{"id":876706,"date":"2025-11-17T22:11:26","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T21:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adventureworld.com\/blog\/?p=876706"},"modified":"2026-03-19T02:34:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T01:34:12","slug":"wildlife-of-namibia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adventureworld.com\/blog\/wildlife-of-namibia\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildlife of Namibia: What Animals You Can Expect to See"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Wedged between Angola, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa in the continent\u2019s southwest, <\/span><\/span>Namibia\u2019s<\/span><\/span><\/a> landscapes are as diverse as the menagerie that fills them. Here, red deserts, desolate coastlines, lush <\/span>floodplains<\/span> and vast salt pans all set the scene for encounters with<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>more than 5,200 species<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span>of flora and fauna, many of them endemic <\/span><\/span>(get your bearings with this <\/span><\/span>handy map<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Whether <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> into classic African guided safaris or taking your own sweet time on a <\/span>self-drive<\/span> holiday, discovering the<\/span>\u202f<\/span>wildlife of Namibia <\/span>is <\/span>an opportunity to <\/span><\/span>MAKE TRAVEL MATTER\u00ae<\/span><\/span><\/a> \u2013 and to have the wildest adventure of your life. <\/span><\/span>Read on to discover Namibia\u2019s most sought-after critters and where to see them for yourself.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Quick Overview of Namibia\u2019s Ecosystems<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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At a glance<\/span>, Namibia spans<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>four terrestrial biomes \u2013 desert, karoo, savannah and woodland \u2013 plus two aquatic realms: the Atlantic coast\/marine zone and extensive wetlands<\/span><\/span>. Each <\/span>eco<\/span>s<\/span>ystem<\/span> brings new <\/span>wildlife <\/span>opportunities:<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>fleet-footed<\/span><\/span> oryx<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>(gemsbok) on the towering dunes of<\/span> <\/span>Sossusvlei <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>and the<\/span> <\/span>Namib Desert<\/span><\/span><\/a>; <\/span><\/span>lions, giraffes, <\/span>zebras<\/span> and rhinos<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span>gathering at<\/span> <\/span>Etosha National Park\u2019s <\/span><\/span><\/a>waterholes; and<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>desert-adapted elephants<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>amid<\/span> the rugged expanses of<\/span> <\/span>Damaraland <\/span><\/span><\/a>and<\/span><\/span> Kaokoland<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/span>W<\/span>atery wilderness<\/span>es are a<\/span> stark contrast to these parched lands: along <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>Skeleton Coast<\/span><\/span><\/a> you\u2019ll<\/span> find<\/span> Cape fur seal colonies<\/span>,<\/span> and<\/span> in the country\u2019s<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>northeast<\/span><\/span>,<\/span> the hippo-dotted wetlands of the<\/span> <\/span>Zambezi Region<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span><\/a>(also known as the <\/span><\/span>Caprivi Strip<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span>. It all adds up to a<\/span> nation<\/span>wide <\/span>tapestry of<\/span> habitats <\/span>sustaining<\/span> a unique mix of <\/span>life.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Oryx<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Common Mammals Found on Safari<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Namibia\u2019s four-legged residents extend well beyond the Big Five \u2013 yes, you should look for lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes, but the real magic of the wildlife of Namibia lies in its sheer variety.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Oryx (gemsbok)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Iconic on the Sossusvlei dunes and widespread across <\/span>Namib-Naukluft<\/span><\/a> and Etosha, the gemsbok thrives in arid zones by going long stretches without drinking and drawing moisture from desert plants. And while some may quip about \u2018desert unicorns\u2019, oryxes actually have\u202f<\/span>two<\/span>\u202flong horns \u2013 often up to about\u202f<\/span>120cm, and <\/span>more than capable of deterring predators.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Springbok<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Small, agile and abundant on Etosha\u2019s plains and other open semi-arid habitats, springboks pile around waterholes in large numbers. When threats appear from lions, cheetahs and other predators, they \u2018pronk\u2019: a stiff-legged, springing high bounce that confuses their would-be hunters.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Greater kudu<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Greater kudu are browsers, not grazers, and their spiral horns make them easy to pick out in broken woodland \u2013 especially in mopane and acacia belts around Etosha, and in the northeast around <\/span>Waterberg Plateau<\/span><\/a>, where they live alongside fellow browsers like roan and sable.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Elephants<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Elephant<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Namibia is home to some <\/span>23,000 <\/span>savannah elephants, and you\u2019ll find them in big herds at Etosha\u2019s waterholes and in the Zambezi Region. Further afield, the famed <\/span>desert-adapted <\/span>elephants of Damaraland\/Kaokoland can go days without water while travelling between sources and are known to dig for it in dry riverbeds \u2013 behavioural quirks that help them ride out drought.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Zebra<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Look for Burchell\u2019s (plains) zebra on Etosha\u2019s grasslands.\u202f<\/span>Hartmann\u2019s mountain zebras <\/span>\u2013 sure-footed, slightly smaller, and with\u202f<\/span>unstriped white bellies<\/span> \u2013 are found in the west and south, including the <\/span>Fish River Canyon <\/span><\/a>area and the Naukluft escarpment.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Cape buffalo<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

