SOUTH
AFRICA TRIP REPORT (Mammals)
By David Fischer of Wollongong, Australia.
Annotated list of Mammals seen on the trip
March 1 - March 15 '97
ABBREVIATIONS USED
KNP - Kruger National Park.
NR - Nylsvlei Reserve
BL - Ben Lavin Nature Reserve
M - Magoebaskloof
WB - Witbank
WK - Wakkerstroom
- Bushbaby (Otolemur spp.) - several seen on night-drives
from Skukuza and Punda Maria, but always well hidden so that not much more
than the eyes and face could be seen.
- Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) - common in KNP.
- Vervet Monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus) - common in
KNP.
- Samango Monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis) - common at
M.
- Scrub Hare (Lepus saxatilis) - common and a nuisance
on night-drives at KNP. Tends to run along road in front of vehicles for
considerable distances before finally fleeing into the bush.
- Springhaas (Pedetes capensis) - An animal of unusual
appearance (like a rat-kangaroo) which was common on night-drives at Shingwedzi
and Punda Maria.
- Ground Squirrel (Xerus inauris) - common in KNP. These
squirrels were often seen emerging from elephant dung on on the road where
they apparently were foraging for partially digested Marula nuts (according
to the ranger on one of the night drives).
- Tree Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi) - common in KNP.
- Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) - several on night-drives
at KNP and one in the evening at Letaba.
- Lion (Panthera leo) - a group of 4 near Letaba Camp in
KNP.
- African Wild Cat (Felis lybica) - one on night-drive
from Shingwedzi.
- Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) - one near Oliphants,
KNP.
- Large-spotted Genet (Genetta tigrina) - fairly common
on night-drives.
- Civet (Civettictis civetta) - one on night-drive from
Punda Maria.
- Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) - one near Wakkerstroom.
- Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula) - several large groups
in KNP.
- African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) - common in KNP.
- Rock Dassie (Procavia capensis) - common in rocky areas
around WK.
- White Rhinocerus (Ceratotherium simum) - one sighted
in open plains northeast of Crocodile Bridge, KNP.
- Burchell's Zebra (Equus burchelli) - common in KNP.
- Warthog (Phacochoerus aethopicus) - common in KNP, 1
NR.
- Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) - common in rivers
and dams at KNP.
- Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) - common in KNP.
- Black Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) - one in grassland
near WK. >Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) - common in KNP.
- Bontebok (Damaliscus dorcas dorcas) - this beautiful
antelope is common on properties around WK, where it has been introduced.
- Blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) - A few at WB,
common around WK.
- Tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) - several at NR.
- Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) - several sighted
on a night-drive from Skukuza on a rocky outcrop.
- Steenbok (Raphicercus campestris) - a few seen in KNP.
- Sharpe's Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) - one near Shingwedzi,
KNP.
- Impala (Aepyceros melampus) - the most abundant large
mammal within KNP. Herds were encountered in all sections of the park.
- Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) - common in KNP, particularly
in the northern areas.
- Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) - fairly common in KNP.
- Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) - several herds in the Pafuri
region of KNP.
- Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) - a few seen near Lower
Sabie, and common within Letaba camp, KNP.
- Eland (Taurotragus oryx) - one herd near Setara, KNP.
- Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) - common in KNP.
Introduction and Itinerary | Detailed
Account (PART 1): Witbank & Wakkerstroom Area | Detailed
account (PART 2) : birding in the Kruger National Park. | Detailed
Account (PART 3): Ben Lavin, Magoebaskloof Area & Nyslvlei Nature
Reserve. | Annotated
List of all Bird species seen | Information
- accomodation, costs and references used.
