswana concessions

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VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

CHITABE

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

CHITABE LEDIBA

VUMBURA PLAINS

LITTLE VUMBURA

XIGERA

KINGS POOL

SAVUTI

DUMATAU

CHITABE

MOMBO & LITTLE MOMBO

JAO

JACANA

ABU

SEBA

TUBU TREE & LITTLE TUBU

KWETSANIPELO

LINYANTI TENTED CAMP

QOROKWE

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, separating the Channel from acacia and mopane woodland. The western half is bounded by 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 birds. It is this diversity of Okavango and Kalahari habitats that allows good concentrations of 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, Verreaux’s eagle-owl and pink-backed pelican.Camps: Chitabe, Chitabe Lediba

Qorokwe ConcessionComprising 26 180 hectares, in the south-eastern Okavango Delta. Habitat mosaic of occasional wetland, seasonal floodplains, riverine forest, groves of real fan palms and dry woodland. Thanks to this habitat diversity predators such as lion, leopard, spotted hyaena and African wild dog are all well represented. Herbivores from southern giraffe, greater kudu and Cape buffalo to hippopotamus are equally abundant making for exciting all-round game viewing. Intriguing smaller mammals such as side-striped jackal and banded mongoose add another element. Qorokwe harbours an interesting mix of dryland and water bird species that favour the acacia, mopane, grassland and shallow inundated Okavango wetland margins of Qorokwe. The birdlist here is extensive and includes crimson-breasted shrike, Kori bustard, Burchell’s sandgrouse, goliath heron, little bee-eater and African hawk-eagle as some of the resident species. Camp: Qorokwe

Our Botswana concessions

6

KALAHARI PLAINS

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.Camp: Kalahari Plains

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. Camp: Toka Leya

TOKA LEYA

ZAMBIA

ZIMBABWE

ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

MOSI-OA-TUNYANATIONAL PARK

VICTORIA FALLS

LIVINGSTONE

Zambia/Zimbabwe

Our Botswana concessions

7

Quick bird family indexApalis..................................................................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

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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 this checklist• 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.

Checklist key• BOTS – Botswana • ABU – Abu Concession • CHIT – Chitabe Concession • CKGR – Central Kalahari Concession • JAO – Jao Concession • LIN – Linyanti Concession • MOM – Mombo Concession • QOR – Qorokwe Concession • VUM – Vumbura Concession • XIG – Xigera Concession • LIV – Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

* Southern African endemic or near-endemic species

9

Recommended field guidesStuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern AfricaChris and Mathilde Stuart. Struik NatureISBN: 9781775841111Comprehensive field guide covering greater southern Africa. APP: eGuide to Mammals of Southern Africa

The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African MammalsJonathan Kingdon. Bloomsbury Natural History.ISBN: 9781472924384In compact format – the field guide of choice to take on African safaris.

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa – 4th EditionIan Sinclair; Phil Hockey; Warwick Tarboton. Struik Publishers. ISBN: 9781770079250The all-in-one guide to the birds of southern Africa.APP: Sasol eBirds of Southern Africa

Roberts Bird Guide – 2nd EditionHugh Chittenden, Ingrid Weiersbye and Greg Davies. Jacana Media.ISBN: 9781920602017Concise and portable, this revised edition is an excellent field guide for southern Africa.APP: Roberts Multimedia Birds of SA

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.

APP: Frogs of Southern Africa

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.

APP: eSnakes of Southern Africa

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HONEY BADGER PANGOLIN

SITATUNGA

LEOPARD

AFRICAN ELEPHANT

RED LECHWE

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MammalsBotswana 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.