For reliable buffalo herds year-round, head to the Zambezi Region\u2019s <\/span>Bwabwata<\/span>, <\/span>Mudumu <\/span><\/a>and <\/span>Nkasa Rupara <\/span><\/a>national parks, where extensive floodplains and riparian woodlands appeal to these Big Five heavyweights.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Giraffe<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Namibia\u2019s giraffes are spread far and wide, with <\/span>Etosha\u2019s acacia savannahs<\/span>\u202fyour best bet for seeing them in good numbers, although it\u2019s always a highlight to see them in the dry river valleys of <\/span>Damaraland and Kaokoland<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Blue wildebeest <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Blue wildebeest<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Also known as the\u202f\u2018gnu\u2019, this grazer forms sizeable\u202fherds in Etosha and its surrounding conservancies. Namibia isn\u2019t part of <\/span>East Africa\u2019s<\/span><\/a> famous long-distance Great Migration route (that spectacle belongs to the Serengeti-Mara system), so you can see wildebeest here\u202fall year round.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Lion<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Etosha\u2019s\u202ffloodlit waterholes\u202fare prime spots for catching the after-dark lion action \u2013\u202f<\/span>Okaukuejo,\u202fHalali\u202fand\u202fNamutoni\u202f<\/span><\/a>all have viewing areas where lions often appear between elephant and rhino sightings. For an extra-extra special encounter, you might also try looking for the desert-adapted\u202flions of the <\/span>Kunene\/Skeleton Coast\u202f<\/span><\/a>region, of which there are an estimated 60. As prey is sparse, these prides tend to be\u202fsmall, very mobile, and occasionally take Cape fur seals and coastal birds.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Leopard<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

As is the case across Africa, leopards are widespread but elusive, although you might get lucky in Etosha or around the rocky ranges of Waterberg. For an immersive base and guided tracking,\u202f<\/span>Okonjima<\/span><\/a> \u2013 home of the\u202f<\/span>AfriCat Foundation<\/span><\/a> \u2013 is one of Namibia\u2019s most reliable places to look for them.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Spotted hyena<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

An accomplished hunter-scavenger you\u2019ll often\u202f<\/span>hear before you see<\/span>, spotted hyenas are usually hot on the hooves of herbivores, so you may encounter them on Etosha\u2019s central and eastern plains and near waterholes \u2013 especially after dark.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cheetah<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cheetah<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Namibia supports one of, if not the <\/span>world\u2019s largest cheetah population<\/span>, with most of them ranging between farmlands and conservancies rather than inside the formal national parks. Still, Etosha and the central regions offer good chances, and with Adventure World <\/span>you can experience <\/span>Okonjima\u2019s AfriCat Foundation and <\/span>MAKE TRAVEL MATTER\u00ae<\/span><\/a> with a range of <\/span>conservation-focused activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

