Mammals of Botswana

The mammals of Botswana are similar to those found throughout Southern Africa, with the main predators including, lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah and hyena. Other highlights that visitors wish to see when on a Botswana Safari are huge herds of elephants (often seen in Chobe National Park), giraffes, buffalo and a variety of antelope including impala, red lechwe, springbok, tessebe and Sable. Rhinos are present however they are still low in numbers and are currently being re-introduced to certain areas of Northern Botswana including the renowned Chief's Island, part of the Moremi Game Reserve.
 
An advantage of Botswana's eco-systems over other African destinations is that they have such a wide diversity. From the fluctuating water levels of the Okavango Delta, to the mopane woodlands and river banks of Chobe National Park, to the Kalahari Game Reserve and the Pans of Nxai and Makgadikgadi, Botswana has it all.
 
Due to the lack of people and agriculture in the north of Botswana, the wildlife is free to follow its ancient migration routes, unconstrained by fences and farming. These routes are determined mainly by the availability of water and nutritious grasses. Typically animals spend the early summer months on the plains of the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi saltpans. As the summers continue, the annual zebra migration peaks in January and February when the zebra and wildebeest congregate in vast numbers in the Savute area to graze on the sweeter grasses brought on by the rains. They then continue northwards to the Chobe River and west into the Okavango Delta in search of much-needed water as the rains cease.
 
Botswana offers the second largest migration route in Africa (after the Serengeti migration). From some of the lodges in the Makgadikgadi Pans visitors can see this migration in action with vast herds of zebra and blue wildebeest passing through this area, accompanied by the ever-present predators or lion and leopard.
 
Setswana names for common animals
Baboon - Tshwene
Hyena - Piri
Hippo - Kubu
Leopard - Nkwe
Lion - Tau
Elephant - Tlou
Snake - Noga
Fish - Tlhapi
Frog - Segwagwa