BLACK RHINO

BANDED MONGOOSE

ORYX/SPRINGBOK HERD

AARDWOLF

CHACMA BABOON

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Mammals of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

Shrews Soricomorpha

Swamp Musk Shrew Crocidura mariquensis v v v v v v v v v

Lesser Red Musk Shrew Crocidura hirta v v v v v v v v v v

Reddish-grey Musk Shrew Crocidura cyanea v

Greater Dwarf Shrew Suncus lixus v

Elephant Shrews Macroscelidea

Short-snouted Elephant-shrew Elephantulus brachyrhynchus v

Bats Chiroptera

Peters’s Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus crypturus v v v v v v v v v

Mauritian Tomb Bat Taphozous mauritianus v v v v v v v v v v

Sundevall’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros caffer v

Commerson’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros commersoni v v v v v v

Egyptian Slit-faced Bat Nycteris thebaica v v v v v v v v v v

Hildebrandt’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus hildebrandti v

Ruppell’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus fumigatus v v v

Darling’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus darlingi v v

Dent’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus denti v v v v v v v

Rusty Bat Pipistrellus rusticus v v v v v

Cape Serotine Bat Neoromicia capensis v v v v v v v v v v

Banana Bat Neoromicia nanus v v v v v v v v v

Ruppell’s Bat Pipistrellus rueppellii v v v v v

Butterfly Bat Glauconycteris variegata v v v v

Botswana Long-eared Bat Laephotis botswanae v v v v

Schleiffen’s Bat Nycticeius schleiffenii v v v v v v v v

Yellow House Bat Scotophilus dinganii v v

Lesser Yellow House Bat Scotophilus borbonicus v v

Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca v v v v v v v v v v

Angolan Free-tailed Bat Tadarida condylura v v v v

Midas Free-tailed Bat Tadarida midas v v

Little Free-tailed Bat Tadarida pumila v v v v v v v v v

Schreiber’s Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus schreibersii v v v v v v v v v

Primates Primates

Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus v v v v v v v v v v

Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops v v v v v v v v v v

Lesser Bushbaby Galago moholi v v v v v v v v

Pangolins Pholidota

Pangolin Smutsia temminckii v v v v v v v v v

Hares Lagomorpha

Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis v v v v v v v v v v v

Rodents, Squirrels And Gerbils Rodentia

*South African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris v v

Tree (Smith’s Bush) Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi v v v v v v v v v v

Woodland Dormouse Graphiurus murinus v v v v v v v v v v v

Springhare Pedetes capensis v v v v v v v v v v

Damara Molerat Cryptomys damarensis v v v v v v v v v v

Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis v v v v v v v v v v

Greater Cane Rat Thryonomys swinderianus v v v v v v v v v

13

Woosnam’s Broad-headed Mouse Zelotomys woosnami v v v v

South African Pouched Mouse Saccostomus campestris v v v v v v v v v

Fat Mouse Steatomys pratensis v v v v v v v v v

Tiny Fat Mouse Steatomys parvus v

Grey Climbing Mouse Dendromus melanotis v v v v v v v v v v

Brant’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 v

Bushveld 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 v

Red Rock Rat Aethomys chrysophilus v v v v v v v v v v

African Marsh Rat Dasymus incomtus v v v v v v

Four-striped (Grass) Mouse Rhabdomys pumilio v v

Single-striped Mouse Lemniscomys rosalia v v v v v v v v v v v

Desert Pygmy Mouse Mus indutus v v v v v

Pygmy Mouse Mus minutoides v v

Acacia Rat Thallomys paedulcus v v v v v v v v v v

Groove-toothed Swamp Rat Pelomys fallax v v v v v v v v v

Multimammate Mouse Mastomys coucha v v v v v v v v v

Angoni Vlei Rat Otomys angoniensis v v v

Carnivores Carnivora

*Cape Fox Vulpes chama v v

Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis v v v v v v v v v

Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas v v v v v v v v v v

Side-striped Jackal Canis adustus v v v v v v v v v

Wild Dog Lycaon pictus v v v v v v v v v v

Cape Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis v v v v v v v v v v

Spotted-necked Otter Lutra maculicollis v v v v v v v v v

Honey Badger Mellivora capensis v v v v v v v v v v

Striped Weasel Poecilogale albinucha v

Striped Polecat Ictonyx striatus v v v v v v v v v

Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo v v v v v v v v v v

Selous’s Mongoose Paracynictis selousi v v v v v v v v v

Large Grey (Egyptian) Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon v v v v v v v v v

Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea v v v v v v v v v v v

Marsh (Water) Mongoose Atilax paludinosus v v v v v v v v v

Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula v v v v v v v v v v

White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda v

Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata v v v v v v v

*Suricate Suricata suricatta v v

Small-spotted Genet Genetta genetta v v v v v v

Large-spotted Genet Genetta tigrina v v v v v v v v v v

African Civet Civettictis civetta v v v v v v v v v

Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta v v v v v v v v v v

Brown Hyaena Hyaena brunnea v v

Aardwolf Proteles cristatus v v v v v v v v v

African Wild Cat Felis lybica v v v v v v v v v v

Mammals of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

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Small Spotted Cat Felis nigripes v v v

Serval Leptailurus serval v v v v v v v v v

Caracal Caracal caracal v v v v v v v v v v

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus v v v v v v v v v

Lion Panthera leo v v v v v v v v v v

Leopard Panthera pardus v v v v v v v v v v

Aardvark Tubulidentata

Aardvark Orycteropus afer v v v v v v v v v v

Elephants Proboscidea

African Elephant Loxodonta africana v v v v v v v v v v v

Odd-Toed Ungulates Perissodactyla

Plains (Burchell’s) Zebra Equus quagga burchellii v v v v v v v v v v

Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis v v

White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum v v v

Warthog Artiodactyla: Suiformes

Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus v v v v v v v v v v

Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus v v

Hippopotamus Artiodactyla: Whippomorpha

Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius v v v v v v v v v v

Giraffe, Buffalo, Antelope Artiodactyla: Ruminantia

Southern Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis v v v v v v v v v v v

Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer caffer v v v v v v v v v v

Eland Taurotragus oryx v v v

Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros v v v v v v v v v v

Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekei v v v v v v v v v

Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus v v v v v v v v v

Roan Hippotragus equinus v v v

Sable Hippotragus niger v v v

Gemsbok Oryx gazella v v

Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus v v v v v v v v v

Red Lechwe Kobus leche v v v v v v v v v

Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum v v v v v v v v v

Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus taurinus v v v v v v v v v v v

Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama v v

Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus v v v v v v v v v

Common Impala Aepyceros melampus melampus v v v v v v v v v v

Springbok Antidorcas marsuplialis v v

Steenbok Raphicerus campestris v v v v v v v v v v v

Common (Grey) Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia v v v v v v v v v

Mammals of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

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BirdsThanks 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.

PEL’S FISHING-OWL

SCALY-FEATHERED FINCH

RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON

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

WATTLED CRANE AFRICAN SKIMMER

16

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

Shelley’s Francolin Scleroptila shelleyi v

*Red-billed Spurfowl Pternistis adspersus v v v v v v v v v v

Natal Spurfowl Pternistes natalensis v

Swainson’s 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 v

Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma v 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

Bennett’s 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

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

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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

*Bradfield’s 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

Levaillant’s 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

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

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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

Klaas’s 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

Meyer’s Parrot Poicephalus meyeri v v v v v v v v v v

Swifts and Spinetails Apodidae

Böhm’s 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 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

Schalow’s 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 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

Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus v v v v v v v v v v

Pel’s Fishing-Owl Scotopelia peli v v v v v v v v v

African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii 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 v

Marsh Owl Asio capensis v 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 v

Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma v

Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis v v v v v v v v

Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii v v v v v v v v v

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena v v v v v v

European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus v v v v v v v

Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius v v v

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

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Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

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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

Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami v v v

Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori v 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 v

Cranes Gruidae

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum v 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

Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla v v v v

African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis v v v v v v

Allen’s 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 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 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 v

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa v v v v v

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica v

Common Redshank Tringa totanus v v v v

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis v 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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Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

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Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos v 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 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 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 v

Kittlitz’s Plover Charadrius pecuarius v 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 v

Three-banded Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus v v v v

Temminck’s Courser Cursorius temminckii v 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 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 v