African wild dog<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Endangered and always on the move, painted dogs are concentrated in the\u202f<\/span>northeast<\/span> \u2013 most notably\u202fin <\/span>Khaudum\u202fNational Park<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Bwabwata, Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara<\/span> areas \u2013 where packs of<\/span> 6-20<\/span>\u202fhounds roam huge distances. Sightings are rare, but utterly unforgettable.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Rhino (black & white)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Namibia is a <\/span>global stronghold <\/span>for critically endangered black rhinos \u2013while numbers aren\u2019t published to help prevent poaching, Etosha\u202fis thought to hold the largest single population \u2013 and the country also has the world\u2019s\u202f<\/span>second-largest<\/span>\u202fwhite-rhino population after South Africa. You\u2019ll see black rhinos most reliably at Etosha\u2019s night-lit waterholes; white rhinos occur in smaller numbers in Etosha and on its adjacent reserves. Across the country, anti-poaching measures are led by the\u202f<\/span>Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (<\/span>MEFT<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>and include everything from specialised patrols to translocations. If black rhinos top your wish list, you can contribute to their conservation by joining our black-rhino tracking experience, led by<\/span> Save the Rhino Trust\u2019s <\/span><\/a>community rhino rangers.<\/span> Chat to our <\/span>Destination Experts<\/span><\/a> to find out how.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Black Rhino<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Unique and Rare Species <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The wildlife of Namibia isn\u2019t only about the headline predators \u2013 finding these small, shy and specialist mammals is just as satisfying.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Meerkat<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

A member of the mongoose family, these crowd-pleasing, sentinel-posting insectivores are found in the country\u2019s far east and on the south-east Kalahari sandveld. Look for them on the open <\/span>Kalahari<\/span><\/a> sands and in conservancies around <\/span>Gobabis <\/span><\/a>(Omaheke) and <\/span>Stampriet<\/span><\/a> (Hardap).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Aardvark<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

This strictly nocturnal ant-and-termite eater is widespread across Namibia\u2019s savannahs and semi-arid zones, but super elusive. You\u2019ll need to go on a night safari to try for them \u2013 in areas with sandy soils and plenty of termite mounds.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Aardwolf<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

A relative of the hyena, this nocturnal termite specialist emerges from its burrow at night to forage but<\/span> is rarely seen. <\/span>Your best bet? Try a night safari through the open grasslands of the wider Etosha-Kalahari belt.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Bat-eared fox<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Bat-Eared fox<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

About the same size as your average house cat, this little canid has big ears, an insect-heavy diet and a mouth full of pearly whites (with 48 teeth, it has more than any other canid). Keep an eye out for them foraging in the short grasses of Etosha\u2019s plains at dusk and dawn.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Honey Badger<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

While national surveys report roughly <\/span>15,900-31,800 <\/span>of them in Namibia, honey badgers are still notoriously hard to spot. To locate them, check for fresh tracks near waterholes and along sandy roads alongside deserts and woodlands. Built like little tanks, they have <\/span>thick, loose skin <\/span>that helps them twist free from attackers and withstand <\/span>snake bites<\/span> \u2013 which is why they\u2019ll stand their ground against much larger predators.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Oribi and Puku<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Both of these antelopes are found in the northeast. The dainty, endangered oribi is found only in the Zambezi Region\u2019s wetlands, while the chunkier, near threatened puku (<\/span>Kobus vardonii<\/span><\/i>) lives on the floodplains of Nkasa Rupara.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Explore the living desert, wildlife hotspots and Indigenous cultures all on your own terms with our 11-day Authentic Namibia self-drive <\/a>holiday.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Marine and Coastal Wildlife<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Skeleton Coast<\/span> is <\/span>prime territory for encounters with seals and Africa\u2019s only penguin.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cape Fur Seal<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cape Fur Seal<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

More than half of southern Africa\u2019s 1.7 million Cape fur seals live along Namibia\u2019s coasts, with the main site, <\/span>Cape Cross Seal Reserve<\/span><\/a>, home to tens of thousands of them during their November-December breeding season. Boardwalks and dedicated viewing platforms offer eye-level encounters and exceptional photo opportunities, all an easy drive north of<\/span> Swakopmund<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

African Penguin<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Endemic to the continent\u2019s south, the African penguin is now listed as\u202f<\/span>critically endangered <\/span>by the IUCN, with global numbers falling to <\/span>below 10,000 breeding pairs <\/span>in recent years. In Namibia, most of the birds breed on offshore islands inside the <\/span>Namibian Islands\u2019 Marine Protected Area,<\/span><\/a> so viewing is restricted to\u202f<\/span>licensed catamaran tours from<\/span> L\u00fcderitz<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Notable Birdlife<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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With\u202f<\/span>687 recorded bird species<\/span>, the whole country is an open-air aviary of must-sees. Tick off these lifers first:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Pel\u2019s Fishing Owl<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Around\u202f<\/span>50-60 cm<\/span>\u202ftall, Africa\u2019s largest fish-owl patrols the riverbanks of the lush northeast in search of its preferred snacks \u2013 mainly fish, but sometimes frogs, crabs and occasionally, baby crocs. It\u2019s usually active after dark and is most often seen along the rivers of the\u202f<\/span>Mahango Core Area\u202f<\/span><\/a>of\u202f<\/span>Bwabwata National Park<\/span>; to boost your chances on a night drive, ask local guides to check their known roost trees during the day, so you know where to return after sunset.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