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Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

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CKG

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Kites, Hawks and Eagles Accipitridae

African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides v v v v v v

European Honey-Buzzard Pernis apivorus v 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 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 v

Black-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis v 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 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 v v

Montagu’s 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 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 v

Verreauxs’ Eagle Aquila verreauxii v

African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster v v v v v v v v v v

Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle Aquila ayresii v v v v v v v

Booted Eagle Aquila pennatus v v v

Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi v v v v v v v v v v

Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus v v v v v v v v v v v

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis v 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 v

22

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

Dickinson’s Kestrel Falco dickinsoni v v v v v v v v v

Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera v v v v v v v v v v v

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus v v v v v v v

Amur Falcon Falco amurensis v v 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 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 v

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath v 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 v v v v

Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor v v v v 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

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

23

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

Abdim’s 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 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 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 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 v

Helmetshrikes Prionopidae

White-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus v v v v v v v v v

Retz’s 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

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

24

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

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 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 v

Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata v 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 v 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 v

Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris v v v v v

Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris v 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 v

Reed Warblers and Allies Acrocephalidae

River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis v

Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala v 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 v

Greater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens v v v v v

Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris v v v v v v v

Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum v v v 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

25

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

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 v

*Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Sylvia subcaeruleum v v v v v v v v v

Babblers 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 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 v v v

Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus v v v

Luapula Cisticola Cisticola luapula v v v v v v v v

Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens v v v v v v v

Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla v v v v v v v

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis v v v v v v v v v v

Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus v 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 v

Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata v v v v v v v v v v

*Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus v v

Stierling’s 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 v

Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops v v v v

Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis v v v v v v v v

Larks Alaudidae

Monotonous Lark Mirafra passerina v v v

Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana v v v v v v v v v

Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea v v v v

*Eastern Clapper Lark Mirafra fasciolata v v

*Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota v v v v v v

Fawn-coloured Lark Calendulauda africanoides v v v v v v

Dusky Lark Pinarocorys nigricans v v v v v v

*Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata v v

Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark Eremopterix leucotis v v v v v v

*Grey-backed Sparrowlark Eremopterix verticalis v v v v v v

Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea v v v v v v v v

Thrushes Turdidae

Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa v v v v v v v v v v

Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus v v v v v v v v

Robins, Chats, Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae

White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini v v v v v v v v v

Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis v

26

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

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 v

African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus v v v v v v v v

Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata v v v v v v

Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris v

*Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora v v v v

Arnot’s Chat Myrmecocichla arnoti 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 v v

Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina v 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

*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 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 v v

Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris v v v 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 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 v v

*Scaly-feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons v v 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

27

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus v v v v v v

Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes melanotis v 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 v

Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix v v v v v v v

Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis v

Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris v v v v v v v v

White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus v v v

Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons v v v v v

Waxbills and Allies Estrildidae

Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava v 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 v

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild v v v v v v v v v

*Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina v 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 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 v

Jameson’s 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 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

Great Sparrow Passer motitensis v v

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 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 v v

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava v 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

28

SLATY EGRET

RED-CRESTED KORHAAN

Birds of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys v v v v v v v

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 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 VIOLET-EARED WAXBILL

29

ReptilesBotswana’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

30

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

Speke’s Hinged Tortoise Kinixys spekii 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 v

Mashona Hinged Terrapin Pelusios rhodesianus v v v

Blind Snakes Typhlopidae

Schlegel’s 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 (Bibron’s) 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

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

Lined Olympic Snake Dromophis lineatus v

Striped Skaapsteker Psammophylax tritaeniatus v v v v v v v

Grey-bellied Grass Snake (Skaap-steker) Psammophylax variabilis v

Cape (Fork-marked) Sand Snake Psammophis leightoni v v

Jalla’s 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

Reptiles of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

R

VUM

XIG

LIV

31

Eastern Tiger Snake Telescopus semiannulatus v v v v v v v v

Boomslang Dispholidus typus v v v v v v v v v

Vine Snake Thelotornis capensis oatesii v 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

Boulenger’s Garter Snake Elapsoidea boulengeri v v v v

Sundervall’s Garter Snake Elapsoidea sunderwallii fitzsimonsi 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

*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 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

Sundevall’s 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 Species Lacertidae

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

Reptiles of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

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32

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

Agamas Agamidae

Ground Agama Agama aculeata aculeata v v v v

Southern Tree Agama Acanthocercus atricollis v v

Chameleons Chamaeleonidae

Flap-neck Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepsis v v v v v v v v v v

Geckos Gekkonidae

*Kalahari Ground Gecko Colopus wahlbergii v v v v v v

Cape 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 v

Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko Pachydactylus turneri v v v v v v v v v v

Speckled Thick-toed Gecko Pachydactylus punctatus v v v v v v v v v v

O’Shaughnessy’s Thick-toed Gecko Pachydactylus oshaughnessyi v

*Common Barking Gecko Ptenopus garrulus garrulus v v

Crocodiles Crocodylidae

Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus v v v v v v v v v v

GROUND AGAMA

NILE CROCODILE

FLAP-NECK CHAMELEON

Reptiles of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

R

JAO

LIN

MO

M

QO

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VUM

XIG

LIV

33

AmphibiansThe 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 to 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.

ANGOLAN REED FROG

GUINEA SHOVEL-NOSED FROG

LONG REED FROG

GIANT BULLFROG

34

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

Lemaire’s 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

Bocage’s 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

Müller’s 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

Guibe’s 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

*Tandy’s Sand Frog Tomopterna tandyi v v v v v v v v

Amphibians of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

BOTS

ABU

CHIT

CKG

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JAO

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True Frogs Ranidae

Darling’s 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 highlightsDay 1

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Day 7

Day 8

Amphibians of BotswanaCOMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

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WIL

DER

NES

S TR

IVIA

AFRICAN SKIMMERREPRESENTS THE FRAGILE ENVIRONMENTS THAT WE STRIVE TO PROTECT – AS WELL AS OUR FLIGHT FORWARD TO MEET NEW CHALLENGES

OU

RLO

GO

IT ALL STARTED

1983FOUNDED BY TWO YOUNG GUIDES

WE PROTECT OVER

2.5 million

OF EXCLUSIVE WILDERNESS AREAS

hectares(6 million acres)

Our operational blueprint – The 4CsWithin our industry we have unquestionably the greatest total positive impact on both rural communities and biodiversity conservation:

• Commerce – We create life-changing journeys for our guests and clients and work closely with our government partners, conservation and community stakeholders and shareholders, to ensure the ongoing financial success and sustainability of our business.

• Community – People are at the heart of our business. We hope to provide opportunities and growth to

inspire our staff and external communities to learn about nature, love and conserve it, and to realise the importance of ecotourism.

• Culture – We respect and promote our unique Wilderness culture, as well as those of our employees

and neighbouring rural communities. We hope to positively impact a global culture of respect and care for the environment.

• Conservation – We aim to maximise the positive impact of our operations on biodiversity conservation

and to build and manage our camps in the most eco-friendly way possible to minimise any negative impacts.

We understand this as building sustainable conservation economies

Who are we?Wilderness Safaris is a community of people dedicated to conserving and restoring Africa’s wilderness and wildlife through authentic, sustainable ecotourism.

Our Values• Leadership: We are accountable for our actions, have the courage to innovate and are purpose-

driven in shaping a better Africa.• Respect: We are authentic, honest and ethical.• Fun: We enjoy making a difference, building relationships and changing lives.• Dedication: Our commitment to the environment, our people and our guests is unwavering.

Copy: Martin Benadie and Chris Roche

Design and artwork: Mary-Anne Van Der Byl

Photographers: Dana Allen, Grant Atkinson, Martin Benadie,

Caroline Culbert, Russel Friedman, 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.

COPYRIGHT © WILDERNESS SAFARIS 2017

www.wilderness-safaris.com

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