African Fish Eagle<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa wherever there\u2019s open water, the African fish eagle is a familiar sight on the great northeast rivers \u2013 especially the\u202f<\/span>Okavango, Kwando and Zambezi \u2013 and it also appears on Namibia\u2019s official coat of arms, being the country\u2019s national bird. For the closest views, take a river cruise in the\u202fZambezi Region\u202for through\u202fBwabwata\u2019s\u202fwaterways<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ostrich<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ostrich<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Namibia\u2019s wild ostriches are the southern subspecies of the common ostrich. For sheer numbers and classic photo ops, look to\u202f<\/span>Etosha\u2019s<\/span>\u202fopen grasslands and around its salt pans, or the\u202f<\/span>Namib-Naukluft\u2019s<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>gravel plains around\u202f<\/span>Sossusvlei<\/span> \u2013 both parks deliver excellent daytime encounters.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Iconic Flora of Namibia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are roughly <\/span>4,200 native plant species across Namibia. These are the headliners.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Welwitschia Plant <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Endemic to the Namib Desert,<\/span> welwitschia mirabilis<\/span><\/i> is the sole species in its genus and grows just two strappy leaves for life, spreading several metres across, and often surviving for centuries. This living fossil is also the country\u2019s national plant, appearing on its<\/span> coat of arms. See it in all its otherworldly glory on the<\/span> Welwitschia Plains drive <\/span><\/a>in<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>Namib-Naukluft National Park <\/span>near Swakopmund, <\/span>within the<\/span> Namib Sand Sea World Heritage site<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Quiver tree <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

Not really a tree but rather an extra-large branching aloe in the asphodel family, the quiver tree is instantly recognisable for its chalky bark and snaking crown. Indigenous San communities traditionally hollowed out its branches to make their arrow quivers \u2013 hence its name. This endangered icon is native to southern Namibia and is most reliably found in the <\/span>Quiver Tree Forest<\/span><\/a> and near the\u202f<\/span>Fish River Canyon<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Quiver Tree<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Where to See Wildlife in Namibia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Namibia\u2019s protected network is extensive: 20 state-run <\/span>conservation<\/span> areas cover about 17 per cent\u202fof the country, and in between them <\/span>you\u2019ll<\/span> find\u202fmore than 100\u202fcommunity and private <\/span>protected <\/span>areas \u2013 where wildlife moves freely across conservancy and park boundaries. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Get started in the central north where Etosha National Park is renowned for its big game, vast salt <\/span>pan<\/span> and classic waterhole scenes; and in the central-west, where<\/span> Namib-<\/span>Naukluft<\/span> National Park delivers desert-adapted wildlife<\/span> and<\/span> the\u202f<\/span>extraordinary scenes of the <\/span>Namib Sand Sea\u202fWorld Heritage site. You can further track desert wildlife up the far north-west through Skeleton Coast <\/span>Park or<\/span> set your GPS for the verdant north-east <\/span>where riverine wildlife abounds in the <\/span>Bwabwata <\/span>and <\/span>Nkasa<\/span> Rupara <\/span>areas. Closer to the capital, <\/span><\/span>Daan Viljoen Game Reserve <\/span><\/span><\/a>is home to springbok, kudu, oryx, blue wildebeest, Hartmann\u2019s mountain zebra, leopard and more than 200\u202fbird species \u2013 all just 24km west of Windhoek.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Giraffes<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Final Tips for Wildlife Watching in Namibia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Know when to go.<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span><\/h3>

While Namibia is a year-round destination, for wildlife the best months are July, August, September and October, when dry winter-spring conditions lure animals to waterholes and there are clear days (around 15-25\u00b0C) and cold nights (0-10\u00b0C). The rainy summer season runs from November to April, with short storms peaking between January and March and daytime highs around 30-35\u00b0C.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Get there.<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span><\/h3>

From Australia or New Zealand, connect via\u202f<\/span>Johannesburg<\/span><\/a>; the hop to\u202f<\/span>Windhoek (WDH)\u202f<\/span><\/a>is about\u202f<\/span>two hours<\/span>\u202fwith multiple daily services. From Windhoek, you can link to regional hubs via\u202f<\/span>FlyNamibia,<\/span><\/a> board a charter to remote lodges, connect with your safari guide, or hit the road for your self-drive holiday.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Stay and play.<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span><\/h3>

Public national parks are government-run and great value for self-drivers, but they<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>don\u2019t allow off-road<\/span> driving<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/b>(and generally restrict night drives and walking outside guided activities). Private concessions and conservancies next to the parks typically <\/span>offer exclusive access for lodge guests and a wider variety of activities. To discover the private concessions and lodges best suited to your interests, give Adventure World\u2019s Destination Experts a call on 1300 363 055 (AU) or 0800 238 368 (NZ).\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Be safe. <\/span><\/b><\/h3>

As you\u2019ll see on <\/span>Smartraveller,<\/span><\/a> Namibia is a safe country to visit, but if you\u2019re self<\/span>–<\/span><\/b>driving, be prepared for the unexpected by downloading this <\/span>excellent Namibia driving guide.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Get to know the locals. <\/span><\/b><\/h3>

Aside from the low-key capital Windhoek, Swakopmund blends German colonial architecture with modern adventure sports. <\/span>And right across the country,\u202fIndigenous <\/span>Himba, Herero and San<\/span>\u202fcommunities thrive and keep their ages old languages, dress and customs alive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Protect the animals.<\/span><\/b>\u202f<\/span><\/h3>

If you\u2019re photographing rhinos,\u202f<\/span>switch off your device\u2019s GPS\/location tagging<\/span>\u202ffeature, so the coordinates aren\u2019t embedded in your images \u2013 would-be poachers scrape social media for such intel.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBook your ultimate Namibia wildlife adventure\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAdventure World\u2019s authentic, fully customisable Namibia journeys feature handpicked wildlife and safari experiences that MAKE TRAVEL MATTER\u00ae. Visit us online to choose your own adventure or call our Destination Experts on 1300 363 055 (AU) or 0800 238 368 (NZ) to plan your next African escape today. \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tView our Namibia Journeys\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wedged between Angola, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa in the continent\u2019s southwest, Namibia\u2019s landscapes are as diverse as the menagerie that fills them. Here, red deserts, desolate coastlines, lush floodplains and vast salt pans all set the scene for encounters with\u202fmore than 5,200 species\u202fof flora and fauna, many of them endemic (get your bearings with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":876713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":null,"ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":null,"stick-header-meta":null,"header-above-stick-meta":null,"header-main-stick-meta":null,"header-below-stick-meta":null,"astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[22934],"tags":[23331,23328,1808,23322,1807,23333,23327,23330,23332,21363,23326,18893,23336,23324,23325,23323,23329,23335,23334,23321],"class_list":["post-876706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guide","tag-aardvark","tag-caprivi-strip","tag-damaraland","tag-desert-adapted-wildlife","tag-etosha-national-park","tag-honey-badger","tag-kaokoland","tag-meerkat","tag-meerkat-safari","tag-namib-desert","tag-namib-naukluft","tag-namibia-safari","tag-quiver-tree","tag-skeleton-coast","tag-sossusvlei","tag-unique-wildlife","tag-waterberg-plateau","tag-welwitschia","tag-welwitschia-plant","tag-wildlife-of-namibia","countries-namibia","regions-africa","regions-southern-africa"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWildlife of Namibia: What Animals You Can Expect to See<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover southwest Africa\u2019s must-see animals \u2013 and exactly where to go on safari to find them \u2013 in our complete guide to the wildlife of Namibia.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.adventureworld.com\/blog\/wildlife-of-namibia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Wildlife of Namibia: What Animals You Can Expect to See\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover southwest Africa\u2019s must-see animals \u2013 and exactly where to go on safari to find them \u2013 in our complete guide to the wildlife of Namibia.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.adventureworld.com\/blog\/wildlife-of-namibia\/\" 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